Page 35 of A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores)

“What will we do? You and I, I mean. I can’t travel with you. Even if Effie might suffice as a chaperone for the journey itself, to live in your house as an unmarried woman ...?”

“I know.”

“Calling the banns will take more time than you have.”

“Were you hoping for a long engagement?”

“No.”

“Good.” He raised her chin with his fingers. “Because now you’ve finally agreed to marry me, I’ll not risk leavin’ without ye again.”

“But...”

He softly stroked his thumb over her lower lip, and she instantly stilled.

“Will ye trust me, lass?”

“I will.”

“Then get ready to say those same two little words again soon. Give me an hour or so, and I’ll see what I can do. All right? Do not worry. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Are you going to Exeter again?”

“No. Although I’m glad I already did.”

He gave her a final sweet kiss and left on his errand.

After about an hour, Sarah began to pace.

What was he doing? What did he hope to accomplish?

To avoid the three weeks’ delay needed to call the banns, they’d probably have to acquire a special license, which would require a lengthy trip to London, connections to the archbishop he did not have, and more money than he could spare—especially with costly repairs awaiting him in Scotland.

She prayed he would not suggest eloping.

Not after Claire’s disastrous attempt. She did not wish to break her mother’s heart all over again.

From the library window, she saw him return on foot. Yet when he entered the house, he came not to find her, but to speak to her mother. A short while later, the two of them joined her in the library.

He took her hand. “Sarah, my jo. Will ye marry me ... tomorrow?”

“What? I mean yes, I will marry you. But how can we possibly marry tomorrow?”

“With the help of your vicar, Mr. Jenkins, and two of your brothers-in-law, I have acquired a common license from the bishop of this diocese.”

“Common license?”

He nodded.

Mamma explained, “It’s sometimes called a standard license here, or a bishop’s license.”

“That’s what you were doing in Exeter?” she asked him.

“Aye. It was presumptuous, I know, but I wanted to be prepared. It was either that or convince ye to marry once we crossed the border. Considering your sister’s regrettable experience, I didna want to suggest it.

I also knew you’d want to be surrounded by your family if and when we wed.

With this license, we can marry in the parish church tomorrow morning or the next.

I went to talk to Mr. Jenkins just now. He was not home, but I tracked him down and he has agreed. ”

“Has he?” Sarah said, suddenly breathless.

“Aye. All that’s left is for ye to agree too. So I repeat my question. Will ye marry me and make me the happiest of men?”

Excitement bubbled through her. “I will.”

He smiled and his sea-green eyes shone.

“Thank God,” Mamma murmured. “Though the day after might be better. We have the Twelfth Night party tomorrow.”

His warm gaze remained on Sarah. “That suits me, if it suits my bride?”

“It does indeed.”

“Good. Then I have something for you.” From an inner pocket he retrieved a small velvet pouch. He tipped the contents onto his palm and held it out to her.

Another gift? She resolved to react more favorably this time. “What is it?”

“A Luckenbooth brooch. A traditional Scottish token of betrothal. It symbolizes love and loyalty.”

The gold brooch was in the shape of two entwined hearts with a crown above.

“It’s lovely!”

She pinned it to her bodice, and they both looked down at it with satisfaction.

Mamma, however, clapped her hands. “Now, let’s get busy. We have much to do.”

There was no time for a new gown or written invitations. Instead, they sent Georgiana to spread the word to friends and family alike. This was a task she eagerly undertook, donning warm clothes and setting out on a house-to-house mission.

“Be sure to tell Fran,” Mamma called after her. “Or is that too far to go on foot?”

“Not at all,” Georgie assured them. “It’s an easy walk for me.”

Mamma lamented the fact that there was not even time to plan and prepare sufficient food for a proper wedding breakfast.

Sarah responded easily, “No matter. Many of the people who would have attended a formal wedding breakfast will be at the party tomorrow night. The party can serve as a wedding celebration too. There is sure to be plenty of food left over for a simple meal after the ceremony.”

Mamma looked at her in surprise. “I am proud of you and your pluck, my dear. You are right to focus on the main thing: that you be married before God and family. The other details are far less important.”

Soon, Sarah was receiving well-wishes and embraces from her sisters and brothers-in-law. Georgie, Emily, and James were the first to congratulate her. Viola and Jack came over a few minutes later—Westmount likely having been Georgie’s first stop in her role as messenger.

Seeing Effie come down the stairs, Sarah opened her arms, and the girl sailed into them, accepting and returning Sarah’s embrace. “I am happy for the both of ye, and for me! I am glad ye are joining our little family. You’ll make us more of a family, a better family, I know.”

“Thank you, dear heart.”

Effie then turned to Mr. Henshall and accepted his embrace as well. She said, “And if the offer still stands, Da’, I’d like to take your last name when Sarah does.”

