“Very well. We shall start.” The clergyman took a well-used book from his clerk and opened to a page he wanted. No doubt he knew the words by heart, much as she did with her favorite stories. Behind them, the Storme family settled into chairs and sofas. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this gathering, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church…”
She didn’t quite care for the cadence or sound of the man’s voice or the prickling feeling on her neck from everyone staring at her, so Caroline allowed her mind to drift. Soon, she would be John’s wife. He would take her away from everything, away from the judgment and the whispers, away from the shame of being in that asylum, to somewhere that she could do whatever she wished.
But what would happen between them in the meantime? Did he wish for a real marriage in every sense of the word? If so, how could she agree when she couldn’t stand being in the company of anyone, let alone having someone touch her so intimately as what would be required of her in that case?
He’s made a terrible choice. This is a mistake!
“Caroline.” John softly cleared his throat. He touched a hand to hers, and that tiny connection scattered her frantic thoughts. “You might wish to pay attention.” Amusement threaded through the barely audible whisper.
The clergyman centered his gaze on John. “Wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded Wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Oh, such romantic words! Like a poem. Caroline trembled, her breath held in anticipation. Would he truly go through with the ceremony?
In a clear voice, John answered, “I will.”
A shiver of relief edged down her spine, but there was no time to wonder, for the clergyman addressed her.
“Wilt thou have this Man to be thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
She squeezed her fingers upon John’s arm. “Yes. Absolutely.” Her answer came out breathless and in a whisper, for tears crowded in her throat. Life was rapidly changing, and oh how she hoped it would change for the better.
Then John was instructed to take her right hand in his right one, and hers shook so badly that he gently squeezed her fingers. Tendrils of calm emanated upward from the point of contact. When her breath came in tiny pants, he leaned into her, put his lips to her ear and whispered, “I promise this will not be yet another prison.”
Her heart trembled. She grinned lest he think she looked upon the ceremony with dread. “I’m so happy,” she whispered back.
The clergyman gave them a look of indulgence. He cleared his throat and continued. “Mr. Butler, repeat after me…” He intoned words that Caroline scarcely heard until he said them to her, his brown eyes locked with hers.
“I, John Terrance Butler, take thee Caroline Agnes Storme to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ’till death us do part.” His grin awakened butterflies in her belly. “According to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
They were directed to release hands, and Caroline was told to then hold John’s right hand with her right one. The clergyman addressed her. “Miss Storme, repeat after me.” He gave her the words, and she prayed she would say them all in the proper order.
Please, God, let me say them in order.“I, Caroline Agnes Storme, take thee John Terrance Butler to be my wedded Husband.” She paused to swallow and clutch at his fingers. As well as to concentrate on this next bit. “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, ’till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And thereto I give thee my troth.” How wonderful and slightly terrifying such a thing was, but the words hadn’t been jumbled. For that she rejoiced.
Please let me show him—and me—this isn’t a mistake.
They were instructed to again release their hands. John proffered a plain silver band to the clergyman, who then laid it upon his open Book of Common Prayer along with what she assumed was a form of payment to the clergyman and his clerk. Then the older man returned the ring to John, who slipped it onto the fourth finger of her left hand, where it nestled snugly against the opal ring he’d already gifted her with.
The clergyman directed him to repeat another set of words.
“With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow.” The dear man’s voice broke, but he gave her the grin that made her feel as if she could fly.
“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Slightly stunned, Caroline kneeled when John did, and she clung to his hand as if he’d suddenly vanish while the minister invited all in attendance to pray.
At the conclusion of the prayer, she and John stood. The clergyman intoned, “I now pronounce thee husband and wife.”
I’m married!
And then it was over. No longer was she overlooked and ignored. Now she was someone’s wife, a woman John had chosen because he saw something worthy in her. She glanced at him, and a tremulous smile curved her lips. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back. Warmth skated over her skin, for she hadn’t remembered to wear her gloves. “You are one step closer to freedom, Mrs. Butler. I’ll endeavor all of my days to give you the life you’ve always dreamed about. I hope it’s all you need.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. He’d found her first in the snow and then again in the rain. Both times he’d treated her as a queen. What would happen when they met in fair weather? Would that they had such in Derbyshire on their wedding trip.
The clergyman cleared his throat. “If you could both come and sign the registry, we can make everything official.”
Caroline nodded. “Official.” She belonged to John now. For the first time, she actually felt as if she were truly wanted… for herself.