“I suppose that makes sense,” Lady Foxworth said. Looking at Mary, she added, “You are aware that you will have to stop performing now?”
Mary shrugged one shoulder. “Of course. In fact, I doubt I will miss it very much since I am to marry Mr.Heartly. I certainly will not require the extra funds. Besides, Mr.Heartly says that he will happily lend an ear whenever I feel like singing, which I daresay will be just as rewarding. You see, it was never the fame that I sought, but rather the freedom to do what I loved.”
“And you feared that I would judge you if I found out.”
“I knew that you would.”
Lady Foxworth sniffed slightly. “You are probably correct. That said, I would have helped Andrew to the best of my ability. Within reason, of course.”
“Which is what Mr.Heartly seems to have done.”
“And what might that be?” A masculine voice asked from directly behind Mary’s right shoulder. Turning, she found Richard gazing down at her with a warm glow in his eyes. Her stomach instantly flipped itself inside out.
“I—”
“If you will forgive me,” Lady Foxworth said, interrupting Mary, “I believe I see Mr.Thomas Young over there. Please excuse me.”
“It looks as though your aunt is embarking on a romance of her own,” Richard said as soon as Lady Foxworth was out of earshot.
“I believe she is quite smitten,” Mary agreed, accepting the arm that Richard was offering her. “I hope it works out.” They continued toward the French doors and out into the garden. “My aunt tells me that you have given my brother financial support so that he may start a new life for himself in America. Honestly, I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for that, especially after all the damage he has caused.”
“Think nothing of it,” he said, raising her hands to his lips for a kiss. “Instead, let us consider this chapter involving your brother closed.” Lowering her hands, he told her candidly, “I have spoken with Lamont and have asked for his forgiveness. As expected, he was not very pleased to discover that the guilt he has felt for the past five years was unfounded, though he did seem to understand my reasoning.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Does this mean that the past is finally behind us?”
“I believe so. In fact, I would like nothing better than to start discussing our future in greater detail.” A soft tremor whispered down Mary’s spine. More so as he leaned closer and murmured in her ear, “In case you were wondering, I find that I am looking forward to our wedding night with great anticipation.”
Heat rose to her cheeks and she instinctively dropped her gaze. Even so, she could not help but be completely honest with him and say, “So am I.”
“Then perhaps it is time for me to call the vicar so we can say our vows?”
Looking up, her heart almost burst with love for him. “I think that would be a most excellent idea.”
His response was immediate, his arms reaching around her and pulling her off her feet. Swinging her in a wide arc, his mouth drew into a roguish grin. “Whoever would have thought that you and I would end up like this?”
Laughing, she did not care that several guests had stopped to stare at them, no doubt appalled by their behavior. “I had my suspicions.”
“You did not,” he countered.
“Very well,” she agreed as they started back toward the house, “but I am glad that you chose to attend the masquerade that eveningandthat you asked me to dance. Had you not, this story of ours might have turned out very differently.”
“And that would have been a terrible shame,” he told her seriously though his eyes conveyed a great deal of humor.
She could not disagree with him. Indeed, she had never been happier, because she knew now that she had found the perfect man with whom to spend the rest of her life, and it was the most wonderful and extraordinary feeling in the world.
The service, which was lovely in its simplicity, took place the next day at the Thorncliff chapel. It was followed by a small breakfast, shared only with immediate family and close friends and culminating with a delicious strawberry cake served with champagne.
“Shall we go for a stroll before readying ourselves for tonight’s ball?” Fiona asked with that bouncy tone of excitement that seemed to define her.
Mary looked to her husband. “That would be—”
“A lovely suggestion, to be sure,” Richard said, cutting Mary off as he placed his hand against her elbow, “but Mrs.Heartly should probably get some rest first. You must not forget that she has endured a great deal lately.”
Mary simply nodded, aware that her husband was deliberately trying to get her alone. The thought sent a rush of heat straight through her.
“Of course,” Fiona said, looking instantly apologetic.
Lady Duncaster on the other hand merely snorted and said, “Some rest indeed!” Which of course made Mary’s cheeks burn.
