A March Bride (15 page)

The cottage garden was ablaze with clear lights swinging from the trees along with an array of Japanese lanterns hovering above the long pink-and-burgundy-covered tables with vases of white roses and lilies.

The breeze hustled past, dancing with the lights and lanterns, leaving behind a sweet, sea foam perfume.

“
Happy?
”
Nathaniel draped his arm around the back of her chair as he whispered in her ear.

“
I don
’
t have words,
”
she said, cupping his face in her hands.
“
I feel both proud and humbled. You made me happy. Not to mention Granny and Gracie. No small feat for any man to make three women happy in one night.
”

He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.
“
Remember when you sat on my veranda steps two years ago and stared out at this cottage
’
s dead, dry garden? You had no idea you were really gazing into my dead, dry heart. I saw weeds, but you saw possibilities and life. Not for this garden, but for me. You reminded me of who I was and am, and who really called me to be a king. God, not men.
”

His sincere confession caressed her heart.
“
No, my heart was the dead one. Then you found me and said,
‘
Design a garden for me.
’
Sitting on those same steps, I saw possibility. For a garden, yes, but also for love.
”
She kissed him.
“
We made grass angels and you helped me off the ground—
”

He laughed.
“
How could I forget? You tripped and fell into my arms. I never wanted to let you go.
”

“
I did that on purpose, you know.
”
She nuzzled her face against his, butterfly kissing his cheek.

“
Sure you did.
”
He brushed his lips over hers.
“
I remember wanting to kiss you that day, very much.
”

From the veranda stage the music changed. Nathaniel shoved back his chair, taking her hand.
“
May I have this dance?
”

Susanna rose, the silk taffeta and tulle petticoat of her dress rustling past their chairs, the heels of her golden shoes striking a solid sound on the makeshift dance floor.

The guests, sitting at surrounding tables, applauded softly.

Nathaniel drew her into his arms and began an elegant waltz as the melody of the song rose higher and Mickey began to sing.

He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts . . .

“
The Wedding Song,
”
she whispered, a new wash of tears filling her eyes.
“
How did you
know
?
”

“
Oh, a little bird named Glo told me.
”

Mama, sweet Mama.
“
A friend of theirs sang it at Daddy and Mama
’
s remarriage ceremony when I was twelve and so happy. My very divorced parents reconciled, remarried, and were giving me a baby sister.
”

For
whenever
two or more of you are gathered in His name, there is love . . .

Susanna closed her eyes and rested against her husband—oh, she loved the sound of the word—as Mickey
’
s smooth melody confirmed
. . . there is love.

When the song ended, a soft clanking arose from a table to the left, and Daddy made his way toward the dance floor,
tapping his champagne glass with a fork. The sound technician passed him a microphone.

Nathaniel slipped his arms around Susanna, pressing her back to his chest.

“
Well,
”
Daddy said, his voice rattling with emotion, as he smoothed his hand over his waistcoat and lean middle. He looked good. Strong and vibrant and fit from Mama
’
s strict diet. Susanna could almost erase her memory of him lying in the hospital bed weak from a heart attack at forty-eight.
“
Most of you have known Glo and me a long time. Therefore, you
’
ve known our Susanna, too. Queen Campbell and Prince Stephen, Prince Colin, Jonathan, the staff from Brighton, it
’
s good to have y
’
all here for this little shindig. I
’
d like to thank everyone for their hard work in pulling off this surprise wedding.
”
Daddy swerved to face the royals, sitting among the Truitt, Vogt, and Franklin clans.
“
If y
’
all wondered what kind of man and king this fella here truly was, let me tell you, you
’
re sitting among his generous, kind heart right now. Not only was this spontaneous wedding his idea, he put boots on the ground to make it happen. Put his money where his mouth is, and y
’
all know how we like those who do as much as they say. And you know why he did it?
”
Daddy stepped toward them.
“
For this beautiful girl here. Our Susanna.
”
His voice quivered, breaking down.
“
’
Cause he loves her that much.
”

Susanna trembled, feeling the love in her daddy
’
s confession. It was watching him grow in his faith and in his love for Mama that repaired most of her childhood fears.

“
Suz, you
’
re about the best girl anyone would ever want to know. Well, you and my girl Avery. And I mean that,
kitten. Y
’
all are probably thinking I
’
m saying that
’
cause she
’
s my daughter, and if so, well, you
’
re right.
”

A merry laugh rippled among the guests and Nathaniel sweetened her temple with a kiss.