Tears misted his eyes. “That would make me very happy, lass. A double blessing, indeed.”

Later that day, Claire came over to offer Sarah her heartiest congratulations.

“I’m delighted for you both. And I’m especially glad William and I have decided to keep the Edinburgh house.

He says he can decipher codes for the foreign office and write his diplomatic memoir from anywhere.

We plan to live there at least a few months a year and find a cottage near Sidmouth for the remainder. ”

“That is excellent news!” Sarah exclaimed, squeezing her hands.

Sarah considered, then said, “I wonder ... Everything is so new, we’ve not yet had time to propose the idea, but since Georgiana has a strong desire to travel, and Effie would surely appreciate her company on the long journey, Callum and I were thinking of asking her to accompany the three of us.

Like I accompanied you and William on your wedding trip. ”

“Ah! And when William and I come up to visit, we could bring her back with us.”

“Yes, if that might be agreeable to you both.”

“I don’t see why not, but I will ask William and let you know if he foresees any problems.”

“Thank you. I think it would make Callum feel more assured of Effie’s safety. This way, the two girls could share a room at the inns we stop at along the way, while he and I...” Sarah stopped, face burning.

Claire failed to hide her smile. “I understand perfectly. What has Mamma said?”

“I wanted to talk it over with you first so have not yet broached the subject. But I shall.”

Georgiana was still out spreading the news when Sarah went and spoke to her mother in the parlour, where she sat with Emily. Sarah expected Mamma to be reluctant to agree but her reaction surprised Sarah.

“Perhaps that would be a good idea. Give her some distance from Colin Hutton. I like the young man a great deal—don’t mistake me—but he’s too old for her.”

“I am not defending or encouraging their friendship,” Sarah replied, “but I feel it only fair to point out that their age difference is less than Viola and Jack’s. Or yours and Papa’s.”

Emily spoke up. “And far less than Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon’s in Sense and Sensibility .”

“That’s different! They are fictional. And Viola was already one and twenty when she met the major.”

“And how old were you when you met Papa?”

Mamma lifted her chin. “Well ... seventeen was older back then.”

Sarah grinned. “If you say so.”

After a thorough discussion of the merits and drawbacks of the plan, Mamma agreed, saying, “As long as she’s back by summer, when things get busy here.

And as long as Claire and William can deliver her home again, then, yes.

I cannot deny her the experience. She’s been longing to travel for some time. ”

“Are you sure you won’t be too lonely without her?”

“I will miss you all, of course. Yet children flying from the nest is an expected part of life. Cora is young, but she is already a great help to me and excellent company as well. And Viola and Jack are right next door, and Emily and James will be here a few days a week. That’s more time with adult children than many mothers enjoy. ”

“You are very good, Mamma. Very selfless.”

“Selfless? Not a whit.” She winked. “I’ve been hoping to get you married off for years.”

After gaining Mr. Hammond’s and Mamma’s approval, Sarah then asked Georgiana if she had any interest in traveling with them to Scotland.

Georgie’s eyes widened into blue saucers. “Really? Could I? Yes, please!”

“You would be with us for a few months. Claire and William plan to come up in March or April, and they could bring you back to Sidmouth with them later in the spring.”

Georgiana hesitated. “That’s a long time to be away from home. What has Mamma said?”

“She said you may go, as long as you’re back in time to help with the busy summer months. She also said Cora is a great help and excellent company.”

“Did she? I am glad.”

Sarah nodded. “Cora has been good for Mamma. And we have you to thank for befriending Cora in the first place.”

Georgie shrugged. “Emily went to the school before I did. But she can’t kick a ball to save her life. That’s why I became better acquainted with Cora.”

“And we are all exceedingly glad you did.”

Sitting at her dressing table that night, Sarah unpinned and brushed her dark hair, taking notice of her blue eyes in the mirror.

Peter had often said she had fine eyes....

She supposed it was only natural to find herself thinking of her first love at such a time. She had grieved his loss for more than three years, saying she’d had one great love in her life and did not expect to have another.

All that had changed. Thinking of Peter now no longer brought feelings of sadness and loss. She was ready to move on.

Sarah did not have much to remember him by. A rough sketch Claire had attempted years ago. The last letter he’d sent to her before going to sea. And memories of his gentle, serious nature.

She knew he probably couldn’t hear her, yet even so she said, “Dear Peter. I hope you don’t mind.

I don’t think you would, being as practical as you were.

But I am finally going to marry someone else.

His name is Callum, and I think you would like him.

I certainly do. In fact, I love him more than I ever imagined loving anyone ever again. ...”

Her imagined conversation with Peter changed into a real conversation with someone who definitely heard her. “Thank you, God, for healing my broken heart and for this second chance with Callum Henshall.”