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Chapter Twenty – Four

“They’re going to adore you,” James whispered in Alice’s ear as the carriage pulled to a stop outside the snow covered home of James’ grandmother, Catherine.

Alice wasn’t so sure. Doubts filled her mind and caused her to panic. It was December twelfth and she and James were marrying in a matter of days. In that time his family could utterly hate her and demand that the wedding be called off.

They shared a carriage with Emilia, Sebastian and Henry, all of whom were absorbed in their own conversation. It took almost a fleet of carriages to get the Alcott family to Yorkshire. Kitty and William had purchased their own considering their now large family. A week earlier she had given birth to not one, but two babies. Alice had been present and had never seen anything more horrific in her life, and she had been a part of the revolution.

The look on William’s face when he came in the room and saw his beautiful new son and daughter made it all worth it though. He had been a wreck just as soon as she had begun the labour and now he looked like the proudest man alive.

Kitty had won the battle on the name for their son. ‘John’ was given as a middle name. He was called Alexander. They had picked the name ‘Josephine’ for their daughter and had already begun to call her ‘Josie’ which Alice thought was very sweet. Her middle name was the name of William’s mother apparently – Kathleen. There was no doubt who the twins looked like. They were the image of Kitty. Their dark brown curls and sapphire eyes were the exact same as their mother’s. Kitty and William, along with their older children, Will and Millie, as well as the newborns, were leaving a little earlier to go and spend the rest of the holiday with William’s parents so that they might get to spend a little time with their namesakes.

The day after Kitty had given birth, Little J, who had delivered Alexander and Josie with the help of her husband, Harrison, went into labour as well. It was a daughter for them, and she was the image of her mother. Small tufts of white, blonde hair and bright, blue eyes complemented her cherub face. Victoria Emilia Gray was the newest addition to the Alcott family. Little J and Harrison had left for Yorkshire a little earlier so that they might spend a few days with Harrison’s father in Hertfordshire. They had since met the rest of the carriages and were arriving at the same time.

Annie was as rotund as a woman could possibly be. Alice would not be surprised if the child did not arrive spontaneously as they all stood in the church for her wedding.

“I can smell mama’s cooking already,” Sebastian said hungrily as he opened the door of the carriage and assembled the stairs for the rest of the party to exit. Alice was last to leave and she clung to the safety of James’ side as they approached the large farm house. It was completely different to the manor in which the Alcott’s resided. This was a simple, country house that was blanketed in a picturesque layer of snow. The air was freezing and Alice could not wait to go inside to warm, she just prayed that it would not be uncomfortable.

The door immediately opened and a loud, excited cry erupted from an old woman who was now bounding towards them with the energy of a person half her age. Her arms opened and she pulled both Emilia and Sebastian into a tight hug.

As the family gathered around the embracing group, Alice could hear what was being said.

“Oh, you must not make me wait so long to see all of you,” she complained as she placed a kiss of Emilia’s cheek. “Look at you, Miss Em, are you not eating?” she demanded to know. “Sebastian, are you not feeding this poor woman?” she accused her son. “I can feel her ribs! Well, I shall see to that. I have a hot casserole ready to serve and some apple pie for pudding!”

Alice couldn’t help but smile at the stereotypical woman. She had to be Catherine, James’ grandmother.

Sebastian and Emilia both just laughed as they headed into the house. Catherine then greeted the rest of her grandchildren and their families, particularly fussing over the newborns wrapped tightly in the woollen blankets she had kindly knitted for them. Of course, as twins were not expected, Kitty had reused the blanket that was once Will’s. Catherine exclaimed in delight as she saw the twins. “Twins run in our family, you know! I was a twin! Although my sister and I never got along. She was a horrible woman … oh well!” she giggled and cooed at the babies. “Come inside and get out of the cold all of you!” She ushered everyone inside but paused when her hazel eyes fell on Alice.

Alice was prepared for something horrid. She was a French revolutionary after all and had only recently been released from prison after a murder accusation. What if she wasn’t allowed in the house? What if she was made to sleep in the barn with the horses that were now being locked in there by the drivers?

Catherine clapped her hands over her mouth as she squealed. “Aren’t you beautiful?” she exclaimed as she quickly pulled the surprised Alice into a tight embrace. Alice was not expecting that. “Oh, it must take a wonderful woman to make my grandson want to settle down,” she laughed as she pulled back so that she could look at her. Alice thought Catherine very pretty for an older woman. Lines crinkled her face and her hair had turned completely silver but she could tell that Catherine would once have been the toast of the town. “Oh, you mustn’t be frightened, dear. We are a large brood, but we are kind, I promise you.”

James chuckled. “Grandmamma, this is Alice. Alice, this is my grandmother, Catherine,” he introduced.

“Thank you for inviting me ‘ere, Madame,” Alice said formally. She felt the need to curtsey but couldn’t considering she was still in Catherine’s arms.

