When she arrived back home her father wasn't in. She was eager to ask him what it was that Charles had wanted to see him about. She sat in the sitting room with a piece of embroidery trying to pass the time, but she was so distracted that she couldn't concentrate on what she was doing. She had started out trying to decide whether or not she would be happy if her father told her that Charles had asked for her hand, but she ended up recounting Violet's comments about her reaction to seeing Drake.
The way she had felt when their eyes met certainly was the way that she had always dreamed love would feel like. But she couldn't possibly be in love with him. She didn't even know him. Even though they had already shared two rather intimate embraces, they were both accidents and did not mean anything. She didn't know anything about him, his family, or what he did for a living. Judging by his fine attire and the way he spoke he appeared to be wealthy and well bred. Well, perhaps educated and cultured would be better words, she thought, for he certainly displayed appalling manners. Not that her actions had shed her in a very favorable light she had to admit. She had been wantonly pressing herself against him in that doorway, she confessed to herself, a blush tinting her cheeks. Now what did that mean? Frustrated, she tossed the embroidery aside, knowing that it was useless to even try.
She decided to help Lucy in packing away her winter wardrobe and unpacking her lighter clothes to take her mind off things. She was instructing one of the grooms on which trunk to bring down from the attic when she heard the carriage out front. She finished her instructions and went downstairs to greet her father. She found him in the library, pouring himself a brandy.
"Hello, Father," she said walking into the room.
Gregory turned, took one look at his daughter and burst out laughing. "You look like a scullery maid," he said in response to her questioning look. "You're all covered in dust," he explained. "Whatever have you been doing?"
Virginia caught sight of herself in a mirror and she indeed was a sight. Her hair was in disarray and she was covered in dust. There was even part of a spider web caught on her shoulder. "I was in the attic. I've been helping Lucy put away my winter clothes and bring down my spring wardrobe."
"Why were you helping her? You shouldn't be doing that."
"I needed something to occupy myself. I was feeling fidgety and restless this afternoon."
With a sly smile, her father said, "I know that Charles told you he had wanted to see me."
Feigning disinterest, she replied, "Yes, he did mention it." Trying to maintain her aloof air she said, "What was it he wanted to see you about?" Without realizing it, she nervously bit her lip awaiting his answer.
"I'm afraid my dear, that I have been sworn to secrecy." He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to his. "Although, I am to tell you that he wishes to call on you late tomorrow morning. And I would suggest that you make sure you have a handkerchief handy as you may be shedding some tears." Once again seeing a puzzled look in his daughter's eyes, he added, "I daresay they will be tears of joy." He playfully wiped some dust off her nose before placing a kiss there. "Now, why don't you get cleaned up? We should be dining soon."
Virginia looked at the clock over the fireplace. The hands read 5:30. It was indeed much later than she had thought. She returned to her room to prepare for dinner.
Gregory sank into one of the leather club chairs before the fire and took a large gulp of his brandy. He stared into the amber liquid as he recounted his meeting with Charles earlier that day. He had been sitting there in the library when the butler announced that Charles Thompson had come to see him.
"Hello Charles, what brings you here?" he had asked the younger man as he entered the room.
"I would like to speak with you about Virginia."
"Why of course, have a seat. Would you care for a brandy?"
"Yes, thank you."
Gregory handed Charles a glass and they both sat in the worn leather chairs.
"What is it about Virginia that you wished to speak?"
"First I would like to commend you for holding up your end of our bargain. Your daughter has indeed warmed to me and I do believe that she has even developed some feelings for me as well. In return I did as I promised. Do you agree?"
Gregory nodded wordlessly and took a sip of his drink.
"I believe that all of your debts are paid and that you are managing to subsist nicely on the income from your remaining trust fund." He stared into his glass a moment before continuing. "I find, however, that we may now have run into a small problem."
"Problem?" Gregory asked.
"I should like to ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage and that is where the problem lies."
"Oh, but I'm sure Virginia will be delighted. She will most surely accept your proposal."
