Georgiana bid farewell to the Sagars and Hammonds, who were the first to leave, Mira asleep in her father’s arms. Then Jack and Viola departed, wanting to take a sleepy Mrs. Denby home as well. Mr. Hutton went with them.
By eleven, all the outside guests besides Colin had departed.
Traditionally, decorations had to be taken down by midnight to avoid bad luck in the coming year. Georgiana’s family didn’t hold to such superstitions, but it was a good way to get the house restored to pre-Christmas order in a hurry.
The family and servants worked together to take down all the decorations before the clock struck twelve, although Mamma insisted Sarah be excused to get a good night’s sleep and finish her packing. Georgie half expected Sarah to insist on working till the last, but she agreed. And with a kiss to Mamma’s cheek, she started dreamily up the stairs, the veil still on her head, trailing behind her as she went.
Mamma said Georgie could be excused as well, since she would be traveling with them, but she was too excited to sleep. She remained with the others in their fine evening clothes, pulling downgreenery from the mantels and stairway and unwinding it from the porch columns.
Mr. Henshall and Mr. Gwilt built a bonfire outside, and Colin, Georgiana, and Effie carried out all the pine, holly, and ivy, tossed the branches onto the fire, and watched them flame to life.
Eventually, Effie took her stepfather’s arm and led him back to the house, saying, “Come on, old man. Need your beauty sleep. Big day tomorrow.” Mr. Gwilt followed.
Colin and Georgiana lingered. After a few minutes of companionable silence, punctuated by the snapping fire, Colin said, “Well, we did it, did we not? Sparked romance between your sister and her Scot.”
She looked at him with fond amusement. “We get all the credit, do we?”
“We certainly helped them along. Mistletoe, dancing, poetry... Perhaps instead of a teacher I should take up matchmaking. What say you?”
Georgiana shook her head and looked heavenward. As her gaze swept the clear, starlit sky the flippant retort on her tongue evaporated. “Look how beautiful...”
She glanced over and found him watching her. “I am looking.”
Georgiana shook her head once more.
For a few minutes longer she remained outside, enjoying the warmth of the fire, talking and laughing with Colin over the events of the evening. But soon weariness settled over her like a soft, cozy blanket.
Their Sea View Christmas had come to an end.
TWENTY
Soon after the breakfast the bride and bridegroom departed. They had a long day’s journey before them.
—Caroline Austen (Jane Austen’s niece), letter
The next morning, Sarah rose eagerly. She washed and dressed in the pretty blue gown that had been made for her when she stood as Claire’s bridesmaid last autumn. Since attendants were usually unmarried younger sisters or friends, Sarah had asked Georgie and Effie to be her bridesmaids.
Fran, former lady’s maid and longtime friend, came to Sea View to curl and arrange Sarah’s hair as she had for all the Summers sisters upon their wedding days.
“Four married. One to go,” Fran said, grinning at Georgiana. She insisted on curling and arranging Georgiana’s and Effie’s hair as well.
When everyone was dressed and ready, Mamma took Sarah’s hands and smiled at her. “You look beautiful and happy, my dear, and that makes me happy.”
Sarah smiled in return, pleasure and satisfaction flowing through her.
Then they all went downstairs and began donning warm cloaks. Mr. Gwilt assisted Sarah with hers and said in a low, confidential voice, “You’re as pretty as Mrs. G on our wedding day. Now don’t you worry, Miss Sarah. We will take good care of Sea Viewand your mamma. You go and enjoy married life. All right? You deserve every happiness.”
Sarah’s heart hitched. “Thank you, Mr. Gwilt.”
The ladies would be taken to church in the Huttons’ carriage while the gentlemen walked. The bridegroom had left earlier to confer with the vicar and make sure all was in order.
The women went outside and climbed into the carriage, which waited on the drive, festooned with greenery and ribbons.
A few minutes later, when they arrived at the parish church and entered, Mr. Henshall was already standing near the altar, looking handsome in a dark coat and tartan kilt. Sarah could hardly believe she was about to marry her handsome, talented Scotsman.
She recalled the mixed feelings she had experienced during Claire’s wedding, wondering if anyone would ever vow to comfort, honor, and keep her. For she too had longed to be held. Loved. Cherished.
And now she knew she was. Had been all along.
