“You have us now,” Cymbeline said. “We’re more than enough family.”
Flynn laughed. “Whether you want us or not.”
“I do want you all,” Shannon said. “I’m grateful to be a Barnes.” She let out a merry, tinkling laugh. “Even though there are so many of you.”
“We love having you as part of our family,” Papa said as he raised his glass. “To better health for you and your mother.”
We all lifted our glasses. I took a small sip of the red wine that had been poured with the second course, a pastry stuffed with shredded beef, but set it aside. Wine tasted terrible.
Theo set my hand back on my own lap, then stood. “I have an announcement.” He raised his glass. “Louisa and I are going to marry by the end of the summer.”
Stunned silence greeted us. All eyes turned to me. His announcement had clearly taken them all by surprise. Were they against the idea? I studied the food on my plate and burned with shame. They didn’t want me as part of the family.
“You’re all invited,” Theo said, joking, as he sat back in his chair.
The table broke out in excited chatter, everyone talking at once, asking for a date and other details of which we didn’t know the answer.
Alexander tapped his glass. “Here, here, quiet down. We need a toast. Congratulations to Theo and Louisa.”
“Congratulations,” Quinn sai
d, echoing her husband. We all raised our glasses. I drew in a shaky breath, relieved that it was only surprise that had rendered them silent.
“Before year’s end,” Theo said, sounding defiant as well as resolute. A shiver ran up my spine. The man had strength he didn’t display all the time, yet it was there under the surface of his quiet ways.
“Will Aunt Annabelle make your dress?” Delphia asked. “She makes the prettiest dresses.”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’ve not even thought of it.”
Addie’s wan face lit up with delight. “You’ll be a very pretty bride, Louisa.”
“Thank you, Addie.” A lump formed at the back of my throat.
“I say we open champagne and have a toast,” Alexander said. “I’ll have Jasper grab a bottle from the cellar.”
“Apparently Prohibition doesn’t include us,” Cymbeline said, sounding happy.
19
Theo
* * *
Louisa was sitting on the fence by the horse pasture when I came home from work that evening. She was hatless, and her hair blew around her face, lifted by the breeze. She looked so fetching in a worn cotton dress that butterflies seemed to dance in my stomach.
I parked and got out of the car rather stiffly. It had been a long day. I’d spent most of it helping a woman give birth to twins. I’d been thankful when I’d been able to get both little boys out safely and still had time to get home for dinner.
Louisa jumped down and ran to greet me. “Theo, welcome home.”
“Hello, beautiful.” I pulled her into my arms for a light kiss. “Where is everyone?”
“They’re all in the back having drinks before dinner, but I wanted to wait for you here.”
“That’s nice,” I said.
“I’ve been thinking.” She took both my hands in hers. Without gloves, her hands seemed small and pale.
“Yes?” I held my breath, afraid of what she might say.