“Princess, you and I need to talk about subtlety and tactics one of these days,” he said softly, so only she could hear him.
She raised her eyebrow, a trick she had learned from watching her mother, and nodded slightly.
~~~
When for one reason or another Billy was unable to visit, Barbara became aware of just how much she treasured her time with him. They had laughed together about the flowers, and he had commented that he hadn't want to put pressure on her nor be perceived to be a copycat, based on the advice she had given Sam.
“That is something you never need worry about,” she said, “I love flowers as much as the next woman and will never feel slighted to receive them.”
After that he frequently arrived with a bouquet of wildflowers and, to Melody's delight, he made a real show of bowing and presenting them to her, and she would drop a court curtsey back to him in honor of each occasion.
~~~
Once Billy had caught up to where she was in reading and writing, Melody had enlisted her older sister Harmony to assist in lessons. Harmony had been delighted to be included. She liked Mr. Billy, too, but hadn’t wanted to embarrass him by letting him know she was aware of the lessons.
A few weeks later, Harmony commented, “I think you are a bit of a humbug, Mr. Billy. You read at least as well as I do, now!”
“Well, you know, I think you may be right,” he replied, and reached into his coat pocket, pulling out two wrapped packages, presenting one to each girl.
Not noted for her patience, Melody ripped her package open to find a copy of The Little Duke, a popular children’s book by Charlotte Mary Yonge.
“Oh,” she squealed, “it's my very own book!”
She turned to Billy and flung her arms around him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she exclaimed, and hustled herself into a chair to start reading.
Laughing, Harmony much more carefully undid the paper wrapping on her package to uncover a copy of the newly published book, Alice in Wonderland. Her mouth dropped open in shock.
“Oh, Mister Billy! How did you ever get this? It is a brand new book!”
“I had my brother send for it for me. He was so amazed to get a letter written in my own hand that he was thrilled to help. I told him how special you two girls were and how very much I have appreciated the time you’ve spent teaching me to read and write. So this is by way of being a little thank you.”
“Well, we will just have to sit down and start to read this together. And you will start.”
“Yes,” he said, “I certainly will, but tonight with everybody present. Although they have not said a word to me, I am perfectly aware that your mother and Miss Barbara must have figured out just what we three have been up to. I think reading a chapter together after dinner can be my graduation ceremony.”
Shyly, Harmony gave Billy her own hug.
“I don't think we can wait till dinner time,” spoke Barbara from beyond the door as she and Dorothy came out from their work room. Her eyes shone with pleasure at finally being able to acknowledge the hard work Billy had been doing the past several months, overcoming his fear of the written word. She was as proud of him as she could be.
So they all crowded around the settee to be able to see the illustrations as he opened the book and began reading.
A Celebration
In the end, Billy’s persistence won the day.
After a riding lesson in which Barbara had successfully braved a small jump, he swooped her from her saddle and into his arms, giving her a big hug that she returned wholeheartedly, giddy with her accomplishment.
Suddenly he dropped to one knee in the middle of the corral and, reaching over, he carefully unsnapped his shirt pocket and withdrew a small box which he prized open.
Gently pulling her left hand into his and, looking up into her eyes, he gave her his heart and soul.
And she said, “Yes.”
~~~
Modestly, Barbara had just wanted a small wedding.
Dorothy burst out laughing so hard that tears ran down her face.
“My dear, you are the first of the Orphan Brides to say yes! You know the entire town is going to want to attend. Obviously you will want Father Francis to officiate, but you will have to come up with something to involve Pastor Joe, for he feels as responsible for all of you as Father Francis.”
A spark lit in Barbara’s eye.
“I wonder if he would consider escorting me down the aisle.”
“Oh, how perfect, if he will do it!” Dorothy felt as giddy as if it were she getting married. “I think we can get the same ladies who arranged your welcoming tea party to handle arrangements for your wedding reception.”
Suddenly a bit shy, she added, “I know you will want Judith for your Maid of Honor, but Mary and I are hoping you will have us as attendants?”
“I had hoped you would consider standing up with me. I cannot quite imagine a wedding party consisting of all my fellow orphans—that would be over the top even back east. And whom can I slight?”
As predicted, the wedding guests included the entire town, and affair went off beautifully. The bride had designed her own gown which drew gasps of awe from all the women present, and dancing had gone on until midnight.
The couple could not escape a shivaree, as they were escorted to their new home. Theirs was one of the first houses to have been finished for married Tri Brand hands.
Billy carried her over the threshold to the cheers of the throng, which actually
