“They are probably coming to terms.”
“Or blows,” Livy muttered.
Mama patted the cushion beside her. “Come sit by me, dear.”
When Livy acquiesced, her mother looked her in the eyes.
“Where there is love, there is a way. That was one of your grandpapa’s favorite sayings,” Mama said softly. “Trust me, dear girl. Everything will be well.”
A moment later, Papa strode into the drawing room. Ben was behind him, lingering in the doorway. Papa looked first at Livy, then at Mama.
“You were right, Emma.” He sounded slightly stunned.
“Really, darling, one would think you would be used to it by now,” Mama said.
Livy went up to her father. “Papa…do Hadleigh and I have your blessing?”
“Is this truly what you want, poppet?” Papa’s face had never looked more serious. In a low voice, he said, “While Hadleigh is a fine chap, he is older than you—”
“I want to marry him,” Livy said with absolute conviction.
Her father exhaled slowly. “While I may have doubts, the one thing I have never questioned is that you are a girl who knows her own mind. And you have clearly decided on Hadleigh. You have my blessing, Livy. For what it is worth.”
“Oh, thank you, Papa! That means everything to me!”
She threw herself into her father’s arms, and he held her tightly.
“Be happy, poppet,” he murmured. “That is all I want for you.”
“I will be,” she promised. “As happy as you and Mama are.”
Releasing her, he cleared his throat.
“I believe I’m ready for tea.” He held his arm out to Mama. “Didn’t you say something special was on the menu, pet?”
“I made your favorite Scotch pie. I had a feeling you would need it.” Mama leaned up to kiss his jaw. “Well done, darling. You handled that magnificently.”
“Because of you.” Papa tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, saying in an undertone, “Thank God you prepared me. I might have had a fit of apoplexy otherwise.”
“We’ll be in the orangery,” Mama said cheerfully to Hadleigh as they passed by. “You and Livy may join us when you are ready.”
Her parents exited the room, their heads bent together.
Ben strode over to her, looking bemused.
“How did everything go?” Livy asked.
“It went better than I anticipated. Not only did your papa not call me out, but he also offered me some advice.”
“And that was?”
“A happy wife makes for a happy life.”
“That is exceedingly good counsel,” Livy said brightly.
“In that case…”
Ben went down on one knee. His eyes the warm blue of a summer night, he took out a box and opened the lid. Livy’s vision blurred at the sight of the ring: it was shaped like a delicate golden spider, its body a huge, faceted diamond.
