Page 42 of Convincing Marianne (The Widows of Lavender Cottage #2)

Chapter Thirty-Three

O ne week after the festival found Marianne sitting in Lady Joanna's elegant drawing room, surrounded by the Somerset Widows and basking in the sort of satisfied exhaustion that followed great success.

Teacups clinked gently against saucers, Mrs. Smith's celebratory scones disappeared at a remarkable rate, and the conversation buzzed with the particular energy that came from achieving something everyone had believed might be impossible.

"Four hundred and thirty-seven pounds," Lady Margaret repeated for perhaps the tenth time, shaking her head in amazement. "I've been managing charitable events for twenty years, and I've never seen anything like yesterday's response."

"It wasn't just the money," Caroline added thoughtfully. "Did you see how many people stayed to help with cleanup? How many asked about volunteering at the orphanage once it's built? We didn't just raise funds—we created a community around this cause."

"A community that will ensure the orphanage's long-term success," Lady Joanna observed with obvious satisfaction. "That's worth more than any single donation, no matter how generous."

Marianne felt a warm glow of pride as she listened to her friends dissect the festival's achievements. This was what they had built together—not just an event, but a movement that would continue long after the last lantern had been extinguished.

"Though I must say," Victoria added with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, "the festival's romantic conclusion was quite the dramatic flourish. I don't think Somerset society will stop talking about Lord Alton's public proposal for decades."

"It was rather spectacular," Charlotte agreed with obvious delight. "The way he simply stood up and declared himself in front of everyone! So wonderfully impulsive for such a controlled man."

Marianne felt heat rise in her cheeks, though she couldn't suppress her smile. "He certainly surprised me. I had no idea he possessed such theatrical instincts."

"Oh, my dear," Lady Joanna said with the sort of knowing expression that suggested she'd seen this coming long before anyone else, "a man doesn't spend months helping organize a charity festival unless he's desperately in love with his co-coordinator.

The only surprise was how long it took him to admit it. "

"You knew?" Marianne asked with amazement.

"We all knew," Margaret confirmed. "The way he looked at you during planning meetings, the way he found excuses to extend discussions about logistics, the way he practically glowed whenever you praised his organizational suggestions..."

"Not to mention," Caroline added gently, "the way you looked at him when you thought no one was watching. You've both been transparently in love for months."

"Then why didn't anyone say something?" Marianne demanded, feeling slightly betrayed by their collective observation of her romantic struggles.

"Because," Lady Joanna said with fond exasperation, "you both needed to figure it out yourselves. Love that's pointed out by helpful friends rarely feels as authentic as love that's discovered through personal revelation."

"Besides," Victoria added pragmatically, "interfering in other people's romantic affairs is risky business. Better to provide opportunities for natural development than to meddle directly."

"Opportunities like festival planning that required intensive collaboration?" Marianne asked with dawning understanding.

"Opportunities like festival planning," Lady Joanna confirmed with satisfaction. "Nothing reveals character like working together under pressure toward shared goals."

Marianne realized she'd been masterfully managed by women who understood human nature far better than she'd given them credit for. "You orchestrated the entire thing."

"We provided the framework," Margaret corrected. "You and Lord Alton provided all the actual feeling and dramatic tension. We simply ensured you had sufficient opportunities to discover what you meant to each other."

The conversation turned to other festival-related matters—vendor feedback, suggestions for next year's improvements, preliminary planning for the orphanage's construction—but Marianne found herself only half-listening.

Part of her attention was focused on the window that offered a view of the lane leading to both Lavender Cottage and Henry's estate.

"Expecting someone?" Lady Joanna asked with obvious amusement.

"Henry said he'd call this afternoon,” Marianne admitted, feeling slightly foolish about her anticipation.

The sound of approaching hoofbeats drew everyone's attention to the window. Henry appeared on the lane, riding toward Lady Joanna's house with the sort of focused determination that suggested important business.

"Well," Lady Joanna said with satisfaction, "it appears your fiancé is as eager as you are."

