A Lady of High Regard

by Tracie Peterson

  Garrett appeared just as Mia’s parents stepped into the hall. “Good morning, Mrs. Stanley, Mr. Stanley.”

  “Garrett, my boy, how are you this fine day?”

  “Doing well, sir. I heard through my spies that Mia is awake and feeling much better. I had hoped you would allow me to visit her.”

  Mia couldn’t see Garrett, but she saw her father nod his head. “I think under the circumstances, it would be perfectly acceptable. Now don’t overtire her.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  She watched her parents disappear as Garrett glanced around the doorframe. Mia threw him a big smile. “Don’t just stand there in the hall—come in.” She smoothed the covers rather nervously and motioned to the chair her father had just vacated. “Sit there.”

  “You must be better,” Garrett said, doing as instructed and pulling the chair closer to the bed. “You’re already bossing me around again. That’s a very good sign.”

  She feigned disapproval. “I do not boss you around. Now sit there and tell me everything. I want to know about your father’s funeral.”

  Garrett sobered. “It was a quiet affair. There were many people, however. He was well loved.”

  “I wish I could have been there for you and Mercy—and the girls.” Mia reached out her hand and Garrett took hold of it. “I am sorry, Garrett. I know how you loved him. He was a very good man.”

  “He was, to be certain.”

  “You’re a good man too. I understand I have you to thank for my rescue—once again.” She met his gaze and felt as if his eyes were boring holes into her soul.

  “I thought I would die when I realized you were shot,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “I thought I had failed to keep you safe.”

  “I remember nothing,” Mia said, shaking her head. “Father said it’s probably a blessing.”

  Garrett’s expression darkened. “Yes. I believe so.”

  “I do remember one thing,” she said, eyeing him carefully. “I seem to recall you telling me something in the buggy. Something rather startling.”

  He raised a brow and looked puzzled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Liar.” She grinned. “I spent the last few years of my life praising you to all of my friends. I searched for a woman of quality—a lady of high regard who might make you a good wife, only to realize, nearly too late, that I wanted to be that woman.” Her grin turned into a wide smile. “I still want to be that woman.”

  “Oh, Mia. How could I have been so blind?” He kissed her fingers and held her hand against his cheek for just a moment. “You have been my dearest friend for longer than I can remember. The love of my life, and yet I couldn’t see the matter for what it was.”

  “I couldn’t either.” She thought back to the times when being this close to Garrett had caused her to feel strange and confused. Now it all felt right.

  “I love you, Mia. I will always love only you,” he said, reaching up to touch her loose blond hair.

  “And I love you,” she said with a grin.

  For a moment neither one spoke. Garrett stroked her hair as if completely mesmerized. She remembered him once being fascinated that it was so long.

  “I could cut it,” she said. “If it bothers you.”

  “Don’t you dare. I’ll not have my wife wearing short hair.”

  Mia giggled. “Do you know what you’re getting into if you take me for a wife?”

  Garrett leaned back at this. “I suppose I do. I’ve had a great deal of time to think about it. You aren’t very obedient, and you put yourself at great risk when you think the occasion merits such deeds. You are rather bossy at times and seem to have trouble listening to wise counsel. If there is a dangerous task to be done, I’m sure to find you squarely in the middle of it. And, if there is a cause to be had, I’ve no doubt you will be at the head of the charge declaring for all the world the details of the injustice at hand.”

  “That sounds just about right. Although I do not have trouble listening to wise counsel.”

  “And are these the only conditions upon which I might receive your approval to marry?”

  “No. There is one other.”

  Garrett frowned. “Pray tell.”

  “You have to ask me.”

  He laughed. “I guess I’ve asked that question so many times in my mind, I thought I’d already done the deed.”

  “Well, you haven’t.” She folded her hands together primly. She had always thought she’d be wearing gloves when her first marriage proposal came. After all, that was the demanded protocol. Of course few women were proposed to while lying in bed. How very scandalous this proposal would be! She would have great fun telling their children someday.

  Garrett stood and looked down at her. The intensity of his gaze made Mia shiver, but for all the right reasons. “Mia Stanley, I have loved you since you were born. You have always shared a part of my heart that belonged to no one else. Please say that you will marry me—that you will grow old with me.”

  Mia smiled and surprised them both by opening her arms to him. “I will.”

  Garrett hesitated, then shrugged as he cast propriety aside. Leaning down he pulled her gently into his arms. “If your father finds us like this, we’ll no doubt have to marry before the first snow.”

  “I’ve no intention of waiting that long,” Mia whispered.

  Garrett nodded and lowered his mouth to hers. “Neither do I, my love. Neither do I.”