Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty – Six

Financial hardships had always stopped Ebony from giving Celeste the kind of Christmas she deserved. They were lucky to scrape together some mutton and boiled potatoes for Christmas dinner. She was happy to leave that all behind. Henry was right, nobody did Christmas like the Alcotts.

Once they’d arrived at Catherine’s farm, Ebony was welcomed by Catherine with a warm hug. She smelled like marzipan. Catherine’s hazel eyes were dancing as her family was together again.

Henry’s aunt and uncle had already arrived, as had his cousins. She was introduced to Daniel and Jane. There was no question as to who was Sebastian’s sister. Seeing the female version of him let her know exactly who Kitty looked like. Ebony really liked his cousin, Sabine. She was a very sweet lady. Her husband startled Ebony a little for she’d never met a man with such a thick accent before. Catherine’s northerner accent was nothing to his Scottish voice. He was kind though, and a very proud father of his little ones.

Considering there were several young children joining their parents, they were so well behaved. Catherine had entertained them by charging them with decorating the beautiful fir tree that had been planted in the corner of her living room. They were happily flinging strings of popcorn and sweets over the tree. Some of the string was bare where Clara and Georgiana, Little J and Harrison’s youngest, had been snacking. The tree was quite untidy, but that was what made it perfect. Paper dolls and ribbons were being attached to the tree by the older children.

Ebony occupied the days with the ladies, helping Catherine prepare the food for the feast that was to be had on Christmas Day. Catherine had prepared the mince for the pies three months earlier and had brought it out to make her traditional mince pies. Ebony and Little J were rolling out gingerbread while Kitty, Sabine and Annie were making shortbread. Emilia and Jane were happily leaning against the counter with glasses of cooking sherry as they caught up, much to the amusement of the girls who were actually working. The men were out in the woods with an axe as they searched for the perfect yule log.

“It’s traditional,” Catherine explained when Ebony asked about the yule log. “It’s burned on Christmas Eve and we all make a wish. It’s kept burning for the twelve days of Christmas. Then I save the ashes and we use them to kindle the next year’s log. It’s good luck to do so.”

The nights were spent around the pianoforte, with Little J playing and Ebony singing.

It was December twentieth. In other words, it was five days after December fifteenth. While everyone was trying to be merry, they couldn’t help but wonder where William was. Kitty spent all day, every day, sitting by the window watching and waiting.

“Ebony, Little J,” Catherine said quietly. “Quickly sing something. Distract her. I’ll fetch the spiced ale.”

Little J took her seat at the pianoforte once more and began to play I saw three ships come sailing in. The happy jig was one of Ebony’s new favourites.

“I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day. I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day in the morning. And what was in those ships all three on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day? And what was in those ships all three on Christmas Day in the morning?” Ebony sang as happily as possible as she kept an eye on the sombre Kitty. Little J ran her fingers over the keys as the next verse began. “Our saviour Christ and his lady on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day. Our saviour Christ and his lady on Christmas Day in the morning. Pray wither sailed those ships all three on Christmas Day in the morning. Pray wither sailed those ships all three on Christmas Day in the morning –”

She was cut off by Kitty’s voice though. “Can you please stop singing about ships?” she asked tiredly. “I know of one that hasn’t sailed in.”

Millie immediately ran to her mother’s side and wrapped her arms around her. Kitty pulled Millie onto her lap. Millie had just had her seventh birthday and had been heartbroken that her father had missed it.

“They aren’t actual ships, Kitty,” Little J corrected. “They’re camels. The song refers to the ships of the desert …”

“Little J,” Emilia hushed. “Now is not the ideal time to be clever.”

“Right.” Little J nodded. “I apologise, Kitty. That was tactless.”

Kitty merely nodded as she continued to stare out the window.

“Play The First Noel,” Catherine suggested. “And we’ll all sing along.”

Little J began to play and they all began to sing. “The First Noel, the Angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in the fields as they lay, in the fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel!”

Henry placed his hands on Ebony’s shoulders as they sang. She tried not to laugh. He was a terrible singer. Celeste threaded her fingers through Ebony’s and they all continued to sing together. But no-one was very happy. They couldn’t be. William had been missing for five days now. And it was nearly Christmas. And she and Henry were supposed to be getting married.

The following few days were supposed to be filled with traditions such as wassailing, carolling and going to the Christmas Eve service. But a freak snow storm had prevented any of that. They were snowed into the house. At least three feet of snow was blocking the front door.

