A Refuge at Highland Hall (37 page)

As though Penny sensed his gaze, she looked his way and smiled. He returned the same, proud and grateful she was with him today.

The song ended, the crowd applauded, and all eyes focused on King George V as he walked forward and faced the audience. The Lord Chamberlain, on the King's right, lifted a note card and glanced toward the door.

That was Alex's signal. He stepped out and strode toward the King.

“Lieutenant Alexander Goodwin of the Royal Naval Air Service, Squadron One, is awarded the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous acts of bravery, valor, and self-sacrifice, as well as extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.” The Lord Chamberlain's voice rang out across the ballroom.

Alex turned and faced the King, then lifted his hand in a brisk salute.

The King studied Alex for a moment, his gaze flicking to the eye patch and scars.

Alex didn't flinch but held his gaze steady.

The King's mouth firmed, and admiration shone in his eyes. “We are grateful for your sacrifice and service, Lieutenant Goodwin, and we are proud to award you the Victoria Cross.”

The King took the medal from the attendant at his side and held it up. The center of the bronze cross was emblazoned with a crown and lion. The words
For Valour
formed a semicircle beneath the central crown.

Alex stood taller as the King pinned the medal to his chest. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The King leaned forward. “I understand we owe you another debt of gratitude for capturing an escaped German prisoner and rescuing a young woman he held hostage.”

Alex hesitated, surprised that news had reached the King. “Yes, Your Majesty, I took part in the rescue, along with two very fine young men.”

“Well done, Lieutenant.”

Alex smiled. “The woman is my fiancée.” He glanced over his shoulder. “She's seated in the front row, fourth from the center on the left of the aisle.”

The King looked that way and nodded. “Excellent!”

Alex started to step back.

“One moment, Lieutenant.”

Alex stopped and met the King's gaze.

“When you're able, I hope you'll accept a position at Upavon and help train future pilots for the RNAS.”

Alex stared at the King for a moment, then quickly recovered. “I'd be honored, Your Majesty.”

“Very good.” The King nodded, then looked toward the doorway, where the next man waited.

Alex saluted once more and backed away, his heart soaring. The King's invitation meant he would not only be able to do his part to help win the war but also have a way to support a wife and family. Now he and Penny could speak to William and Julia and set a wedding date.

He smiled at Penny as he approached, eager to tell her the news, but he had to sit in a special section on the side until the ceremony was finished.

She sent him a quizzical smile, obviously eager to speak to him as well.

A half hour later, the band struck up a lively march, and everyone rose to their feet. The program concluded, and Alex made his way through the crowd, searching for Penny. Several people stopped to congratulate him. He appreciated their kind comments and handshakes, but he cut the conversations short and continued making his way across the ballroom.

“Alex!” Penny waved her hand and moved through the crowd toward him. Jon and Lindy followed close behind.

Finally, he clasped her hand and pulled her close to his side.

She smiled up at him, her eyes glowing. “I'm so very proud of you!” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

He grinned. “Thank you.”

Jon shook his hand. “Congratulations, Alex. It couldn't happen to a finer fellow.”

Lindy smiled and took his arm on the other side. “It looked like you and the King had quite a conversation.”

“Yes”—Jon sent him a questioning look—“he spoke to you much longer than anyone else. What did he say?”

Alex was about to burst with the good news about the position at Upavon, but he kept it back a moment more. “He heard I helped capture Siegfried Schultz and rescue Penny.”

Penny's eyes widened. “He did?”

“Yes, he seemed quite impressed.”

Jon grinned. “As he should be.”

Alex turned to Penny. “I pointed you out and told him you were my fiancée.”

Penny lifted her hand to her chest. “Really?”

“Yes, and he said, ‘Excellent!' ” Alex did his best imitation of the King's tone and expression.

They all laughed. Then Alex turned to Penny and took her hand. “But the best news is, he asked me to return to Upavon as a flight instructor.”

Penny gasped. “Oh, Alex, that's wonderful!”

“Good show!” Jon clapped his hand on Alex's shoulder. “Now we're sure to gain the victory.”

Alex gave a firm nod. “You can be sure I'll do everything I can to see that we do.”

Lindy glanced around the ballroom. “I think the crowd has cleared enough for us to make our way outside.”

“Yes, we should go.” Penny slipped her arm through his and looked up at him with a proud, loving gaze.

He was a blessed man. He'd come through one of the most amazing air battles of the war and lived to tell the story. Now he would use those experiences to train others to finish the job he'd started.

But best of all, he fully intended to take the lessons from the past and the wisdom and encouragement of his growing faith and friendships to build a strong and secure future with the woman he loved. With God's help, that's what he would do.

With renewed confidence lifting his spirit, he walked out of the palace with Penny to greet the family and friends who had come to mean so very much to him.

May 1919

P
enny clasped Alex's hand and walked up the gravel path toward St. John's Church in the village of Fulton, only a few miles from Highland Hall. The scent of freshly mowed grass drifted past, and beneath the trees at the side of the church, the first bluebells of the spring swayed in a light breeze.

She smiled up at Alex. “What a lovely day for a wedding.”

“Yes, it is.” He glanced up at the blue sky dotted with only a few white clouds. “Certainly different from our rainy wedding day.”

Penny's heart warmed as she remembered their wedding, three years ago in March, right here at St. John's Church. “I didn't mind the rain. I was so happy we could finally be married, I didn't care about the weather.”

He chuckled. “Neither did I.”

