Chapter 22 #2
“He’ll be recuperating in a spare room off the kitchen,” Claudia continued, “but once they marry, he’s asked that they be allowed to become day staff and live in the village with his family. Max has offered a cottage, and I gave my permission for them to wed. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not in the slightest,” Georgie told her. “I’m so happy for them!”
Claudia aligned the bottle of witch hazel at a right angle with Sophia’s mortar. “His Grace would also like to hire Sally Bailey to assist Morrigan with Anastasia as needed.”
Georgie frowned. “I don’t believe I’ve met Sally. Bailey’s sister?”
“Younger sister,” Claudia clarified. “Morrigan tells me she’s good with dogs.”
“Very well,” Georgie said with a nod. She smiled down at Anastasia, who had perked up as if recognizing her name. “We’ll give her a try. But it will be Anastasia’s final decision as to whether Sally can continue.”
“Understood,” Claudia said. “That issue, at least, is handled. Now, we just need to determine the extent of damage from this storm. Ben’s already surveying the interior of the manor and will go down to the dower house as soon as the wind dies.
Mr. Foster will let us know his assessment of the grounds and outbuildings. ”
“Good,” Sophia said with a nod. “Hopefully, we can get things back to normal quickly.”
Back to normal. Back to Georgie wearing half-mourning and floating through life pretending she was fine. No, she wasn’t willing to do that any longer. Morrigan and Bailey had taken a step toward a new life. It was time she did the same.
She glanced at the clock perched among Sophia’s things. “Claudia, would you ask my father to join us at a quarter past?”
Claudia raised a platinum brow. “Certainly. Any reason I should give him?”
“Not at this time.” Georgie tried for a bright smile. “But I’m sure you and Sophia have better things to do than wait on me.”
The two women who’d become as close as sisters to her exchanged glances. Sophia wiped her hands on her apron, then peeled it over her head. “Come, Claudia. I know when we’re de trop.” She patted her skirts, and Anastasia obligingly hopped up to accompany them out.
Hugh turned to Georgie with a frown. “What are you up to?”
She gazed into his dear face, and the words stuck in her throat. However did men do this? She felt as if she was laying bare her heart.
Which she was.
She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. Even still damp from his ordeals, it was truly like silk, curly, golden silk.
His eyes widened, but she dropped her hand and spoke before he could.
“I love you, Hugh. And I weary of sitting about and waiting for life to happen. I want to spend it with you—helping the parishioners grow closer to God and each other, keeping our neighbors safe and healthy, and most of all, loving you and Pip and any other children we might be blessed with. I want to grow old beside you as your friend, your love, and your helpmate. In other words, it would please me a great deal if you would agree to marry me. What do you say?”
* * *
Hugh stared at her, this wonder, this joy of a woman.
Her eyes were bright with hope and shining with love.
He gave her his best smile. “That was very brave of you, Georgie. I love you too. I’ve said it before, and I will be honored to say it for the rest of my life.
It appears I’ll never have the opportunity to propose to you, but I will not complain.
Nothing would make me happier than to marry you. ”
He pulled her close and kissed her. The scrapes on his lips protested.
He ignored them. What was important in this moment was that she knew how much he loved her, how willing he was to please her, encourage her, and cherish her, from now into eternity.
He may have started out with no family, but Georgie was his family, his home, and his life.
“I can see why you sent the duchess to find me,” the colonel said, and Hugh raised his head to see the fellow in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest.
Georgie smiled at the colonel, cheeks pink and lips rosy from their kiss. “Yes, Father. You’re a little early. Perhaps you should check your pocket watch.”
He glowered at her.
“I want you to be the first to wish us happy,” Georgie said as if she hadn’t noticed the look. “Hugh and I are going to be married.”
Hugh waited for the roar, the demands. Instead, her father nodded. “Good. I misjudged him once. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“I wonder that you would admit to a mistake at all,” Georgie said, smile deepening.