"That is not the problem I was referring to," he said stiffly. "What I meant was that it is traditionally the bride's family who pays for the wedding and who also supplies her trousseau. I know that this is impossible for you."
Gregory's face fell. He had forgotten about the tradition and that Virginia would require a trousseau. "Oh dear," he said weakly, before taking another sip of his brandy.
"Since I have grown so fond of your daughter, I am willing to pay for the wedding and to give you some additional money so that Virginia can purchase whatever else she may need. Just have the bills sent to me."
"Thank you. You are very generous and understanding," Gregory said with some difficulty. He hated having to be so humble to this man but for Virginia he would endure any humiliation.
"Splendid," the younger man said happily. "Please let Virginia know that I will be calling on her late tomorrow morning. But do not tell her why. I'm sure she suspects however I would like to maintain at least a semblance of surprise." With that he rose, collected his hat and coat and left the library. His brandy sat untouched on the small table next to his vacated chair.
Gregory had sat before the fire for a few minutes until he heard Charles' carriage drive away. He summoned his butler and requested his own carriage. He had suddenly felt the need to be out of the house.
He now sat before the fire again, humiliated but also relieved that Virginia would be taken care of. He was finishing his brandy when the butler announced that dinner was being served.
Virginia dressed with great care the next morning and she instructed Lucy to fix her hair as pretty as possible.
"Is this a special occasion Miss Virginia?" Lucy asked, brushing out her long coppery curls.
"I believe Charles is going to ask me to marry him," she replied.
"Oh miss, how exciting!"
"I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I know that he visited Father yesterday and that whatever they spoke of, Father was sworn to secrecy. However, he did tell me that I was going to be very happy." Even though she wasn't happy or excited she thought that if she pretended to be it might help her to really feel that way.
She sat in her room waiting for Lucy to announce Charles. When she finally did, Virginia took a deep breath and went downstairs.
She smiled brightly at him and said gaily, "Two visits in as many days. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Charles smiled brightly as well and as Lucy was in the room, he kissed her on the cheek. "I have something I would like to speak to you about."
"Yes, what is it?" She hoped she didn't sound too eager.
"As I'm sure you know, I have grown quite fond of you over the last few months and I believe that your feelings for me have grown in much the same way."
"Yes, yes they have," she said, silently thankful that he had not said that he loved her, for she would not have been able to return the sentiment.
"And I think that our feelings for each other will continue to grow." He got off the couch and knelt before her, holding out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal a stunning diamond ring. "Virginia, will you marry me?" he asked.
Virginia's look of surprise was genuine as she had never seen such a magnificent ring. She heard herself saying yes and Charles slipped the ring onto her finger. Right in front of Lucy he kissed her full on the mouth.
She stared at the ring noting how brilliantly it sparkled in the morning light.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
"Yes, it's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it." Rising she walked over to Lucy. "Lucy, isn't is beautiful? Have you ever seen anything like it?"
Charles frowned at Virginia. He didn't like the way she was so familiar with her maid and with the other servants in her house. That would change after they were married. It would not do for his wife to be so friendly with the servants.
"It is beautiful, Miss Virginia. Congratulations."
"It's becoming the custom on the continent to give diamond engagement rings. I hope you don't mind being the first girl in Liverpool to have one."
"No, no not at all," she replied, still dazzled by the ring. "Let's go show Father."
They shared the news with her father, who, of course, already knew, and after Charles had left she sat in her room staring at the ring. She watched the light dance across the stone and sparkle and shine. She had agreed to marry him. But she didn't love him.
Lucy came in to help her change. Yesterday she had made arrangements to visit Violet today and let her know what happened. "You don't look very happy, Miss Virginia. Is everything alright?"
"I don't love him, Lucy."
"That will change, miss. You'll grow to love him."
"I suppose you're right," she sighed. Before he began calling on her, she thought she wouldn't even like him let alone develop any feelings for him. "Maybe love will blossom eventually."
She stared at the ring a moment longer. "I always thought it would be different. I thought it would be a wonderful, magical feeling. Have you ever been in love Lucy?"
