Storing Up Trouble, стр. 104
Beatrix wrinkled her nose. “You made me a new pistol purse?”
“And it’s a lot better than your old one,” Theodosia called, holding up the purse in question, one that was covered in brightly colored beads. “Gemma and Oscar helped put on all the beads, although Norman did promise Gemma you’d teach her how to shoot the purse someday, if he can convince you to—”
Norman cleared his throat, loudly.
Theodosia stopped talking for all of a second before she nodded. “Right, you’re in the midst of something important so I’ll just be quiet, but I do have to mention that you’re the one who brought up the purse in the first place.”
“I was stalling as I tried to get my scattered wits about me,” Norman said.
“Perfectly understandable,” Theodosia said. “May we dare hope your wits are no longer scattered?”
“I believe they’re returning to order.”
“Then do get on with matters, Norman,” Theodosia encouraged. “It’s turning into a very dramatic moment, and I believe I speak for all of us when I say we’ve had enough drama for today.”
Norman nodded. “Too right you are, so . . .” He turned back to Beatrix. “Would you be so kind as to clarify why you wouldn’t leave me when I told Harvey I’d tell him everything he needed to know after he let you go?”
Since that wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting Norman to say, Beatrix frowned. “I don’t think there’s anything to clarify about that.”
“Of course there is.”
Knowing Norman, what with him being a rather focused gentleman when he set his mind on something, wouldn’t continue until she gave an answer, Beatrix blew out a breath. “Not that this should come as a surprise to you, but I didn’t leave you because I’m inordinately fond of you.”
“Are you merely fond of me or might you be a bit more than fond?”
“Well . . .”
“Because I’m more than fond of you,” Norman interrupted before Beatrix could finish. “In fact, I love you, but if you’re only fond of me, I won’t bother saying anything else because I don’t want to put you in the uncomfortable position of having to decline my offer of marriage, which you’ll no doubt do if you’re merely fond of me.”
Beatrix found herself devoid of words.
Norman loved her, he’d said that out loud, and even though he hadn’t actually proposed to her, he’d done exactly that in a very Norman way.
“I love you too,” she whispered, which had his eyes widening before he, oddly enough, frowned.
“I suppose this is the part where I should actually propose to you, because I’ve just realized I didn’t do that yet.” He leaned closer to her. “Theo and I have researched the matter most extensively, and I have a few of the better suggestions in regard to extending a lady a proper proposal stored to memory.”
“I think you did propose to me and in a very charming way, at that.”
His lips began to curve. “Oh, well, right then, but I don’t believe you said whether or not you’ll marry me.”
“I would have thought my declaration of love for you would have been a sure sign that yes, I would love nothing more than to marry you.”
“You would love to marry me?”
“More than anything.”
Norman’s lips began to curve even more before he pulled her into his arms, and then he was kissing her in a way that was definitely more than merely pleasant.
Epilogue
DECEMBER 1886
“Is the bride nervous?”
Beatrix looked up from where she’d been waiting in a room reserved for brides at Grace Chapel in New York City, finding Norman sticking his head through the door.
“You’re not supposed to see the bride before she walks down the aisle,” she said.
“From all those articles and books Theo made me read, I know for certain that only pertains to the groom, and I’m not the groom today. Edgar is.” Norman slipped into the room and drew Beatrix to him, giving her a kiss before he stepped back and smiled.
“And while I did just inquire as to whether or not Gladys is nervous, how are you doing, Mrs. Nesbit?”
Beatrix returned the smile, knowing she would never get tired of hearing herself addressed as Mrs. Nesbit. “I’m fine, although it’s been rather difficult to keep Aunt Gladys in this room until the ceremony actually starts, what with how anxious she is to marry Edgar.”
Norman consulted his pocket watch. “She only has ten minutes to go.”
“She’s been waiting thirty years.”
“True.” He glanced to Aunt Gladys, who was having her hair fussed over by Blanche as Mamie flitted about, rearranging the small train that was attached to Aunt Gladys’s gown. “I’m still surprised Gladys agreed to get married in New York, and with all the pomp and circumstance I wouldn’t have thought she’d want.”
“She was concerned my mother was harboring a bit of disappointment over not being able to plan an elaborate wedding for me, what with how you and I decided to hold a very small wedding at the beginning of November, something I believe your mother was disappointed about as well.” Beatrix smiled. “However, what with how elaborate the wedding and reception we’re about to attend are sure to be, I’m certain my mother is no longer suffering from disappointment, although she might be suffering from exhaustion, given how much effort she put into making sure her sister’s big day would be truly remarkable.”
“And my mother is surely not still disappointed either, not after you told her you want to hold a spectacular ball at the end of January, introducing us as a newly married couple to Chicago society.”
“Your mother has no reason for any disappointment,” Theodosia said, stepping up to join them, looking rather smug. “I’ve asked her to plan my entire wedding to Stanley, and I’ve given her carte blanche.”
Beatrix grinned as she looked Theodosia over, taking in the stylish gown she was wearing as well as the vibrant curls that had grown longer, their vibrancy a direct result of a new formula Theodosia and Blanche had