“Displeased?” Nora blinked quickly, trying to formulate the words, but Lord Hawkley was next to speak, bowing low in front of her, his worry apparent in the hurried way he spoke.
“I beg your forgiveness in this, Lady Nora,” he began. “After seeing your joy last evening and understanding the happiness that now awaited you, I determined that I could not wait for another moment. I was afraid that you would think poorly of me for doing so, but I knew – I knew I could not wait.” Taking in a deep breath, he set back his shoulders. “Having already spoken to your father, I should now very much like your blessing and your understanding.”
Nora’s joy was so great, it felt as if the sun had just only broken across the horizon, filling the room with golden beams of light. “My dear Lord Hawkley, there is not a single word of apology required in this moment, I can assure you.”
“No?” His eyebrows lifted, but Nora, turning to Louisa, let out a squeal of excitement and flung her arms around Louisa’s neck.
“Y – you are not agitated, then?” Louisa asked, breathlessly, as Nora laughed and shook her head, pulling back to look into her sister’s face. “Not even a little?”
With a beaming smile, Nora shook her head. “No, of course I am not. How could I be so? I am nothing but glad for you both.” Taking her sister’s hands in hers, she let out a contented breath. “Just think of it, Louisa! We shall be married within the same month, shall we not? Two sisters and two brides – what wonderous joy that is.”
“I could not agree more.” Lady Somerset sank into a chair as Nora embraced Louisa again, seeing the relief that sparked tears in her sister’s eyes. Lord Hawkley’s shoulders rounded in relief as Nora smiled at him, taking his offered hand.
“You have made my heart flood with relief,” he said, bowing over her hand. “I am exceedingly happy.”
“Just as you should be!” Nora exclaimed as Louisa leaned into Lord Hawkley, clearly just as relieved as he that Nora had not been in any way upset. “Goodness, there will be so much for us to discuss, Louisa. We will have nothing but wedding conversation these next few weeks, will we not?”
Louisa giggled, her cheeks returning to that rosy pink Nora had seen when she had first entered the room. “Yes, I think we shall. Although,” she continued, her smile fading somewhat, “we will not marry until you have wed first, Nora. That is the way it must be done.”
A warm, deep contentment settled over Nora’s heart as she held her sister’s gaze. “That is most considerate, I thank you. Lord Hampshire is, at this very moment, doing all that must be done to have the first banns called this Sunday. When he returns, we will make our arrangements for the day of our wedding.” Her eyebrow lifted. “You could wed the day after ours, could you not? That way, I can be present for it, for I do not want to be whisked away on honeymoon and miss your joyous day.”
Louisa tilted her head and looked up at her betrothed, who offered her a small nod, making her smile. “I think that would suit us very well,” she answered, as Nora beamed her delight.
“Goodness, what a happy few days that will be!”
“Indeed.” From behind Nora, Lady Somerset pressed one hand to her forehead, letting out a tremendous breath, forcing Nora to hide her smile. “I am quite overcome, I must say. Two engagements in two days, which is now to be two weddings in two days! I did not think there would ever be as much joy as this. Where is your father? He should be present for all of this.”
Nora put one hand to her heart, her eyes taking in each face in turn. Her sister had eyes only for Lord Hawkley, and he for her, just as she herself felt for Lord Hampshire. Their mother, now with her eyes closed, had sunk into a blissful exhaustion, and their father, no doubt, was already beginning to make preparations of some kind for the marriages of his two daughters.
“I think I require tea,” she heard her mother say, making her smile. “It will fortify me, before I am completely and utterly undone.”
Nora laughed softly and did as her mother required, ringing the bell so that refreshments would be brought. “Come, Louisa, might I steal you from Lord Hawkley for a moment?” she asked, as her sister nodded and stepped away. “I should very much like to hear all about this,” Nora continued, as the door opened to reveal Lord Somerset, who quickly went to talk with Lord Hawkley.
“Tell me about each moment, every word shared between you that led to this engagement. I should very much like to hear all of it.”
Without hesitation, Louisa began to speak of her ‘dear Lord Hawkley’ and Nora listened with interest. Her own joy began to rise, effervescent and overflowing, finally free from all pain, confusion, and doubt.
She did not doubt it now. There was to be nothing but happiness for both herself and Louisa, happiness borne from love, devotion, and care.
22
“To find you out in the gardens at this time of the afternoon is a singular pleasure indeed.”
A rush of warmth swept through Nora at the sound of Lord Hampshire’s familiar voice, his face brightening as she rose to her feet and hurried to him. “I have been waiting for you to call all day,” she told him, her hands going to his. “Wherever have you been?”
“I have been plagued by all manner of papers and documents,” he said, taking her hand and then bringing it to his lips. “But all of it is for good, since it will bring us together in marriage.”
She sighed contentedly, joy still warm and vibrant within her. “I have some more news for you,” she told him, hoping that no one would think to interrupt them for a few minutes now that they were engaged. “Lord Hawkley has asked Louisa to marry him, and she has accepted.”
Lord Hampshire’s eyebrows rose. “Indeed?”
“He stated that last evening, when you spoke, he realized that he, too, wanted the very same joy as was obvious in your own expression when you talked of our engagement.” Noramoved a step closer, shortening the distance between them, a shiver running through her when his thumb traced lightly over her knuckles. “He spoke to my father this morning and then proposed shortly thereafter.”
A broad smile settled on Lord Hampshire’s face. “How wonderful. I am truly delighted for them – and you are pleased also, I presume?”
“I am delighted,” Nora answered fervently. “They both believed that I might be somewhat upset over their haste, but I could not have been happier. We shall be brides together, and I think that the most beautiful notion in all of the world.”
Lord Hampshire laughed softly. “You have always been so very considerate, my dear Nora. Even when we were set apart by my uncle’s codicil, it did not prevent you from expressing your concern and your care for Frederica.” His head tilted. “She and I had a lengthy conversation this morning, before I went to see about the banns.”
