Page 45 of Regency in Color

The sight of Thomas’ handsome face grew out of focus as happy tears slipped down her cheeks. They hugged and he pressed a kiss to her temple. “Don’t cry.”

“I’m happy. To be honest, didn’t expect to ever marry at all. Even though I wished it.”

Thomas chuckled. “I didn’t expect to marry either. Father Matthews will be disappointed when we go ask that he marry us.”

Dislodging from his embrace, she took his hands and Mary looked up at him. “He may not marry us. I am not catholic.”

Thomas frowned. “I’d not considered it. We will have to convince him.”

“I must write my parents,” Mary said. “You will have to speak to my father.”

“Yes, of course.”

He took her hand and guided her away from the garden and toward the front of the house. Mary took in the grand estate and sighed. “This house for some reason reminds me of attending Vauxhall with Vivian, it was in June, just last year.”

Thomas looked to the building. “Tell me about it.”

“It was a grand celebration, a masquerade and reconstruction of the battle of Waterloo. I have never seen so many grand costumes, so many beautiful displays and so much desperation. The debutants out to find husbands, while pretending to be shy, while the mothers did their best to shove them in front of eligible bachelors.

“Did the Humphries ladies not suffer the same fate?”

“Oh no,” Mary replied with a soft chuckle. “Mrs. Humphries took ill, so their father and cousin Todd Humphries escorted them. Much to their delight, the men were too overwhelmed with all the happenings, they totally forgot to attempt matchmaking.”

Thomas laughed. “I bet it didn’t go well with Mrs. Humphries.”

“Not at all,” Mary replied. “However, she was mollified by our stories of what a wonderful time we all had.”

“You have had a good life,” Thomas said quietly.

“And it is about to get even better,” Mary replied and kissed his jaw. “Shall we go inside?”

* * *

The followingmorning Mary woke with a smile. It could have been storming outside and she would have seen rainbows and sunshine. As she walked into the kitchen, Moira was alone.

“You are up very early,” the woman said motioning to the stove. “There is plenty of hot water in the kettle.”

Already bread was baking, the aroma filling the room. Mary prepared tea while telling Moira of her plans for the day.

Thomas appeared in the doorway and her stomach did funny things at seeing him. “Would you like to take breakfast with my parents and I?”

She followed him to the small staff combination sitting and dining room, where the older couple sat with cups in hand and plates before them on a table that seated eight.

Both looked up and smiled warmly as they walked in.

“Good morning,” Mary murmured settling into the chair Thomas held out for her.

“Good morning, Dear,” his mother replied. “You look absolutely splendid, as always.”

It had not occurred to Mary that she wore clothing of the same fabrics that Vivian did. Vivian had always insisted the seamstresses make dresses for her whenever they came to measure her. Although she would only get one, and Vivian three or four, it had allowed her to compile a varied and beautiful wardrobe.

“Thank you, I am very fortunate to have a generous employer, who considers me a friend,” Mary explained. “It is truly a blessing to have come to be Mrs. Yarnsby’s companion.”

Thomas cleared his throat and reached for her hand. Mary’s eyes widened as he spoke. “I have asked Mary to marry me and she’s accepted.”

His parents exchanged a look, and his father chuckled. “We hoped you would before we left.”

Mrs. Sullivan stood and reached for Mary’s other hand. “I am very pleased. I am sure you will make Thomas very happy.”