London,
Sunday, 8 May, 1953
With the wind in her hair, Annalise rode. The sun had barely risen, yet the forest was awake. The bees were buzzing, birds were chirping, and butterflies were already sucking nectar from flowers dripping with tiny beaded crystals, signs of the early morning dew. She tugged at the reins of Blaze in an attempt to slow him down and inhaled a large amount of clean, fresh air deeply, humming in satisfaction. Deep down, she wished she could stay longer and freeze this moment in time, but alas, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. They would ride into the sunset and never look back.
Today was baby Tim's Christening, and everyone was expected to be at St. George's Church as early as eight o'clock. It had been almost a week since they all intentionally gathered together, and Annalise was hoping to get a chance to speak to her cousins and extended family, addressing the issue concerning Prince Louis.
George and Antoinette were already seated in the carriage, and Antoinette waited impatiently for her arrival. Annalise could see the frown of disapproval etched across her face as she descended from Blaze, handing him over to a stable hand and walking towards them. Barely had she put both feet in when Antoinette started airing her complaints. "Look at your hair now, Annalise. It has begun to frizzle."
"I am sure it is fine, mama." She assured.
"Yes, dearest. It is of no serious consequence." George smiled and squeezed his wife's hand. This simple but meaningful gesture helped calm
her down. Antoinette made no further remarks about Annalise's appearance even after they had reached the church.
The service was ongoing when they arrived, and hymnal songs could be heard at a distance, emanating from the church. They all got down from the carriage and made their way inside.
"And Jesus answered." Said the priest. "Truly, I say unto you that unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
The three of them quickly found their seats at the nearest pew. The angle at which Annalise sat showed clearly the priest, who seemed to be in his mid-sixties, clad in his official white surplice with a cassock underneath. He stood at the altar with Sir William and Lady Helen, who had baby Tim wrapped in her arms.
The priest turned to Lady Helen, performing the sign of the cross. "You are blessed in Jesus's name."
Then he does the same to Sir William. "You are blessed in Jesus's name."
And also to the congregation seating. "You are blessed in Jesus's name. May Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit bless you."
The congregation responded with a resounding, "Amen."
"May the immediate family of young Timothy please rise and step forward."
Emmett, Josephine and Sophia, who balanced Henry on her hip, all step forward, gathering around the baptismal font. Lady Helen carefully hands the sleeping baby Timothy to the priest.
"As the droplets of water are placed upon you, young Timothy, you are wrapped in God's precious love. May he bless you, guide you and protect you always. Amen."
Once more, the congregation gave a resounding "Amen."
The assisting priest brought a basin with a large pitcher of water. Timothy was unwrapped, and the priest poured water over the child's head. His cries and squeals were heard throughout the church when the priest repeated this action twice.
"Timothy Charles Beacroft, I baptize you in the name of the father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…Amen."
Everyone repeated, "Amen."
The priest dried him off with a napkin and then handed the wailing baby to his mother, who tried to calm him down. "Let the Godparents rise and step forward."
There was a shuffling movement at the first pew at the centre of the church. Sir Geoffrey and Mrs Jameson, Lady Helen's younger sister, walked towards the altar and George, Annalise's father, did the same.
They each spoke their vows in front of the small congregation, which mainly consisted of family and a few close friends, promising to renounce evil, turn to Christ always and always be responsible for baby Timothy.
"May you always remember this day, and may God's joy, love and peace continually be with you always. May the good Lord bless you all."
And with a loud "Amen." from the people gathered, the service ended. Many people began to disperse and commuted to Varanda Hall for a small celebration party held in baby Tim's honour. The ones who stayed behind began to form small cliques as they conversed about all manner of things. The Beacroft cousins were no exception.
So Annalise mustered up the courage to talk to them as they gathered at the foot of the altar. She wrung her fingers in nervous anticipation.
"Hello everyone." She greeted nervously, and they all halted their conversation to look at her. Annalise held her breath as seven pairs of eyes fixed on her. As expected, Alice was the first one to speak.
"MAY I ask what you are doing here?" Her tone was rather harsh and hostile. "Do you not have more important things to do like say…I do not know, having tea and crumpets with Prince Louis?"
John snickered as Alice commented.
Annalise took a few steps forward in desperation. "I can explain."
"Do not touch me." She spat, not caring if she made a scene. "You lied to me, deceived me." Alice continued, her words laced with hurt and resentment. "You said nothing was going on between you and the prince."
"Please hear me out," Annalise begged. Her pleading eyes moved from Emmett to Edward, from Josie to Sophie and finally settled on Lizzy. She could not hold her gaze, probably out of fear of her older sister, Alice. The twins also looked unsure, scared to pick a side.
Annalise was torn. Here she was standing in a church, at the foot of the altar, the holiest ground, trying to speak her truth and let her cousins know that every event between Prince Louis and herself had been purely unintentional and stemmed from a complete misunderstanding. If only she could let them see that.
"Speak, Annalise," Emmett spoke, his voice full of command, which caused the others to be silent. "Say what you have to say. We are listening, are we not?" He shot a sharp gaze at Alice, who had begun to protest.
"Yes." Edward seconded. "Yes, we are."