“Well, we’ll not worry about that now. And just to reassure you, my husband has passed along young Samuel’s name to some people near Little Witham, so that they can verify our assumption. If it’s proved to be true, I doubt he’ll be doing any more business along those lines for quite some time to come.” She wiped her hands on a napkin in dismissal. “But there is something else we do need to concern ourselves with.”
“There is?” Willow frowned.
“Yes, most certainly. Would you both come with me?”
Lady Amelia rose, as did Harry and Willow, who shot a quick glance at each other, then followed their hostess from the room as she led them back across the hall and into a very extensive library.
They both gasped at the number of fully laden shelves.
“Oh, I could live in here,” sighed Willow, as she walked to the obviously comfortable chairs arranged for the convenience of readers.
“I feel like that sometimes too,” Lady Amelia agreed. “But I brought you both here for another reason.”
She crossed the room to a small writing table and withdrew a document from one of the drawers. “I have had this prepared especially for this moment,” she announced.
“Oh. Um…” Harry cleared his throat. “How kind of you…”
Willow simply blinked in confusion.
“This, young man,” Lady Amelia waved the paper in the air, “is a legal marriage document certifying that Mr Harry Chalmers of Myrtle Manor and Miss Willow Trease of Forest Grange, were married three days ago in the presence of the Right Reverend George Snow, and that the occasion was properly witnessed by Lady Amelia Sydney. The small ceremony took place at number nine, Sea Lane, Little Witham, and the formal recognition of said marriage will be placed into the register of the local church, St. Brendan’s, upon my direction.”
“I don’t…I can’t think…” Willow sputtered helplessly.
“How? What…” Harry wasn’t much use either.
“Oh dear,” sighed Lady Amelia. “Right then. Harry Chalmers.” She stared at him.
“Ma’am?”
“This young woman has shown extraordinary courage in rescuing you, caring for you, and accompanying you on a hazardous journey.”
She turned to Willow. “And you, young lady. You unhesitatingly took on the job of nursing this man back to health, no matter the cost to your person or your reputation. And after that, you chose to accompany him on the aforementioned hazardous journey.”
“Uh…well, yes…I suppose…”
“Therefore, there is no doubt in my mind at all that you two are meant for each other. In fact, you declared yourselves married, not only in my presence but also in the inn where you spent the night alone together.”
Willow blushed.
“So, I offer you both this document as a reward for all of the above. It will remove any stain on your reputation, Willow, and allow Harry here to get his hands on you with the blessing of the church, which I think he will appreciate most heartily.” Lady Amelia’s grin was infectious. “However, one must observe the legalities, so if you’ll follow my butler, he will take you to our little ballroom, where my personal chaplain awaits you both with a special licence. He will perform an abbreviated ceremony that will legitimise your union, along with everything I just told you.” She paused. “If you want to wed, of course…”
Harry looked at Willow, who stared back at him.
Then he moved to stand in front of her. “Marry me, Willow. I can’t imagine life without you at my side.”
Willow’s eyes filled, but she smiled and nodded. “Ohyes, I’ll marry you. Ireallywant to marry you. I think I’ve wanted to for as long as I can remember…”
“Then let’s do it. Right now.”
So they did.
(And it must be noted that Lady Amelia, despite her calm and collected demeanour, shed a few tears as the bride and groom exchanged a rather passionate kiss that made the chaplain blush.)
Epilogue
A few days later, Forest Grange
“I can’t believe it,” Lady Hazel Trease stared once again at Harry and Willow as they sat close to each other, holding hands, on the couch in the Trease parlour. “Married. To each other…”
