“I’ll talk to her too. And yes, we should take her. My family enjoyed her so much when I visited them while you were in London. If we’re going to be a family, it’s good that we do things together as afamily.”
“Did you set a date for when we’ll be coming?” John asked as she rose up from thetable.
“I left it open. I just said sometime nextweek.”
“Excellent. Let me know when you want to go and I’ll make myselfavailable.”
Susan hesitated, but said, “I’ll need to visit with Katherine as well—alone. I want her to be my chief bridesmaid, and it’s going to be difficult to tell her we’re gettingmarried.”
“Perhaps you can visit her while I get to know yourparents.”
Susan stood up from the table and went to John placing her hands on his chest. “My dear, man. It’s difficult for me to believe we’re doing this. It’s still so unreal tome.”
John took her hands. “Fear not, my dear, it is real.” Then he kissed her on theforehead.
* * *
It was time.Aunt Clarissa went to her dresser and removed a letter hidden under a stack of undergarments. She looked at the front of the letter. It was addressed to John in Annabel’shandwriting.
She found John speaking with Standish in thekitchen.
“Hello, Aunt,” John said when he saw her come into the room. “Did you wish to see me?” She nodded. “I’ll be right withyou.”
He turned back to Standish, finished his conversation, and then came over toher.
“Nephew, I have something for you,” she saidgravely.
“Oh?”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter. “This was given to me by Annabel before Elizabeth’s birth and she asked me to keep it until you ever married again. It’s time now you should have this.” And she handed him theletter.
He seemed to be shocked. “How did sheknow..?”
Aunt gave John a hug. “Read theletter.”
* * *
John wentup to his rooms, looking at the letter addressed to him. He recognized his wife’s handwriting, but he couldn’t open itimmediately.
He closed the door and went over to the window, gazing at the park. His mind went back to the time of Elizabeth’s birth. Why had she written this? How could she know she would not survive thebirthing?
He opened theletter.
My Beloved,
If you are reading this, then I am gone. It may be a year after. It may be many, but in either case, I hope you do read this because it means you have moved on and are about to become a husband again. And you have my blessing for that. I am sure she must be the very worthiest of ladies or you would not be marryingher.
I have asked Aunt Clarissa to keep this letter for you until this time. And you may wonder why I am writing this now. After all, I am about to give birth to our first child. Why would such an event prompt me to write this, you might ask? But as I near the due date, I feel that something is wrong with the pregnancy. I can’t say why, and I couldn’t even explain to Doctor Richards why I feel this. But I know there is adanger.
If the birth goes well I shall destroy this letter and we will continue in our happy life together. If not…then…
But my dearest husband and friend, I want you to know that I love you with all my heart and soul and have had the happiest life possible withyou.
I knew you were my true love when we first met that fateful night in my father’s house. An arranged marriage. I expect you dreaded that as much as I did. But when we finally met I knew the graces had brought us together. And for that, I am forevergrateful.
In closing know I love you—then, now, andforever.
Your Loving and DevotedWife,
