Chapter Fifteen

Laurie and Amy had a joyful reunion with Grandfather at the station together, brought him to the chateau where his grandson was staying, and saw that he was comfortably settled there. The traveler went to rest, the journey having tired him out considerably. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but Laurie suddenly realized how much older his grandfather was getting. It would be wise for them to return to the comforts of their home in Concord before too long.

He and Amy spent a few hours strolling together in a nearby park. Afterward, she brought him to the little studio where she painted. It was a small space, but Amy had made it her own. Sketches and line drawings were tacked upon each wall, and gauzy curtains filtered the bright sunlight. Laurie strolled around the space, gazing at each painting with pleasure. There was one, however, that hid under a sheet of fabric. Amy watched him curiously.

“I like being in your studio surrounded by your work,” Laurie explained. “It’s a little piece of you.”

She beamed at him. “Yes, I believe it is! But you must not look at that painting. It is your commission for Grandfather, and I wish you both to see it at the same time.”

“I promise—no matter how sorely I am tempted to peek.”

Amy laughed, and Laurie walked to her side, looping his arm around her waist. “I am pleased to see you painting again.”

“As am I. You were right. Painting brings me joy. There is no need for genius to pursue art.”

“I feel the same. Having put aside my ambitions, I play piano now with a lighter heart.”

“I am glad you did not give it up. I love to hear you play.”

Unable to resist, he bent and kissed her. “And I love to watch you sketch and paint,” he murmured.

They were interrupted by the sound of a subtle cough. Turning, they found Grandfather looking rather embarrassed as he stood in the doorway. “Forgive me…you, ah, did ask me to meet you at the studio.”

Laurie glanced at Amy, unsurprised to see her pale skin flushed with color. He smiled at his grandfather a little sheepishly.

“Well, you have found us out. Come in and let us share our news. I have found my heart at last. She was right here all along, but I did not have the wit to see her.”

He looked up at Grandfather, who smiled at them both. “I must say I suspected something had changed. You have been very happy of late, except, of course, for the loss we all feel.”

Amy went and embraced him, holding him tight. “I know you loved Beth as much as I,” she whispered.

Overcome with emotion, he was quite unable to respond. Laurie knew that sorrow would remain with all of them forever.

“I have something for you. Laurie commissioned a gift just when I had almost decided to give up my art completely. I do hope you like it.”

She moved to the easel holding the concealed painting and pulled off the cloth. Beth’s angelic face shone out from the canvas. Amy had painted Beth at the piano with sunlight streaming in through a window behind her. Laurie had never seen a work so beautifully done.

Looking at the painting, Grandfather’s eyes grew misty. “I cannot imagine a greater tribute. It is a masterpiece!” He turned to Amy and took her hands in his. “We have lost someone precious to us. It has been difficult, very difficult indeed. You must feel it all the more, having lost a sister.”

Quiet tears streamed down her face. “In my heart, I know that Beth is well and happy now, but how much I miss her!”

Grandfather brought her in for another hug, and Laurie stood by, watching the two people he loved most in the world. His grandfather turned to him then. “Thank you, Theodore, for asking Amy to create such a piece. It was thoughtful of you.”

“I wish I could accept such gratitude, but I did not specify the subject. I thought only of encouraging Amy to paint once more. I knew she would never refuse a commission meant for you.”

“Well then, I thank you for that. I was concerned when Amy said she was giving up her art.”

“Laurie helped me see that I need not be a genius to pursue that which makes me happy.”

“And it seems you have guided him in that, as well,” Grandfather said. “Though he has applied himself to business admirably, I still hear him playing Liebestraum late into the night.”

“My favorite piece!” Amy turned to gaze up at him.

“What else would I play when I missed you so?” Laurie said quietly.

Grandfather cleared his throat, and Amy blushed again. Laurie bent down and said in a conspiratorial way, “Shall we tell him all of our news?”

She bit her lip but nodded. Grandfather looked at him expectantly.

