The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the plantation. The footman jumped to attention, opened the door, and roll down the footplate. Elijah descended then turned about to escort first Ayo and the Bertie from the vehicle. He gingerly took Ayo's hand as the walked to the door.
Charlotte watched as Elijah and his party disembarked from the coach. She knew Ayo had been recovered from Jacqueline's manor near death's door and was taken to the Governor's home, despite his protest, to recover. To see her so well, lifted her spirits and she missed her friend. Ayo had been so enthralled in the misery generated by Jacqueline and Sara's petty jealousy, they scarce had time to enjoy their kinship. Charlotte shooed the servants away and rushed to pull the door open.
"Ayo, my dearest, it's so good to see you," She threw her arms around Ayo's shoulders, ignoring the fact that her hand was tightly clasped in Elijah's. "Please come in, I am so sorry to keep you at the door." She moved back to allow the party entry. She turned to one of the servants and kindly requested they fetch her parents.
"What brings you here, Ayo, I thought you were recovering at the Governor's Mansion?" She asked sweetly.
"It is a long story, I would speak with both you and your parents on the matter. You and I have a lot of catching up to do. I would be grateful for a private audience." The women smiled affectionately at each other.
Charlotte turned to her brother, "Of course. I've had someone fetch Mother and Father. Elijah, please tell me there is no more trouble looming. I think we've met whatever figurative quota there is at this point."
Elijah's face set grimly. "I can not promise that there won't be trouble but for me, it is worth the risk," He said peering at Ayo's who's worried eyes wandered back to his.
Bertie cleared her throat uncomfortably. She'd been looking rather glum since the ride up to the plantation. She made clear her unhappiness with what Ayo had done and let her know in no uncertain terms that she was against it. Still, she was there for whatever Ayo needed and dotingly cared for her.
"Where are my manners?" Ayo said surprised she had not made introductions, "Charlotte, meet Bertie, my au pair. Bertie, meet Lady Charlotte St. John. Bertie has been a wonderful comfort to me these past weeks I don't know how I would manage without her." Ayo reached out and Bertie held her hand. She had grown so fond of Bertie, that she'd even began to love Bertie's nagging.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance m'lady." Bertie dipped into a hasty bend at the knee with Charlotte murmuring a polite "How do you do?"
"Elijah, you're home," They all turned to see Lady Kathryn St. John enter. She made a graceful appearance in a powder blue day dress. She halted when she saw Ayo standing hand in hand with her son at the door. She made sure her mask of indifference in position and attempted smoothed the none existent loose hair back into place.
"Mother," Elijah said stepping forward and kissing her chastely on the cheek.
"Ayo, you're home as well," She said softly. "It is good to have you back." She came forward and embraced Ayo briefly. She kissed her cheek while cupping her face, "I'm so sorry for everything you suffered. If I could have spared you but a moment of that hurt I would."
"Eli, Ayo, you're home. I thought Marco would not allow you on the premises. How did you get to Ayo?" Thorne stood smiling as he watched his son. He observed that despite the hugs and kisses Ayo received Elijah did not let go of her hand. It seemed Elijah had done it. He and Ayo were handfasted. Thorne's smile broadened, there was no way old king Tau could avoid a marriage now.
"He did not allow me on the premises," Elijah said using his free hand to scratching the nervous itch in the back of his red-gold head, "I paid off the guards but had a much harder time making it past that one over there. She's like a lioness protecting her cub." He pointed an accusatory finger at Bertie.
"And who is this valiant lioness protecting her cub," Thorne asked.
"Her handmaiden, Bertie. She's as tough as her mistress. They make quite the match." Both women simultaneously glared at Elijah. He let out a roaring belly laugh.
"It's a pleasure to make yer acquaintance, m' lord and m' lady," She gave a quick curtsey.
"Shall we move this to the drawing-room," Kathryn said ushering the party further in. When everyone was settled, "Forgive me but Ayo if you are meant to be in Marco's charge what brings you here?" Kathryn asked, noting the closeness with which Ayo and Elijah sat. She watched with fascination at the way their hands remain joined with fingers entwined. Elijah was being very open, very avant-garde about their relationship.
"Mother, this is why we've come. Marco was away hunting Jacqueline and her men. I made excuses as to why I could not accompany him to North Carolina and went to see Ayo. Ayo has consented and we have been handfasted today," His bright exuberant smile was infectious but worry weighed down Kathryn's heart. She looked back at her husband, uneasy. He rubbed her shoulders as if conveying he knew her concerns.
"Her father will not be happy about this. I can not say I am thrilled either. It is not that I am not fond of you Ayo, I am. I know that my son loves you and I know you love him. I am afraid for both. Afraid you will never have a normal life because of other people's hate," Kathryn's eyes welled up with tears.
Charlotte's tears ran freely down her flushed cheeks, "You are to be congratulated. Welcome sister," She stood to kiss Ayo on both cheeks. She smiled at her brother. His decision meant he was ready to give up everything for her, including his life.
"Kathryn, darling, they will be alright. Ayo, welcome to the family. You are a St. John now and that affords you the same protections and comforts as any member of this family. We'll prepare Elijah's room to make it appropriate to receive you," Thorne stated still trying to comfort his distressed wife.
"I do not mean to impose upon you," She said. Knowing her love for Elijah might endanger them too, "It seemed wherever I have gone, trouble has followed. I will not see any of you come to harm for choice Elijah and I have made. This is why I will ask you to keep the state of our affairs to the people in this room."
"You are my family now too and I will not risk your happiness selfishly. I know we will not be accepted here as a married couple and Elijah will not fit into my world. So we must make a world of our own." Ayo turned to Elijah, "Originally, this plan was meant for Thomas and I but I think it is appropriate that you and I complete the journey. Elijah, let us go to Canada. We can have a life there and we can raise a family."
He raised his hand to caress her cheek, "Anywhere that I can be your husband and you can be my wife is where I want to be."
"What of your father? He will not stand idly by once he learns of this," Charlotte said.
"I will write to my father and explain to him that I am already wed. He will have to withdraw any promises he made to wed me to another," Ayo said resolutely.
"I can see that your ordeal has not broken your spirit nor dampened the fire in those eyes. There is certainly something very stately about you. Something only those born into royalty are able to exude," Kathryn said, her lips pulling up at the corners as she watched her new daughter-in-law. "Welcome home my dear. Welcome to the family." She clutched Ayo's hand loving.