Chapter23
The morning sun was shiningin her window when Grace opened her eyes. The gentle September breeze was a welcome respite from the heat of the past month.
Today was her wedding day, and she was thrilled beyond measure to marry the man of her dreams. Peter was everything she could have ever hoped for in a husband and more, and she could hardly wait to become Mrs. Wallings.
There was a quiet knock on the door a moment before Selena came in with some toast and a cup of hot chocolate. “Good morning, miss. Are you excited for today?”
Grace nodded as Selena placed the tray over her lap. “I’m so very excited.”
“You’re going to make a beautiful bride,” the maid said. “Enjoy some breakfast while I prepare your bath.”
Grace nibbled on the toast while she thought about everything that had happened during the summer. She had fallen in love with a wonderful man, and she looked forward to spending years learning everything about him. Their courtship over the past few months had been something out of a fairy tale. Everything had been perfect, except for the one misunderstanding Peter had about her having feelings for Lord Dudley. She never had any feelings for Lord Dudley. She loved Peter with all her heart.
And today she would be marrying that wonderful man.
Yesterday, her sisters and Kathryn spent the day picking wildflowers. There were vases of them in the drawing room where the wedding breakfast would be held, and enough left over for her to carry a small bouquet.
Another knock on the door interrupted her musings.
“Come.”
Audrey walked in carrying a jewelry box. “Good morning, dearest. I hope you’re well today.”
“I am, thank you,” Grace said.
Audrey came over to the bed and handed her the box. “These are for you to wear at the wedding.”
Grace opened the box to reveal her mother’s pearls and matching ear bobs nestled in a bed of pink satin. “Oh, Audrey, thank you.”
“Mama would have wanted each of her daughters to wear her pearls on their wedding day. I wore them, and now it’s your turn. They will look stunning with your dress.”
Tears ran down Grace’s face.
“Oh, no! Please don’t cry. This is a happy day,” Audrey said.
“I know,” Grace said, wiping her eyes with the napkin from the breakfast tray. “I’m just sad neither Mama nor Papa is here to witness my joy.”
“I know, dearest. Now, dry your tears.”
Selena walked back into the bedchamber. “Miss Parker, your bath is ready.”
“Thank you, Selena,” Grace said, handing her the box.
Audrey kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you soon, my dear. You’re going to be a most beautiful bride.”
After two hours of primping, Grace came down the stairs dressed in her new blue dress and wearing her mother’s jewelry.
Jacob was waiting for her in the foyer. “You look absolutely breathtaking, my dear,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“Thank you, Jacob. Has everyone gone ahead already?”
Jacob nodded and held out his arm. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
Jacob handed her up into the carriage for the short ride to St. Mary’s.
Grace’s nerves were on edge, not because she was nervous about marrying Peter, but because she was so excited. She could hardly wait to say “I do.”