The Villager

18

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Timothy ʚɞ

Dear brother,

    I write to you with an open heart. My heart misses you and the family. I do hope you find this letter well, & I do hope you write back to me. I apologize for my silence after your announcement with your engagement, but it was unexpected. My travels to you have taken up all of my time,  please expect me to see me soon along with James. We cannot wait to see all of you. Send my love to the family.

Love, Emily.

She is expecting a wedding. A wedding, and all I can give her is dissatisfaction when she arrives and I share the bad news. Though she was not fond of the idea of my announcement, all I can do is wait for her arrival and hope for the best outcome. James would be here with her. Mother loves James, just not taking her daughter across seas.

Setting my sister's letter to the side, I blow out a tired breath, holding onto the ring I have held onto for years. The ring I gave to Tiffany was long gone. No, this ring was different. A dark blue jewel sits upon a golden band awaiting for the special person to wear it, but all it does is sit in my pocket waiting for the right time.

I had picked this ring out once I found out Ruth was to be wedded, and when I tried to disrupt the wedding, Ruth's mother stopped me. She stopped me. She was not the biggest fan of mine, she never was. Even if I was a Viscount with riches. She would never approve of me asking her daughter for her hand in marriage.

I felt like a teenager again when my father died. Though I am mourning someone who isn't dead. Ruth will not speak to me, perhaps it was because of my sudden actions taken upon her that had angered her. I cannot blame her for being angry.

She thinks I will hurt her again. She believes I am still that same young boy she once knew, but with age, and loss, I have become the man she wished for. She deserves it.

"Timothy..." Mother is hesitant about entering my office, and I hide the ring inside my pocket once again and stanforth a smile at my mother. She notices my smile, entering the room slowly. "Mrs Lumpkin and I took a walk into the city this morning."

Sitting on the front of my desk, I raise a brow. "How did that go?"

"It showed the people we have no bad blood between our families. She was a bit disappointed, but she is happy that the two of you ended things off well, and her daughter isn't broken-hearted." She gives me this pity look she has once given to me when my father had died and told me I would take over the family name.

Looking away from the look with a clenched jaw, I hear her walk closer. "Did you see Ruth?"

"I did."

"Oh." She nods her head. "How is she taking the news?"

"Not good."

She is shocked by my answer, taken aback. "Have you told her-"

"Yes, she wishes not to hear it."

"Ti-"

"I cannot blame her," chuckling, I interrupt. "She begged for me years ago, and I took that for granted. I lost her."

"So, you are giving up?" Her eyes soften.

"I never said that." Standing from my desk, I rounded it to gather the letter I had received from Emily. "I am a Hampton. Hampton's do not give up. I love her, and she will marry me."

"Good," she hums, eyeing the letter in my hands and I reach it out to her. "What is this?"

"A letter from Emily. She is on her way here as we speak."