second story window of the keeper’s cottage, the same room she’d shared with Tom during her stay at Race Point.
She peeked past the curtains fluttering in the breeze to the large canopy that had been erected on the beach in front of the lighthouse. A royal blue carpet had been laid on the sand for the convenience of the guests, and the blue matched the large stunning bouquets of hydrangeas interspersed with lilies of the valley that surrounded the tent. Under the canopy, rows of chairs had been arranged facing the ocean, and most of them were already full. White lacy ribbons hugged each of the chairs and were also wound around the poles that held up the open tent. An orchestra was nearby underneath another smaller canopy. Placed slightly away from the orchestra was a tent filled with servants who were busy preparing the lobster and clam bake that would take place after the wedding ceremony.
Victoria had wanted to keep the wedding simple. But she hadn’t been able to say no to her mother’s plans. Victoria was, after all, an only child. And her mother had been anticipating a wedding for years.
Somehow her mother had been able to work miracles over the past three days of planning, having supplies shipped in from Boston and from other small towns around the Cape. She’d insisted on inviting a few of their closest family friends and had even arranged for Tom’s sister, Ruth, and her family to be there.
Victoria could see them sitting in the front row next to Zelma and James, who thankfully had welcomed her with tight hugs when she’d arrived this morning. She’d appreciated Tom’s parents’ ready forgiveness for her part in deceiving them. Zelma had reassured her of her love and God’s hand at work in everything.
Victoria smoothed her damp palms down the front of her wedding gown. Although lovely, it was plainer and more practical, something she could wear again. She lifted the train and turned away from the window. The creamy silk was studded with pearls at the waist, but otherwise had an unadorned V-neckline and just a little lace at the sleeves. A maid had fixed her hair into elaborate curls at the top of her head and decorated them with lace interwoven with seed pearls.
With everyone already assembled, her father would likely fetch her in a matter of minutes, especially when Tom took his place next to the rector, who had traveled with them from Provincetown.
As if the thought had summoned Tom, the tower door opened, and he stepped out in his black wedding suit with a crisp white shirt set off by a black bow tie. The dark color brought out the sharpness of his hair and eyes, but the white of the shirt showed the tan he’d gained in working outside over the month. There was no doubt that he was a swoon-worthy man. And not just in how handsome he was. But all of his qualities were admirable. Even her father was beginning to come around. Just that morning as their steamboat had docked, her father had finally admitted that he liked Tom. He’d called him humble and hardworking, but also tough, shrewd, and levelheaded.
“He’s just the sort of man I want to run my business some day,” her father had said.
His words had soothed Victoria’s guilty conscience at depriving her father of the social status he’d lost when she’d walked away from Nathaniel.
Her father had monopolized Tom since the first day he’d arrived on the Cape. They’d shut themselves away in one dark room after another in private conversations until Victoria had no idea what the two men had left to talk about.
When she’d questioned Tom, he reassured her that they’d come to an understanding about the future, about Victoria’s assets and Cole Enterprises. “I won’t take your father’s money or touch your assets,” Tom had said. “But I told him that eventually, when we’re ready to return to New York, I’ll work for him and he can pay me a fair wage.”
Victoria had smiled at Tom’s declaration, knowing full well that her father’s idea of a fair wage would likely supersede Tom’s, and that the two men would fight another battle at some point. At the very least, she knew they both loved her and had her best interests in mind.
She watched Tom stride in his confident way down the beach. He walked about a dozen paces before stopping abruptly and glancing back at the house, at her window.