Page 152 of The Seaside Homecoming
The vicar began with the familiar words, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony....”
As the service continued, Claire felt a sense of unreality. For more than two years, she had all but given up hope of a happy life and a loving marriage. But now?Oh God, I thank you.She pulled herself back to the present and concentrated as the vows were read from the Book of Common Prayer.
When his turn came, William looked at her, green eyes warm with affection, and replied without hesitation, “I will.”
The vicar next charged her, and Claire responded with a quiet yet resolute, “I will.”
The pledges and prayers were read. The rings blessed and exchanged, William opting to wear one too, as some men did.
Then the vicar led the congregation in another prayer before pronouncing them “man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Gratitude washed over her. Thiswasreal. William was her husband and she his wife. God had given her such a great gift. How good He was.
Together they knelt and the vicar prayed a final blessing over them. Claire felt blessed indeed. She was now Mrs. Hammond!
When the prayer ended, William helped her rise, and they followed the vicar and parish clerk into the vestry for the writing of the marriage lines into the parish register, which was witnessed by Sarah and Armaan. As Sarah straightened from signing her name, she met Claire’s gaze and the two sisters shared joyful, tremulous smiles.
During the wedding, Sarah had experienced a whole spice box of emotions: cinnamon sweetness seasoned with salty tears and the bitter tang of thyme. Would a man ever vow tocomfort her, honor, and keep her? To have and to hold? To love and to cherish?
She was truly happy for Claire. Yet her heart ached. She too longed to be held. Loved. Cherished.
After the ceremony, Sarah hurried home, determined to vanquish the unsavory emotions with her usual tonic of hard work and serving others.
They were hosting the wedding breakfast at Sea View, which Mrs. Besley, Jessie, Lowen, and Mr. Gwilt had been busily preparing and setting out in the dining room. There were hot rolls, fresh butter, ham and eggs, boiled tongue, and braised fish. Cider, tea, and hot drinking chocolate awaited at one end of the table, and the bride cake crowned the center.
Sarah herself had made the cake for the occasion, taking extra time and care since the cake was for a favorite sister on her very special day. She’d followed the bride cake recipe she’d found inThe Experienced English Housekeeper. It was a rich fruit-and-nut cake with layers of both almond and sugar icing. Sarah thought it looked rather well and hoped it tasted good too.
With William and Claire not being well-known in Sidmouth, the crowd was perhaps smaller than at Viola’s and Emily’s weddings, but the mood felt just as jovial. Sarah was heartened to see friends and neighbors gather to honor this sister they barely knew for the sake of the Summers and Hutton families they did know.
Dear Mrs. Denby was there, chatting with Mr. Hornbeam and Miss Reed, who would soon become his wife. Major Hutton, Viola, Armaan, and Sonali sat nearby, talking with Mamma. The major’s younger brother, Colin, had come to town to congratulate Armaan and Sonali and had remained for the wedding. He sat teasing Georgie and Mira in equal turns.
Guests carried plates of food from the dining room to the parlour or drawing room and spilled out onto the veranda.
Mr. Gwilt fluttered about as usual, refilling cups and clearing plates with a smile. Sarah assisted him, cutting cake and handing it around, watching and listening with quiet satisfaction as guests exclaimed over how delicious it was.
She was also pleased to see Fran, Mrs. Ballard, and the housemaid Mary chatting together like old friends and enjoying the rare pleasure of sitting at their leisure and being waited on for a change. Maybe someday Sarah would learn to enjoy leisure as well. And perhaps, just perhaps, she would accept Claire’s invitation to travel with them to Scotland.
Claire looked around Sea View with a sense of wonder. All of these people were here to celebrate with her, some because they were acquainted with her mother or sisters, yes, but still they had come. She no longer felt like a pariah, no longer felt shunned.
While she stood talking and laughing with James and Emily, William came along and grabbed her hand, pulling her into the quiet hall. There, he wrapped his strong arms around her and stole a kiss, away from the prying eyes of the wedding guests. Or so they thought.
From out of nowhere, Mira squeezed herself between them, pleading, “I want a kiss too!”
They separated and leaned down to oblige her with pecks to her cheeks.
Then Georgie appeared and took the girl’s hand. “Shall we play a game of spillikins, Mira?”
“Yes, please!” And the two girls retreated happily into the parlour.
When they had gone, William wrapped his arms around Claire once more, grinning down at her. “I like all your sisters, of course, but at the moment, Georgiana is my favorite.” He leaned down and kissed Claire again.
Happiness bubbled through her, heart and soul. God hadrenewed her life and given her more than she could have asked for or imagined. Not only had she been restored to her family, but now she and William were about to start a family of their own. Claire reached up and held his beloved face in her hands as she kissed him back, filled with thanksgiving and hope for the future.
