Wellington Cross (Wellington Cross Series) by Lane Cheryl

Author:Lane, Cheryl [Lane, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cheryl R. Lane
Published: 2012-12-05T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Social Gatherings

On Sunday, Jonas and I prepared to attend worship services at Westover Church. The church was an old brick structure that had been used as stables by the troops during the war. It sat overlooking Herring Creek with a graveyard between, under tall trees. It had been there since the early 1700s and only recently restored to being a church again.

The rector, Thom O’Loughlin, greeted us at the arched doorway. A boy rang an outside bell to summon parishioners to come inside for the service. The bell sat atop a wooden pole that was covered with spiraling vines and big purple clematis blossoms. The interior of the church was white, and there was a balcony for the servants to sit. Mrs. O’Loughlin greeted me inside and asked if I was still playing the piano. She also asked how I was doing since getting back, and I told her briefly about how I lost and regained my memory. I also confided that I was living on my brother’s plantation while Lillie Rose was living with Ethan. She squeezed my hands and vowed to pray for both families.

When the Wellingtons arrived, my heart skipped a beat upon seeing Ethan. He was dressed in black and gray and even wore a hat. He was devastatingly handsome. He was holding Lillie, and I couldn’t resist going over to greet them. He smiled at me, as did Lillie.

“Mrs. Wellington,” he said softly, nodding a greeting and taking off his hat. My heart beat faster, hearing him call me by his name. Lillie reached for me, and Ethan let me take her in my arms, our hands touched briefly during the exchange. We looked at each other longingly for a moment. Lillie was beautifully dressed in an off-white frilly dress with a matching bonnet. She greeted me with her usual “mama” squeal and then planted a slobbery kiss right on my lips. I held her tight and looked at Ethan, who watched us intently, and then blinked his eyes and looked away.

Jonas came up behind me and took Ethan’s attention away for a moment, and I took the opportunity to ask Clarissa about Catherine and Virginia coming to live with me and Jonas.

“Why, Madeline! What a wonderful idea! You should write to her today and see if she would like to do that. I’ll get you the post address. I may write her, as well. It might help convince her. That really would help her and Virginia out, as well as help you out at your home, I’m sure. That really sounds wonderful. Thank you. It would mean a lot to me to have her close by.” She then told me that Elizabeth was at the plantation resting. I was glad of that; I didn’t want to face her anytime soon nor did I want to see her fuss over Ethan.

I let Ethan take Lillie back for the service, and I sat with Jonas behind the Wellingtons. We sat in the same pews the Wellingtons and Chambers families had occupied for generations.

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