“Amy has agreed to be my wife! Can you believe it?”

“My boy, you are full of surprises!” He looked at Amy with some concern. “But what is this? The bride-to-be looks a trifle distressed. Are you not happy with the idea, Amy?”

“Oh! Of course I am happy!” Amy actually wrung her hands—something Laurie had never seen her do. “I am only concerned that you will think us rather rash, I suppose.”

“Rash? You have known one another for more than ten years! No one could call this natural next step a rash one. As long as you are happy, there is no need to worry on my account.”

“Thank you!” Amy said. “I am very, very happy.”

***

Flo joined them for dinner, and they had a lovely time swapping tales of their travels in Europe.

Laurie asked, “When shall we journey home, Grandfather?” Amy glanced warily at Flo, glad her aunt had not joined them this evening.

“I am at your service, my boy.”

“I am anxious to be home, as I know Amy is.”

Amy felt the need to voice her aunt’s concerns. “Aunt Carrol is not sure I should travel with you without a chaperone.”

“I have tried convincing her that she need not worry,” Laurie said in an exasperated tone.

“I quite understand Mrs. Carrol’s concerns,” Grandfather said. “Perhaps I might talk with her and ease her fears on this account.”

“Thank you,” Amy said. “Laurie is correct. I am wild to be home. I miss my family so much!”

Flo gave Amy’s hands a little squeeze. “Do not worry, Cousin. Mr. Laurence will convince Mama!”

The betrothed couple did not have long to wait; he approached Aunt Carrol the next day.

“Well? What did old Aunt Carrol say?” Laurie had stopped his pacing long enough to confront his grandfather as soon as the gentleman walked through the door.

“Laurie!” Amy admonished. He gave her an apologetic smile.

“I’m afraid Mrs. Carrol has not changed her stance. She does not wish Amy’s reputation to be tarnished.”

“Oh, hang reputations!” Laurie huffed.

Amy stood and put a delicate hand on his arm. “Laurie, be calm. Aunt Carrol is trying to do what is best for me.”

“That may be, my darling, but she is giving me a devil of a time in the process. We all wish to go home, and you are to be my wife! What could possibly be wrong with us traveling together?”

“It is simply not what is done here. You must understand that much, at least.”

Grandfather was looking at him with a bemused expression. “You never were a patient boy.”

“And I make a much less patient man,” Laurie conceded. He let out a resigned sigh. “Well, what shall we do then?”

Grandfather stroked his beard and looked at them with a contemplative expression. “I have a thought, but I daresay Amy will not like it.”

“What is it?” Amy asked.

“Well, if Aunt Carrol is concerned about you traveling with your intended without a chaperone, perhaps she would concede to you traveling with your husband.”

“My husband?” Amy’s eyes widened.

“Of course! We could marry at once and travel together to America as a family. Grandfather, you’re a genius!”

“Thank you, my boy, but I think you and Amy had better discuss the matter. I shall leave you to it.” He gave Amy’s hand a little pat and left them alone together.

***

Amy turned toward Laurie as he wound his arms around her. He detected anxiety behind her cool exterior.

“Out with it, my darling.”

“Married!” Her voice was slightly higher than usual.

“Well, it is what we intend to do.”

“Yes, but…after we return home!”

“I think it’s a capital idea.”

She gave his arm a little slap. “You would! Grandfather is entirely correct. You cannot be patient.”

“But why should we wait, my love? You cannot travel with me as a mademoiselle, so you shall travel with me as madame.”

“But Laurie!”

He bent his head, searching her eyes for the true meaning behind her reluctance. “What is it? Is it because it must be a small ceremony if we marry here?”

“That matters little.”

“Then what?”

“What about my family?”

“That is a pity. I wish they could be with us as well, to celebrate our union.” The word union had such a pleasant feel on his lips that he smiled and popped a kiss on Amy’s nose.

“Laurie!”

