Chapter 18
When Mia and Easton returned to Fletcher House, Beckwith opened the door as they mounted the steps.
“Lord Easton, Miss Parker. I hope you enjoyed your walk.”
“We did. Thank you, Beckwith. Do you know where my sister is?” Mia asked.
“I believe she’s with Mrs. Trotter. Shall I let her know you wish to speak to her?”
Mia shook her head. “No. Is Fletcher still in his study?”
“He is.”
She grabbed Easton’s hand. They walked down the hallway to her brother-in-law’s study and knocked.
“Come.”
They walked in, and Fletcher immediately smiled. “Those are happy smiles. So are you courting or engaged?”
“We’re engaged. I’m so thrilled,” Mia said.
“I wish you both happy. Have you told your sister yet?”
“No, she was busy with Mrs. Trotter, and I didn’t want to disturb her.”
“Was someone looking for me?” a voice behind them said.
Mia turned around to see Audrey standing in the doorway and rushed to her. “Audrey, Lord Easton has proposed, and I’ve accepted.”
“Such happy news, dearest,” Audrey said, hugging her tightly. She turned to Lord Easton. “I wish you happy, my lord.”
“Thank you, Lady Fletcher. I am indeed the happiest of men.”
Mia stepped back. “We wanted you to be the first to know.”
“This is indeed such wonderful news.”
“Thank you, but now we must go to Devon House to tell Easton’s parents.”
“Of course. I’m sure your parents will be thrilled for you,” Audrey said.
Easton turned to Mia. “My dear, I do hope you don’t want a long engagement.”
She tapped her cheek, pretending to think about her betrothed’s question.
“Well, I was hoping we could wed at the end of the Season. June is a lovely month to be married.” The look on Easton’s face sent her into a fit of giggles.
“Oh, you silly man. You’re so easy to trifle with. I wish to wed as soon as possible.”
He released a huge sigh of relief. “I’m most pleased to hear that. Would you like me to get a special license?”
Mia looked at Audrey before answering. She didn’t want to deprive her sister of the joy of helping to plan the wedding. “No, that’s not necessary. I’m sure my sister, your mother, and I will have much planning to do in the next three weeks.”
“If that is what you want, my dear, then that is what you will have,” Easton said.
Mia rushed into his arms. “Thank you, darling. Now, are you ready to tell your parents our happy news?”
“Absolutely. Good day, Fletcher, Lady Fletcher,” Easton said.
“Good day, Easton,” Fletcher said.
Mia gave Audrey one last hug and then slipped her hand in the crook of Easton’s elbow as they left Fletcher House.
When they got to Devon House, they found everyone gathered in the drawing room before nuncheon.
Lady Devon was the first to notice them in the doorway. “Easton, Miss Parker, what a delightful surprise. Please join us. We were about to have nuncheon,” she said.
“Thank you, Mother. Before we go into the dining room, I have an announcement to make,” Easton said, leading Mia inside.
Lord and Lady Devon, Kathryn, and Sam all stood and crowded around them.
“Happy news?” Lady Devon asked.
Easton held up Mia’s hand. “I have asked Miss Parker to marry me, and she has accepted,” he said.
Lady Devon’s hand flew to her mouth, and tears pooled in her eyes. “Oh my goodness. This is indeed happy news.”
Lord Devon shook Easton’s hand. “Well done, my boy,” he said before turning to Mia. “May I hug you, my dear?”
Mia rushed into his arms, and the earl held her tightly.
“I can see how happy you make my son. Thank you, my dear.”
“I love him with all my heart.”
Lord Devon stepped back to allow the rest of the family to offer their congratulations.
When it was Kathryn’s turn, she hugged Mia first before hugging Easton. “So I was right all along?”
He chuckled. “Yes, dear sister, you ferreted out my secret. Both you and Mother guessed correctly that I was in love with Miss Parker.”
Mia looked at Kathryn. “You knew?”
Kathryn shook her head. “I only observed how my brother’s eyes never left you whenever you were both in the same room together.”
“Oh my, I never noticed,” Mia said. “I am sorry, my darling. I should have been more aware.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. Everything happened as it should,” Easton said.
“Well, this calls for champagne,” Lord Devon said. “Jeffers!”
The butler appeared within moments. “Yes, my lord?”
“Jeffers, my son is engaged. Please bring a bottle of champagne into the dining room.”
The butler turned to the happy couple. “I wish you both happy,” he said.
“Thank you, Jeffers,” Easton said.
“Nuncheon is served. I will return momentarily with the champagne,” he added.
