The Spinster (Emerson Pass Historicals 2)

Spring sounded far away.

“And we’ll want to get started on your cottage right away,” Papa said. “Our wedding gift to you.”

“But Papa, you’ve already done too much,” I said.

“When a daughter gets married, it’s expected that her father will give a dowry to her groom. I already made a deal with Phillip that it has to be within walking distance.”

“So you’re not really getting anything for free, old boy,” Flynn said. “All of us breathing down your neck night and day.”

“I can’t ask for anything more,” Phillip said. “I look forward to each and every one of you being in and out of our home whenever you wish.”

“You say that now,” Cymbeline said with a shake of her

head. “Just wait. You’ll see how annoying we all are before long.”

“I think he already knows,” Theo said.

Everyone laughed as we continued on with our soup. I barely tasted it, though, so blissful with the man I loved by my side. A spring wedding. Yes, that would be perfect, even though I wished it wasn’t months and months away. Having a ceremony and reception we’d remember all our lives would be worth the wait. And really, who was I to disappoint Mama and my sisters? Or deprive Papa of walking me down the aisle? Sensible, dependable Josephine would have to take second place to this giddy, frivolous one.

I looked around the table once more, taking in the faces of my precious family. We’d all been through so much together, but when I looked back, I would remember the good moments rather than the hard ones. This one had to be at the top of the list.

Josephine

The morning of my wedding, I sat on the window seat of the bedroom I’d shared with my sisters for most of my life. Birds chirped and sang from the trees. Cymbeline and Fiona had risen before me and were already downstairs. Faint music of Fiona at the piano accompanied by Li’s violin drifted up to me as they practiced for the festivities. On the lawn, Jasper, Harley, and my brothers were arranging tables for the reception. No one could put together a party quite like the Barnes family.

“Good morning, darling.”

I turned to see Mama in the doorway. She had a tray with coffee and breakfast rolls.

“Good morning, Mama. Why aren’t you downstairs for breakfast?”

“Two reasons. I had to have myself a little cry, and I wanted to spend a little time with you before it’s time to get you into your dress.”

“Why’re you crying?” I asked, alarmed. “Is Grandmother all right?”

“Oh, yes, she’s fine. Looking forward to today. As is my sister. She thinks your gown is the prettiest she’s ever made.”

“What’s made you sad?”

“Not sad, more sentimental.” She set the tray on the dresser and poured a coffee from the silver pitcher into a cup. Immediately, the nutty aroma filled the room. “I’ll miss you, that’s all. You’ve been such a friend to me.”

“Mama, I’m only a few minutes away. You can walk over to see me any time you want.”

She let out a sigh as she fluttered her hands in front of her damp eyes. “I know. But it’s the end of an era. My oldest baby flying from the nest.”

“Oh, Mama. I’ll never fly too far.”

“You’re such a dear to put up with my nonsense. Anyway, don’t mind me. I’ve come with breakfast. Lizzie’s afraid you might be too nervous to eat, so she’s sent your favorite rolls with a dish of butter and some fresh strawberries. If you recall, she was a wreck the morning of her wedding.”

“I’m not a bit nervous.” I smiled, remembering how Lizzie had paced this very room in her wedding dress before it was time to go to the church. “I’m simply deliriously happy.”

“I didn’t think you would be. I wasn’t nervous for my wedding, either. As I recall, I couldn’t wait to marry your dad, and the rest of this brood, as far as that goes. The sooner the better. Do you want coffee? I’ve just realized I poured you a cup without asking.”

“I’d love some.” I rose to fetch the steaming cup from the tray. She took a cup for herself, and we settled on the window seat together. Wearing a white silk dressing gown and robe and her hair in a braid down her back, Mama looked no older than a schoolgirl.

“Is there anything you’d like to ask me? About the wedding night, that is?” Mama asked this while looking out the window. A flush of pink dotted both cheeks.

“I don’t think so.” I’d grown up with animals. I knew the basic idea of what happened between a male and female. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the barn.”