The next morning Trent’s sister Sarah and his mother joined Eliza in her room. They rang for a tray full of pastries and champagne. Sarah’s own ladies maid came and helped Eliza with her hair and the women all helped Eliza to dress in the wedding gown. Once dressed, silence fell over the room. Eliza was a sight to behold. With dark hair and porcelain skin like her mother’s, her emerald green eyes could stop any man in his tracks. Long lashes framed those eyes and her heart shaped face was enhanced by a small round nose and full lips. The dress was cut low, but not immodestly. It hugged her full breasts and small waist, beautiful layers of material cascading into the full skirt and trimmed with the most beautiful lace. Sarah lifted the veil and situated it in Eliza’s coiffure. Eliza touch her neck. “I didn’t think to bring my jewels, I’m afraid they are all still in my trunks at the country estate.” Trent’s mother smiled. “Trent asked me to give you this” and she produced a box. Eliza slowly opened to box to see the most beautiful necklace of emeralds she’d ever seen. A little note was tucked into the box ‘they reminded me of your eyes, wear them to remember me- Trent’ Eliza stared at the necklace and then at the box. The box was stamped with the jeweler’s name and address. He’d bought them after their last stage ride before they’d even gotten on the train to New York. Eliza’s heart melted and tears filled her eyes. Sarah laughed “none of that, you don’t want puffy eyes walking down the aisle do you!”

Eliza sniffed back her tears “I’m just so happy” the women smiled. Then with tears coming back to her eyes, “I do wish we’d heard from my father though”

The women sat in Eliza’s room visiting, drinking champagne and nibbling on the pastries they had brought that morning. Noon was fast approaching and a knock came at the door. “Who is it?” Trent’s mother called not wanting to open the door and expose the bride to Trent’s eyes. “Lucas” Eliza’s brother called back “may I come in” Eliza nodded that the women let him enter. She sat with her back to the door at the vanity. The other women filed out as Lucas entered. But when Eliza caught the reflection in her mirror it wasn’t of just Lucas but of her father too.

Eliza jumped up off the stool and threw her arms around her father. “What? How?” Eliza couldn’t seem to get the words out.

In his deep calm voice her father replied “I’ll explain it all, but first your brother says you’re quite concerned about getting my blessing for this wedding happening today.”

Eliza sighed, just nodding her head, worried the tears would fall if she spoke.

Taking her face in his hand, her father said “you have my blessing daughter. I’ve known Trent for 5 years and I knew his father before he passed. He’s a good man and I couldn’t be happier you two are getting married. I’m sorry I put you to so much worry dear girl, you know I’m not accustom to explaining myself and my decisions, but I should have explained it all better to you.”

Eliza smiled “thank you father, but really how is it that you’re here?”

“When your brother wrote me that there was small pox in the city and you were staying at Trent’s country estate, I began to regret not traveling with you the whole way. I had been selfish, wanting to avoid New York, but I should have been there for you. I got to the estate last night, but they informed me the three of you had headed to Philadelphia the day before, so I came here and I guess just in time” he said with a rare laugh. “Now if there’s time for me to get cleaned up just a bit, I’ll get out of these travel clothes and walk you down that aisle”

Eliza beamed, the day couldn’t be more perfect.