To improvise, Joseph performed a makeshift service for them. They burned the yule log in the fireplace and they all made a wish. Ebony wished for William to be alright. She didn’t want Kitty to be any sadder than she already was. Kitty was family to her. They all were.

Ebony was sleeping in a bedroom with Henry’s sisters and Sabine. They were all on little cots that were cosy and comfortable. The fireplace in the corner was glowing and it was illuminating the room softly.

Just as Ebony was drifting off to sleep she heard a loud bang coming from downstairs. She sat upright in her bed instantly and cuddled her blankets to her chest.

Someone was downstairs. Were they to be murdered in their beds? She heard movement from the landing. People were up to investigate. Ebony climbed out of her bed and slipped on her robe just as the others were waking up.

“What’s going on?” Annie asked lethargically.

“There’s someone downstairs,” Ebony whispered.

“What?” Kitty gasped, sitting up in her bed.

“Someone’s in the house,” Little J realised.

They all quietly crept out of the room to see what was going on. Sebastian and Daniel were at the top of the stairs wearing only their nightclothes and carrying candlesticks.

“Who’s there?” Sebastian called out. “Mama, do you have a gun?” he asked Catherine quietly. There was no answer. All they could hear was the wind howling outside.

Catherine stood with Jane and Emilia on the other side of the landing. Her silver hair was in a long braid over her shoulder. “No, of course I don’t have a gun, Sebastian. What use would I have of it?”

“I’m going to buy you a bloody rifle, mama, you can’t be living on your own without one,” Sebastian hissed as he made his way downstairs. “Who’s there?” he repeated, sounding enraged. From the landing they all could see the front door. Whoever it was, they were at the door making an awful noise.

Annie and Little J disappeared into the children’s room and closed the door as they had been roused as well.

All of a sudden, the door blew open and a man feel inside along with a pile of snow. The wind made the door bang the wall and snow covered the foyer. The icy wind was freezing. Ebony tightened her robe around her.

The man, who was dressed in a thick, black coat climbed to his feet. Ebony couldn’t see who it was. It was too dark. But she couldn’t see the shape of any weapon which she thanked God for. Perhaps he was just cold and lost in the storm and wanted a place to sleep. He mightn’t be a marauder.

“My God,” Sebastian exclaimed.

Kitty let out an ear piercing scream as she pushed past all in her path to run down the stairs. She threw herself into the arms of the man and kissed his face repeatedly.

The light of Sebastian’s candle illuminated his face. It was William. His hair was longer and he had the beginnings of a beard growing but it was William. He was here.

William kissed Kitty back passionately and held her to him as tightly as he could, lifting her off the ground in the process. “I’m sorry I’m late,” he breathed, putting her down on the ground. “I’m sorry to wake everyone too,” he called up to everyone on the landing. “My hands are frozen. I had to practically tunnel to get the horse into the barn.”

Kitty grabbed his hands and kissed them. “I thought you were dead!” she cried, hugging him again. “You’re nearly ten days late!”

“I know,” he said apologetically. “There was a hurricane that took us off course about twenty miles off the coast of Ireland. The Scarlet’s alright, as are the crew, but we were delayed in docking in London. I came here as quickly as I could.”

“I don’t care. You’re home now. That’s all that matters. And by the way, you are never going on one of those voyages again. My poor nerves can’t handle it!” Kitty exclaimed.

William chuckled. “As you wish, ma’am.” He bowed his head and tipped his hat. “But I agree. I’ll be delegating from now on. I don’t want to be away from my family for so long again.”

There was too much excitement in the house to sleep. Catherine had made tea for everyone while William recounted his six month journey.

Everyone sat casually on settees and dining chairs, sharing woollen blankets and leaning on each other.

“An old friend and I reconnected while we were docked in Port Royal. He was the carpenter who made my leg,” he explained. “He made me a new one and …” he said, pulling a bag out from inside his jacket. Josephine and Alexander sat on either one of his legs, Will was on his side and Kitty and Millie were on the other side. They all became suddenly interested in his bag. “He made you four a few things.” He pulled out a wooden train and handed it to Alexander and then slipped a carved tiara onto Josephine’s head. Ebony had never seen anything like it. She thought it a very unique and beautiful present. He then gave Will a wooden sword and slipped a wooden, beaded necklace over Millie’s head. Whoever the carpenter was, he was extremely talented. “I didn’t forget you,” he said to Kitty as he pulled out a little gold band. On the ring were four square, green gems. Emeralds. “This is for you, my darling.” He slipped the ring on Kitty’s finger and joined it with her wedding band.