Marianne felt her heart skip as Henry exited his carriage and approached the front door. Even after last night's declarations, even after their honest conversation in the lavender fields, she still felt a flutter of nervous excitement at the prospect of seeing him again.

"Should we make ourselves scarce?" Charlotte asked with exaggerated innocence.

"Absolutely not," Marianne replied quickly. "You're the ones who orchestrated this entire romance. You deserve to witness the aftermath."

Henry was announced and entered the drawing room with the sort of careful composure that suggested he was still processing the dramatic events of the previous evening.

He greeted each of the Widows with respectful courtesy before turning to Marianne with an expression that made her feel suddenly breathless.

"Ladies," he said, "I hope I'm not interrupting important business."

"Just celebrating yesterday's triumph," Lady Joanna replied smoothly. "Please, join us. I believe we owe you considerable gratitude for your excellent festival coordination."

"The festival's success was entirely due to collaborative effort," Henry said diplomatically, settling into the chair nearest Marianne. “I'm learning that the most rewarding achievements require partnership rather than individual control."

"Speaking of partnership," Victoria said with barely concealed excitement, "we're all quite eager to hear about your wedding plans. When can Somerset expect to celebrate another romantic triumph?"

Marianne felt heat rise in her cheeks at the direct question, but Henry answered with admirable composure.

"We haven't discussed specific timing yet," he said, glancing at Marianne with obvious affection. "Though I confess I'm eager to formalize our engagement as soon as properly possible."

"How eager?" Lady Joanna asked with interest.

"Eager enough that I've already spoken with the local vicar about availability," Henry admitted, and Marianne caught the slight embarrassment in his voice at revealing his efficiency in romantic planning.

"Henry!" Marianne exclaimed with surprise and delight. "When did you speak with Reverend Dunley?"

"This morning," Henry replied sheepishly. "I realize it's presumptuous to make inquiries without discussing it with you first, but I wanted to understand our options."

"And what did you learn?"

"That if we're willing to have a relatively simple ceremony, we could be married as early as next month. If we prefer a more elaborate celebration, spring would provide more time for planning."

"Next month?" Marianne repeated, feeling her pulse quicken at the prospect.

"Only if that appeals to you," Henry said quickly. "I don't want to rush you into anything you're not ready for."

Marianne looked around the room at the women who had become her chosen family, all watching this conversation with obvious fascination and approval. These were the people who mattered most to her opinion, and their expressions suggested unanimous support for whatever choice she made.

"Henry," she said slowly, "what kind of wedding do you want?"

"I want the kind of wedding that makes you happy," he replied without hesitation. "Whether that's an intimate ceremony with our closest friends or a grand celebration that includes half the county."

"But what would make you happy?"

Henry considered this seriously. "I want our wedding to reflect who we actually are rather than what social expectations might dictate. I want it to be genuine, meaningful, and thoroughly ours."

"So not necessarily elaborate?"

"Not necessarily elaborate," Henry confirmed. "Though if you want elaborate, I'll happily plan the most spectacular wedding Somerset has ever seen."

Marianne felt a warmth spread through her chest at his obvious desire to prioritize her preferences. "What if I want something that's meaningful and thoroughly ours, but not particularly elaborate?"

"Then we could be married next month," Henry said, his eyes lighting up with hope.

"Next month," Marianne repeated, testing the idea. A winter wedding, small and intimate, focused on their commitment rather than social spectacle.

"There's something wonderfully romantic about a winter wedding," Caroline observed. "Especially for a couple who found their way to each other through charitable work. Very fitting to begin your marriage during the season of giving."

"And," Margaret added practically, "a December wedding would allow you to be settled into married life before the orphanage construction begins in earnest. Much more convenient for managing such a large project."

"Not to mention," Victoria said with obvious delight, "that planning a wedding in four weeks will require exactly the sort of intensive collaboration that brought you together in the first place."

Lady Joanna nodded approvingly. "Sometimes the best way to test a partnership is to attempt something ambitious together under time pressure."

Marianne looked at Henry, seeing the hope and uncertainty in his expression as he waited for her decision. This man who had spent months trying to plan her life for her was now waiting patiently for her to choose their future together.