What About Cecelia? (23 page)

During one of his less sleepy interludes, George
noticed a light coming from the direction of the mainland. A few
minutes later he was gently roused by his valet. Meadows stood
there holding a lantern and accompanied by one of the vicar's
servants. The servant was carrying an assorted set of oddments that
Meadows thought could be useful.

“Sir it is low tide. We were not sure if you and
Miss Wood desired to cross to the mainland at the earliest
opportunity or whether you would wait for the daylight.”

“No, go away. We'll wait for daylight.”

“Very good, sir. May I then be the first to
congratulate you on your good fortune? Since you are remaining
here, may I suggest you use these quilts? It will be more
comfortable and warmer for you and Miss Wood. Since the next low
tide will be nearer mid-day than sunrise, I will leave some
comestibles and a bottle.”

“Meadows, you're a prince among valets. Don't
forget the opener.”

“I haven't sir.” He bowed and led the other
servant back to the mainland.

Cecelia stirred as they left. “George, what was
that?”

“Just my valet, looking after our comfort.” He
took the quilts and arranged them for a more comfortable bed. While
he still wanted to hold Cecelia as closely as he could, the quilts
could let them stretch out and sleep well. Besides, the quilts were
significantly warmer than Meadow's cloak.

The sun was just cresting the horizon when they
awoke. Cecelia nuzzled her love, “You know, since you've
compromised me already, we might as well make it a real
compromising. If I know my Aunt Hopwell, we might not get another
chance to even hold hands for a few weeks. Not until after we're
married.”

George pulled her next to him under the quilts
and embraced her. He let his hands roam while they kissed. It left
her breathless and a little flushed.

“I think a bed would be more comfortable when we
proceed further, don't you? I intend to be married to you for a
long time.”

She replied that she thought the grass would be
comfortable enough if he could be gentle.

A while later as they were lying there, watching
the shorebirds wheel about, there was a call from offshore, “Do you
want any help?”

Captain Wood sat up and shouted back, “No, we're
fine here. We'll just wait for low tide.”

“Didn't think so, but I had to ask.”

Cecelia squeezed her lover, “I know where we can
wander and be alone this evening. That is if my aunt won't insist
on being a chaperon.”

“And is it a place we can avoid nosy
fisherman?”

After consuming the breakfast, including the
bottle of sparkling hock, Meadows had left for them, they waited
for the tide to sink low enough to walk to the mainland. They held
hands, at least while they could, as much of the rocky causeway was
too rough to walk side by side. As they trudged up the steep
incline at the edge of the causeway they were met by Meadows and
Heulwen.

Once their dog calmed enough to stop barking and
let them converse, Meadows said, “Sir, I am truly pleased to see
that you and Miss Wood have finally agreed to be wed. At least I
presume from both your joyful demeanors that congratulations are in
order.”

“Yes.”

“Then I have one question for you. Do you intend
to remain in Penyclawdd?”

George looked at Cecelia, and then replied, “I
think Cecelia would be upset if we didn't.”

Meadows looked stricken. “Sir, I must
respectfully submit.”

Cecelia interrupted him, “But Captain Wood, I
hope we should repair to Bath often, and I have long wanted to see
London. Besides, I'm sure your father's estate will eventually need
our attention.”

Meadows gave her a thankful look, “As long as
you are not planning to shut yourselves away in Penyclawdd forever,
I'd be grateful if I could continue in your service. It is an
interesting place, well endowed with bounteous natural beauty, but
eventually pales with its unvarying company.”

“Even with the famous resident poet?”

“Even with Mr. Landor. Speaking of your resident
bard, he has already tracked you here and is at the vicarage. Mrs.
Landor will be arriving shortly. Since she is in a delicate state,
she is taking her time.”

“How did he find us?”

Mr. Landor's voice could be heard booming down
from the headland.

“Sweet Artemis arising from the sea, with
attendant Nerites. How are you this morning? Captain Wood, I
presume you've said the 'hard word' to Miss Wood, and she accepted
you.”

“Yes! How on Earth did you find us so
quickly?”

“I meant to tell you about this. One of my
tenants remembered the name of Cecelia's Aunt. The rest was easy.
Should have told you about it two weeks ago. Knew there was
something I wanted to tell you. Just couldn't remember what it was,
and then it hit me.”

George felt he wanted to hit him too. “Two
weeks! You knew for two weeks. Do you know how hard I worked to
find her?”

Cecelia squeezed his hand and said, “Wasn't I
worth the effort?”

“Of course, my love, but it still doesn't mean I
enjoyed it. We could have had two more weeks together.”

Mr. Landor continued, “You'll forgive me soon
enough. I brought you something you'll need. An ordinary license
for you and Miss Wood. Left it with the vicar. You can marry as
soon as Miss Wood has lived here for four weeks.”

“Then I suppose you are forgiven.”

Cecelia smiled at George, “That was yesterday,
but I prefer that we wait for Mrs. Landor to arrive.”

George realized that Mr. Landor was about to
accompany them for the entire day. Not that he normally minded the
poets' company, but right now he had other things on his mind. He
pointed to Rhossili down which towered above the village in the
distance. Then he told him, “Walter, Cecelia tells me that the view
from the down is intensely romantic. A place that is truly
inspiring.”

Cecelia reinforced his message, “I only wish I
had the words to describe it. It is a lovely place to read poetry,
and I would think an excellent place to compose verses.”

Mr. Landor looked at it, and said, “I suppose
you are correct. If you'll excuse me.” He then strode off. Cecelia
and George watched the waves together for a few minutes to let him
get a head-start. Meadows coughed, and said, “With your permission,
sir, I will retrieve the quilts.”

“Thank you.” Meadows departed on his task.

Cecelia asked George, “Well, my clever man, what
are you going to do about Heulwen?”

“Nothing, she can follow us to the vicarage. She
really has brought the sunshine into our lives.”

Together, hand in hand, then arm in arm, Cecelia
and George walked back uphill to the vicarage. They had a few
important things to discuss with Mr. Hopwell.