Page 75 of A Well-Trained Lady

He yelped in excitement and lifted me off the ground, spinning me as we both laughed.

“I take it that went well,” Miss Whitmore called, cautiously making her way over the incline with Sarah still at her side.

Augustus lowered me to the ground, a triumphant smile on his face. “To my great relief, it has. Bella has agreed to marry me.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “Truly?”

“Yes,” I said, leaning in and wrapping my arms around Augustus’s waist. “Despite my better judgment, he has persuaded me to accept him.”

Augustus laughed again and pulled me close to place a kiss atop my head. “Whatever it takes.”

Sarah released Miss Whitmore’s arm and hurried the remainder of the way to where we stood, engulfing me in an embrace. “I cannot believe I shall truly have you for a sister.”

“And I, you.” I squeezed her tightly as Miss Whitmore approached. She smiled with a warmth that astonished me. I was all too aware of how much practice it took to so fully conceal one’s emotions, yet she managed to appear sincerely happy for us.

“Such wonderful news.” She leaned in to place a kiss upon my cheek as Sarah moved to hug her brother. “Augustus has loved you since I first knew him. I am glad to know he has found such happiness.”

I ached for Miss Whitmore. “Thank you. I hope you shall also find happiness.”

“Yes.” She took hold of my hands. “Perhaps this is just the thing to aid me in my own pursuit.”

I thought to agree with her, to tell her how closure was often the thing most needed to guide us to another more promising path, but it felt too trivial to say. Instead I just smiled back at her and offered a silent hope that she would find someone who could love her as Augustus loved me, for no one was so deserving of it as she was.

“Congratulations, Augustus.” Miss Whitmore moved in front of him. “It seems you finally have achieved your heart’s desire.”

“And, in part, I have you to thank for it.” Augustus took hold of her hand, and they shared a knowing look. “Thank you.”

Miss Whitmore offered him a slight smile, giving his hand a gentle squeeze and releasing it. “I believe we should go tell the others. They shall be most eager to hear the news.”

* * *

The carriage swayed, and I glanced out the window at Augustus, who rode his horse with such dignity I could not draw my eyes from him.

“I cannot believe you are to be married,” Ruth said, for the tenth time since we had returned Miss Whitmore to Safford Park and bid farewell to Mr. Treynor. “And I cannot believe I was not there when he asked you.”

“It is not as though Candace and I were actually there to witness it,” Sarah said.

Ruth huffed. “But you were there right after. Besides, you said you could see them from where you and Candace were waiting.”

I looked down at my hands, mortified to think what Sarah and Miss Whitmore had likely seen if that were the truth of it. No wonder their return had come immediately after Augustus’s proposal.

“It is not as though we watched them,” Sarah said. “At least not once … well, once we were certain things were going well.”

I could feel the heat settling in my neck and face.

“Have you thought about when the wedding will take place?” Mrs. Brundage asked, most generously changing the subject.

She sat on the bench next to me now, and I met her gaze. “No. Augustus desires to speak to my father before we announce our engagement, and …” My voice trailed off as I thought of all the other insurmountable hardships that were to be faced—like how I still needed to inform Augustus that my mother was not even aware of my presence at Fairhaven. I sighed. “Well, there is much to consider.”

Mrs. Brundage nodded her understanding. “I know your parents allowed you to Fairhaven”—her eyes flickered to Ruth—“but with all that has passed between our families, do you believe they will bestow their blessing on the match?”

My stomach clenched. I needed to tell Mrs. Brundage the truth also. Just not yet. “I hope they will. In time.” I could not keep the doubt from my voice.

Mrs. Brundage placed a hand on mine. “Well, we shall support you, however you need us to.”

I smiled at her kindness. And for some reason, perhaps suddenly aware how much she had given up to marry Mr. Brundage, I felt a greater respect for her. Would I have to do the same to be with Augustus? Give up my family? My inheritance? Society? I had hardly even given a thought to the potential consequences of accepting Augustus, so set had I been in my plan to obtain Lord Thorton’s proposal. I forced my worries down, committing to deal with them when the need arose, and instead clung to the happiness I had felt before now. Augustus and I would be married. A small smile touched my lips. Yes. That was enough.

The carriage shifted, rolling up the drive to Fairhaven.