ChapterForty-Three
Matthew
The day had been exhausting, and Matthew was very happy to be home with his grandmother and Johanna’s family for supper rather than out with his friends.The impromptu gathering had dispersed not long after Zachary’s dramatic exit.Matthew had wanted to go after him, but he had not wanted to leave Johanna, and without his coin to help him, he’d decided that his wife had to take precedence.
Thankfully, unlike his friends, none of the ladies seemed upset with Johanna.Including Tiffany.
He’d noticed that Drake and Sebastian had hung back from her, but that could have been for other reasons, even if it was partly due to their grief.Matthew would not push them.
Hopefully, things would soon return to normal.Emotions had been heightened today.He hoped Zachary would calm down.
Regardless of whether he did or not, Matthew would be there to protect Johanna and her family.He did not believe Zachary would truly send the authorities after her mother… he was angry and lashing out, but he was not that far gone.
In the meantime, Matthew would do whatever he needed to ensure his wife’s happiness.He glanced at her beside him at the dinner table and could not help but smile as she listened to Micah enthusiastically expounding about the book his tutor had assigned him today.Apparently, Micah had a great love for the stoics.
Rose was listening to Charlotte and Bridget take turns describing their lessons—Bridget was far more enthusiastic about them now that they’d started.And his grandmother and Johanna’s mother sat beside each other, discussing the latest fashions and his grandmother’s opinions on how they should outfit Lady Ashmore tomorrow.She seemed to have accepted her fate as his grandmother’s latest project.
Johanna’s hand touched his, and Matthew blinked out of his observation of the table at large.
“Is everything all right?”she asked softly, leaning toward him.He caught her fingers in his.
“Everything is perfect.”He squeezed her fingers.“I was just thinking how happy I am with our supper table.I would much rather be here than at any ball… or anywhere else, really.”
Tomorrow, they would have to attend the Manchester Ball, of course.The social whirl was a demanding mistress.But right now, he was so very content just like this.
Johanna’s smile in return was brilliant.
“As would I,” she murmured back before Micah said something to garner her attention again.
After supper, they all retired to the drawing room for a rousing game of charades.Charlotte was easily the most dramatic of the group, though Bridget ran a close second.Johanna was terrible, to everyone’s amusement and gentle teasing.His grandmother and mother-in-law did not join in, but they did thoroughly enjoy themselves laughing at the antics of the younger generations.
The evening was over far too quickly, with Miss Swift escorting Charlotte and Bridget up to bed, while Micah trotted dutifully after them.Lady Ashmore walked more slowly, with Rose and Johanna by her side.
Leaning against his chair, Matthew sipped his brandy as the room emptied out.Once the ladies were gone, he was going to sit down and enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet before he followed his wife upstairs.
His grandmother paused beside him.She shook her head.
“You do have the devil’s own luck, I swear,” she said.
Raising his eyebrow, Matthew looked down at her.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I truly did not think you could flip a coin for love, but here you are,” she replied, chuckling as she reached up to pat his cheek.“Married and in love.Johanna is a true delight, but I cannot countenance what massive luck you had to have things all fall out this way.I suppose there is no end to it.”
With that, she left him there, standing and blinking.
Married and in love.
He’d had the thought, of course, multiple times.
Even tried to flip his coin over it.
But to have his grandmother confirm it.
It was not just him.Not just in his head.She would not say it unless she also saw what was truly between him and Johanna.
Love.
