“It is very thoughtful, sir. But I don’t think I ought to remain here any longer. My commander expects me.”
“Forsythe will take care of all that. He said to tell you not to give it another thought. It’s all arranged. He did mention something about naming your firstborn child after him, but I never cared for the name Ethelbert myself, so I made no promises.” He winked.
The colonel looked from one to the other, and his boyish smile faded. “I begin to think you do not like my gift, though I cannot fathom the reason. Are my feelings to be hurt? And no doubt your wife’s in the bargain?”
Sophie spoke up at last, “It is very kind of you, Colonel. Truly. We are only taken aback. We dared not think of such a possibility, when we have been steeling ourselves for the... inevitable.”
Colonel Horton patted her hand. “There, there. What a good soldier you are, my dear. You chose wisely, my boy—I can see that already. Now let me do this small thing for you. All right?”
Stephen met her gaze again, and she gave a slight nod. “Then indeed I shall stay, sir,” he said. “And bless you for it.”
“Yes, Colonel,” Sophie added. “We are very grateful.”
“Now that is more like it,” the older man said. “And I have thought of some diversions for the two of you while you’re here. You ought to take a picnic to Norcombe Wood. Very romantic, picnics are. And I shall speak to Janet on the subject. No doubt she will have some ideas as well. She was once a new bride herself after all.”
“Well”—the colonel rattled the letter in the air once more—“time to go and share the good news with the rest of the family.”
After he left, Stephen and Sophie remained where they were, both facing the door but not speaking.
The long-case clock ticked, ticked, ticked. Finally he said quietly, “I’m sorry.”
He felt her gaze fly to his profile. “Why should you be sorry? It wasn’t your doing. That is... I am not in such a hurry to be rid of you.”
He sent her a wry glance. “No? I am glad to hear it.” He drew himself up. “So... a picnic, hmm? That doesn’t sound like such hard duty. Do you think we can manage it?”
She nodded. “I do. Shall weinvite your sister to join us?”
His pleasure dimmed. “If you like. Miss Blake and even Keith might enjoy such an outing. And the free food, of course.” He forced a grin.
She must have seen through him. “If you’d rather it be just the two of us, I don’t mind. I simply thought... so much food and preparation for only one couple...”
“Yes, I agree. There is safety in numbers, after all.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“It’s all right, little rabbit. I understand.”
At dinner that evening, Mr. Overtree beamed at them both. “I hear we are to have the pleasure of your company for longer than expected, Stephen. What happy news. And no doubt you rejoice as well, Sophie.”
“I... Yes, of course. I am all astonishment.”
Mrs. Overtree watched her reaction, then turned to her son. “Your grandfather mentioned a picnic, among other things. Just name the day and I shall have Mrs. Hill make arrangements with Cook and the servants.”
“A picnic, my dear?” Mr. Overtree’s eyes brightened. “Perhaps we should go along. Heavens, when was the last time you and I went on a picnic?”
“I’m sure Stephen doesn’t want his parents chaperoning their outing.”
“You would be very welcome,” Sophie said. “In fact we were thinking of asking Kate and Miss Blake. And perhaps Mr. Keith might like to come along.”
“I adore picnics,” Kate enthused. “And I’m sure Angela would like to join us. What about you, Mr. Keith?”
“I think a basket of Mrs. John’s pies beneath a tree sounds just the thing. A bottle of claret wouldn’t go amiss either.”
“A picnic is all very well.” Mrs. Overtree nodded and drew back her shoulders. “But I have decided that since we have another fortnight before Stephen rejoins his regiment, we shall also host a dinner, in place of the neglected wedding breakfast, to congratulate the newly married couple.”
“Thank you, Mamma. But that is not necessary,” Captain Overtree said. “You know I am not keen on large parties, and Sophie would be quite overwhelmed. It is kind of you to offer, but I see no need to go to all the expense and trouble to pull off such an event in a couple weeks’ time. No Mamma. Thank you, but no.”
Her eyes sparked. “I was not asking your permission, Stephen. In fact, the wheels are already in motion. You needn’t make a speech if you don’t like, but you cannot deny our friends and neighbors the opportunity to meet your wife, and to wish you well before you leave us again for who knows how long. You are the first of our offspring to marry though, Lord willing, not the last. You must allow us to acknowledge the event. Do you want everyone to think we are not proud and happy about your marriage?”