“Papa!” Their two-year-old son, Charles, tugged on Alex's other hand. “Pick me up.”

“All right, Charlie.” Alex lifted his son into his arms. Penny reached out and smoothed the boy's wavy auburn hair, then patted his dimpled cheek. What a darling boy. She couldn't imagine loving any child more.

They walked under the arched entrance together and stepped inside the church.

Jon and Kate followed them into the narthex, bringing all their children with them. Kate held little Eden's hand. Her daughter's eyes were a striking blue, and Kate had tied a matching ribbon in her curly blond hair. Her twin brother, Phillip, had darker hair, but his eyes were the same handsome shade of blue. The whole family adored the twins, and they never lacked for playmates.

Now that the war was finally over, Kate and the children had been reunited with Jon in London. He'd resigned his position at St. George's Hospital and devoted his time to his family and the Daystar Clinic and Children's Center. Kate seemed wonderfully content in her role as Jon's wife and partner, caring for the children God had entrusted into their care.

Lucy returned for the weekend, taking a break from teachers' training to attend the wedding. Donald was with them as well, though Penny had heard he would soon start an apprenticeship with a printer in London.

Kate stepped toward Penny. “Is the family here?”

“Yes, I think we're the last to arrive.” Penny glanced into the sanctuary.

William and Julia were seated on the left, a few rows back from the front. Andrew sat next to William, and Penny was surprised to see he was as tall as his father. But it made sense. He was eighteen now and preparing to start at Oxford next term.

Julia held three-year-old Mary on her lap. With her dark hair and blue-gray eyes, the young girl looked very much like her mother. Millie, who was fifteen, sat next to Julia. She was a kind sister to Mary and was growing lovelier every day.

Sarah and Clark were seated behind William and Julia. Penny smiled, thinking of the happy news they had told the family just two weeks earlier. There would be a baby joining their family this autumn.

Alex turned to Penny. “Shall we go in?”

“Would you take Charlie and find a seat for us? I'd like to wait and speak to the bride.”

“All right. We'll save you a place.” Alex carried their son through the side door and took a seat in the pew behind William and Julia.

Penny glanced around the sanctuary once more. Most of the Highland staff were present and dressed in their finest spring outfits. Mr. Lawrence, Mrs. Dalton, Chef Lagarde, Mrs. Murdock, Patrick, Ann, and the other maids filled two pews halfway back on the left side of the church. Helen was seated near the front.

The side door of the narthex opened, and Lydia stepped in with her father. She wore a shimmering, white silk wedding gown edged with pearls and lace. It was the same gown Sarah had worn on her wedding day, and it looked just as lovely on Lydia. She wore Penny's veil, and carried a small bouquet of pink and white roses grown in Highland's greenhouse and tended by Clark.

Penny crossed to meet her. “Oh, Lydia, you look beautiful.”

Lydia's eyes misted as she smiled at Penny. “Thank you.” She looked down at her gown. “This doesn't seem real. I feel like a princess.”

“It is real, and you look just like royalty. I'm sure Marius will be very pleased.”

Lydia's cheeks flushed, and she glanced toward the door to the sanctuary. “Is he here?”

“I'm sure he is.” Penny stepped back and looked in the sanctuary once more.

Marius stood up front on the right, looking handsome in his black suit with a white rose pinned to his lapel.

She turned back to Lydia. “He's waiting for you at the altar.”

Lydia's eyes shone. She stepped away from her father and reached for Penny's hand. “Thank you for everything, you and your family…giving us this wonderful chance at a new life.”

“We're very happy for you and Marius, and we know you'll do an excellent job overseeing that farm.” Penny looked over her shoulder. All the other guests had been seated. “I better go in.” She leaned toward Lydia and kissed her cheek. “I'm praying for you, asking God to bless you and Marius with a long and happy life together.”

“Thank you,” Lydia whispered through her tears.

“It's time, Lydia.” Her father stepped forward.

Lydia nodded and slipped her hand through his arm.

Penny took her handkerchief from her purse and dabbed her cheek and nose, then walked into the sanctuary through the side door.

Alex looked up and smiled as she slid into the pew next to him and Charlie. “Everything all right?”

“Yes, wonderfully so.” She took his hand and settled in closer.

The organist began the “Wedding March,” and Lydia and her father appeared at the rear door. The congregation stood, and Lydia started up the aisle, proudly escorted by her father.

Penny leaned to the right to catch another glimpse of the bride as she walked past. Lydia's face glowed, her gaze fixed on Marius, who watched her with a look of loving amazement.

Penny sniffed and wiped a tear from her cheek. So many blessings had been poured out on them all. She'd seen God work in some amazing ways in the last few years, protecting them through the war, healing and restoring what had been lost, and giving new meaning to all they had endured.

He had been their refuge and strength, proving Himself faithful again and again as they put their trust in Him. She could look back and see it all now, and that helped her trust Him for the future and all that was yet to come.

Alex slipped his hand around Penny's again as they listened to Marius and Lydia repeat their vows, promising to love and cherish each other for a lifetime.

“I'd do it again,” Alex whispered and sent her a tender glance.

“So would I,” she whispered back, her heart overflowing.

Soon the bells rang out from the church tower, declaring the happy news to the village and surrounding countryside. As Penny listened to the joyful sound, she sensed it not only announced the marriage of one happy couple, but also welcomed in a new season of hopes and dreams fulfilled for the Ramsey and Foster families, and for all those who called Highland Hall their home.