Page 57 of Earl of Excess
“Bethany. Are you out here, love? We have visitors,” Matthew called to her as he walked two men towards the back garden area.
“I am on my way, Matthew,” she said, brushing the grime off of her skirt and wiping off her hands.
“Mr. Roeux brought the priest with him,” Matthew said, walking her into the house. They met the two men in Aunt Theo’s parlor.
“Bonjour Mr. Roeux,” she said, extending her hand. It was Mr. Roeux and a local priest. Roeux had returned home two days ago and offered to help them gain passage to England on a merchant ship when he heard of their plight. His friend was heavily involved with trade in and out of New Orleans. It had not hurt their chances that her Grandmère and Aunt Theo had helped Johnny through the fever only this past summer. Mr. Roeux brought the priest of his family’s church.
“Bonjour, Miss Phillips,” he returned. “This is a family friend, Father Hebert. He has agreed to perform the ceremony tomorrow.”
“Merci,Father Hebert. Thank you!”
“I heard you had considered the romantic option of a shipboard wedding but chose to be married before boarding.” He smiled. “I feel honored to conduct the ceremony,” the priest said.
“Getting married before the trip makes sense. Grandmère and Aunt Theo can attend, as can Johnny and Mr. Duplantis, and other friends that mean so much,” she replied.
It would also make the passage easier—not to mention more exciting, Matthew thought, willing his body to behave and not react to the thought of Bethany’s lithe, beautiful body.
“Mr. Roeux, have you been able to determine which merchant ship we will be on?” he asked.
“Yes, Colonel. I have discussed this with Lafitte. He has a ship in mind and hopes you will be most comfortable:The Rising Tidewill be perfect. The ship will transport mostly cotton, tea, and tobacco products. There should be plenty of room,” the man responded.
“That sounds wonderful. We do not know how to thank you. Of course, I will reimburse the good captain for our passage.” Finding a boat that would take them to England had been difficult, and with Mr. Roeux helping them, it seemed a better idea to sail from New Orleans. With the onset of spring, the Atlantic had been more difficult to cross. Voyages could average as much as fourteen weeks or more, or as few as eight weeks. Matthew could not believe he could be home within a few months—possibly sooner, depending on the route taken. He understood the Atlantic in the summer could be quite violent, so the captain may have to sail around problem areas, which could add time.
Roeux gave a quick nod. “He has agreed to your offer. The ship sails two days hence. I should warn you that the route will not be direct.” He looked down at Dandie, who had walked up smiling and wagging tail. “You must leash your dog when she is out of your cabin. He doesn’t want her running about the ship. There was no additional cost for her.” He smiled at the dog. “My son has asked for one like her. He will miss you, Miss Phillips.”
“I will miss Johnny very much. He has agreed to walk me down the aisle, tomorrow,” she said.
“Does this merchant ship have room for an additional hand?” Matthew asked.
“Jean said this merchant was not the right ship. However, if your friend, Smith, will bring his half-brother to Lafitte, there is another merchant ship that needs to replace some crew. They also leave in two days,” Roeux detailed. “The captain is one that will not tolerate lazy work.”
“I caught the last of what you mentioned. It is glorious news. But any date would be too soon,” Grandmère said, wearing a smile as she stepped from behind Matthew. “Thank you, Mr. Roeux. By the way, Tobias Smith may be very interested in speaking with him.”
“I will speak to him. Lafitte has also issued a directive to the captain of your granddaughter’s ship that she and her husband be treatedverywell.” He beamed, clearly proud of his arrangements.
At dinner that night, they discussed all the arrangements with Sinclair: “That means you may arrive by Christmas or shortly thereafter, depending on the speed of the wind.”
*
The next day
Today was herwedding day! While it thrilled Bethany to marry Matthew, she wished her mother was with her. She would love him. He was the most handsome man Bethany had ever seen, and his presence could make her giddy, comfort her, and stir a depth of feeling that made it difficult to breathe. She sensed she was at her best with him and cherished every minute they spent together—the touch and feel of him, and every kiss—kisses that sent wicked pulses to her toes. She loved him and she ached to tell him—but could not bear it if he could not return the sentiment. So Bethany kept her feelings to herself. It was better not to say it...first. Her mother had always pointed to actions. And if Matthew’s actions spoke louder than words, she knew he cared deeply for her.Was it love?
Everything he did was for her, about her, and with her. With their worlds about to join, he had embraced her world—even the most frightening aspects, like the alligators—andthrived.He had embraced her world blind and embraced it sighted. She planned to embrace everything about his—even the alligators,or the scariest creature in his world.According to Matthew, the scariest creature in his world was Society’s gossip. In her mind, this conjured up a rotund, bespeckled lady with a bird on her velvet hat and an excessive amount of rouge, who appeared without warning. She giggled. She would be the Viscountess Longueville, a title with a lifestyle that she knew nothing about. As she thought about it, perhaps the alligators in his society were more frightening.
She stared in the looking glass at the white spotted muslin dress. Her grandmother had transformed an older dress of her mother’s, which had included shortening the sleeves. The bodice and short sleeves were lined in white linen, and a white satin ribbon gently cinched the bodice and the empire waistline. Reaching down, she picked up the small bouquet of pink anemones, white roses, and baby’s breath that she had picked from Aunt Theo’s gardens and tied a piece of white ribbon around it to match her dress. A chemise was her only undergarment, having discarded the thought of petticoats and silk stockings. She slipped on matching white slippers and checked her image. Grandmère had done a brilliant job with her hair, pulling it into a soft cascade of curls that flowed haphazardly about her head. The delicate pins and pearls attached to her hair were her only adornment.
“Are you ready, Bethany?” Grandmère stood in the open doorway, dressed in a pink linen sundress, a wide-brimmed straw hat, and matching pink leather flats. Aunt Theo walked up behind her in her lavender dress and straw hat. They had decorated her walking stick with a small daisy chain that wrapped around it.
“I am.” She looked down at her small dog. Dandie had a collar of daisies that matched the ones on Aunt Theodosia’s cane. “Ready Dandie?”
Her Grandmère gave her an adoring look of approval. “Your mother would be so pleased for you,” she said through misty eyes.
Dandie gave a quick bark.
As they walked to the door, her grandmother leaned over and whispered. “I prepared Matthew’s bedroom for you, and I added some darker curtains.”
Bethany colored from her head to her toes.
