Samuel would wait for her at the church, so she went down the stairs with Father.
The entire household was gathered in the hallway to see her out. She didn’t know them well, but their warmth touched her. Dobkins, Mrs. Foster, Richard, Bernard, and William clapped their hands when she stepped into the hallway. The man with a hand around one of the ropes on the wall had to be Potter, the cook. He stood half hidden in a corner, a shy smile on his face.
Mrs. Foster helped her don her capelet. “My lady, we’ll be here to welcome you and Mr. Lyon after the ceremony.”
William held the door open. “I’m coming with you to the church.”
She climbed into the carriage with her father and Dobkins. The bright sunlight glinted off the elegant windows of the neighbouring houses, flashing golden sparks over her. She closed her eyes in the sunshine, enjoying the warmth on her skin.
Captain Jackson’s awful potion was already working because her body didn’t feel numb and the air had a crisp quality she’d missed.
“If you feel unwell,” Father said, “I’ll take you home immediately.”
Home. It was curious how her mind flew immediately to Samuel’s house at the wordhome,and not her parents’. She’d been in Samuel’s house for a few hours, but she already felt safe and comfortable there.
“I feel better than yesterday.”
“And hopefully, worse than tomorrow.” He smiled.
When the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the church, she looked out of the windows. Beautiful white roses adorned the stone arch of the front door, looking like an angel’s wings. Father helped her out of the carriage.
“Do you think Mother will come?”
He shook his head. “She won’t be here today.”
Nothing new, and it was better that way.
Captain Jackson bowed his head at their passage, and Father returned the greeting with a polite gesture.
The semidarkness in the church made her squint her eyes as Father accompanied her to the altar where a radiant Samuel was waiting in a tailored morning suit.
Her heart raced, and for a moment, she feared she might have another fit out of excitement, but when he smiled, her pulse returned to normal.
