"Now, how are we going to pull the wool over the family's eyes?" Tom questioned. They were splayed out on Mary's bed companionably, and when Mary turned to face him she found herself within an oddly tempting two centimeter's distance from his lips.
Inhaling sharply, she spoke tensely, "I've thought of that. We won't have to. We're going to elope."
"What!" he exclaimed, propping himself up on his elbow. "After all the talk of the scandal if Sybil and I eloped, you're willing to do that now? When you're already in trouble?" he gestured wildly at her stomach.
Mary pouted. "I resent that! It would've been a scandal because you were the chauffer then. As for now, it's a quiet wedding between two widowed companions finding comfort. Besides, weddings take ages to plan, and I would start to show by then, not to mention all the people who would try to talk us out of it."
"I suppose you're right." He collapsed back down into the pillows.
"Of course I am." She said smugly. "Now, I'd like to do it sometime this week, if possible. You must help me plan our escape."
"Can't we just drive off one day, say we're going to town?"
"Nonsense. It has to be somewhat romantic, or they will question us when we get back. A mysterious exeunt at dinner, notes on beds, car driving off loudly, that sort of thing."
"I hope you don't forget the trouble this will cause me," Tom grumbled, half-teasing. "Your father will be out for my blood, first for stealing yet another of his daughters and secondly for the scandal. And Catholics don't believe in divorce. I hope you're not ignoring that detail in your great plan."
Mary quieted, fidgeting nervously with her necklace. After a time, she whispered, "I know I'm asking a lot, but I won't apologize for it. I told Anna that I want to be as happy in my second marriage as I was in my first, and the fact that I'm marrying you out of convenience does not alter my original intentions. I want to be happy with you, Tom. Really, truly happy. Even if it's not romantic, or even if it isn't either of our first choice, I want it to be a real marriage. I will be married to you until the day I die." She peered up at his shocked eyes through a lock of hair.
"Oh, Mary…" he breathed dazedly.
"I trust you Tom, and that means more than you know."
He reached out and cupped her cheek. "I trust you too, and I wish you the very best. I hope I can make you happy."
She placed her hand over his. "You already have. Thank you." She closed her eyes, exhausted from her emotional confession.
He kissed her on the forehead, making her lips twitch upward slightly. "Get some rest."
"Come see me in the morning."
"I will."