Anastasia's Story

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Philipa and I were sitting patiently in the Dreyton tea room as Miss Dreyton and her maid Lucy came out with tea and scones. Miss Lorelei Dreyton had fair skin and stringy blonde hair that was currently rolled into a bun, Marilyn inherited both of those traits from her mother. She inherited her freckles and green eyes from her irish father who was the financial manager for most of the Lords and businessmen around town. They Dreyton house was not a huge estate or Manor, but for a cityhouse the size and furnishings were much more than decent. Lorelei Dreyton was one of the kindest women in town, she had piercing blue eyes and thin blush lips.

"Can I get you girls anything?" she asked sweetly as Marilyn arrived home and placed her coat on the rack.

"No thank you, Mrs. Dreyton. The blueberry scone and tea are quite enough." Philipa murmured politely as Lucy and Lorelei left the room.

Marilyn was wearing a pale pink dress and the curls on the side of her face that fell from her braid were stuck to her face because of the rain outside. Her cheeks were now the color of her lips as she gingerly sat on the couch opposite the one Philipa and I were situated at.

"I asked you here today because as my dearest friends I thought I would share my good news with you." she smiled and paused briefly. Philipa and I turned to each other with curious looks on our faces as she continued.

"As you know the Pastor and I have been seeing each other since your Grandmother's funeral Anastasia, and this morning he asked me to be his wife... and I accepted." she was beaming but she was careful to bottle her joy to wait for Philipa's reaction.

"That's absolutely wonderful news Marilyn! I'm so happy for you." I exclaimed as I laced my tea and scone on the table and hugged her.

Philipa stood up too, "How great! No more worrying about which men are eligible or not because you've found a deserving man to share your life with!" Philipa too hugged Marilyn.

When we had all sat back down Marilyn seemed a little nervous, "Philipa, are you sure it's okay? I mean, you haven't even announced your engagement to the Duke and I certainly wouldn't want to get in the way of your festivities or anything." she seemed truly concerned.

Philipa looked uncomfortable for a second and then she spoke, "That really isn't necessary, Mr. Brumpton and I have called off the engagement, he simply wasn't who I thought he was. I've returned the ring and he's left town. No festivities to intrude on."

Marilyn's face erupted in concern, "Even more reason that this is bad timing! You're nursing a wounded heart and pride!"

"Marilyn, Philipa never sent out any engagement notices, very few people know that her relationship failed. And emotionally, even a broken heart wouldn't let either of us stand in the way of your happiness." I explained calmly as Marilyn seemed to be turning into an empathetic wreck.

"Alright then, the two of us are having a party after Sermon at the Church to announce the engagement and celebrate with our friends." Marilyn brings her tea to her mouth and suddenly it occurs to me that Rebekah will NOT be happy about this.

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Everybody was being passed champagne as we toasted to a joyful Pastor Harmond and the future Marilyn Harmond.

The Pastor cleared his throat and began, "Thank you friends and fellow worshippers for being with us today as we announce our promise to be joined as man and wife under God, and to lead lives in which we can show glory to Him through our actions. Thank you, Lord, for bringing this beautiful kind woman to me, with the most angelic voice I have ever heard. May her songs inspire me to write more moving sermons so that my congregation may always feel connected to you." He turned to Marilyn who was smiling ear-to-ear and kissed her briefly on the lips.