“Oh, hear that accent, James?” Catherine beamed. “Simply gorgeous! My darling, you may call me ‘Catherine’ or ‘Grandmamma’, we are not strangers here. We are family. You and my precious Jamesie are going to be married in a few days, after all!” She motioned for them to go inside and Alice was grateful.

She could not believe how suddenly at home she felt. She felt like she belonged. Why should she be surprised? Had the Alcotts not been welcoming her into their home for months? All she had been doing was stepping on eggshells around them, refusing their money and hospitality out of sheer pride. But they were family, the only family she’d known in a long time. They’d been treating her as such for a long while, it was time for her to do the same.

The smells of fresh baked pie, homemade casserole and pine needles hit her as she walked over the threshold into the warm home. Alice couldn’t help but smile when she saw how the family had gathered in the sitting room. Several miss-matched chairs and settees were occupied by the woman and children and the men stood around behind their wives conversing as well. Alice didn’t recognise several of the people inside so she knew that they had to be the family from Nottinghamshire. James’ aunt and uncle, she recalled.

As they walked in, all eyes were suddenly on her. Alice’s insecurities immediately returned.

“Family, this is my fiancée, Alice Devereaux, Alice, this is the rest of my family,” he gestured to the faces that she did not know.

Immediately a woman who could only be Sebastian’s sister jumped up from her seat to receive Alice. She was younger that Sebastian and Emilia but she still had a look of wisdom in her eyes. “You are very welcome here, Alice,” she said kindly. “My name is Jane … I’m James’ favourite aunt.”

James rolled his eyes. “You are my only aunt,” he chuckled. “But I have missed you Aunt Jane.” James hugged his aunt and then returned to Alice’s side, still sensing her nerves.

“Thank you, I am very ‘appy to be ‘ere,” Alice said to Jane.

Jane beamed. “Another accent!” she exclaimed.

Another? Was there another French person in the family? The family all laughed as an older gentleman joined Jane’s side and another couple came to meet Alice. The couple both had blond hair, though the woman’s hair was a much lighter shade. The man’s hair was gold and it curled in ringlets down to his neck. He held a baby that looked to be around six months old as the woman held her young, toddler daughter.

“Alice, this is my husband, Daniel,” she said, gesturing to the dark haired gentleman at her side. He was a very handsome man for his age, his eyes still smouldering when he looked down at his wife. “Our sons, Philip and Louis, are being very antisocial with their cousins,” she said, gesturing to a pair of teenaged boys talking cheerily with Henry.

“I’m Sabine, James’ cousin,” the blonde woman said, smiling. Alice wondered how a girl with blue eyes and blonde hair could have been produced from dark haired parents. It wasn’t any of her business. “My husband, Connor,” she gestured to the tall, muscular man at her side. Clearly he did not realise it was cold outside as all he wore was a plain, white shirt. He looked like a man who laboured and worked hard for his physique was impressive.

“It’s very nice to meet ye, lass. The women can’ stop talkin’ about your nuptials, it’s givin’ us lads a headache,” he chuckled as he leant down to kiss Alice’s cheek in a friendly manner. Connor had a very thick, Scottish accent, so she knew what Jane had meant. “This young lad here is Colin, my son,” he said proudly. “An’ the lass is my bonny daughter, Ellie.” Alice smiled at seeing how much the man loved his children. She couldn’t wait for James to look at theirs the same way.

Once all the introductions had been made, it was time to sit down to dinner. Several handmade tables had been pushed together in the dining room which had been extended over the years to accommodate the expanding family. It helped having a wealthy Earl as a son and an even wealthier one as a son-in-law. Catherine’s home was perfect to house the large family.

Catherine’s cooking was impeccable and Alice ate hungrily, not leaving a scrap on her plate.

Couples were not roomed together in Catherine’s home as there were simply not enough bedrooms, so the girls were roomed together, as were the boys, and the children were put into another room. The only couples that were permitted a bed together were Jane and Daniel and Sebastian and Emilia who slept in their childhood rooms.

Alice was sleeping in a cot against the wall and one by one the Alcott sisters and Sabine came in to sleep after they tended to their young ones. The children were in the bedroom next to the girls so if a baby awoke they would be heard.

She settled down to sleep with a smile on her face. She knew she belonged.

Over the next two days, final preparations were made for the wedding, as well as the things that needed to be organised for Christmas. A tree had been assembled in the sitting room and had been decorated in with hand painted decorations. Evergreen boughs, holly and mistletoe were hung around the house giving off a merry aura. Alice had never experienced Christmas in such a way. She could only remember receiving a gift once and that was a cloth doll that Jacques had made her when they were children. That was why the presents accumulating underneath the tree surprised her. She would make sure her children knew they were lucky when she had them.

When it came to the night before the wedding, she realised how little she had to do with the planning of the wedding. She had helped design her dress and had picked the flowers she would hold in her bouquet but the rest was a mystery. She supposed that came with sisters and a new mother – one would always have help. She didn’t mind. She didn’t really know what went into a wedding anyway. All she knew was that it was being held in the church in which Catherine and her late husband James, as well as Sebastian and Emilia, and Jane and Daniel had wed in.

