Against the Stars

Chapter 12

“What!?” Ginny cried. She could not believe what she was hearing. Lottie, getting married? Already?

“Yes I know! Alexander proposed and Father said yes. We’re to be married the 29th, 9 days from today.”

Nine day? Ginny thought. Could you really plan a wedding in nine days? It didn’t seem possible, but Ginny knew Lottie would do whatever it would take to make it work. That was Lottie for you.

Ginny noticed an odd silence hanging over the house. “Where is everyone?”

“Mother is shopping, Father’s in the field, Stephen’s in his room reading, Bess is outside, Blithe’s telling Becca, and Ellen and Edward are who knows where.”

“I heard someone say my name,” Edward said popping into the room. Nelly followed right behind him. Sometimes it seemed like those two were glued at the hip.

“I didn’t hear mine though,” Nelly scoffed. Lottie said nothing.

“Sorry Ellen, I am pretty sure I said your name,” Lottie replied.  Nelly stuck her tongue out in response.

“I had the best day ever. It all started…” Edward began to tell one of his lengthy stories. Ginny didn’t want to hear about it so she cut him off like any older sister would.

“I’m glad you had a good day, but now Lottie has some news to share.”

“Charlotte,” Lottie snapped. “And Ellen, Edward, I’m getting married.”

Nelly, who had been getting her cloak, let it fall to the ground, her mouth wide open.   Edward just stood there, a shocked expression on his face. Neither of them seemed to register the news.

“You know what I said earlier? I take it back,” Edward said.

Lottie made a humph sound and strutted away, her nose pointed in the air. Typical Lottie, Ginny thought to herself.

“I’m going to go tease Lottie some more,” Edward said, following after Lottie.

“Say Nelly, let’s go upstairs and you can tell me about your day. I’m sure you had an intresting one, since you are covered in mud,” Ginny said.

Nelly looked down at her mud stained hem, as if she was just noticing it for the first time. She shrugged her shoulders and followed Ginny upstairs.

As the two headed upstairs, a cry of Edward pierced the air. Nelly chuckled softly.

“Seems Eddy’s doing his job,” she mumbled to herself.

“Come on, let’s go upstairs before Lottie comes after us,” Ginny said, ushering Nelly up the stairs and into their room.

Ginny collapsed on her bed. It was late and she was tired, but she would not fall asleep. Not with Nelly chatting like she was.

Nelly talked on and on about her day, but Ginny didn’t listen to one word she said. Instead she thought and did she think.

Lottie, getting married? Those three words didn’t make sense in her mind. Sure Lottie had known Alexander for years in England but they had only been courting for about a month.

If Ginny closed her eyes she could see Lottie down the aisle, pretty in her extravagant dress. But for someone reason, the woman in Ginny’s imagination didn’t look like Lottie.

Maybe it’s because I’m tired. Ginny thought. That’s why this makes no sense. Ginny tried to remember if she felt this way when Becca was married. She couldn’t remember.

“So Ginny how was your day?” Nelly asked, sending Ginny out of her daydream.

“What?” Ginny asked. She was saved by the sound of a door slamming in the wind. “Everyone downstairs!” Mother called.

Thank you, Ginny thought as she dashed down the stairs, before Nelly had time to say anything else. Ginny found the rest of the family in the parlor. Even Becca showed up. Thomas and Georgie weren’t there though; Ginny didn’t blame them for not coming. Ginny plopped down on a chair next to Stephen. Blithe-who sat on the floor across the room-shot her a look that could only say, “Can you believe this?”  Ginny shot a similar look back.

Mother entered the room, her face beaming and her eyes glistening. If Ginny had been in Lottie’s place she would have been angry. Mother had been in full out hysterics when Becca had gotten married. Mother had wanted to relive her own wedding. From Lottie’s upturned nose, it was clear she didn’t want that. Ginny couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene.

“Quiet everyone!” Mother called. Ginny hadn’t even realized anyone was talking till they stopped. Silence was odd for a family as large as the Miller. Their house never seemed to be quiet.

“As many of you already know, I have exciting news. Charlotte and Alexander are getting married!” Mother said, her voice taking on girlish hysteria. She seemed more excited about this wedding than Lottie! Ginny understood why. In England, girls were considered successful by how they married, and a parent’s skill was based on how their daughter married. Apparently, Alexander was a good catch, as Mother would put it.

Bess jumped out of her chair, Stephen dropped his book, and Nelly started singing, “Lottie’s moving out, Lottie’s moving out!” that seemed more like the Millers.

“Quiet!” Father, who had just entered, roared. His face was red, and beads of sweat dripped down his face. His brown hair stuck up at the top and his brown eye seemed tired and worn out. Ginny felt bad for him. September wasn’t the best time to arrive in Virginia.

“I know the whole wedding thing is exciting, but its late, we need to eat. Can we deal with this tomorrow?”

“George…” Mother protested.

“Suzanna, trust me,” Father pleaded. Ginny didn’t often see her father like this and she died to know what was going on his mind.

Mother sighed. “All right, I’ll get Violet to put dinner on the table,” she said heading off to the kitchen.

Ginny ignored the chatter of her siblings and headed after father who was going outside. Ginny smiled, her father was the only one who enjoyed the outdoors as much as did.

Quietly, Ginny snuck outside she went and sat by her father who seemed unfazed by her presences.

“Father is everything all right?”  Ginny asked.

Father shook his head as trying to erase a bad memory from it. “Things take a long time to fall into place Ginny. Sometimes starting over isn’t really starting over.”

“You seem distraught over something. Is it Hiram Baykir’s murder?”

Father stared at Ginny, a look of surprise on his face. “How did you know that?”

Ginny blushed. Not wanting to get Ben in trouble she said, “It was all the talk in the town today.”

Father sighed, louder this time. “I should have known. And yes, that’s it. I was supposed to help Hiram with his crops since it’s too late to plant my own. Molly can’t afford to pay me anymore now.”

“Can’t you work somewhere? I bet there are many people in Williamsburg who appreciate an extra hand.”

Father shook his head. “Not many people will hire a known loyalist. When I asked for work I was threaten several times. Warren Anderson agreed to hire me, but for half the normal price. That’s the best offer I’ve gotten.”

“It’ll be all right Father, I know it will,” Ginny said.

Father reached over and embraced Ginny in a crushing hug. “Oh my sweet Virginia, you’ve growing up so fast. You’re so much like your mother. You must enchant everyone you meet. You enchant me. I love you so much.”

“I love you too Father,” never had five words meant as much as those. Love was the most powerful thing on the Earth.

Father let Ginny go. “I’ve decided you can spend time with the Eby boy and the Roser’s daughter, but on one condition.”

“What is that?”

“Yes will always, no matter what, remain a loyalist.”

“I will Father, I promise,” Ginny said knowing that was one promise she didn’t know if she could keep.