With the decision made, quick arrangements were compiled for Lady Abigail’s quiet wedding to the Earl of Gilchrist. A few short weeks past with the necessity of bands being read at Lady Abigail’s country parish.
It gave time for both the Duke and Duchess of Wintercrest, as well as Lord Gilchrist’s sister and mother to make the journey to Wintercrest Manor for the event. Lady Abigail was just as relieved to have her sister-in-law safely home without further health complications, as the duchess was to be reunited with her children.
Lady Abigail hoped that the extra weeks would also give her a chance settle to her new life as wife to the Earl of Gilchrist. This seemed to be a much harder task as he appeared to seclude himself more and more with every member that arrived at the house. She noticed it the most when his mother came.
She suspected there were still some deep unresolved issues between the two of them. It sorrowed her deeply that Gilchrist seemed to stay far away from her, not to mention the pain and discomfort that Lady Gilchrist visibly felt in her son’s presence.
The twins, however, seemed to seek out Gilchrist just as much as Lady Abigail. They were fascinated by the man. Lady Abigail wasn’t entirely sure if Gilchrist was bothered by the children's attention.
Gilchrist was always polite to them and did his best to answer their barrage of questions when they did seek him out, but at the same time, he didn’t seem very happy and somewhat uncomfortable at their big eyes studying his every feature.
Isabella looked to have just barely made it home in time. The guilt that Lady Abigail felt in knowing that she may have caused the early arrival of the baby was eating her alive. She did everything she could imagine to help the duchess in the household duties and see to their comfort.
Between the happy preparations, Lady Abigail’s mother always seemed about, and the work needed to keep the house running while Isabella rested and prepared for the arrival of her new child, Lady Abigail had little time to hunt down Gilchrist as the twins seemed to do.
Before she even realized it the day of her wedding came, and she had not spoken more than a handful of words to her intended. She was still trying to reconcile with the idea that she was to be married and that the man who was Colton Frasier Earl of Gilchrist.
The culmination of all her interactions with the earl made Lady Abigail wonder if she should be happy and excited or dreading the day. Either way, however, she had no choice in it. The matter was set, she had agreed to the terms, and was determined to do her best to see the consequences through.
She dressed that morning with the help of her lady's maid in a simple cream dress and decorated her hair with dried pink roses. Her mother was of course against this since she was sure that pink strongly clashed with her rust-colored hair, but she cared not. She loved the smell that the dried flowers gave and thought it might give her some courage with every deep breath.
She was taken to the small county chapel sponsored by her brother in the family carriage. She wondered if this would be the last time she would ride in the familiar vehicle. Through her future mother-in-law, Lady Abigail was informed that the Cumberton Park was now suited to the arrival of its master and new bride. They would be leaving the day after the wedding for what would be Lady Abigail’s new home.
She took solace in the knowledge that the country seat of her betrothed was only one day’s carriage ride from her own. She reminded herself often if things went sour between herself and the earl, she could always return home. Her family would certainly welcome her back, at least she hoped so.
And then there was also the information that Gilchrist had given her previously about traveling to America. Was he still making preparations to do so? She shuttered at the thought of being left all alone in a new land so far from any connections she had.
Her carriage stopped with a hard jolt. She rode along with her brother. No words had yet transpired between the pair. Isabella, who had greatly wished to come, was forced to stay in bed by her well-meaning husband. Lady Abigail couldn’t blame him for the loss of her comfort, though. Isabella was in considerable discomfort and sure to have the child quiet possibly before Lady Abigail left the Manor house.
“I know you might not have wished this,” the duke said nervously, "but I promise you I wouldn’t have recommended such a situation if I wasn’t completely assured that Gilchrist would be a good husband to you.”
“I know,” Lady Abigail said softly. She was such a jumble of emotions at that moment it was hard to explain let alone comfort the duke.
He patted her hand gently as they made their way into the chapel.
“Lord Gilchrist is making a great sacrifice of his own happiness on my behalf. I could not be more grateful to him,” Lady Abigail finally said softly.
“It is a great sacrifice to you both,” he replied.
The gravity of his words hung in the air as they made their way into the chapel. Lady Abigail still had not yet decided if she would make the sacrifice that her brother spoke of and the soon to be dowager Countess Gilchrist hoped for.
She did her best to focus on the room alone as they made their way to the man and reverend waiting at the end of pews. She had attended this chapel her whole life, even been baptized in its font as a baby.
She noticed that small bunches of wildflowers decorated the edges of each pew. The fragrance mixed with her own dried roses sending a sweet perfume in the air. She was grateful for its relaxing effect. She studied the stone walk in front of her and listened to the sound of her feet clicking.
She could feel Gilchrist’s eyes on her though she refused to look back. The duke's words hung heavy in her mind, and she feared her thoughts would betray her if she met his gaze.
Finally, she found herself standing across from the Earl. He had positioned himself so that he was slightly turned showing his good side for the most part to both her and the reverend. The preacher was the same man whom she listened to for as long as she could remember.
He was a quiet and rather dull man. She supposed it was how all vicar's meant to behave but that didn’t mean she had ever particularly liked him. She did her best to keep her eyes and focused on the preacher however as vows were exchanged.
Lady Abigail’s heart thumped with nerves at the approaching end of the service. Would she be told to kiss her now husband? Was she willing to do so? She didn’t so much fear Gilchrist or feel disgusted for his deformity, but more worried about her own abilities.
It was right that she did care for him, and indeed cherished the friendship they shared when they were on good terms. At the same time, she couldn’t say she loved him, nor thought she would have ever been resolved in marrying a man she didn’t have such passionate emotions for.
“You may now kiss your bride,” the reverend said in a very droll manner.
For the first time Lady Abigail, now the Countess of Gilchrist, lifted her eyes to meet her husband’s. He was watching her intently, and she wondered if he had been trying to catch her eyes this whole time.
His blue eyes seemed to show much darker at that moment as they filled with pity on her. She hesitated to take that small step forward to close the gap between the two of them. The small space was packed full of words unspoken between the two.
Finally, Gilchrist let his eyes drift down to her hands placed at her side. Reaching over, he took one with his right hand. She could feel the weight of the moment shoot through their touch. Raising her hands to his lips, he kissed it ever so gently.
She could barely make out the subtle difference from the right side of his mouth and left. Strangely, the left side’s scar tissue that crept in on his lips seemed soft and almost delicate. Lady Abigail had expected it to be coarse and dried.
Instead of releasing her hand, he turned to face the small group in the pews and placed her arm snuggly in the crook of his own. Reverent cheers and congratulations came through the crowd.
Abigail stopped at each member to receive their words of kindness.
“I am so happy to have you as a sister now,” Lady Louisa said as they embraced. “I do wish you would return with us to London,” she added.
“They will need some time alone to get to know each other better,” the Dowager Countess responded quickly.
Abigail wanted to correct her mother in law. She was sure that the Earl of Gilchrist’s decision to return to his country seat had little to do with getting to know his new bride and more to do with his removal from the ton.