“That sounds wonderful. After all, there’s a lot to do between now and then. I’d have to ask Stefan, though.”
“Of course. Robert said he would leave everything up to me.”
“Have you told the folks?”
“No. Have you?”
Bryony shook her head. In spite of what her father had said about letting her marry whoever she wanted, she knew he would object.
“Shall we tell them our good news together?” Veronica asked.
Bryony frowned, and then nodded. Maybe her father wouldn’t shout so loudly if the family was in the room.
“Over breakfast?” Veronica asked.
Bryony nodded. Might as well get it over with.
The family habitually gathered around the dining room table for breakfast at nine. Bryony had no appetite and merely picked at her ham and eggs.
“Are you ill?” her mother asked.
“No, Mama.”
“You’re usually ready for seconds by now.”
Bryony shrugged. Her stomach was in knots. She had a terrible feeling she might be sick if she tried to eat anything else.
“Nothing wrong with Veronica’s appetite,” Barrett remarked.
“She looks remarkably happy this morning,” Eli said, with a knowing grin. “Why don’t you tell them your news?”
Veronica glared at him.
“What news?” their mother asked.
“Robert asked me to marry him last night,” Veronica said, with a pointed glance at Bryony.
Bryony took a deep breath. “And Stefan proposed to me.”
Beaming, Maida glanced from one daughter to the other. “Thatisgood news.”
Barrett cleared his throat. “I believe it’s customary for young men to ask permission of the father before they propose.”
Veronica shrugged. “Last night, Robert said he just couldn’t wait to ask me, but that he would come by this morning to seek your blessing.”
Barrett grunted. And then he turned his gaze on his other daughter. “Did you accept Stefan’s proposal?”
“Of course. You said I could marry anyone I wished.”
“So I did. But I had hoped you would have better sense than to agree to marry a vampire.”
“Vampire!” Maida exclaimed. “He’s a vampire?” She glanced from Barrett to Bryony and back again. “Oh. But you are joshing.”
“I wish I were. But it’s true. He’s one of the undead.” Barrett grinned inwardly. He couldn’t have picked a better time to let that particular cat out of the bag. Bryony assumed she had his permission, but Maida would never approve or permit it.
Speechless, Eli and Veronica looked at each other and then looked at Bryony.
Maida blinked at him. “Leyton?”
