She sniffed back the tears at his mention of Mathew.
“Very well, we forgive you!” someone called out, which had everyone laughing.
“Thank you. I am humbled to receive your forgiveness,” Toby said bowing. “Now I would like to declare the Bidham fair open.” Loudclapping greeted his words.
Toby’s eyes moved through the people gathered and found her. His smile grew. That look felt like warm sunshine running through her entire body. She smiled back, pouring all her love into it.
“I think I’m going to enjoy having him in our family,” Edward said. “Especially as he makes you happy, sister.”
She did cry then. Edward tutted and took her hand in his, giving it a squeeze.
“I don’t remember you being a watering pot. I suppose it must be love.”
“I-I suppose it must be.”
Toby’s eyes stayed on her as he continued to speak. People turned and looked at her, and then smiled when they realized it was Liberty he was looking at.
“And now I have an announcement,” Toby said.
“What?”
“I’m about to tell you, Mr. Jasper,” Toby added patiently. “I am going to marry Lady Liberty, but as yet I have not asked her.”
“I have agreed to the match!” her father yelled from a few feet away.
Liberty was now laughing through her tears.
“Well then, it’s about time,” Miss Ainsley, also known as Harry, who was once Toby and Mathew’s nanny, said.
Cheers went up, and everyone clapped loudly again, as Toby jumped off the stage and came to her.
“Hello, my love.” He kissed her.
“I can’t believe you said that up there,” she said, putting her hands into the ones he held out to her.
“Of course, you can believe it. But, because I want us to start our marriage off on the right footing, I will tell you I spoke to your father before I got up there.”
“Toby,” she whispered as he tugged her close.
“Liberty.” He hugged her gently. “I love you,” he said so only she could hear. “Marry me, my sweet. Friend, lover, and soul mate. Youare my life.”
“Yes,” Liberty said throwing her arms around his neck. Why not? Clearly, today was not one for decorum.
“Excellent. Now, let us walk and spend time with our people.”
Lord Hamilton appeared with Florence and Barnaby. The little girl went willingly to Toby, clutching the hand he held out to her.
“Hello, Florence,” Liberty said. “It is lovely to see you again.”
“Hello,” she said with a smile that would melt even the hardest heart, Liberty was sure. “Where is Edward?”
“And now we know who her favorite is,” Toby drawled. “You only want to find Edward so you can coax sweets out of him, don’t you, Florence?”
“Lemon drops,” Florence said.
“Come, we will find him, and my guess is that he will already be at the sweets table, which is perfect, don’t you think?” Liberty said, taking Toby’s other hand.
They walked then, among people who’d known them since childhood, and the day was filled with promise.
