On the day before the wedding, the guests started arriving in droves. And fortunately, Haverford House was large enough to accommodate them all.

The first to arrive was Susan’s family. Not only Mamma and Papa but Louisa and Jacob and their families.

Mamma immediately went into her panic mode and began to try and manage all the details of the wedding, even though everything was well in hand. Susan had to urge Louise to take her mother aside and persuade her to just enjoy the event with no need to do anything. Not an easy task.

Katherine and her family were the next to arrive. And Katherine’s offered help, as her chief bridesmaid, was most welcome.

The Earl of Pembrook and Hester arrived and immediately focused their doting attention on Elizabeth as her grandparents.

Then members of the aristocracy began to arrive. Numerous other dukes, earls, lesser counts, and even a representative of His Majesty were in attendance. Clarissa had needed to hire additional staff to help with the crush. And beside all of the guests, there were the guest’s servants to find places for—man servants, personal maids, and carriage drivers and their footmen—some of whom were housed above the stables.

Susan had given up on Elizabeth’s lessons during the week of the wedding and it was almost impossible to get her to take her naps in the afternoons with all the excitement.

It was late at night on the eve of her wedding and Susan was finally alone. No Jessica, no mother, no Katherine, or Clarissa or even Elizabeth. She rested in the nook of her window seat and watched the almost full moon wash the park in moonlight.

What a journey this had been. She remembered what Jessica had said about the young person she had been just six months ago. As she reflected on this past year she could not believe how much her life had changed and, tomorrow, she would be the Duchess of Lennox.

Then Daniel came to mind and she brushed a tear away as she remembered their fleeting and unsteady romance.

But most of all she thought about John and Elizabeth—her new life, bright and shining before her.

Tomorrow night she would no longer be sleeping in this room. She looked around and remembered the many moments she had experienced in this treasured room. But, and not for the first time, she thought about what her life would be like as John’s wife. She felt her passion rise as she thought about him holding and kissing her. She wrapped her arms around herself, laid her head back against the window seat, and closed her eyes.

* * *

She was awakened by a knocking at her door. She couldn’t believe she’d slept the whole night at the window, and she leapt up.

“Come in,” she called out.

The door opened and Clarissa and Katherine entered—Clarissa carrying a breakfast tray.

“It’s time to get ready,” Katherine joyfully announced.

But first, they made her sit at her table and take some breakfast, even though she was too excited to be hungry.

“I’ve been thinking a great deal about how to do your hair,” Katherine said, as she finally sat Susan down at her dressing table in front of the mirror.

Aunt Clarissa meanwhile laid out all of the garments Susan would wear and checked each item.

As Katherine was working on Susan’s hair, adding ribbons and fresh flowers from the estate greenhouse, Elizabeth, wearing her flower girl’s dress, burst into the room and dashed over to give Susan a hug.

“You’re going to be my official mommy today, aren’t you?”

“I thought you made that official already at Christmas,

Susan laughed.

“I did, but now it’s official, official.”

“Then I’m very pleased.”

Elizabeth squiggled up on the stool next to Susan and watched as Katherine worked on Susan’s hair and makeup. She was silent but captivated as she watched.

Clarissa guarded the door and kept curious guests away, except for Susan’s mamma, who insisted she be allowed to see her daughter before the ceremony.

“Oh, Susan,” she gushed as she saw her daughter’s face in the mirror. “How beautiful you are.” She put her hands on either side of her face in the wonder of it all.

“If I’d known you were going to be a duchess, we might have given you a more elegant name.”

“Mother, there is nothing wrong with just Susan. That is who I am, whether I am a duchess or not. I shall always be just myself.”

“And what a wonderful self that is,” Aunt Clarissa said with deep satisfaction.

When the preparation was finally done, Susan was helped into her dress and it was fastened up.

Mamma gasped at the sight. Then Aunt Clarissa took out the Belvedere necklace and placed it around her neck. The necklace hung about her slim neck and across her chest like an emblem of her excellence. Everyone was silent, awed by the person they saw reflected in the standing mirror.

Mamma came up behind Susan and put her hands on her shoulders.

“Oh, my darling child…” She was then too overcome to say anything more, and she stepped back and gazed in wonder.

Elizabeth took hold of Susan’s hand.

“Are you sad,” she asked.

“No, dear, I’m very happy.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“Because tears are the very essence of both sorrow and joy, and to tell you the truth, I am embraced by both.”

Katherine stepped up and took Susan’s arm, and patted it.

“Dear friend, it is now your moment.”

“Thank you, my dear,” Susan said.

Then Katherine said, “Now, don’t we have a wedding to attend? I’m certain there must be a groom out there somewhere.”

Curious to read how Susan’s and John’s relationship evolved? Then enjoy this complimentary short story featuring the beloved couple.

Simply

I guarantee you, that you won’t be disappointed ♥