Sally groaned. Why was Mama not helping her advance her claim on Lord Ellicott’s affections or time? She knew the right setting for a proposal was essential for many men to unburden themselves and reveal their desire for matrimony.
Ellicott merely smiled at t
he news that her mother intended to join them. “The more, the merrier. The breeze appears to have died down too. Shall we wait outside in the fresh air?”
“Yes, that would be lovely.” Sally rushed to link arms with him.
Arm in arm, they left her mother behind in the drawing room while her shawl was called for. Undoubtedly Mama would catch up before too many yards had passed beneath their feet. Hopefully Lady Ellicott would sit alone very happily for a little while.
When Ellicott led her at a brisk pace directly toward the wisteria-covered walk, she almost laughed aloud at his haste. She hoped he would propose to her there because it was a lovely, secluded spot.
When they stopped, he caught her hands in his and drew them to his chest. “My dearest Sally, Mother is right. You are the most beautiful woman. I must again convey my thanks for inviting us both for the summer. It has been a pleasant interlude indeed.”
“I feel so too,” Sally agreed, staring up into his handsome face. Waiting.
“I was thinking of you this morning. Of how well you and I get along. And I do not know any other woman Mother has taken under her wing without hesitation.” He laughed softly. “That is quite the coup, I must tell you.”
“I do like her.” Sally’s pulse raced and she bit her lip as she waited for what she hoped might come next. “Her good opinion means the world to me.”
Not that she was sure she had it yet, but…
“I must say I never once thought we would both reach this age and not be married.” Ellicott sighed. “So it seems plain we must marry each other. What do you think of that idea?”
Chapter Two
As far as proposals of marriage went, that was possibly the dullest Sally had ever heard of, but it was at least an offer and she was already of the opinion she should accept Lord Ellicott. Therefore, she nodded and set her future in motion. “I would be very pleased to become your wife.”
Ellicott’s smile grew warmer. “Excellent. I must say I appreciate all you have done to stay in Mother’s good graces to this point. She can be difficult, and I know she can be a hard woman to warm to.”
“Hardly that. Lady Ellicott has been very welcoming.” Sally expected her heart to take flight now that her hopes for marriage had come true, but it sat dully in her chest, beating out the same rhythm of old. “We have been acquainted for such a long time that I often wondered if you would ever ask for my hand. I am so pleased you chose to speak up today.”
He released her hands. “Well, a man does not need to rush into matrimony.”
How right he was. Sometimes it was the biggest mistake a soul could make.
“No, he does not need to rush,” she agreed, speaking from experience that Ellicott did not know about nor need to. “I have often thought a hurried courtship a mistake for many women of our class.”
He smiled again. “Indeed, a man could wait his whole life for the right woman and not recognize her until his last days were upon him.”
“But that is not the case with us.” She threaded her arm through his and they started to walk along the path together, away from prying eyes and her mother. “We have found each other and will be happy together.”
“We will indeed.” He glanced at her sideways. “Mother can stop worrying for the succession at last.”
She colored a little. She would have to spend time in his bed to begin their family, but speaking about it now was not something Sally had anticipated. “And my family will be happy too.”
He sighed heavily. “I should like to speak to your father and arrange the marriage contract today.”
“I have not seen him since dawn, but he said he was not to be disturbed until midafternoon. Our butler, Morgan, will let him know you wish to speak with him. I feel confident he can have no objection to a match between us.”
When they reached the protection of a stone archway at the end of the walk, Ellicott drew back and stared at her. “I should like everyone to know at once of course, and I am hoping the admiral will allow me to make the announcement to your family at dinner tonight before I have to go.”
“You are leaving?”
“Nothing to worry yourself about.” He patted her hand. “A pressing matter of business requires my return to London for a few days. Mother prefers not to travel with me so she will remain behind if that is agreeable. I should be back as soon as my business allows, and with luck I will have time enough to speak with the archbishop about a license while I am away. We can then be married and return to London before May entertainments have truly begun.”
Sally was a little surprised by his haste to wed. The end of April was two weeks away. He had never given the impression that he was so anxious for them to be man and wife. It gave Sally little time to prepare for her new life, but she could do it for the right reason. She wanted to be a wife, to have a home of her own and someone specific to care for. “Yes, everything would be perfect for a dinner announcement. I am sure my father would be very pleased to have you do so after your talk.”
She took a step toward him, prepared for a kiss to seal their bargain. Ellicott saw her purpose and smiled gently before lowering his face to hers. His lips claimed hers, delivering a dry, closemouthed kiss that lacked any spark of passion whatsoever. When he drew back after a moment, confusion filled Sally. It was an important day. Why did he not kiss her properly?