“It is a rare occurrence, gel,” her father grumbled. “Don’t expect it to happen again in your lifetime.”
Hugh rose and held out his hand. “I will take the very best care of your daughter, sir. And if I should fail in any way, feel free to point it out to me.”
The colonel raised a brow, but he took the offered hand and shook it, and Hugh hid his grimace at the discomfort.
“You may regret making that offer,” the colonel predicted as he released Hugh.
Georgie rose as well and linked her arm with his. “But never in agreeing to marry me, I trust. Now, let’s tell Pip and the others the good news.”
They found His Grace, the other duchesses, Sir Winfred, Ben, the boys, and Anastasia in the sitting room. Apparently Bailey had already been made comfortable, with Morrigan at his side, and the other servants were setting the game room to rights.
Georgie looked to Hugh, love in her eyes. “We have an announcement to make.”
Hugh grinned, and he had no doubt it looked rather fatuous. “Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Tyneham has agreed to take on a new role—the wife of the vicar.”
Exclamations rang out, and Hugh found his shoulder being clapped while the ladies enfolded Georgie in hugs. Anastasia capered about their feet, tail twirling.
Pip pushed his way into the center. “Never asked me, did you now?”
Hugh would have been alarmed except for the grin on the boy’s face.
Georgie crouched to put her gaze on a level with Pip’s. “He didn’t have time, Pip. You see, I was the one who proposed.”
Pip shook his head. “That was badly done of you, Father. I knew she was the one for us the moment we met. I’m not sure what took you so long, but I’ll be glad to call her Mother.”
Georgie pulled him close, tears gathering in her lovely eyes. He wrinkled his nose but allowed himself to be hugged before pulling away.
“Now we both have a mother and a father,” Oliver pointed out to him, and they shared a smile.
“And when will the happy nuptials take place?” His Grace asked.
Hugh rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll need to write to the vicar at Grace-by-the Sea about coming to perform the ceremony.” He turned to his beautiful bride-to-be. “I’m assuming you’d like to be married at St. Mary’s.”
“Yes, of course,” Georgie said, beaming around. “With all our family and friends in attendance.”
“And you’ll need to read the banns,” her father pointed out. “Unless you plan to ride to London for a special license, Vicar.”
“I don’t mind hearing my name linked with your daughter’s three Sundays in a row,” Hugh said, slipping an arm about Georgie’s waist. “And it will give the parishioners time to accustom themselves to the idea.”
“In a month, then,” Her Grace the First said with a nod. “That should give us sufficient time. And, assuming the house can still be ready by August, we can have our house party.”
His Grace frowned. “What’s this house party you keep mentioning?”
“I’m sure we discussed it,” the duchess said dismissively. “Sophia, Georgie, and I have been making the acquaintance of three delightful ladies from Grace-by-the-Sea. I thought we’d host them and their families for a fortnight.”
His Grace licked his lips. “Will we not be odd numbers at table?”
Her Grace the First waved a hand as if she, the consummate hostess, would ever be bothered by such trivial matters. “I’m sure we can find sufficient local gentlemen to even out the numbers.”
“I may have a few suggestions along those lines,” Sir Winfred put in.
The duchess nodded her thanks. “And this will be a good chance for you to make your debut, Max.”
He did not appear amused.
“She looks rather pleased with herself,” Hugh murmured to Georgie as the group broke into pairs, Sophia going to the duke’s side. Anastasia leaned against Georgie’s skirts contentedly, as if she knew all was right with the world.
“I believe I mentioned that His Grace has been meddling,” Georgie said, watching the tableau. “He’s been trying to marry us all off, and he’s succeeded with Claudia and me. But Max is about to get a dose of his own medicine.”
Hugh raised her hand to his lips for a kiss. “May he be as happy as we are, my love. I have always believed in second chances. I’m glad we got ours.”
“So am I,” she murmured. “And I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our family.”