“And then, one day you did. I knew the moment you walked into this house that you were the one for my Josephine. You were the one she’d been waiting for, even if she didn’t know it. She’s different with you. Lighter. Joyful. That longing in her is gone. She’s given you her full weight, young man. A gift like no other.”
My eyes stung as I gathered myself. “If I may, I’d like to say that I, too, had a longing for someone. This chronic loneliness that only went away when I read Jo’s letters. I don’t know why or how, but we fill that empty space for each other.”
“For that, young man, I shall be forever grateful that you arrived on our doorstep declaring your love for a girl you knew only through letters. She wrote those letters to the soul mate she’s wanted all these years. God intended for you to have them. There are no accidents that way.”
I bowed my head and, to my utter dismay, started to cry.
Lord Barnes put a hand on my shoulder. “Ah no, son. No tears today. You’ve had enough of those for a lifetime. You’re a Barnes now. You’ll never be alone again.”
His kind words only made it worse. I buried my face in my hands and willed the tears to stop. Before I realized what was happening, Lord Barnes had lifted me to my feet and taken me into his arms. I should’ve stiffened and drawn away like a man, but in that moment I was a boy again. A boy no one wanted. A boy who craved the arms of a father.
“It’s all right, dear boy.” Lord Barnes patted my back. “All that’s behind you now. We want you. All of us. Even stuffy old Jasper likes you, and he doesn’t like anyone.”
I laughed through a sob before drawing away. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me.”
“You’ve been alone for too long a time, that’s all.” Lord Barnes put both hands on my shoulders. “Don’t ever be ashamed to show Josephine what you’re feeling. A wife likes to know what’s inside a man’s head. I’ve learned that from Quinn. They’re less afraid of emotion than us.”
“Yes sir. All that said, perhaps my bursting into tears could be kept from my future wife.”
He laughed as he let go of me. “I hope you will come to me if you ever need anything. Advice. Or just to talk.”
“Thank you, I will.”
“Now, there’s one thing I have to discuss with you. You’ll want your own nest to make your own family.”
I hung my head, immediately ashamed. “I thought I’d rent a place for us in town.”
He poured another finger of whiskey in his glass. “I don’t think that will be necessary. I’ve set up a savings fund for all of the girls for when they marry. Quinn wanted me to. If something happened to me, they’d still have a dowry. Even without your income, Jo has more than enough to live modestly for years to come, as well as build a house if you so choose.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s one stipulation.”
“Yes?”
“If you have it in your heart to take pity on your father-in-law, I’d be most grateful if you’d build a house on our property. Any spot you want, as long as I can see your light from my windows. It’s the only thing I’ll ever ask of you.”
“Lord Barnes, I’d be very happy to do so. In fact, I have a feeling I know where Jo will choose.”
He sighed, seemingly relieved. “Thank you for taking pity upon me. I promise not to interfere too much. Although we’d love to have you for Sunday dinner.” He grinned as he waved his hand around. “Only every so often, of course.”
“It’ll be our pleasure.”
He snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot. I have something for you.” He strode over to the desk. “When Josephine was born, my father and mother sent a ring that they’d had in the family for years. They asked that I give it to her when she married. It belonged to my mother’s beloved aunt, also named Josephine.”
He handed me a small velvet bag. I untied it and pulled out an emerald ring surrounded by small diamonds. “Sir? Are you certain?”
“Will she find it too old-fashioned, do you think?”
“She’s old-fashioned too. I think she’ll love it.”
“Use it to propose to her,” he said. “I want my little girl to have a moment to tell her children about. She’s been such a good daughter all these years, and I want her to have it all.” Now it seemed to be Lord Barnes’s turn to cry. “Look at me. Sentimental old fool.” He dabbed his eyes.
A soft knock on the door followed by Quinn’s voice interrupted us. “May I come in?”
“Yes, darling, Phillip’s with me.”
/> She entered, eyes sparkling in the lamplight. “Has it happened?”