“Cecily.” Harry took her arms and slowly drew her toward him. He pressed his lips to hers. Cecily made a soft sound as her hand clutched his shoulder. Encouraged, Harry slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, breathing deeply of her perfume. He kissed her again.
He reluctantly drew away from her sweet lips and soft body. “If I don’t see you tomorrow, I promise to write.”
“Iwillbe there.”
She turned and darted away.
Harry went thoughtfully back to his parents’ house.
He sought his father in his study and explained what he intended to do tomorrow.
Father nodded. “It’s an admirable quest, whether or not it succeeds, my son. My best wishes for your success.”
“I enjoy coming home to see you and Mother,” Harry said. “I trust it wasn’t too much of a trial?”
“Not at all. Your mother always looks forward to your visits. I hope your next one will be soon.”
“Not for a while, I fear.” He cleared his throat. “But I intend to write to Cecily, as I’ve said. And I hope that in the future, when I can afford to, we can marry.”
“A trifle hasty, isn’t it? You hardly know the young lady.”
“Didn’t you say you fell in love with Mother at first sight?”
His father acknowledged it with a smile. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up if I were you. I shouldn’t like you to be disappointed.”
“You don’t think when I’ve got a better position, Mrs. Dunstable might give her approval?”
His father frowned. “I doubt it.”
“Why?” Harry asked despondently. “Am I not a decent enough fellow?”
“You are my son and a decent man. That should speak for itself. But I believe Mrs. Dunstable wants her daughter to remain with her.”
Harry’s eyes widened. “Until she marries?”
“She has shut the door on a few gentleman callers. I doubt she intends Cecily to marry.”
“Never? But that’s unfair!” Harry’s blood boiled with anger.
“It happens, Harry. No sense in fighting it. Some daughters stay at home to care for their mothers.”
“Not Cecily. She is too full of life. Why, it would be as bad as burying her in a dungeon like Lady Margaret!”
His father’s eyebrows rose, and he reached for his pipe. “Yes, well. As I say, don’t make any firm plans concerning that young lady.”
Harry watched his father press down the tobacco in his pipe. “Then I shall have to find a way to change the woman’s mind.”
His father puffed his lighted pipe, filling the room with smoke. “Your mother would be pleased. She likes Cecily.”
“Good. I’d best pack my bag.”
His father chuckled. “Your mother will have done that for you.”
*
Cecily found hermother beside the parlor fire, at her sewing. She looked up and smiled. “I used to enjoy darning your father’s socks. Such a pleasant pastime. I hope you weren’t reading one of those gothic romances. I’m sure it affects the balance of your nerves. They are filled with a lot of romantic nonsense, which is nothing like real life.”
“I’m not.” She slipped into a chair beside her. “Mother, don’t you want me to fall in love and marry?”