Without hesitation, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to her.
When the kiss ended, Nicholas smiled down at her. “Shall we go for a stroll?”
Jenny took the arm he offered her, and they began to walk through the darkening park.
A few steps later, Jenny caught sight of Louisa falling in line behind them. “What are we to do about Mr. Thompson?” Jenny asked. “Should we wait for him to make an appearance?”
Nicholas shook his head. “The hour is late. Although I appreciate everything he’s done, if he wants to meet with me, he can do so at my home. I must ready myself to meet your parents tomorrow.”
Jenny’s heart soared at his words. “I think they’ll approve of you.” She laughed and touched her head. “Mother is going to have a fit when she sees my hair.”
When they arrived at the waiting carriage, Tibbons gave Jenny a wide grin as he opened the door. Soon, the trio was heading back to the school. Although no one spoke a word, there was no need. The smile Jenny and Nicholas shared said all Jenny needed to know.
Chapter Thirty-Six
For nearly two hours the following morning, Jenny sat across from her parents with Nicholas sitting beside her. Much to her relief, they were pleased. Granted, Nicholas’s title likely played an important part in causing her father’s frown to become a wide smile.
Her father readily gave his permission for them to marry, and soon the men were discussing business and hunting as if they had been friends for a very long time.
“I still cannot believe you cut your hair,” Jenny’s mother said. “You must promise me to never listen to Maria again. She has been pulling the wool over your eyes since you were a child. How many times have I warned you not to pay her any heed?”
Jenny smiled. “Too many times to count. And I promise to keep a level head from this day forward.”
“Good. Now, let’s discuss this upcoming wedding of yours.”
When the time came for her and her parents to leave, a sense of sadness washed over Jenny. The school had been her home for the better part of four years, and the thought of leaving her friends and Mrs. Rutley tore at her soul. But she would be fulfilling her greatest dream—marriage to the man she loved.
“May I say farewell to my friends?” she asked her parents. “I promise not to be long.”
After gaining permission, Jenny walked over to her Sisters. “This day is proving more difficult for me than I ever imagined. I’m pleased because of what my future holds, but I’ll miss you all so very much.”
It was Ruth who approached her first, wrapping her arms around Jenny and whispering, “I’ll miss you terribly, my friend. Until I see you again.” And in true Ruth fashion, she walked away. Ruth despised anyone seeing her weep.
“We wish you all the best,” Unity said, Theodosia joining her. They looked even more like twins today with their hair tied back with a ribbon that matched their yellow day dresses.
Then came Louisa, the Sister to whom Jenny had grown closer these past weeks. “Do take care,” Louisa said. “No one deserves happiness more than you. And do write when you can. I want to know everything!”
Jenny laughed. “I shall, I promise.”
When Louisa was gone, only Mrs. Rutley remained. The headmistress opened the front door and led Jenny onto the portico. Jenny’s parents waited outside their carriage. Nicholas stood beside them, the reins of his dappled horse in his hand.
Jenny turned to her headmistress and smiled. “Mrs. Rutley, when I first arrived at the school, I was but a child. But you’ve shown me what a woman should be. No words will be able to express how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“Sometimes words are unnecessary,” Mrs. Rutley said as she embraced Jenny. “You should be very proud of the woman you’ve become because I surely am.”
Once the embrace ended, Jenny glanced at the carriage. Her parents were looking at her expectantly. It was time for her to leave. To return and prepare for a new life with the man she loved. Yet saying goodbye was far more difficult than she had expected. For so long, she worried this day would never come. Did she truly want to leave?
But as always, Mrs. Rutley seemed to hear her thoughts. “It’s time to go, Jenny. You have people who love you waiting.”
“I do,” Jenny replied. “And if a Mr. Thompson happens to write… well, I suppose it does not matter. Goodbye, Mrs. Rutley.”
After one final hug, Jenny made her way to the carriage. There, she stopped to gaze at her fiancé. The man she loved. The journey that led to today had been worth every step.
“We’ll see each other again soon,” he said.
She nodded. “But a fortnight seems like forever.”
Nicholas smiled down at her. “No, forever is how long we’ll have once our vows are spoken.”