Love Comes in Three

Chapter Sixty-Three "The Engagement Party" (The correct chapter!)

            The morning of our engagement I woke up to Clara, as usual, but today she was bringing in a large basket filled with bunches of violets, "Good morning, Miss," she curtsied, "from your fine gentleman, of course."

            "Of course," I smiled as I stretched.

            "It is a lovely morning and I heard the Lady say that your brother and his wife will be among the first arriving today," she reported.

[Author's Note:  This area was set aside for the actual dinner, but I am not sure if it is needed, so just leaving this here while I think about it.]

            Once all of the guests arrived I was amazed at what Lady Edgehill considered a 'small, intimate gathering.' At least I was surrounded by some family and friends. Arthur and Lucy congratulated us many times and there was some joking about quick engagements, but their courtship was by far the shortest. "Time doesn't matter," Arthur told me aside from the other guests, "once you know you found the right one," he smiled and nodded towards Lucy who seemed to be telling Isaac a very funny story. I did like to watch him laugh, his face was so expressive. He caught me watching and his laughs faded into that dimpled smile for a moment before he resumed listening to Lucy. "Yes, little sister, you have found your right one," Arthur said kissing my cheek before going to join his wife.

            Faith and her Mr. Winchester seemed to be tethered together almost, where one went the other appeared like a shadow. I watched them from across the room, she looked content unlike I had ever seen her before. "Are you spying, my dear?" Isaac whispered in my ear as he brought me a cup of punch.

            "Not spying," I corrected, "just observing."

            "Observing your best friend and her gentleman?" he said sitting beside me.

            "When you say it like that it sounds indecent," I blushed.

            "Well, you have no idea what they may be talking about," he smiled impishly as he moved a ringlet from shoulder.

            "Thomas!" I batted him with my fan, happy that I remembered we were in company, "I hardly think that Faith . . . "

            "Ah but there is the fault in your logic, I have known Philip since we were boys," he teased as he stood, "we were school chums," he moved behind me, leaving a soft kiss on my shoulder. And that is when the tinkling of the glass began.

            "Ladies and gentlemen," Lady Edgehill announced loudly as her spoon tickled the champagne glass she held, "thank you all for coming on this splendid occasion." All of the murmured talking stopped and everyone turned to her as she swept to the center of the room, Lord Edgehill following her, looking happy as well. "We would like you to join us in celebrating the engagement of our son, Thomas to . . . "

            Lord Edgehill cleared his throat, "Not quite." Even his whisper seemed to carry.

            "Gideon, what are you doing?" Lady Edgehill hissed, trying to hide her unease.

            "Thomas, Margaret," he said walking up to us, "There is something very important that I need to tell you." Isaac took my hand immediately. "There is no contract."

            "What?" we both asked in shock.

            "When your eldest brother arrived, he came to me alone and gave a most impassioned speech," Lord Edgehill explained, mostly to us, but those nearby would hear him well.

            "Gideon! What have you done!" Lady Edgehill stomped her way over to us.

            "We annulled the contract but decided not to tell anyone. You see, Margaret, you had already fallen in love with Thomas and had asked your brother not to break the agreement."

            "You asked . . . " Isaac began in a half whisper.

            I felt the heat of a deep blush rush my cheeks as I turned to him, "Yes," I tried to smile and I felt the involuntary blinking begin again.

            "How dare you, Gideon!" Lady Edgehill said coming between her husband and us, "That contract was guaranteed! Without it . . . " The furious, loud whispers between the Edgehills were the center of attention, no one noticed when Isaac pulled me from the room and out onto the terrace.

            He closed the doors once we were outside and then he led me down to the garden, it was well lit under the moon, "You asked your brother not to break the contract?" he asked again holding my hands in his against his chest, "you could have had your freedom . . . you could have had Percival."

            "I did request that Freddie not try to break the contract," I nodded, "I did not want . . . Percival."

            "And your freedom?" he asked, his eyes imploring for the truth.

            "My heart was yours with the first bunch of violets."

            "But that was before your brother arrived, before I shared my secrets . . . "

            "I know," I said as my eyes closed, I could feel a warm tear run down my cheek, "was I a fool to let my heart go so quickly?" I did not dare want to open my eyes. The silence of waiting for his answer was deafening.

            He let go of my hands and took my face in his, "My Margaret," he breathed as he brought his lips to mine, "I love you beyond bounds."

            I felt a tremendous relief flood my body at his words, "I cannot imagine not loving you," I replied, another tear escaping. He kissed me again as he held me close.

            "But without the contract, we are free," he said as he looked into my eyes, "we do not have to follow their rules, we can set our own paths."

            "Path," I corrected, "Whichever path you choose, I will follow," I said slipping my hand back into his, "if you'll still have me."

            He looked from me up to the terrace, it appeared as if the guests were leaving. "Margaret, your love is the one thing I cannot live without," he kissed my lips, my forehead and then my hands, "I shall return." With that he disappeared into the darkness, leaving me alone and speechless.