“What’s it for?” Kitty asked, her voice soft with affection.

“It’s an eternity ring,” he explained. “It’s my promise to you that I will always return to you. For as long as you’ll have me of course.”

Kitty clapped her hand over her mouth as she gasped. She leaned over and kissed his cheek with tears in her eyes. “You being here is the greatest Christmas gift I’ve ever received. But this gesture is beautiful.”

Ebony had to wipe tears from her eyes. It was so romantic! Looking around the open sitting room, it was obvious that all the women had become teary. Their husbands had to follow by William’s example. They weren’t married but Ebony would one day want to receive an eternity ring from Henry.

“You’re getting me one of those,” Emilia said loudly to Sebastian which made everyone in the room erupt in fits of laughter.

For the next few hours, instead of waiting for it to be light, gifts were exchanged as it was technically Christmas Day.

Dolls, tin soldiers, inks, hairpins, hand mirrors, earbobs and books were just a few of the many objects that were given and received. Celeste adored the china doll that Ebony had bought for her with a small portion of the money she had received from Vernon’s estate. She’d never owned anything so fine before. The doll was perfectly white. Her porcelain features were delicately painted and she wore a frilly, white dress and a lacy bonnet over her golden head of hair. Celeste had not let go of it, choosing to call her ‘Helen’ after their mother.

“It’s only something small,” Henry said as he handed her a little box that was tied up with a white ribbon. “But I noticed you didn’t have one.”

Ebony untied the ribbon and opened the box. Unfolding the soft material inside, she saw a fine necklace nestled in the bottom. Pulling it out, she hung it on her fingertips. The pendant was a tiny, golden cross. “Thank you!” she gushed. “Will you put it on for me?” she asked.

“Certainly.” Henry unfastened the clasp and Ebony aided him by holding her impossible hair up and out of the way. She felt his soft hands brush her neck as he closed the clasp. Much to her embarrassment, she felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck. “There. You’re perfect.” Henry pulled her hair down and smiled at her.

“So did I miss it?” William asked. It took them both a few moments to realise he was talking to them.

“Miss what?” Henry replied.

“The wedding, of course. I’ve been away for six months – is there a child on the way?” His eyes travelled down to Ebony’s flat stomach. “Perhaps not.”

Ebony bashfully covered her stomach with her arms. She hoped there would be soon enough. “We are not married.”

“Yet,” Henry added. “We were waiting for your return. Then we were going to be married by the vicar in the village.”

“There is no chance of that happening. The last time the snow was this bad Kitty was pregnant and … and we all know how that turned out.” William looked a little haunted by the memory. Ebony had been told the story of Little J’s heroism in saving her sister and her little niece by performing a caesarean. “What I’m saying is that a trek to the church will be a while a way. I only found my way here because I was so bloody determined.” William cracked a wicked smile as he shook his head. “And I know the trail like the back of my hand.”

Ebony frowned. How much longer would it be then? She didn’t know how long it would be until the storm passed. It could be weeks!

“If I may,” Joseph interrupted. “I was given certain powers when I joined the church. One of them being the power to marry …”

Brilliant! Ebony beamed. Yes! Joseph would marry them right here, right now. Everybody Henry loved was in this room. The only person Ebony would have liked to have been there for her was Ellen, but she was in Vienna according to the last letter she’d received.

“We could write up a certificate and I could perform the ceremony. If you’d like, that is,” Joseph continued.

“What do you say?” Henry asked, looking down at Ebony beside him.

Ebony was too excited to speak. No words would come out. All she could do was nod.

Almost immediately Ebony was seized by the arm. Emilia was pulling her out of her chair and was dragging her away from the sitting room, shouting things to her daughters excitedly.

The sun was coming up. It was dawn. She would be married on Christmas Day. Was it wrong? She didn’t know. All she knew is that it would make the day all the more special.

She spent a good hour in the bedroom Emilia slept in with Sebastian. Her hair was pulled away from her face and fastened with white hairpins. Her sleepless face was covered with powder and she was helped into Emilia’s wedding dress by Henry’s sisters who were all giving her advice on the wedding night, much to her chagrin. She blocked it out. Perhaps they’d forgotten she wasn’t innocent. Pure, maybe, according to Henry, but not innocent. She hadn’t been innocent for a long time. The soft, white gown was complimented by a pale pink ribbon which as tied around under her bust. She’d never felt more empowered. Not even when she was on stage.

