Celebrations Feb
7, 2014
Amelia
Rose
The gentleman watched the spectacle from a
quiet corner of the chapel. It was a familiar chapel in a familiar town. But
many things had changed since he had last known it. There were many new shops,
new inns, and new neighborhoods which had sprung up during the interim of his
absence. And now, as he sat in the back corner of this crowded chapel he knew
just why.
At
this moment, a magnificent lady bejeweled in the finest apparel appeared beneath
the colourful stained glass windows of the chapel entrance. Collectively the
congregation took in a breath at her appearance. She was stunning. She was the
most beautiful creature any had ever beheld. Dressed in a fine satin gown,
gilded with lace and studded with pearls, the lady’s beauty elicited the best
of feelings from every onlooker.
She
had stopped just behind the last pew of the room. From the gentleman’s vantage
point he could see her perfectly. In the moments before the music began, he observed
her profile carefully. He studied her beautiful features eagerly that he might
remember and keep this moment for eternity. Sunlight caught her veil and made
it sparkle in the entrance of the venerable church. Her dark hair fell in
perfect ringlets placed neatly up in the shimmering veil. Her delicate hands gently
held a bouquet of white lilies beaded with pearls to match the pearls which
sequined her dress. The fabric was of the purest white with gold trim accenting
the lace gathered at the bodice and on the shoulders. Each layer of her dress
flowed expertly and fell seamlessly into the simple train that gathered behind
her feet at the floor. In the midst of the dark, old chapel the lady shone like
a bright star.
The
only regret the gentleman had as he sat gazing from his pew was that he could
not see her countenance. Guarded by the beautiful veil, the lady’s face
remained hidden as she gazed out over her audience. He could not look into her
bright eyes to read her emotions or comprehend her thoughts. She remained a
mystery to every onlooker as she stood there glimmering in the sunlight.
After
a moment of stillness, the music began and the spell was broken. The
congregation released the breath it was holding and the lady deftly took the first
steps toward her new future. She gracefully advanced down the isle in time to
the steady rhythms of the dignified processional. She bowed her head meekly as
she made her way past the dear friends and family gathered together to celebrate
this delightful day.
Across
from her at the other end of the church stood a man of no mean consequence
facing out toward the congregation. Sir Elsey was his name, the gentleman recalled
astutely. Happily, the exquisite elegance of the groom matched that of his
bride’s in every way. He was finely dressed with not a hair out of place. He
stood straight and tall, yet there was an ease in his manners which the
gentleman perceived from across the large room. Sir Elsey stood relaxed and
confident in front of the large crowd and he watched every movement of his
beautiful bride with admiration and tenderness. There was an unmistakable pride
in his eyes. A good pride, acknowledged the gentleman, a kind pride; one that
assured every being present that his love and admiration for their dear lady exceeded
all expectations and hopes. He was a good man with a kind soul, and the loved
ones of the lady could not approve more of the match.
As
the lady approached the altar with her father at her side, the groom greeted
her with an affectionate smile. This smile turned into an animated grin as she
returned the greeting. No one could see her face, yet the gentleman could
imagine the exact picture of her fair countenance. He could imagine her gentle
blue eyes sparkling through her veil, bright and excited and probably even a
little impatient for the moments ahead. He could imagine her lips, her soft,
lovely lips as they curled into a jubilant smile. He could imagine the blush of
her modest cheeks, and the pulse of her stout heart as it quickened with
excitement and anticipation on this momentous occasion. Though none could see,
the gentleman could tell that the lady gazed steadily into her groom’s eyes.
She could have been gazing into his own. He knew that look so well. For a
reason the gentleman could not quite articulate, he felt his own heartbeat
quicken. He stiffened in his seat and his palms grew sweaty as the bride and
groom turned together towards the priest at the wedding altar.
He
planted his feet firmly on the ground and clasped his hands tightly together so
as not to disturb those along the pew where he was seated. As the minister
began to speak, the gentleman closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm
himself and his body’s strange reaction to the transpiring events. He settled
back into his seat and attempted to listen to the sacred recitations of the minister.
“Dearly
beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of
this company of witnesses to join together this man and this woman in Holy
Matrimony.”
