The Proposal (41 page)
“This is a familiar place,” Jennings commented, amazed at how satisfying it felt just to gaze at her.
“It is,” she agreed, “and isn’t it ironic, I seem to have hurt my ankle again.”
Taking her at her word, Jennings went down on one knee even as he realized she sounded quite pleased about the fact.
“Shall I check it?”
With a swift movement, one that belied an injury, Marianne moved her dress even farther over her ankles and feet.
“There’s no need,” she said, her voice almost playful as her eyes watched him. “I believe it’s already quite swollen.”
Jennings worked at not smiling, but one peeked through. Their eyes held for several more lovely seconds before Jennings slowly leaned forward and brushed her lips with his own.
“Do you know what you’ve been doing to my heart?”
“I think I must.”
Jennings kissed her again.
“Will you marry me?”
Marianne sighed quite audibly.
“I feared you would never ask.”
A moment later she was on her feet and in his arms.
“I’m sorry it took so long for me to come to you.”
“I think I understand. It was about the children, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. It was foolish, but I felt completely forsaken. It took me several days to see what I was missing with you. I still miss them, but my time is finally free for you.”
“You’re sure?” Marianne teased him. “I could go away again.”
His arms tightened around her.
“I don’t think so. I’m going to see your father straight away and have the matter settled.”
“What matter would that be?”
Jennings looked deep into her eyes.
“I’m going to tell
him
that I love his daughter and want to make her my wife. And I’m going to tell
you
that there will never be a time when I don’t need you.”
“Even though you now know how deceitful I can be?”
“On the contrary,” Jennings said as he lifted her in his arms. “Your ankle is swollen. I’d best carry you.”
Marianne’s laughter sounded in the forest before the man she loved escorted her home. And just as he’d promised, he asked for an audience with her father and settled the matter straightaway.
Marianne Jennings leaned toward the window of the carriage as the horses drew it closer and closer to Thornton Hall, her eyes scanning the acreage for signs of the children.
“I see Penny,” Jennings said from beside her, having spotted the little girl first. “She’s just seen the carriage.”
Husband and wife laughed as the little girl ran in circles of excitement. They laughed again when she threw herself at them the moment they emerged from the carriage.
“Welcome home,” Thomas greeted as he emerged from the house.
“You’re back!” came from James.
“How are you?” Marianne asked, trying to hug and kiss them all at once.
“We’re fine.”
“When did you arrive?” Jennings asked as he led his family inside.
“Yesterday.”
The children had been taken from school for a special weekend so they could witness the vows of William Jennings and Marianne Walker, but that had been nearly a month past. The newlyweds had taken a long trip with plans to arrive home for the children’s week off. The Palmers and Hursts had done duty to get them to Thornton Hall so the “new” mother and father could drive directly there.
“And we’re here a whole week!” Penny said.
“Yes, you are,” Marianne agreed, now in the drawing room and taking that little girl in her lap. “And we are going to have a wonderful time.”
“Did you sea bathe?” James had to know.
Jennings and Marianne both laughed.
“Yes! It was very cold, but we couldn’t resist.”
“When will we go again?”
“I think next summer,” Jennings told him. “When the weather warms.”
For a moment they all looked at each other.
“We hoped you would marry,” Thomas admitted. “We wanted it for a long time.”
“I prayed,” Penny put in.
Marianne hugged her again and smiled at Thomas before looking to her husband. His eyes were on her, and for a moment they exchanged a look that didn’t need words.
“I need to show you something,” Penny said next.
“All right. Where is it?”
“It’s in my room. I made it at school.”
This was the way Jennings and Marianne spent their first day at home. The children thought of tidbits from school that they wanted to share or showed off art or papers they had worked on. Meals were relaxed and informal, and conversation was easy. Marianne had left on her honeymoon right after she was married, so she’d never lived even one day at Thornton Hall, but she could already tell she was going to like it.
And as lovely as the day was, it didn’t hurt her feelings in the least when it was time for the children to retire and she could be alone with her husband.
Jennings’ mind was running in the very same vein. He wasted no time taking her hand and leading her to their room.
“Am I dreaming,” Marianne said in his arms, “or am I really here with you?”
“You’re here,” Jennings said softly, as though trying to believe it himself.
“And the children—they’re mine now, aren’t they?”
Jennings smiled. “Each and every one, for better or for worse.”
Marianne held him a little closer. She wasn’t foolish enough to think that there would never be a worse, but right now, close in her husband’s arms, his head lowering to kiss her, it was the last thing on her mind.
L
ORI
W
ICK
is a multifaceted author of Christian fiction.
As comfortable writing period stories as she penning
contemporary works, Lori’s books (6 million in print)
vary widely in location and time period.
Lori’s faithful fans consistently put her series and
stand-alone works on the bestseller lists.
Lori and her husband, Bob, live with their
swiftly growing family in the Midwest.
To read about other Lori Wick novels,
visit
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
A Place Called Home Series
A Place Called Home
A Song for Silas
The Long Road Home
A Gathering of Memories
The Californians
Whatever Tomorrow Brings
As Time Goes By
Sean Donovan
Donovan’s Daughter
Kensington Chronicles
The Hawk and the Jewel
Wings of the Morning
Who Brings Forth the Wind
The Knight and the Dove
Rocky Mountain Memories
Where the Wild Rose Blooms
Whispers of Moonlight
To Know Her by Name
Promise Me Tomorrow
The Yellow Rose Trilogy
Every Little Thing About You
A Texas Sky
City Girl
English Garden Series
The Proposal
The Rescue
The Visitor
The Pursuit
The Tucker Mills Trilogy
Moonlight on the Millpond
Just Above a Whisper
Leave a Candle Burning
Big Sky Dreams
Cassidy
Sabrina
Jessie
Contemporary Fiction
Sophie’s Heart
Pretense
The Princess
Bamboo & Lace
Every Storm
White Chocolate Moments