Page 112 of The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals 1)

Quinn laughed as she looked up at me. “I promised the minute Mother and Annabelle were here, we’d do it, so I guess we’re getting married tomorrow.”

Harley cleared his throat, then tapped his glass. “I have an announcement as well. Merry and I went to see Pastor Lind this morning, and we’ve married.”

Both Lizzie and Quinn pounced on a blushing Merry. She held up her hand to show off a gold wedding band. “It was Harley’s mother’s,” Merry said. “And Poppy’s graciously let me have it, even though it was meant for her.”

Poppy grinned. “I’m never getting married anyway.”

“And why not?” Harley asked.

“Boys are disgusting,” Poppy said. “And anyway, I’m going to be a veterinarian and won’t have time for a husband.”

“I think that sounds like a splendid idea,” Quinn said. “But if you’re like me, you might find a man despite your other plans.”

“Papa, turn on music, please,” Josephine said. “So we can dance.”

I turned on the phonograph, and the children pranced around the room. Jasper stood by the fire looking miserable. Lizzie sat on the couch drinking her champagne and looking equally despondent. For such a smart man, Jasper was making a terrible mistake.

I took Harley aside and poured him a whiskey. “Congratulations. When will she move into the cottage with you?”

“We wanted to check with you first,” Harley said. “Is it all right?”

I slapped his shoulder. “A man should be with his wife.”

Abruptly the music stopped. Jasper, near the phonograph, lifted his glass. “I have something to say.”

Everyone paused what they were doing and turned toward him.

“I’ve been a fool,” Jasper said. “Lizzie, I don’t want you to marry Clive Higgins. And you might like him because he’s a butcher and you’re a cook and all that, but you belong with me. We belong to each other.”

She stared at him.

“I want you to be my wife. I have money of my own, thanks to the lord’s generosity. I can take care of you.”

Lizzie’s mouth had dropped open a smidge, but she continued to stare at him as if he were a ghost.

Jasper crossed over to her and dropped to one knee. From his pocket, he pulled out a round diamond with tiny emeralds surrounding it. His grandmother’s ring. She’d left it to him when he was only a kid. I’d forgotten.

“Please, Lizzie, will you marry me?” he asked.

“I…I thought you didn’t love me.”

“I lied. I was afraid.”

“Of what?” she asked.

“Of not being enough for you. I’m boring and old-fashioned, and you’re the opposite.”

“I’ve loved you since we were children. It’s not like you’ve changed.” Lizzie smiled as she reached out to caress the side of his face. “I don’t find you boring.”

“Is that a yes?”

“It’s a yes,” she said.

The children all cheered. Poppy and Josephine held on to each other by the hands and galloped around the room.

I put the music back on, and we poured more champagne and danced and laughed and talked deep into the night.

Chapter 35