Alice was not allowed to see James and they were both kept blindfolded if they needed to leave their rooms. Kitty had tied her hair in rags to make perfect ringlets in the morning and her bouquet of fresh cut winter bluebells were perfuming the room. She’d chosen bluebells as her bouquet flower as they were her favourites for many reason. Not only were the simple and beautiful, but they represented, to Alice, hope. Winter could be the bleakest season. It could seem endless and cold and dark, and just when it seemed it would never end, there would be a bluebell poking up through the snow hinting that winter would end, the sun would rise and there would be life again in the world. She wanted to carry bluebells as a symbol of her hope and optimism going into her marriage with James.

“Wake up, Alice. It’s time to start getting ready.” Alice felt someone shaking her and she opened her eyes to see the brown irises of Annie staring back at her.

Alice suddenly felt the need to be sick. Her nerves were going to cause her to bring up her stomach. She couldn’t breathe. She sat upright in the bed and clutched her stomach.

“She’s panicking!” Kitty exclaimed.

“Darling, darling,” Emilia said soothingly, sitting next to her on the bed. “I know it’s frightening. I know, believe me. But once you see him and he sees you, you will be able to do it. Just breathe, in through the nose and out through the mouth. I promise it will be alright.”

Alice took her advice. She took air in through her nose and exhaled from her mouth. She could physically feel her heart beat slowing and she felt more in control. She was getting married in a matter of hours.

“We’ve sent the boys to the tavern in town so we’re here alone to get you ready,” Little J told her.

Alice nodded and rose from her bed slowly. She had a little headache from sleeping on the rags overnight but it was nothing she couldn’t handle. Catching a glimpse of her bluebells in their vase, she smiled. It would be alright.

For the next two hours, her hair was pulled and pinned and several bluebell buds were placed in and amongst the perfectly twirled curls. Her dress was a simple, long sleeved, white silk gown that was cinched at the waist. The entire gown was covered in a layer of white lace which made her feel like a snow princess. She was wearing a matching veil of the same lace. Her rosary took pride of place around her neck.

She smiled, feeling quite pretty once her new family were finished with her. She was covered in a white cloak as it was still terrifyingly cold outside. Securing her flowers in her hand, Alice felt ready to go to the church and begin her future with James.

Alice, Emilia, Catherine, Jane, Kitty, Little J, Annie and Sabine all made their way into the carriages to go to the church.

The snow, thankfully, was light on the ground so instead of being a nuisance it was more majestic which added to the ambience of a day she would always remember.

There was something missing though, and that was Jacques. He was there with her, but she would have given anything to have him give her away. She had visited his grave before she left for Yorkshire to ask for his blessing and for his presence at her wedding. She loved her brother dearly.

It took about half an hour for the horses to pull the carriage through the snow to get into town. Everybody was at their windows waving handkerchiefs, wishing her well, as they passed on toward the church. Alice felt embarrassed yet humbled. Small villages held such beauty in their residents.

When the carriage finally stopped, Alice’s nerves returned so she implemented Emilia’s breathing technique to help keep her calm. The doors were open and faintly she could see people sitting in the pews waiting for the bride.

Sebastain emerged from the church with a big smile on his face. “Today my boy becomes a man,” he said proudly. “But you really must hurry, if he sweats any more he may become dehydrated.” He chuckled.

Alice wasn’t any calmer.

“My dear, I know you would rather your brother here to escort you down the aisle, but I would be honoured if you would allow me,” he said kindly.

Alice smiled tenderly at her future father-in-law. “I would like that very much,” she replied timidly.

Sebastian offered her his arm and she took it gladly. James’ female family members began to file into the church to find their seats. Before entering though, Annie paused with a pained look on her face as she clutched her stomach. “I don’t mean to be rude, but if you could hurry along with the vows it would be much appreciated. Baby Preston has picked a very thoughtful moment to start coming.”

Alice gasped. Annie was in labour? “Annie, we must leave now!” she exclaimed. “Fetch Little J and ‘arrison!”

Annie shook her head. “There is no way I am missing this wedding!” she said fiercely before continuing to waddle down the aisle to take her seat.

Emilia chuckled before giving Alice a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck, darling,” she whispered.

She stood just before the doors with Sebastian practically hyperventilating. She could see James standing at the altar facing the priest … priest? She recognised Father Walker standing there with his bible waiting to marry them. James had organised a Catholic ceremony for her? He truly loved her.

“This is something that was said to my wife before she married me, and she has since said to our daughters before they married. You’ll be great, Alice.” Sebastian smiled at her encouragingly.

Alice nodded, knowing he was right. Just as they were about to step through the doors, the sun broke through the clouds and she felt a warmth fill her left hand. Her nerves evaporated as she knew she was being guided toward her new life with her brother by her side.

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