Chapter Thirty-Eight
August 9th, 1812
Tiverton, Devonshire
The day dawned clear, but the roads were still wet and it was past ten o’clock before the traveling chaise reached Tiverton. Georgiana Dalrymple’s directions took them through the town to a cottage on the northern outskirts. Mordecai watched for churches. Tiverton didn’t know it yet, but a marriage would take place here today. He took Eleanor’s hand as the carriage trundled over the cobblestones, not caring if Tompkin and Bessie saw.
Eleanor didn’t seem to mind that they had an audience. She gripped tightly back. He was aware of her trembling, eager anticipation.
Mordecai was eager, too. By tonight I’ll have a wife and a daughter. A family. His very own family. He felt an upwelling of emotion. His chest constricted. His eyes s
