There was a knock at the door and Katherine peekedin.
“Susan, do you have a moment? There’s someone I want you tomeet.”
Susan glanced at Louisa who nodded it was alright to go. Susan wentoutside.
“And look who’s joining us today,” Katherine said, taking the hand of the young man besideher.
Susan was astounded. “Daniel, is thatyou?”
Standing before her was Katherine’s brother—strikingly handsome in his crisp, dark blue, frockcoat uniform with gold buttons and holding his bicorn, captain’s hat, folded into the crook of hisarm.
“Do you remember me?” Danielasked.
Susan laughed nervously. “You were so young and skinny when you went off to sea. I laugh because you’ve changed somuch.”
“For the better, I hope. I was such a raw lad when I left, wasn'tI?”
“But not now,” Susan said,smiling.
How the young man had filled out. He was strong, with blond curls and a ruggedly handsome face, tanned by life at sea. His eyes matched the color of the ocean on a sunny day, and his smile was far too dangerouslybecoming.
Susan turned to Katherine. “Your mother must be happy to have himhome.”
“We all are. Our lost boy returns—and looking like a prince, doesn’t he? Even Father closed the shop for the day when hearrived.”
Susan hesitated but needed to get back to Louisa. “It’s a pleasure to see you again,” she said, turning away slightly but turning back. “Perhaps we can chat more later, at thereception.”
Daniel saluted and nodded. “I look forward to it MissSusan.”
Susan took a deep breath and returned to thevestry.
“Have all the guests arrived?” Louisa asked. “The storm seems to be brewing even now. I hope no one getswet.”
“It looked to me like all the guests havearrived.”
“Even the Duke,” Papaasked.
Susan thought about that. “I didn’t seehim.”
“Here he comes now,” Louisa said as she gazed out the window. “I recognize hiscoach.”
“And the groom? Has he arrived as well?” Papaasked.
Susan wondered if he was referencing the last wedding when the groom didnotarrive but decided it was an innocent enoughquestion.
“Yes, he’s standing with his best man at the altar waiting for you, darlingsister.”
“Then shall we?” Papaasked.
“I think we need to wait for the Padre, Papa. He’s the one to tell us when to goout.”
“Verywell.”
And it was just at that moment that the Padre didappear.
Susan noticed the Duke and his aunt seated at the back of the congregation as they left to proceed down the aisle. Susan looked lovely, as the bridesmaid, in the dress she and Katherine had constructedtogether.
The ceremony went without a hitch. There were all the requisite tears and sighs from the families, and just as the couple was vouching their “I do’s,” a tremendous thunder clap cut through the sanctuary, startlingeveryone.