When everyone was seated around the dining room table, and all the toasts had been made, Lord Devon asked, “So, Easton, will you be obtaining a special license?”
Easton shook his head. “No, the banns will be read, and we will marry in three weeks.”
Mia was the next to speak. “Lady Devon, would you be willing to help my sister and me plan the wedding?”
Lady Devon nodded vigorously. “It would be my pleasure.”
Easton reached for his beloved’s hand beneath the table and squeezed. It pleased him immensely that she would include his mother in the wedding preparations.
“Mother, would you bring out the family jewels so Miss Parker may choose a ring.”
“Of course, my dear. There are several to choose from.”
After nuncheon, Lady Devon excused herself. “I’ll only be a moment.”
She soon returned to the drawing room, to which everyone had adjourned, and unwrapped a piece of navy velvet. Tucked inside were six exquisite rings with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
“Please choose whichever ring you like,” Lady Devon said.
“Thank you.”
Easton saw Mia’s eyes widen as she looked at the collection of rings sparkling against the velvet. “Which do you like best, my love?”
Mia studied the rings a moment longer before choosing the sapphire stone with a small diamond on each side. It had the smallest center stone of all the rings, but the sapphire was nearly the color of her eyes. “I do love this one. Blue is my favorite color.”
“Are you sure?” Easton asked. “The other rings are larger.”
“This one is perfect.”
He took the ring from her and slipped it on her ring finger. “Yes, you are.”
The day after they’d told their families of their betrothal, Mia woke with a smile on her face. The first thing she did was look at her beautiful ring. The more she looked at it, the more she loved it and knew it was the right choice, especially as the small diamonds sparkled in the sunlight.
She could hardly believe she was betrothed to the man she loved with all her heart.
Hearing that Alex had been watching her all Season had been a surprise to her.
She’d been so focused on having fun that she almost missed being with the love of her life.
The more time she spent attending one event after another, the more she’d realized that fun was all well and good, but there needed to be a balance.
She was glad that Alex hadn’t given up on her but had waited for her to come to that realization herself.
Today, she was going to call on Lady Victoria and Lady Arabella to share her happy news.
She knew her friends would be happy for her.
All three of them had spent time together talking about gentlemen and which ones they deemed to have the qualities they were looking for.
Mia had said her number one requirement was that the gentleman be witty and as fun-loving as she was.
Lord Easton was neither of those things, but in the end, they’d been foolish things to hope for in a husband.
Easton’s quiet ways had won her over, and she couldn’t be happier, for she loved him dearly.
There was a soft knock on the door before Beatrice walked in holding a tray with hot chocolate and toast. “Good morning, Miss Mia. The staff and I want to wish you happy. We’re thrilled you’re marrying Lord Easton. He seems like such a good man.”
“Oh, indeed he is. I’m the luckiest woman in all of England.”
Beatrice set the tray down over her lap. “Enjoy your chocolate while I prepare your bath.”
“Thank you, Beatrice.”
After a long soak, her maid helped her into her underthings. “Which dress would you like to wear today?”
“The blue one. It matches my ring.”
“Your ring is quite beautiful, Miss Mia.”
After another hour of getting her hair styled and finishing dressing, Mia went down to the dining room for breakfast. Both Audrey and Fletcher were there. Her sister had agreed to accompany her on morning calls today.
Fletcher’s plate was empty. He must have eaten earlier, before Audrey joined him.
“Good morning!” she said with a huge smile.
“Good morning, dearest. I hope you slept well,” Audrey said, sipping her tea. There were a few pieces of fruit on her plate, but that was all.
“I did indeed.”
“Mia, who would you like to visit first, Lady Victoria or Lady Arabella?”
“I don’t wish to tire you needlessly, so let’s visit Lady Arabella first. Her home is closer.”
“I’ll have Beckwith arrange for the carriage to be at your disposal for your visits. There’s no need for you to walk,” Fletcher said.
Audrey looked at her husband. “My darling, I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“I’m sure you think you are at the moment, but I remember how tired you were when you came home from helping Lord Berkeley with decorating ideas. I would not like to see a repeat of that.”
“Fletcher is right, Audrey. At least if we take the carriage, you can rest a bit in between our calls,” Mia chimed in.
“Well, with both of you arguing for the carriage, how can I say no? The carriage, it is!”
“I find myself famished this morning,” Mia said, loading up her plate with eggs, bacon, kippers, and toast while the footman poured her a cup of tea.
Unfortunately, the smells were enough to upset her sister’s stomach, and Audrey excused herself.
“I’m so sorry, Audrey. I didn’t realize—”
Her sister waved her hand dismissively and fled the dining room.
