Chapter Thirteen

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As no one had made plans for a picnic Mr. Melbourne had made mention of on our drive, I took it upon myself to suggest such a scheme to my mother. To my surprise, she was delighted with the idea and began planning it immediately.

She spent several days organizing details such as where the picnic could be held and what guests might enjoy such an outing. The Forresters, of course, were first on the list. Mr. Bywood and Mr. Ward were added soon after. Mother was of a mind to invite her close friends the Marches.

"We'll invite Mr. Melbourne too, of course, " my father said before I could think of a tactful way to suggest it myself.

"Oh, yes," I said immediately. "After all, he is the one who first thought it an excellent idea."

"Did he?" Mother asked, her tone losing much its previous enthusiasm. She shook her head. "Well, you never mentioned that. I suppose since I've already invited everyone else there is no way out of it now."

"Is there some reason, beyond a mischievous youth, that you disapprove of about Mr. Melbourne?" I asked, growing impatient with her.

"What a question," Mother said with a huff. She bent over her list with determined focus.

"A reasonable one, I might say," Papa said, turning the page of his newspaper. "Since that boy first spoke to Grace, you've done nothing but glare and mutter about him. After how much you have pushed our daughter at every bachelor for twenty miles, I would think you would be delighted she has finally chosen someone."

Mother tossed down her quill, ignoring the ink spatters that resulted from such action. "But why Melbourne, of all men? He is young! He was a rapscallion the last time he came into company. What distinction does he have?"

"He makes me laugh." I said the first thing that came to mind. Mr. Melbourne's smile rose up in my memory and I could almost hear his teasing laugh.

"And that makes him worthy?" Mother asked with a scoff. "If you had put your mind to it, any of the other gentlemen could have done the same. Shall I invite them all back now that you've decided to live life?"

My father let out a laugh. "Sir Anthony has married, dearest. That might be a bit awkward."

"So you have no real objection to Mr. Melbourne?" I asked, determined to have an answer.

"I have seen men like him," Mother snapped. "All he does is smile and laugh! That kind of man is unreliable, and any woman who marries such a man will only have her life ruined. Is that what you want for your future? Ruin and heartache?"

"Mr. Melbourne has not given me any reason to think he might be trifling with my affections, nor any indication that he would result in such a dire future you describe," I said honestly. "He has been courteous and I have enjoyed myself immensely every time he has been in my company."

"Well, I have found him to be trivial and shameless."

And she still hadn't given me a valid reason for her dislike. Papa lowered his newspaper. "Mary," he said, his tone less amused than before. "Are you displeased because this courtship came about without your instigation?"

Mother's cheeks flushed bright red. "John! Do you believe I would be so petty?"

"Yes," Papa and I said at the same time. My father raised an eyebrow at me.

"Grace, the question was not directed at you," Mother said with dignity. "And I resent that answer. I have always wished for our daughter's future to be secure, John. If I was certain Mr. Melbourne's intentions were serious, I would be delighted. However, I do not believe that to be the case."

"Because his disposition is jovial?" I asked skeptically. "That is all you have against him?"

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