“If that is what you want, my dear, then that is what you will have,” Easton said.
Mia rushed into his arms. “Thank you, darling. Now, are you ready to tell your parents our happy news?”
“Absolutely. Good day, Fletcher, Lady Fletcher,” Easton said.
“Good day, Easton,” Fletcher said.
Mia gave Audrey one last hug and then slipped her hand in the crook of Easton’s elbow as they left Fletcher House.
When they got to Devon House, they found everyone gathered in the drawing room before nuncheon.
Lady Devon was the first to notice them in the doorway. “Easton, Miss Parker, what a delightful surprise. Please join us. We were about to have nuncheon,” she said.
“Thank you, Mother. Before we go into the dining room, I have an announcement to make,” Easton said, leading Mia inside.
Lord and Lady Devon, Kathryn, and Sam all stood and crowded around them.
“Happy news?” Lady Devon asked.
Easton held up Mia’s hand. “I have asked Miss Parker to marry me, and she has accepted,” he said.
Lady Devon’s hand flew to her mouth, and tears pooled in her eyes. “Oh my goodness. This is indeed happy news.”
Lord Devon shook Easton’s hand. “Well done, my boy,” he said before turning to Mia. “May I hug you, my dear?”
Mia rushed into his arms, and the earl held her tightly.
“I can see how happy you make my son. Thank you, my dear.”
“I love him with all my heart.”
Lord Devon stepped back to allow the rest of the family to offer their congratulations.
When it was Kathryn’s turn, she hugged Mia first before hugging Easton. “So I was right all along?”
He chuckled. “Yes, dear sister, you ferreted out my secret. Both you and Mother guessed correctly that I was in love with Miss Parker.”
Mia looked at Kathryn. “You knew?”
Kathryn shook her head. “I only observed how my brother’s eyes never left you whenever you were both in the same room together.”
“Oh my, I never noticed,” Mia said. “I am sorry, my darling. I should have been more aware.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. Everything happened as it should,” Easton said.
“Well, this calls for champagne,” Lord Devon said. “Jeffers!”
The butler appeared within moments. “Yes, my lord?”
“Jeffers, my son is engaged. Please bring a bottle of champagne into the dining room.”
The butler turned to the happy couple. “I wish you both happy,” he said.
“Thank you, Jeffers,” Easton said.
“Nuncheon is served. I will return momentarily with the champagne,” he added.
When everyone was seated around the dining room table, and all the toasts had been made, Lord Devon asked, “So, Easton, will you be obtaining a special license?”