When she was ready, Emilia cupped her face. “You’ll be great, my dear. You make him so happy.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I’ve never seen him happier. You’ve been through so much already. You’ve only happiness to come. Please give me many more grandchildren to spoil!”

Ebony laughed lightly. “Thank you,” she said gratefully. “And I’ll do my best.”

Celeste appeared at the door wearing her best yellow dress. Her hair was tied back with a matching ribbon. She looked so pretty. She was sure to give young Will heart palpitations. “Oh, Ebbie!” she exclaimed. “You look so lovely!”

“You look beautiful, Celeste,” Ebony countered. “In fact, I have a favour to ask of you …”

“What?”

“Will you give me away?” she asked hopefully.

Celeste frowned. “What does that mean?”

“It means you’ll hold my hand as I walk to Henry. You’re the one who will give me to Henry. The one who blesses us. Will you do it?” Ebony asked with pleading eyes. She could think of no other. Yes, Celeste was young, but she was Ebony’s only family, and the one she loved equally as much as she loved Henry.

“Of course!” she exclaimed.

“Then let’s get you married,” Emilia announced, clapping her hands.

Ebony was ushered down the stairs in a whirlwind of laughter and shouting. Henry’s sisters all scampered into the newly arranged sitting room. The settees had been aligned to form an aisle and Henry’s family were all sitting down, waiting to watch the nuptials. They’d all changed into their best clothes and were wearing their happiest smiles. Joseph and Henry stood at the end of aisle, both wearing fine suits. Henry looked completely nervous until he saw her. His face calmed and he smiled ever so slightly, looking quite amazed. She blushed. She felt rather pretty. Celeste took Ebony’s hand and began to lead her down the aisle to Henry.

This was it. Her nerves vanished. This was what she was meant to do. This was where she was meant to be.

Joseph chuckled. “And who gives this woman to this man?” he asked, looking down at the excited Celeste.

“Me!” she announced excitedly. Celeste wasn’t aware that she was supposed to put her hand in Henry’s, so Henry took Ebony’s hand from Celeste.

“Thank you, Celeste,” he said gratefully.

“Go sit down now,” Ebony whispered to her. Celeste quickly took a seat beside Catherine. Catherine wrapped her arms around Celeste as she looked on.

“Are you ready?” Henry asked her.

Ebony nodded and smiled at Joseph. “Marry us, please,” she instructed, tightening her hold on Henry’s hand.

---

And you all thought I'd kill our William! Please! He's possibly my favourite of my leading men haha.

I went to the shops today and it was pouring down with rain (and in November too!) it's coming into Summer in Australia. You haven't experienced a summer until you've endured an Aussie summer! But anyways, it's pouring down with rain and I didn't put my contacts in today because I'm lazy and can't be stuffed sticking my fingers in my eyes every day :P But my glasses were covered with rain so I couldn't see so I had to take them off as I was walking past K-Mart and clean them but then I couldn't see anything so I'm just squinting like a weirdo. Jeez, you have no idea how bad my eyesight is. It rapidly deteriorated in the summer of 2011/2012 -- just after I created a Wattpad account actually :P My mum said it was because I spent so long staring at my laptop and not very long using my distance vision. Oh well, I like writing :) If I make money off of this I might invest in some of that laser eye surgery!! But in one week from today it will be my 2 year anniversary of being on Wattpad!! I discovered this site when I was going through the app store on my old phone and I found the wattpad app that said 'Millions of stories" and I was like "Hey, I like reading!" ... I was a bit blonde for a while, I didn't realise that people like me were the authors! When I did I was like, "Hmm, well I like writing. Maybe I should try my hand at uploading something." And I have received so much love!! I can't thank you all enough!! I am literally the least confident person you've ever met in your life. The suppost I've gotten from here has given me the confidence to show someone my work for the first time. I gave my mum a USB with "Rescuing Emilia" on it and she stayed up all night reading it. I'm giving my best friend a print out of one of them for Christmas as she's been bugging me all year to read something of mine as I often read out your comments to her or screen shot the kindest ones to show her. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I've decided to make a YouTube video for the epilogue. I proper thank you. You'll also be able to hear what a REAL Australian accent sounds like :P I'll have to do something nice with my hair and stick my fingers in my eyes for you. Don't want no ugly glasses on :P Epilogue will be up in the next few days when I have time :) It will be in Emilia's POV. I think it's fitting. It started with her and it'll end with her :)

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