Mary threw her arms around first Papa and then Mama. “Will you please allow me to inform Richard as soon as may be?” she begged.
“You have our blessing to do so,” Becca agreed.
Chapter 27
Richard approached his cousin after Mary had shared her news with him. “Becca, you know I never suggested or hinted that Mary should approach you and Bennet to change the date you would permit me to declare myself for her, do you not?” Richard verified.
“Even before Mary assured us of that fact, we knew your honour was too important to you for you to do such a thing. You may rest easy, Rich, that possibility never crossed either my or Thomas’s minds,” Becca assured him.
His cousin’s assurance allowed Richard to fully relax and anticipate what was to come. “In that case, may I address Mary in private?” he requested.
Becca and Bennet were prepared for this very question. “You have ten minutes in the family library. Johns is still stationed there, and as you know, the door will not be closed all the way,” Bennet allowed.
The desire to propose to Mary almost caused Richard to run across the drawing room to her; however, he managed to bring himself under good regulation. “Mary! I have your parents’ permission to conduct a private interview with you. That is, of course, if you agree.”
“Let me think about it.” Mary placed one of her fingers on her chin in a display of contemplating the request. “Of course. Yes, I want to hear what you have to say.”
Her normally dry sense of humour was one of the many things Richard loved about Mary. The two made their way to the family library, which was one floor above. Richard and Mary nodded to the huge footman-guard in the hall and entered the room. Per Bennet’s instructions, Richard left the door open an inch or two.
“Mary, it is no secret we love one another. However, if you require a courtship first, then I will wait for as long as it takes…” Richard ceased speaking when Mary placed one of her delicate fingers on his lips.
“No, Richard, a courtship would be a waste of time. I love you, and I know you love me. We respect one another, so if the other alternative is a proposal, that would be my choice.” She looked into his blue eyes with an intensity which told him she was in earnest.
Richard heard his heartbeat in his ears, much like he did when he rode into battle, except the reason this time was far better than riding towards a kill or be killed choice. How he loved her! Taking each of her hands in one of his own, Richard sank down onto one knee. “Mary Rose Bennet, I am not a man of long and flowery speeches. I have known for a year or two that you are the only woman for me; I love and respect you more than words can describe. Mary, my darling Mary, will you make me the happiest of men and agree to marry me?”
“A succinct proposal deserves an in-kind reply. Richard Redginald Fitzwilliam, there is no other man alive I would ever agree to marry, so yes, yes as many times as you need to hear it. Yes! I will most certainly marry you. I love you, Richard,” Mary responded.
It was the work of only a few seconds for Richard to stand fully upright again. “Mary, I have a ring at Matlock House for you. I would have had it with me had I an inkling today would bethe best day in my life…so far. The stone is a ruby from our mine in India, and I am sure it will look perfect on your finger as I had it added to a ring. Andy brought it back with him along with the sapphire he gave Jane.”
“As much as I appreciate it, you know that is not important to me so long as I have you. On that subject, is it not time our lips met?”
No second invitation was needed. Richard placed one of his hands on either side of Mary’s face and slowly lowered his head until their lips touched. It was something they had both desired for so long that it almost felt like an explosion to each of them when their lips came together. Richard had intended a brush of the lips to make sure Mary was well, but she was having none of that. She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, not allowing him to pull his head back. Her action made sure that their bodies were pressed one against the other, which only increased the pleasure for each of them.
The kisses deepened until they heard the deep bass clearing of a throat just outside of the door. Mr Bennet had conveyed his clear instructions regarding time to Johns. As much as neither wanted to, they pulled back and created a gap between them.
Their timing was perfect because the door was pushed open.
“I think I need to go speak to your parents,” Richard managed once he regulated his breathing.
“Before you do, I promised them we would not marry before March of next year. You are not upset about that, are you? At least we are engaged, and no one will attempt to call on me after my ball.”
“I understand. I will be willing to wait as long as needs be to marry you, so a few months is nothing. Will you accompany me to see Becca and Bennet?”
“Most certainly,” Mary agreed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The newly engaged couple met the Bennet parents in the study. For Becca and Bennet, one look at their daughter and Richard answered any questions they had regarding the outcome of the interview. Even had their lips not been swollen, the besotted looks each was giving the other would have told them all they needed to know.
“Before you ask for our permission and blessings, Thomas and I would like to clarify some things,” Becca began. “Mary told us you are to resign from the Royal Dragoons and sell out; is that accurate?”
“Yes, that is a fact,” Richard replied. “If you are worried about my ability to care for Mary financially, I do have money saved. In addition, as I am a colonel, the average rate for the sale of my commission is around six thousand pounds. Between that and what I have invested with Gardiner, I will have close to thirty thousand pounds. With Gardiner’s average rate of return, we should have between two and three thousand pounds per annum to live on.”
“When do you intend to resign and sell your commission?” Bennet queried.
“On the morrow, first thing I will begin the process. By the time we need to go into Kent, everything should almost be completed,” Richard replied. “There is no shortage of men who want, and can afford, a colonel’s commission.”
“You have not asked about Mary’s dowry. Did Andy not inform you what Jane’s was?” Becca enquired.
