“I would advise we address it in court and show mercy there.” The Judge nodded to the marshal. “He needs to be frightened enough to never do anything like this again.”
Father seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded. “I trust that you know best, Judge.”
“In this matter, I do. I’ve seen many a young man let off with warnings only to return to nefarious deeds. We’ll let him sit in jail, see what it’s like without his freedom, and ponder what he did. He’s not the type to take it lightly. I taught his Sunday school class when he was just a boy. He can be saved. I feel confident of this.”
“The Judge is an excellent discerner of people’s character.” Marvella held up the silver coffee pot. “As I am an excellent discerner of empty coffee cups. Marshal, would you care for more?”
The marshal put his cup forward. “The best coffee in the world can be had at this house. Even better than that served at the Conrad’s.”
Marvella beamed. “Thank you, Marshal.” She poured him a cup and looked to Ellie. “What of you, my dear? More tea?”
Ellie shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”
“I do hope you learned your lesson about sneaking off as you did.” Marvella shook her head. “You worried the life out of me. I was so afraid of what might happen to you.”
“As was I.”
Ellie looked to find Carter in the doorway.
The butler stood at his side. “Mr. Brunswick, ma’am.”
“Oh, Carter, do come in.” Mrs. Ashbury waved him forward.
Father sighed. “I think Ellie knows the worry she caused everyone.”
Was he upset with her? But no. One look at his face told her he was teasing.
He looked at those gathered there. “She isn’t generally so willful, but given the situation, I think she can be excused.”
Laughter echoed in the room.
“Well, before she decides to run off and do something else entirely too dangerous”—Carter dropped to one knee in front of her—“I want to ask her something.”
What...? Was this what she thought it was? One look at Carter’s face told her it was exactly what she thought it was. Giddiness filled her, and it was all she could do to just sit there and not jump into his arms. “I’m listening.”
He grinned and produced a ring from his pocket. “Miss Briggs—”
“Ellie.”Oh, Lord...this man. This wonderful man ...“Call me Ellie.”
His smile lit up her insides.“Ellie,I’ve long prayed for a wife knowing that God had the perfect woman out there somewhere. We might have had a rocky start, but the longer I am in your presence, the more I love you. Will you marry me?”
Before she could answer, Sir Theophilus jumped from the sofa and began dancing around Carter. Barking, the little scamp raced back and forth in the short space between Ellie and Carter.
Marvella drew her hands together over her heart. “I think he’s encouraging you to say yes, my dear. He loves to see people happy, as do I.”
Ellie laughed and met Carter’s gaze. The love there took her breath away. She gave him a teasing look. “Well, it just so happens I’ve fallen in love with you as well, Mr. Brunswick.”
“Carter.”
Oh, what that man’s grin did to her!
“Carter.I would be happy to marry you.”
He slipped the ring on her finger, and the others applauded. Marvella, of course, launched into a lecture.
“You must both always put God at the center of your marriage. Seek Him first, and everything else will fall into place. The Judge and I have found this to be of the utmost importance. It never fails when something goes wrong. If we don’t seek God on the matter first, things only become more difficult.”
Ellie caught Carter’s eye. He looked as ready as she was to burst into laughter.
