“You have come to take your leave, then!” He embraced his daughter, kissing her cheek.
“Of course. Is all in readiness?”
“All the chests are packed. It only remains for your mother and sister to be ready, and you know how long it takes them! It is good of you, Sir Giles, to come over so early to see us on our way.”
“I have a particular reason, sir, for coming, apart from sending you my best wishes for your health and the journey ahead.”
“A particular reason? What can that be? No more court business, I pray. I am done with it.”
“Nothing of the sort, I promise you. Something far more pleasant.”
“Good, we could do with a bit of good news. Speak up then, man.”
Giles laughed nervously. “It is more of a request, actually, sir. I hope, with your good wishes and blessing, to make an offer of marriage to your daughter.”
Sir Richard looked briefly stunned. “Cecilia? To help her out of her predicament?”
“No, Father, not Cecilia!” cried Thomasin.
“I wish to ask your permission to marry Thomasin,” Giles continued, “whom I have long been convinced is the best, most radiant, honourable and true woman I have ever had the pleasure to meet.”
“Well,” said Sir Richard, “I might have told you that myself. So you have become aware of her worth?”
“I have, my lord, and I would like nothing more than to make her my wife. I have estates in Surrey and Essex, an income sufficient for all her needs and wants and a heart ready to do service to her for the duration of my lifetime.”
“What do you say to this, Thomasin?” Sir Richard looked at her. “Do you wish to become Sir Giles’s wife? He argues his case most persuasively.”
“I can say yes without hesitation. I love Giles as much as he loves me.”
“Well then, who am I to stand in your way?” Sir Richard shook Giles by the hand. “Congratulations, and welcome to the family. I could not have chosen better myself.”
“You will not be disappointed in me, sir, I promise you.”
“No, young man, from what I have observed of you, I do not think that I will.”
Lady Elizabeth was coming down the stairs in a rustle of cream-coloured silk, with Cecilia following behind, taking carewith each step. Her dresses were open-laced now, showing the extent of her advancing pregnancy, but now that the birth was planned, she had a calmer expression than Thomasin had seen her wear lately.
“What is all this commotion?” asked Lady Elizabeth. “Has Thomasin come to bid us goodbye?”
“Much more than that,” said Sir Richard, turning to greet his wife. “She has brought her betrothed with her.”
“Her what?” Lady Elizabeth paused mid-step.
“Sir Giles has just asked me for permission to marry Thomasin and I have given it.”
The two women looked from Thomasin to Giles and back again.
“How can it be?” asked Lady Elizabeth. “I was only on the landing. You could not have waited for a moment?”
“My apologies,” said Giles at once, “I hope also to secure your gracious permission.”
“Yes!” cried Lady Elizabeth. “As soon as possible! A wedding! And what a bridegroom. We could not have asked for better.”
“Exactly what I said, my dear,” said Sir Richard.
Lady Elizabeth came forward and threw her arms about Thomasin. “How proud I am of you. A splendid match.”
Reaching the bottom of the steps, even Cecilia managed a smile. Thomasin was pleased to see it, given her sister’s own recent marital disappointments. “This is truly good news. Where will you marry?”