The
gentleman watched the lady at the altar. He watched her every movement with
admiration. She was the perfect creature. And she had done well. She had built
a secure and distinguished life for herself through her artwork and her
talents. She had traveled the world and back and had seen things he had only read
about in books. Little did she realize it, nor would her modesty ever own to
it, but the gentleman knew that this lady alone had brought prosperity and
prestige to her small town, and through her reputation had opened up the doors
of success to all her acquaintance. In a very short time, she had, for the
better, changed the face of the entire world around her. She had and would
continue to make a difference in the world and be a great influence for good in
the challenging times to come.
The
gentleman knew all this and was proud of her. She had become exactly who he
knew she would be. She had done it. And now she would be rewarded with a worthy
husband and companion to love and cherish her, who would support her in all her
endeavors.
“…therefore,
let this estate be not entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently,
discreetly, soberly and in the fear of God.”
The
gentleman was glad for it, and yet all the gladness in the world could not ease
the ache that came suddenly and acutely to his weary heart.
“Into
this Holy Estate these two persons present come now to be joined.”
O
that he might be the man! The man to love her, to hold her. To make her laugh
and to take away her sorrows! To know her most intimate feelings, hopes,
passions, and fears. To make a family, to make a life together all their own. He
had known and loved her since their childhood. The memory of the night he had
ended their friendship—had cut off her connection—filled his heart with grief. That
night and every day since he had been friend to anguish of the meanest sort. He
wished with all his might that he could erase that painful distress. O, that he
might be the one to heal her hurts, to secure her hopes, to prosper her joy!
“If
any man can show just cause, why these two may not lawfully be joined together,
let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”
His
heart raced, his palms sweat, his feet locked in rigid defense to the desires
that welled up in him now.
It
was not his place.
She
was not his, nor had she ever been. All the love in the world could not make her
his, nor bind their lives together in such a way. It was not to be. It was not his place.
Silence
filled the chapel. It lingered for a long moment. Then quietly it passed and
was gone.
The
minister continued to administer the wedding vows to the peerless couple at the
altar.
“Do
you Sir Elsey take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife…” And again, “…will
you have this man to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you… Do you… To have and
to hold... For better, for worse…For richer, for poorer…In sickness and in
health…As long as you both shall live…shall live?”
“I
do.” And again, “I do.”
“Forasmuch
as these two have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the
same before God and this company of witnesses, and there to have given their
pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a
ring, and by joining hands; by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you
husband and wife.”
And
just like that, the deed was complete. At long last the veil was lifted from
the bride’s darling face. She was just as the gentleman had imagined, though in
his recall, he had not accounted for the maturity that had filled out her
features over the last six years. It did not detract from her beauty, however.
In his esteem it simply augmented her natural grace and pristine perfection
with added wisdom and strength. As she gazed at her groom, triumph shone in her
bright eyes and unblemished joy radiated from her countenance. The gentleman
released a breath he had not realized he had been holding. To finally see her
face was relief indeed. She had found true happiness. At this moment, that
knowledge to him was worth more than gold. As he watched them, he saw the their
eyes meet affectionately. Then, at the minister’s cue, the groom took his bride
and kissed her tenderly in front of the delighted audience.
To
the congregation the minister concluded, “Those whom God hath joined together,
let no man put asunder. Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Sir and Lady
Elsey!”
The
audience applauded gaily. The blissful couple turned to face front and received
the attentions graciously. Led by the groom, the couple joyfully made their way
down the isle. Their guests crowded in behind them and followed them through
the chapel doors with cheers of approbation. Almost as quickly as it ended, the
chapel was cleared leaving the gentleman alone on his pew. From where he
remained, he could hear the blithe send-off from all the merry crowd outside.
It
was a lively and momentous occasion and would be the talk of all the nearby
towns for many months to come. It was a superb match. A happy ending for a
sparkling couple.
The
gentleman remained in the restful quiet of the empty chapel until the crowds
outside dispersed. When only a few voices lingered, he stood, adorned his hat,
and made his way to the chapel doors. There he met the minister to whom he
tipped his hat with a respectful nod. The minister returned the nod and a look
of faint recognition crossed his face. He couldn’t quite place the gentleman,
but he seemed vaguely familiar. The gentleman acknowledged the minister’s
greeting politely, and without a word stepped out from the venerable church’s
shadows into the soft afternoon light.
