Cora

Although a few houseguests still remained at Twickenham Manor, the party had ended for Cora five days ago when Simon left. The guests who would continue on to Simon’s home for the hunting party remained, as well as Wetheridge, unfortunately. Cora noticed that he seemed to be wherever she was, standing only a few feet away. He was quick to offer his arm as an escort. For the past few days, he had been polite, sedate, attentive, and reserved—entirely annoying.

In a lapse of judgment that only lasted two seconds, Cora wished Simon’s sisters were still there to keep him occupied, but then Lady Atkins would be also. Wetheridge was the lesser of two evils—maybe. Lady Atkins would never seek out her company—so no worries there.

Cora was hiding in the gardens, having evaded him after breakfast. She might have to take a tray in her room for her meals for the next two days to avoid him completely. She was tired of being polite. No, I don’t wish to take a ride with you. No, I don’t want to walk with you in the gardens. No, you cannot be of assistance to me today on a shopping errand. No, no, no. Sheesh.

On the bright side, Cora had spent many hours in the little music room on the second floor where she and Simon had held their latest concert. It was a little bit of a workout for her foot to pump the bellows, but the tiny organ was a rare treat to play. The melodeon’s sound was somewhere between a harmonica and a bagpipe. Cora found it especially suited to country tunes. Her memory played a song in her mind, and she imagined the music around her, swaying to the beat as she walked.

Something dark moved to her right. Cora sucked in a quick breath as a man stepped out from a side trail between two bushes. To her relief, it was Everett.

“Sorry to startle you,” he said.

“I thought you were someone else.” Cora sat on a nearby garden bench and let out a sigh.

“Wetheridge was conscripted by Aunt Nellie to drive into Mayfair and pick up some tea cakes at Gunter’s for breakfast tomorrow. You’re safe at least until supper.” The easy smile Everett always seemed to have melted into a serious expression. “Actually, there is something I wanted to talk with you about.”

Their last “serious conversation” sprang to Cora’s memory. He had warned her not to break Simon’s heart. “You don’t need to worry. I’m not playing with Simon’s heart. I’ve given up the marriage game completely. I truly enjoy his company. You’re a great friend to worry for him, but you needn’t as far as I’m concerned.”

Everett’s smile returned. “Well, that’s not what I wanted to talk with you about, but it’s nice to know. Rather personal, really. You didn’t need to defend your feelings to me.”

“Oh.” Cora could feel her cheeks warm. She smirked in Everett’s direction. As if he never involved himself in personal matters. But instead of pursuing it, she changed the subject and asked, “What is it, then?”

Beginning to pace away from her, then suddenly turning back and pacing some more, Everett stopped and blurted, “I’m going to propose to Lucy.” Then the pacing resumed, his hands clasped tightly behind his back.

“Congratulations?” Cora wondered what the matter was. They seemed an ideal couple to her. She sat facing him with her arms folded in her lap until he came to a stop before her.

“I don’t know how. I mean, I know the words, but I want this to be special. It has to be right. Lucy has waited so long, and I want her to be sure of my. . .attachment to her.” Everett’s eyes slid toward Cora and quickly away.

“You love her.” Why was that so hard to admit? They used the euphemism “attached,” but it could mean any number of things.

“Yes.”

“Make sure you say that part. Those three little words.”

Everett’s head jerked a nod. “Right. Capital. What else?”

He looked at her with need and desperation. The man was falling apart.

Cora rose from the bench. “Sit down and take a breath.” She thought it went without saying but perhaps not. “There’s the part about ‘Will you marry me?’”

“All right. This is good. I say, ‘I love you. Will you marry me?’ That’s it, then.” He stood, and Cora knew he was going to leave.

“Wait. The best part comes between those two sentences.” Cora sat and pulled him back down beside her. “Why are you marrying her? Of all the women you know, why her?”

The stress fell away from Everett’s shoulders. “Lucy is beautiful and kind. The sort of woman who is equally comfortable with a crowd or just the two of us.” He looked out toward the hedge, but Cora was sure he was seeing Lucy in his mind instead. “You may not know that she has a quiet sense of humor. Just a quick comment. Sometimes I’m not sure I heard it, but her lips quirk a bit, and I know I did. And she’s accepting. She treats people with fairness and respect. She’s a better person than I could have ever hoped to live my life with.”

Cora was truly happy for her dear friend—for both of them. Her eyes were a little cloudy, and emotion lodged in her throat at the sincere admiration in Everett’s confession.

He stiffened and pinned Cora with a look. “What if she says no?” The look of desperation crept back onto his face.

“Everything you just told me goes between the first two sentences. You’ve got this. Talk to her father. Talk to her. Flowers don’t hurt. Tell me the good news when you’re done.”

Everett stood and tugged at his sleeves. “I will.” With a nod, he walked off.