Lavinia’s father--the Squire--who had
accosted her, Lavinia had risen to his defense, accusing her own husband,
Benjamin, of being the attacker instead. Within weeks of that dreadful
night, Lavinia disappeared, presumably to Australia with her married lover,
James Sterling. Benjamin had been sent away by the Church of England to
avoid further scandal, even though he had, by then, been proven innocent.
Felicity had no hope that her love for Benjamin and his love for her
could ever be accepted in British society. Benjamin’s reputation had been
tainted and she, as an heiress of two prominent families, must forget the
love she had found in her Ben.
Pausing, Felicity looked earnestly at Elise, saying, “When you
explained the depth of your pain, not knowing where Joshua was or if he
was alive or dead, I understood exactly what you felt. I knew from my own
experience, the depths of such pain. Unless you experience it first hand, no
one, no matter how sympathetic they are, can ever truly understand. You
see, that is what I felt when I was separated from Benjamin. Fortunately,
my Aunt Gwen had known such pain and brought us back together. She
risked her own life, so I could live in true happiness.”
“And have you?” Elise asked softly, genuinely moved by what Felicity
had been through.
“Elise, there are no words to describe the utter peace and joy I have
experienced since I became Mrs. Benjamin Myles. I know this may sound
strange to some. Nevertheless, when two people have struggled as you and
Joshua, Michael and your dear mother, my dear grandparents, and my Ben
and I have, I truly believe God blesses them with an extraordinary gift. And
that gift is bliss in loving one another completely and freely. And I know
that with all you and Joshua have been through, you too, will have such a
marriage.”
“Oh Felicity, that’s so kind of you to say. Mama said something very
similar to me, many years ago, when I couldn’t decide between my loyalty
to my countrymen and the man I loved . . .”
Her voice trailed off, recalling the day Joshua had told her he didn’t
trust her. That day, fearful she would lose him forever, Elise had chosen
love. A frown crossed her brow and she said, “Felicity, there’s just one
thing I don’t understand. How is it that Lavinia is in New York and married
to James Sterling?”
As Felicity explained, Benjamin sat silently on the back of the coach,
smiling. My dear Felicity . . . he mused, What a treasure you are . With all
her wealth and position rightfully due her, the only thing that matters to
her still, is our love. Looking up at the darkened sky filled with twinkling
stars, Benjamin bowed his head and earnestly said a prayer of thanks to
God. Ending his prayer he asked, Dear Lord, please grant dear Felicity the
child she so desperately wants.
As Felicity and Elise finished sharing their tales, Miranda looked at her
friends and said, “Both of you are so fortunate, to find someone to share
your lives with, while I’m convinced more than ever that I’ll end up an old
maid.”
“Oh pish-posh Miranda,” Elise exclaimed. “Why, you are lovelier
today than I’ve ever seen you. Surely by now, someone has taken a fancy
to you.”
Before Miranda had a chance to answer, Felicity interrupted. “Oh,
believe me, someone has. A most desirable gentleman, too . . .”
“Oh, and you haven’t said a word. Why you naughty girl. Tell me who
this lucky man is,” Elise said, bubbling with excitement.
Miranda rolled her eyes as her cheeks turned bright red, and she
protested in embarrassment. “There is nothing to tell. I’ve told you dozens
of times, Felicity,” Miranda scolded, turning her head to the woman beside
her. “I’m not the least bit romantically interested in Tad.”
“Tad?” Elise blurted, her curiosity getting the best of her. “You can’t
mean Michael’s son, can you? Oh that would be perfect. Then we truly
would be sisters.”
“As lovely as
accosted her, Lavinia had risen to his defense, accusing her own husband,
Benjamin, of being the attacker instead. Within weeks of that dreadful
night, Lavinia disappeared, presumably to Australia with her married lover,
James Sterling. Benjamin had been sent away by the Church of England to
avoid further scandal, even though he had, by then, been proven innocent.
Felicity had no hope that her love for Benjamin and his love for her
could ever be accepted in British society. Benjamin’s reputation had been
tainted and she, as an heiress of two prominent families, must forget the
love she had found in her Ben.
Pausing, Felicity looked earnestly at Elise, saying, “When you
explained the depth of your pain, not knowing where Joshua was or if he
was alive or dead, I understood exactly what you felt. I knew from my own
experience, the depths of such pain. Unless you experience it first hand, no
one, no matter how sympathetic they are, can ever truly understand. You
see, that is what I felt when I was separated from Benjamin. Fortunately,
my Aunt Gwen had known such pain and brought us back together. She
risked her own life, so I could live in true happiness.”
“And have you?” Elise asked softly, genuinely moved by what Felicity
had been through.
“Elise, there are no words to describe the utter peace and joy I have
experienced since I became Mrs. Benjamin Myles. I know this may sound
strange to some. Nevertheless, when two people have struggled as you and
Joshua, Michael and your dear mother, my dear grandparents, and my Ben
and I have, I truly believe God blesses them with an extraordinary gift. And
that gift is bliss in loving one another completely and freely. And I know
that with all you and Joshua have been through, you too, will have such a
marriage.”
“Oh Felicity, that’s so kind of you to say. Mama said something very
similar to me, many years ago, when I couldn’t decide between my loyalty
to my countrymen and the man I loved . . .”
Her voice trailed off, recalling the day Joshua had told her he didn’t
trust her. That day, fearful she would lose him forever, Elise had chosen
love. A frown crossed her brow and she said, “Felicity, there’s just one
thing I don’t understand. How is it that Lavinia is in New York and married
to James Sterling?”
As Felicity explained, Benjamin sat silently on the back of the coach,
smiling. My dear Felicity . . . he mused, What a treasure you are . With all
her wealth and position rightfully due her, the only thing that matters to
her still, is our love. Looking up at the darkened sky filled with twinkling
stars, Benjamin bowed his head and earnestly said a prayer of thanks to
God. Ending his prayer he asked, Dear Lord, please grant dear Felicity the
child she so desperately wants.
As Felicity and Elise finished sharing their tales, Miranda looked at her
friends and said, “Both of you are so fortunate, to find someone to share
your lives with, while I’m convinced more than ever that I’ll end up an old
maid.”
“Oh pish-posh Miranda,” Elise exclaimed. “Why, you are lovelier
today than I’ve ever seen you. Surely by now, someone has taken a fancy
to you.”
Before Miranda had a chance to answer, Felicity interrupted. “Oh,
believe me, someone has. A most desirable gentleman, too . . .”
“Oh, and you haven’t said a word. Why you naughty girl. Tell me who
this lucky man is,” Elise said, bubbling with excitement.
Miranda rolled her eyes as her cheeks turned bright red, and she
protested in embarrassment. “There is nothing to tell. I’ve told you dozens
of times, Felicity,” Miranda scolded, turning her head to the woman beside
her. “I’m not the least bit romantically interested in Tad.”
“Tad?” Elise blurted, her curiosity getting the best of her. “You can’t
mean Michael’s son, can you? Oh that would be perfect. Then we truly
would be sisters.”
“As lovely as
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