Flight and Fancy

Chapter 17

James and Magnus were sitting in the Study.

"Magnus, I would have to be the proudest father in the land right now." said James.

"Oh, why so?" asked Magnus with a wry grin.

"Because my son, I took you on all those lengthy business trips to test your mettle."

James leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped out in front.

"Not once did your eye wander to another woman, not once did your voice offer admiration for any other woman, only Isabelle. Your reunion tonight after weeks of not seeing each other spoke of the dedication, respect and love you each have for the other. I'm proud of you, son!"

"Father, tonight I asked Isabelle's hand in marriage." Magnus said and waited to see his father's reaction.

"So what was the young woman's answer and do you have her parents' blessing, hmmm?" James teased knowing full-well what the answer was.

"I have her parents' blessing and Isabelle has agreed to become my wife." Magnus had a big smile stretched across his face. James stood and pulled his son to his feet, shook his hand and held him in a tight hug.

"Let's not tell your mother until tomorrow!" he said.

The two men headed back to the party.

Isabelle tossed and turned. The elation in her heat just would not settle for her to sleep.. She and Magnus were to be married. The thought rolled over and over in her mind. She hugged her pillow and thought of the dress that she would like to wear for her special day and wondered at what other preparations would have to be made.

Her mother gently shook her awake.

"Wake up my sweet, we need to get our chores done. You'll have to dream of your sweet-heart later."

Isabelle dragged her weary  body out of bed, dressed and met her parents for breakfast.

They went about their usual chores and then headed to the orchard. They picked some of the fruits from the overgrown trees, placing them in a basket and discussed how in the coming months the trees would have to be pruned. The women took their basket of fruit to the kitchen.

The smell of fresh apple pie wafted through the house as the pie was placed on the cooling shelf near the open window.

Simon was re-planking some of the outbuildings. He could hear horses and turned to see a cart on the carriage way next to the house. He put down his tools and went to greet the visitors. It was Magnus and his older sisters. Simon helped the women down from the cart and invited them inside. Isabelle and Amelia had heard voices and came out of the kitchen wearing their cooking aprons.

"Magnus." squealed a delighted Isabelle as she ran to him. A dusting of flour covered his front as she hugged him.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Isabelle stepped back looking at the powdered front of Magnus. she removed her apron and handed him a cloth to use to dust himself off. His sisters snickered.

"I've brought my sisters to see the old house. I hope you don't mind. it was all unkempt and overgrown when last they saw it. I have to say Simon, that your have worked a marvel here. We had just finished rebuilding the kitchen when I was last here and now it would appear renewed totally."

Magnus looked around in awe at the mammoth task that had been undertaken and finished. They walked from room to room commenting on and admiring the finish to each room. It was so beautiful, the colour of the woodwork was rich and fresh. Everywhere they looked seemed inviting, so distant from the drabness that had enveloped it in the past. Anne and Mariah-Grace could feel this family's love emanating from every corner of the house. Magnus was dumbfounded. If he hadn't known otherwise he could have mistake this as a newly built home.