“I can’t help it. Your nose is perfection.”

She tried to shove him away, but he held fast. “It is not! You know how much its shape troubles me.” She sighed, then reached a hand up and traced his nose with her slender finger. “Don’t laugh, but the ideal shape of your nose is such a comfort to me.”

He did laugh but pulled her closer all the same. She was too adorable. Unable to resist, he dipped his head and kissed her. She was smiling when he released her.

“I suppose I can forgive you for laughing since you apologized so sweetly.” She arched her brow at him and Laurie grinned.

“Marry me here, Amy. I know your family can’t be with us, but I also know they will wish us joy. And what a merry surprise it will be!”

There was a long pause, and Amy sighed. “I suppose you are right.”

“Of course I am! About what, darling?”

Shaking her head and laughing, she took hold of his hands and tugged him to her. “Let us get married here and travel home together as a family.”

The idea of it sent a thrill through him. He tucked her head under his chin, holding her close. They stood together that way for a long while. Laurie stroked her hair, enjoying how she relaxed into him, freely resting her head on his lapel. After some time, he let her go, keeping hold of one hand.

“Shall we tell Grandfather, then?”

Amy beamed, her uncertainty gone. “Yes, let’s. Now we must decide where to marry.”

“Here in Vevay?” When she bit her lip, he prodded, “Where do you wish to be married?”

“There is an American Consulate in Paris, you know.”

“Of course! Paris it is, then!”

***

Though she may have dropped a hint or two about the rash actions of youth, Aunt Carrol finally approved of the lovers’ plan and even allowed Flo to accompany Amy, Laurie, and Mr. Laurence and bear witness to the wedding. In mere days, the jubilant foursome took the train from Vevay to Paris. Laurie had arranged elegant lodgings for them at the Hotel Westminster, where they stayed overnight the first evening, but Amy found it difficult to sleep.

Now they were leaving their Paris hotel for the American Consulate, and she felt a little breathless. She was marrying Laurie—marrying Laurie!

The consul, a jovial man of forty or so with a bounce in his step and a ready smile, greeted them as soon as they entered. “Welcome! I am Mr. Bailey, at your service.”

“Thank you for accommodating us.” Laurie extended his hand in greeting, and the older gentleman shook it with vigor.

“Of course, of course! I am happy to be of service.” He took Amy’s hand and bowed over it. “May I say you look quite lovely this fine morning, Miss March.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“If you all are ready, shall we adjourn to the meeting room?”

The group walked to a large carpeted room that contained many wooden chairs and a desk at one end. Mr. Bailey stepped behind it, shuffled some papers, and opened his bottle of ink, laying his pen beside it. Then he came to stand before the couple.

He cleared his throat. “Let us begin.”

Amy wondered if Laurie could feel her shaking. Grandfather and Flo stood off to the side, both wearing wide smiles.

“Who comes here this day to be married?” Mr. Bailey asked.

“Mr. Theodore Laurence and Miss Amy March of Concord, Massachusetts,” Laurie said in a clear, strong voice.

Mr. Bailey smiled and turned to Amy. “Repeat after me, Miss March.”

He recited the vows, and Amy repeated the words that would make her felicity complete. "I, Amy March, take you, Theodore Laurence, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always."

She looked into Laurie’s eyes as she spoke her promise, and his eyes shined with emotion. Then it was his turn.

Amy’s heart was beating very fast as she listened to Laurie promise to cherish her always. Mr. Bailey spoke once more. “Then by the power vested in me by the United States of America, I pronounce you husband and wife.”

Laurie was positively glowing with joy. Amy felt just the same. They signed the register, and then they were bidding Mr. Bailey farewell and walking out into the sunny morning. The newlyweds were met by a shower of rice tossed by Flo and Grandfather.

Halfway down the steps of the building, Laurie stopped, pulled her in, and kissed her lightly. She felt his lips near her ear as he whispered, “I love you, Amy Laurence.”