“You seem to be in an awfully good mood,” Jacob noted as he met Sophia at the dinner table later that evening. Duncan had not arrived yet, and it was just the two of them there.
“Can you tell?” Sophia asked, not able to keep the smile off her face. “I guess I cannot hide it, can I?”
“Any special occasion?” Jacob asked, curiosity tinging his voice. “I have not seen you this happy in… well, ever.”
“A lady cannot spill all her secrets…”Sophia knew she was being quite coy, much to Jacob’s annoyance.
“Very well, then. That means that I must resort to some detective work,” Jacob said. “Let me guess… Was it something my brother did?”
“What is it with the Blackmoore family and their observational skills?” Sophia thought out loud. “Can no one keep anything from you?”
Jacob laughed out loud at her theatrics. “So, I am correct. It is something that my dearest brother did after all.”
“Indeed…”
“Did he finally profess his undying love for you?” Jacob teased. “If so, then it was a long time coming. About time.”
Sophia blushed. Just then, Duncan joined them at the table.
“I heard my name,” he said, before kissing Sophia on the top of her head.
Jacob’s mouth hung open, and Sophia was blushing red.
“My, my, brother. Have some decency. Displays of affection, in public?” Jacob’s asked, tongue in cheek.
“Public?” Duncan shrugged. “I only see you here.”
“So, this explains why the two of you are so happy this morning,” Jacob laughed, finally piecing everything together. “I must say, well done. I am happy that the two of you are not going to live in denial anymore and will finally behave like a married couple.”
Sophia and Duncan exchanged a glance.
“Well, our marriage is sorted,” Sophia replied. “Now is it going to be your turn to find a nice girl?”
“Finally,” Duncan laughed, squeezing Sophia’s hand softly. “The two of us can team up and tease Jacob as he loves to do to others.”
“Yes, I believe that he should get a taste of his own medicine…”
Jacob chuckled. “Now, I am wondering if I liked it better when the two of you acted like two awkward people who fancied each other in secret. You have only joined forces together now.”
“I must say, you were the only one who had the foresight to predict it way before we both did,” Duncan replied.
“Well, brother. You should not be so shocked. After all, we all know that the brains in the Blackmoore family all went to me.” Jacob boasted.
“Let us not change the topic, shall we?” Sophia interjected. “We wish to know when you are going to bring home a nice girl of your own.”
“There is no nice girl of my own,” Jacob replied sarcastically.
“Then perhaps you require some assistance?” Duncan said, looking back at Sophia. “My dear, you must have some friends that you can introduce my brother to, do you not?”
Sophia racked her brain. “I am afraid that I lack in the friends department, but in any case, I must first know what sort of girl Jacob is after.”
“My criteria are too difficult for anyone to fulfill,” Jacob replied in earnest. “Most importantly, I would want someone who can handle my sense of humor and have the ability to dish out some of her own jokes.”
“A pair of jokers,” Duncan shook his head. “You might as well say that you are looking to start a circus.”
Sophia nudged her husband and shook her head to signal her disapproval.
“Absolutely not. Not a circus, I think what Jacob is saying is the key to a happy marriage after all,” she suggested. “The ability to share a laugh.”
