Thomas eventually settled on the large sofa in the drawing room with his leg slightly raised on two cushions stacked on top of one another and a drink in his hand. The room was quiet for now, with his brothers and their wives talking amongst themselves in lowered voices, entering and exiting the drawing room at random intervals.
Thomas did not take much notice of them, their movements or their conversation, for that matter. He was much too focused on reflecting on the lovely Miss Rebecca Morton. Her beautiful dark eyes, the colour of her golden hair, the manner in which she gazed upon him. The lightness of her touch, her smile. It all fit together perfectly, like an exquisite puzzle.
She had certainly made quite an impression on him.
He sipped his drink, deep in thought. Never in his life had he met a woman who had shown as much interest in fossils. She had asked him questions and genuinely listened to him. Most women whom he had spoken to about his interest in such things were disinterested in the subject, finding it tedious and boring, not to mention filthy. But not Rebecca.
He wasn’t sure whether she was merely acting interested to take his mind off his injury or if she was genuine, but Thomas hoped her curiosity was sincere.
Perhaps the next time he saw her, he could ask her to accompany him on his next hunting excursion. At least he would then know if she was truly interested in his hobby. It would be a good way to thank her for skilled stitching and kind ministrations.
Comical laughter drew his attention back to the drawing room and his eye caught his brothers and the women’s stares.
Thomas’ brows raised expectantly, and James chuckled. “He is back,” James said.
“I beg your pardon?” Thomas asked.
“We thought we lost you for a while, Thomas,” Emma said with a concerned expression on her face.
Emma was a classic beauty, as Charles often described his wife. Her elegance was unrivalled and despite her youth, she had become the mother-figure of their family. She was filled with wisdom and advice on how to navigate life and any given situation.
She had been married to Charles for nearly a decade, and that in itself warranted a standing ovation. Charles was not the easiest man to live with, but Emma did so with the utmost grace. She was always focused on her family’s well-being and comfort. And at times, at the expense of her own. Nevertheless, she had a caring heart, and they’d become very close over the years.
“My apologies. I didn’t hear a single word you said,” Thomas said.
“What on earth has occupied your thoughts so intently that you were unable to hear any of us?” Robert asked.
“It must be something very important,” Abigail said.
“Or perhaps, someone,” Charles said.
The others stared at Charles with intrigue, then turned their attention back to Thomas.
Thanks, brother.
“Have you met someone, Thomas?” Emma asked.
He had, but should he share that information so soon?
“You all will think I am foolish,” Thomas said.
“We already do, little brother,” James said with an amused tone.
His brothers laughed while the women fobbed them off.
“Allow him to speak,” Emma said and looked at Thomas with encouragement, as she usually did. “Tell us, Thomas.”
“Unless he does not wish to, of course,” Julia said.
Emma nodded and looked at him.
Thomas sighed. He may as well tell them. They would find out soon enough and could perhaps offer some feminine advice.
“Her name is Rebecca Morton. She is the daughter of Dr. Morton, the physician I saw this morning. She attended my injuries.”
“She did a fine job,” Emma said.
“She asked me what I was doing at the cliffs, and I told her about my fossil hunting. Unlike all the women I have told about it in the past, she seemed genuinely interested.”
“Her eyes didn’t glaze over at all?” Robert asked.
“Much like yours are now?” James asked Robert with a chuckle.
“Not in the least,” Thomas said and stared down at the glass in his hand. “She asked a lot of questions about it. How fossils are formed, where I locate them. No one has ever done that.”
“You must see her again,” Emma announced.
“You think so?” Thomas asked.
“If she sounded genuinely interested, perhaps you could take her to the cliffs. When your leg is better, of course,” Emma said.
“I was thinking the exact same thing,” Thomas said.
“Perhaps that is not a good idea,” Charles said.
“And why not?”
“She might slip and fall as well,” Julia said.
“Or Thomas might bore her to death,” James said.
“That is up to her to decide,” Emma said and turned to Thomas. “I am certain she would enjoy it.”
Thomas nodded.
“What do you know of this young woman?” Charles asked him. “Other than the fact that she is the daughter of Dr. Morton?”
“I know she is kind and very good at assisting her father at his rooms. She has a calming voice and demeanour that stopped me from panicking while she sutured my wound. She made me comfortable. And she did not mock me or make me feel foolish for falling.”
“She sounds lovely,” Abigail said with a smile. “And if you feel you wish to invite her on an excursion, do so.”
“But do introduce us first,” Robert said. “We would love to meet this young woman for ourselves.”
“Indeed. And wish her luck, of course.”
Thomas narrowed his eyes but did not respond to his brothers’ teasing. As the youngest Melton brother, he’d grown accustomed to the mocking, the harassing, and often retaliated in a manner that was more abrupt.
He’d learned to live with it, but admittedly, it had been much easier to tease Robert and James when they were still unmarried. Abigail and Julia had changed everything, and Thomas hoped that Rebecca was able to do the same for him.
Hopefully she would agree to hunting for fossils with him, although he was not certain where. He did not have much mobility now and would most
