Page 19

“I understand you’ll need to make arrangements for someone to cover your classes. Are you sure you don’t need more time?”
“Positive.”
Niven cleared his throat. “One more thing.”
I’d not steal his thunder, but I had a good idea of what he was about to say.
“I proposed to Harper, and astonishingly, she accepted.”
“Congratulations, Niven! That’s wonderful news, and it isn’t surprising in the least. It is obvious you are both very much in love.”
“She’s my life, Eliza.”
“And you are hers. I can’t wait to get there and celebrate with you both.”
“We’re going to marry before I leave.”
Like earlier, I’d not allow myself to think about why. Instead, I’d do everything I could to make this a beautiful and special wedding regardless of its haste.
Once the call ended, I immediately sent my letter of resignation to the head of my department, citing family issues that would preclude me from returning in the foreseeable future.
By the week’s end, as promised, I’d packed up my office, studio, and flat, and arranged for everything to be shipped to London and stored. Given the lease on my flat there was about to expire, I contacted the tenant to inform them I’d not be renewing but gave them ample time to find another place since I’d be in Alfriston with Harper.
After landing at Heathrow, I contacted Miss Bardwell. “There’s something at the flat I need to pick up,” I told her.
“I had a feeling either you or Niven would. I’ve had it cleaned and made ready.”
“I adore you and will see you soon,” I told her.
“I’ll have lunch ready when you get here.”
I laughed and thanked her. The least I could do was give in and let her feed me, knowing it would make her happier.
The days leading up to the wedding flew by, leaving me wishing I could stop time. Once it was over, Niven would leave, and if I could delay his doing so forever, I would.
While I focused on preparing the cottage, the vicar who Harper now worked for, along with the woman who lived next door, arranged to have the overgrown gardens restored to the same beauty I remembered as a child.
The looks on Harper’s and Niven’s faces when they drove up on their wedding day made all the hard work we’d done worth it.
Unable to hide my excitement, I pulled Harper aside shortly after we came inside. “Come with me,” I said, leading her into the bedroom and closing the door behind us.
“What’s going on?” Harper asked after taking a seat on the bed.
“While you are the perfect picture of a beautiful bride, there’s something I want to show you. If you don’t want to wear it, you don’t have to.”
I pulled the silk wedding gown from the closet and held it up for her to see. “This belonged to Niven’s mother, Margaret. When she died, he found it stored in the back of a closet in his flat. He intended to get rid of it, but I begged him to let me have it. What he didn’t know was that I gave it to Miss Bardwell for safekeeping.”
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered.
“It looks to me like it will fit you perfectly.” While the decision, of course, was hers, I prayed she liked it.
“I’d love to wear it,” she said, perhaps noticing I was waiting with bated breath for her to say something.
When I offered to step out to give her privacy, Harper asked if I’d stay and help her, and I told her I’d be honored.
Once she was ready, I stepped out of the room first.
“She’s so beautiful,” I whispered to Niven.