“Don’t worry, Mia. Sometimes your sister cannot tolerate certain smells from one day to the next.”
“I didn’t mean to run her off.”
“You didn’t. Let me go check on her. Enjoy your breakfast. Excuse me, my dear.”
Mia finished her breakfast and went into the drawing room to practice the pianoforte.
Now that she was going to be a married woman, she wanted to hone her skills even more.
Funny, because she hadn’t thought it was an important skill while she was on the marriage mart, but now she could see that it could be quite useful in entertaining any guests she and Easton invited to their home.
Home.
Where would they live?
She would have to ask Easton when he came for tea today.
She practiced diligently for the next two hours. “I think that’s enough for the day,” she mumbled, stretching her fingers.
“That was lovely, dearest,” Audrey said, walking into the drawing room.
“Audrey, are you feeling better?”
“I am. No need to worry. Shall we leave soon?”
“Yes. I can hardly wait to show my friends the ring.”
Mia went to sit on the sofa and tried to work on her embroidery, but she was too excited to concentrate. She ended up pulling out more stitches than she made. Soon it was time to leave, and she ran upstairs for their bonnets and gloves.
“Are you sure you’re feeling well enough to accompany me?” she asked.
“Yes, dearest. I’m fine. Shall we depart?”
Mia handed her sister her bonnet and gloves and then finished tying her own ribbons. Beckwith had the door open when they walked into the foyer. “Enjoy your visit.”
“Thank you, Beckwith,” Mia said.
A footman handed the women into the carriage before taking his position on the back. The driver flicked the reins. “Walk on,” he said.
It didn’t take long to reach the Gardner townhouse, and they were shown into the drawing room, where Lady Gardner and Lady Arabella were entertaining morning calls.
“Lady Fletcher and Miss Parker,” the butler announced.
Mia and Audrey walked to their hosts and curtseyed. “Good day, Lady Gardner, Lady Arabella,” Audrey said.
“Oh, Lady Fletcher, Miss Parker, how lovely to see you both again. Please do have a seat.”
“Thank you. My sister has some exciting news she wanted to share with both of you.”
Lady Arabella sat on the edge of the sofa, waiting for the news.
“I’m betrothed to Lord Easton. He asked for my hand, and I accepted,” Mia said.
“Such happy news. I’m thrilled for you, my dear,” Lady Gardner said.
“Mama, may Miss Parker and I stroll in the garden for a few moments?” Lady Arabella asked.
Lady Gardner nodded. “For a few moments only, dear.”
“Thank you, Mama,” she said as she and Mia hurried through the French doors and out into the garden. When they were far enough away from the doorway, Lady Arabella couldn’t contain herself any longer and hugged Mia.
“I’m so pleased for you. I thought Lord Easton had his eye on you.”
“You did? Why did you not say something?”
“I couldn’t. It was merely a guess, but I’m glad I was right. Lord Easton is a fine gentleman.”
“He’s the best of men.”
“Did he give you a ring?”
Mia nodded and slipped her glove off, holding out her left hand for her friend to admire the ring.
“Miss Parker—”
“Please, you must call me Mia. There’s no need to be so formal amongst friends.”
“I would like that, and please call me Arabella. Have you told Lady Victoria yet? I know she will be thrilled for you as well.”
“She is our next stop.”
“When is the wedding?”
“In three weeks, after the banns are read. You will come to the wedding, won’t you?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss such a happy occasion.”
“Good. Now, let’s not try your mother’s patience and head back inside.”
When the two young women returned to the parlor, they were delighted to see that Lady Wright and Lady Victoria had also arrived for a morning call.
After greeting them both, Mia shared her happy news.
“I wish you much happiness,” Lady Wright said.
“I’m thrilled for you,” Lady Victoria added, hugging her friend.
“Thank you. I’ve never been happier.”
“Well, I must say, my dear, you’ve caught the most sought-after bachelor of the Season,” Lady Wright said.
“I am indeed very lucky,” Mia said.
She and Audrey stayed for another twenty minutes before taking their leave. “I’ll see you again soon,” Mia said to her friends.
The carriage was waiting out front, and the footman helped the ladies inside.
“That was such a lovely visit, don’t you think?” Mia asked.
“Yes, dearest. It was most fortuitous that Lady Wright and Lady Victoria came calling.”
Mia narrowed her eyes and looked at her sister. “No more errands today. You need to rest.”
“I will not argue with that. Thank you for understanding.”
“Of course. Your well-being is very important to me. With so much to do in the next three weeks, I want you to pace yourself.”
“I will, dearest. I will.”