Kendal couldn’t stop himself from laughing at his vision of the former Guy Paulet’s stunned expression. “What did he say?”
“That he would have to meet her first.” Thalia grinned. “If I am not mistaken, two weeks later they had decided to wed.” Her finely arched brows drew together. “Euphrosyne and Markville fell in love before then. And Hawksworth said that the first time he saw Meg, he wanted to marry her. Although it took him a long time to convince her that she wanted to marry him. Do you think falling in love quickly runs in my family?”
Something obviously did. If Kendal were being poetic, he might say it was a purity of heart. Perhaps the way their father behaved made them more prone to want to find someone to love. Could the lack of love or even friendship in Kendal’s first marriage have made it easier for him to fall in love when he finally met the one lady who was perfect for him? “I don’t know, but it might be that the heart knows what it wants regardless of time.”
The sun was starting to slip in the sky when Lord and Lady Hawksworth reached Kendal and Thalia. She began to discuss something with her sister-in-law, while Kendal sidled up to her brother. “How soon can Thalia and I marry?”
“There are details to be worked out. Can we discuss it in the morning?”
“If you wish.” He hated the delay, but he agreed that many pieces of the puzzle had to be put together, and tomorrow would have to do.
CHAPTER 5
THAT EVENING, when they returned from the celebration, Thalia’s sisters took her to her bedchamber and bid her a good night.
“He will still be here in the morning,” Laia said.
“Hawksworth said there will be a meeting about when you and Kendal can wed.” Euphrosyne hugged Thalia. “We shall come up with a way to make it soon.”
“The thing we must remember is that you are supposed to be in Wiltshire. That adds at least two or three days to any travel schedule we give Somerset.”
Trust Laia to think of the details when Thalia would be happy to leave tomorrow. “I am glad you are keeping account of everything.”
Her eldest sister bussed her cheek. “That is what Guy says.”
It was all she could do not to go to Giles’s room. Her body still hummed with what they had done earlier. No wonder her sisters and Meg liked being married so much. And to think that when Thalia had awoken this morning, she’d had no idea what a momentous day it would be. Her sisters had been right when they had predicted something good would happen here.
Her maid brushed out Thalia’s hair, and she caught a glimpse of the combs she had purchased at the fair. “I really should tell Hawksworth to repay Kendal for everything I borrowed today.”
She could feel her maid laugh along with the brush strokes. “My lady, I don’t think it makes a difference now.”
“Perhaps you are correct.” She would ask in any event.
Once Thalia was in bed, she was certain she’d not be able to sleep, but the next thing she knew, Mannering was pulling back the bed hangings. “Lady Hawksworth suggested you might wish to rise, my lady.”
Glancing around, Thalia found the clock. It was almost nine in the morning. She was usually up at seven. How had she slept so late? “Thank you.”
When she reached the breakfast room, only the older members of the family were not present.
Giles rose and pulled out the chair next to his for her. “All of us except Hawksworth waited for you before we began eating.”
Quartus sniggered, a sound she had never heard him make before.
“I thank the rest of you for waiting,” Thalia said. “I know my brother well enough not to expect him to wait.”
“A wise lady,” Guy Bolton said.
Her aunt, uncle, and Berwick entered as a second round of tea was brought. Her uncle took the seat at the head of the table, and her aunt sat next to him. Berwick found a place on the other side of Giles.
He placed a pot of strawberry marmalade next to Thalia’s toast.
“Where did you find that?” she picked up the jar.
“At the market yesterday.” His smile was a bit smug. “When my servants arrived, I sent one of the grooms back for it.”
“If I did not already love you, I would for that alone.”
“Hmmm.” He rubbed his chin. “I must make sure no other gentleman brings you strawberries. I might have to call him out.”
She was glad to see he had a sense of humor first thing in the morning. “You would not!”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I would not wish to lose you to some cur with strawberries.”
“You will never have to worry about that, my love. I am not fickle.”
He gazed at her as if he’d kiss her at the breakfast table in front of her whole family.
“I shall insure all of our estates have strawberries for you year-round.”
“I see what you mean.” Hawksworth’s lazy drawl could be heard down the table. “Well, then, let’s review the timetable we have been working from and find a way to tighten it.” He drained his cup and held it out for more. “Guy, you were always the best at working these things through.”
Giles leaned toward Thalia, putting his mouth against her ear and making her shiver. “How does he know that?”