“
But I know it because I
’
ve watched her. She
’
s loyal, almost to a fault. She loves people. Genuinely. But watch out now,
’
cause if you take advantage of her she
’
ll give you the dickens for it. She encourages folk. But she won
’
t tickle your ears. She
’
ll tell you the truth in a way you can swallow it. When she was born, Glo and I felt sure God sent us an angel straight from heaven. She never cried
’
cept when she was hungry. But then as a little girl, she didn
’
t have it so good. As much as we loved her, Glo and I didn
’
t love each other well and we fought. A lot. Couple of kids we were.
”
Daddy wiped under his eyes with his finger.
“
And Susanna,
”
—he cleared his throat with a deep cough—
“
would hide out in her closet, pretending it was her secret garden because she didn
’
t know if our anger was ever going to spill over on her. So I guess it
’
s fitting that today her wedding and reception are in a garden.
”
Sniffles rippled up from the tables and through the air.
“
Suz, you found true love and I pray that your marriage will always be the safest garden you can ever find. Nate, son, see to it that my little girl is always at home in your palace and in your arms, hear me?
’
Cause I think a girl
’
s daddy trumps a king any day, and if I hear of you doing anything to hurt my girl, I
’
ll hop on over to Brighton and take you out back for a discussion.
”

The men hammered the table with their fists and the women hooted.
“
Go, Gib!
”

Nathaniel bowed toward Daddy.
“
I am duly warned.
”

“
On that note, Nate, King Nathaniel II, welcome to the family, son. It
’
s good to have another man. I
’
ve been outnumbered by girls for thirty years.
”

Queen Campbell rose from her seat.
“
Move over, Gib, it
’
s my turn.
”

“
Mum!
”

The dowager queen stood next to Daddy, smiling, looking regal in her fitted but simple summer suit.

“
When Nathaniel was seven or eight years old, one of our maids became quite ill. A chambermaid. So most of her chores had little to do with the family on a day-to-day basis, but when young Prince Nathaniel heard of her plight, he insisted on seeing her.
”

“
You never told me this,
”
Susanna whispered, gazing up at him.

“
’
Twas nothing, really.
”
Was he blushing? He had just purchased another piece of her heart. As if there were any pieces left.

“
He slept on the floor of her room. Demanded a nurse to attend her needs full-time. We couldn
’
t get him out of her quarters without a huge ruckus, so we let him stay, not really sure if she was contagious or not.
”
Campbell
’
s glassy gaze bore down on her son.
“
I knew then, son, you were born to be a king. Susanna, he
’
s loved you from the start and I believe you are exactly what he needs. Welcome to
our
family, to the House of Stratton.
”
She raised her champagne glass.
“
To King Nathaniel II and his bride, Princess Susanna. Long may they live.
”

The guests responded in robust chorus.
“
To King Nathaniel II and Princess Susanna! Long may they live.
”

The music changed and
“
Celebrate
”
hit the airwaves. Susanna boogied over to her college friends, all seven of whom had made it to the wedding, and sang at the top of her lungs,
“
Celebrate good times, come on.
”
She glanced back at Nathaniel, who urged her on with a smile and a wink.

She
’
d once heard a profound statement,
“
There
’
s no force more powerful than a loved woman,
”
and tonight, right now, she knew it to be true.

A
little after eleven thirty, Susanna collapsed onto the white leather sofa curving in front of the veranda fireplace. She was exhausted, but her happiness ran so deep her bones buzzed.

Nathaniel sat next to her, his face glistening, his WWII jacket removed and his shirt collar open, his dark hair loose and free.
“
I think I
’
ve danced half the night with your loony college mates.
”

Susanna laughed.
“
I know. Aren
’
t they great?
”
She wove her fingers with his, loving the reflection of the hearth
’
s flickering flames in the ocean of his eyes.
“
I miss them. I forgot how knitted our hearts were.
”

“
We
’
ll have them all to Brighton sometime soon.
”

“
Can you see them hobnobbing with Nigel, Blythe, and Morton, or Lord and Lady Dean?
”

“
We
’
ll make popcorn and sit back and watch the show.
”

She leaned in and kissed him.
“
How
’
d I get so lucky as to find you?
”

“
Don
’
t know, but I
’
m going to count my blessings and believe there
’
s more where they came from. In the meantime, take a look here.
”
Nathaniel tugged Susanna forward so she could see the dance floor where Avery and Colin were entwined.

“
You think they
’
re truly falling for each other?
”
Susanna shivered as midnight drew near with a chilly nip in the March air.

“
I
’
ve asked him straight out, but his answers are vague.
”

“
She
’
s going to college next year on a volleyball scholarship.
”

“
And he has two more years of university. But—
”
Nathaniel reached behind Susanna for the lap blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders.
“
Perhaps we started a lovely trend. Truitts and Strattons falling in love.
”

“
Of American girls marrying European princes?
”
She made a face, laughing.
“
Good grief, if it were a book, no one would believe it.
”

“
Susanna Jean.
”
Mama
’
s voice boomed around the wide stone porch post as she made her way up the steps, her strappy sandals swinging from her fingertips.
“
Daddy and I are leaving. Got an early delivery in the morning. The out-of-town family and friends are all swinging by the Shack for lunch around one. Grandpa will be able to bring Granny out again. We
’
d love for y
’
all to come and carry on this magical wedding one more day. I even got your people coming, Nathaniel.
”
Mama kissed him on the head.