Page 52 of Regency in Color

“What a grand idea.” A younger version of Mrs. Yarnsby strolled in. Her face bright. “Hello Thomas, I’m Penelope Humphries.” She held her hand out, and he shook it.

“Very nice to meet you Miss Humphries.”

“A wedding, how very exciting, I must tell Vivian at once.” She flew from the room. Mary gave him a quizzical look and then hurried after her.

Moira motioned for him to sit. “May as well eat. Now you’ve done it. You’re getting married within a day or two at the most.”

The wedding was setfor the following day.

* * *

The day flewby as everyone prepared the house and food for the celebration. They were to entertain the Duke and Lady of Barrow as well as, Lord and Lady Torrington, Mr. Yarnsby’s adopted parents.

Thomas kept busy with his new duties. New staff had been hired and he’d spent most of the day at the stables and the corral with a new driver and another man who was to take over care of the horses.

It had been announced that the Yarnsby’s were to move soon, closer to Lark’s Song and the estate was to be used for hospitality.

Apparently Mr. Yarnsby and Lord Torrington had been working on the plan for several months. With Mary’s travel to London, she’d been informed of the upcoming move just the day before and was thrilled at the prospect.

Standing near the corrals, he turned to the estate and studied the grand home. In truth, it was much too large for a single-family and he understood the Yarnsby’s wishing to be closer to family.

When Mary appeared through the kitchen door and looked over, her face softening at spotting him, he waved to her.

She walked to him and he didn’t move, content to study his soon to be wife as she neared. Mary had a way about her that made one take notice. She was lovely.

“You seem deep in thought,” she said, accepting a kiss to her cheek. “I hope you’re not troubled about anything.”

He shook his head. “Considering we will be married tomorrow and that I will be moving into your bedchamber is giving me pause. What will happen when we relocate?”

Pursing her lips, she studied him for a moment. “Mr. Yarnsby has already promised us a charming cottage. I am so excited about you overseeing the construction of it.” She clapped her hands over her chest. “It will have to be perfect.”

“It will not be our land, or our home. If anything were to happen, we could be tossed out without any recourse.”

He hated to dampen her happiness, but it was true. Only a landowner could be secure in where he lived.

“That would never happen,” Mary said giving him an incredulous look. “Why would you think Vivian would ever send me away?”

When he reached to touch her arm, she leaned away, and he met her gaze. “I know she would not. However, futures are not guaranteed.”

“How about we go forward as planned. Let us offer to purchase land from Mr. Yarnsby and build on that. Would that sooth your worries?” Mary studied him waiting for his reply.

There wasn’t any doubt that because of the high regard the family had for Mary, they would not hesitate to offer the land free of charge. He would not accept the terms and insist on paying for it. It was more than he could have ever hoped for, land of his own. The thought of owning land and his own home filled him with anticipation and pride.

“Very well. Once our wedding day and all the celebrations are over, I will speak to Mr. Yarnsby. Don’t you dare speak to him first.”

It was obvious by the way she looked to the side it was exactly what she’d planned to do. “Very... well,” she replied, with hesitation.

Mary placed a hand on the center of his chest. “I am so fortunate to have met you Thomas. I cannot wait to be your wife and spend the rest of our lives together.”

The way she looked up at him made Thomas feel as if he could move mountains with his bare hands. Never before had a woman looked at him the way she did. Perhaps there had been adoring looks, but none had brought out the response in him like Mary did.

“Thomas,” Harold walked toward them with a rope in one hand. “Where should we put the new horses?”

Mr. Yarnsby had purchased a team of very expensive horses, which were to be housed in a not yet built larger stable.

Thomas blew out a breath. “Since this is being done backwards, we will have to leave some of the other horses in the corral overnight.”

“Good thing the weather’s warmer,” Harold replied with a chuckle. “I do believe our employer is overly excited about his new venture.”