Easton shook his head. “No, the banns will be read, and we will marry in three weeks.”
Mia was the next to speak. “Lady Devon, would you be willing to help my sister and me plan the wedding?”
Lady Devon nodded vigorously. “It would be my pleasure.”
Easton reached for his beloved’s hand beneath the table and squeezed. It pleased him immensely that she would include his mother in the wedding preparations.
“Mother, would you bring out the family jewels so Miss Parker may choose a ring.”
“Of course, my dear. There are several to choose from.”
After nuncheon, Lady Devon excused herself. “I’ll only be a moment.”
She soon returned to the drawing room, to which everyone had adjourned, and unwrapped a piece of navy velvet. Tucked inside were six exquisite rings with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
“Please choose whichever ring you like,” Lady Devon said.
“Thank you.”
Easton saw Mia’s eyes widen as she looked at the collection of rings sparkling against the velvet. “Which do you like best, my love?”
Mia studied the rings a moment longer before choosing the sapphire stone with a small diamond on each side. It had the smallest center stone of all the rings, but the sapphire was nearly the color of her eyes. “I do love this one. Blue is my favorite color.”
“Are you sure?” Easton asked. “The other rings are larger.”
“This one is perfect.”
He took the ring from her and slipped it on her ring finger. “Yes, you are.”
The day after they’dtold their families of their betrothal, Mia woke with a smile on her face. The first thing she did was look at her beautiful ring. The more she looked at it, the more she loved it and knew it was the right choice, especially as the small diamonds sparkled in the sunlight.
She could hardly believe she was betrothed to the man she loved with all her heart. Hearing that Alex had been watching her all Season had been a surprise to her. She’d been so focused on having fun that she almost missed being with the love of her life. The more time she spent attending one event after another, the more she’d realized that fun was all well and good, but there needed to be a balance. She was glad that Alex hadn’t given up on her but had waited for her to come to that realization herself.
Today, she was going to call on Lady Victoria and Lady Arabella to share her happy news. She knew her friends would be happy for her. All three of them had spent time together talking about gentlemen and which ones they deemed to have the qualities they were looking for. Mia had said her numberone requirement was that the gentleman be witty and as fun-loving as she was. Lord Easton was neither of those things, but in the end, they’d been foolish things to hope for in a husband. Easton’s quiet ways had won her over, and she couldn’t be happier, for she loved him dearly.
There was a soft knock on the door before Beatrice walked in holding a tray with hot chocolate and toast. “Good morning, Miss Mia. The staff and I want to wish you happy. We’re thrilled you’re marrying Lord Easton. He seems like such a good man.”
“Oh, indeed he is. I’m the luckiest woman in all of England.”
Beatrice set the tray down over her lap. “Enjoy your chocolate while I prepare your bath.”
“Thank you, Beatrice.”
After a long soak, her maid helped her into her underthings. “Which dress would you like to wear today?”
“The blue one. It matches my ring.”
“Your ring is quite beautiful, Miss Mia.”
After another hour of getting her hair styled and finishing dressing, Mia went down to the dining room for breakfast. Both Audrey and Fletcher were there. Her sister had agreed to accompany her on morning calls today.
Fletcher’s plate was empty. He must have eaten earlier, before Audrey joined him.
“Good morning!” she said with a huge smile.
“Good morning, dearest. I hope you slept well,” Audrey said, sipping her tea. There were a few pieces of fruit on her plate, but that was all.
“I did indeed.”