Chapter 45

"I…ummm…just thought that it was a private thing between us and did not know if you wanted anyone else to know about us yet."

"Oh Jacob! Do you really know me so little?!" at his puzzled look she continued, "I would shout my feelings for you from the rooftops, if we had rooftops down here. You are just not very forthcoming about your feelings and I did not want to presume when or if you wanted the community to know."

"Mary, dear sweet Mary! I am sorry if I have let you wonder in any way about my feelings for you. I love you without any reservation or doubt. I would be glad to tell everyone we know that we consider ourselves a couple. But do you think that now, with Devin's situation, would be a good time?"

She thought about it for a time and then answered, "My thought would be that maybe a bit of happy news might help to lighten or distract them, but I think we should ask Vincent first. He always has such a level head on his shoulders."

"I think that is a fine idea."

Vincent was just about to return to the hospital chamber when he heard a call on the pipes for him to please come to Father's study. When he arrived, he found Father and Mary waiting for him. "You wanted to see me Father?"

"Yes Vincent, will you come in and sit down? Mary and I have something to tell you and then ask you."

Vincent did as requested and waited to see what they had to say.

Father took a breath and then reached out for Mary's hand. She looked at him with a shy smile as he began to speak to his son, "Vincent, I know that this will come as a shock to you, but Mary and I have been seeing each other since your wedding."

Vincent smiled indulgently at the two of them and said, "Father, do you really believe that anything like that could remain a secret here Below? I am very happy for the two of you and even happier that you are planning to let people know. But your news does not come as a shock at all. Truth be told, I know for a fact that there are many people that have already started working on wedding gifts for the two of you."

"Wedding gifts?!" Mary gasped softly.

"Yes Mary, why are you surprised? The two of you are planning to be married, aren't you? Think of what a bad example that would set for our young people, if you were to live together in sin?" Vincent was ever so glad that his time with Catherine had taught him how to tease in a loving manner.

"Live in sin?! As if we would do such a thing! Of course we will be married!" Father exclaimed as if making a royal decree.

Mary didn't quite see red, but she'd had enough of people around her assuming what her feelings and plans were. Getting to her feet, she put her hands on her hips and faced Father. "Jacob Wells, even if you are confident of what my answer would, a lady likes to be asked! There will be no talk of weddings until I have had a proper proposal!" With a light stomp of her foot, she left the study.

Vincent struggled to keep his mirth in check, "Father, far be it from me to give an older and wiser man any advice, but I do think that Mary is right."

"Well of course she is!" Jacob sputtered. "And I fully intend to go and do that now!"

As Father hurried after Mary, Vincent got up to return to the hospital chamber and met Catherine heading the same way.

To be continued…..