The next day Eliza, Trent and Lucas set off for Philadelphia. As the got into town, each of their tasks were agreed to. Lucas would head straight to the telegraph office to inform his father of the impending wedding. Trent would take Eliza to the seamstress then go get a marriage license. Eliza didn’t like the idea of going to the seamstress before having a chance to get cleaned up from travel, but Trent put in “once my mother lays eyes on us, there will be no getting away from that house for the rest of the day. I’ll send word for them to expect us later, but if you want to see a seamstress today, it’ll have to be now. Eliza agreed, she didn’t want anything to delay them getting married as soon as possible.

Trent walked her into a beautiful dress shop and asked to see the owner. A beautiful middle aged French woman came to the front of the shop. “I need a wedding dress for my beautiful fiancé and I’d like it tomorrow” Trent said. The seamstress tsk’d “beauty takes time to create mon chéri, I can promise you a wonderful dress but non non tomorrow, it can’t be done.” Trent simply raised a brow and said “cost is not an issue, I’m happy to pay a premium for your haste” the seamstress smiled “where shall I deliver? But” she added “tomorrow evening, I’m not a worker of miracles”

Trent smiled, “that will do.” And he left the women to set about their business.

The seamstress set to draping Eliza in the most luxurious fabrics. She always had the finest the west could provide in terms of clothing, but none of that compared to what the seamstress was putting before her now. When measurements were taken, fabrics and patterns agreed upon, the Madame said “now we must make you something for the wedding night!” Eliza blushed and began to protest. “Don’t be silly child” the seamstress went on with a wink “your man is so generous, we will show him a little gratitude. Most men may not notice what their bride wears on her wedding night, but that’s not the case when she wears one of my creations!” She had Eliza pick another silk and lace then said with a grin “the rest shall be a surprise for you too ma chérie”

Trent was right once they got to the town house, his mother was so happy to see them, she wouldn’t let her son or Eliza out of her sight! Eliza finally managed to excuse herself for a bath before dinner, but once seated for the meal she laughed to herself seeing Trent hadn’t managed the same.

Trent’s mother had insisted Lucas stay with them for as long as he was in town as well. So dinner was a happy group of Trent, his mother, his sister, Sarah who was 17, his brother, Matthew who was 22, Eliza and Lucas.

“So when’s the wedding happening” Matthew asked.

“We should hear back from Eliza’s father tomorrow and the seamstress promised the wedding dress by tomorrow night. I’ve ask the preacher to be here at noon on Saturday.” Trent said with a smile to his soon to be wife.

Trent’s mother almost jumped out of her seat, “so soon!” She exclaimed “why, I’ll hardly have time to prepare for a proper wedding party”

“Plan whatever kind of party you want mother, but I’m marrying this woman on Saturday at noon.” Trent stated.

The next day was filled with the hustle and bustle of party planning, that evening a large box arrived from the seamstress with Eliza’s wedding clothes inside. But they still hadn’t heard back from Eliza’s father. Lucas comforted his sister, “he was probably off working on something and they had to track him down. We’ll probably get a telegram from him in the morning.” Eliza really did want her father’s blessing on the union before it took place.