He’d just decided to go upstairs and change into an evening suit himself, when he heard the door open and saw Joy tiptoeing into the house, carrying her shoes and stockings in one hand, completely covered in mud in a dress that was mere rags.
“Ahem,” Thomas cleared his throat, announcing his presence.
Joy stopped where she was. “Sorry. I lost track of time. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
He watched her for a moment. “I’ll phone the Brookshires and let them know we were unavoidably detained and will be there within the hour. In the meantime, get upstairs and get out of those rags. Hurry and bathe.”
Joy nodded. “I’m sorry!” And she hurried up the stairs.
To say he was disappointed would be putting it mildly, but she was a country girl. And she hadn’t hidden her love of dirt and gardening. She was being her true self, and he wasn’t sure that he could fault her for that.
An hour later, they arrived at the Brookshires’ home, and they were immediately seated. Thankfully, it was only the two couples, and they hadn’t kept others waiting.
The maid took them into a parlor there on the first floor, and Thomas introduced Joy. “This is my wife, Joy, and Joy, this is Mr. and Mrs. Brookshire.”
“I do hope everything is all right,” Mrs. Brookshire said. “It’s unlike you to be late.”
Thomas nodded. “Yes, Joy volunteered at an orphanage for the first time today, and she lost track of time,” he said simply. He wasn’t about to tell them they could have made it if they hadn’t minded his wife showing up with dirt caked up and down her legs. No one needed to know that detail but him and his servants.
Mrs. Brookshires smiled. “You’ll have to join a few committees with me. We’re always looking for more volunteers. It will keep you busy until the children begin to arrive.”
Joy smiled radiantly. “I do look forward to the children.”
“You’ll find they bring you a great deal of joy.”
“I bring joy wherever I go.”
They all laughed at her little joke, and Joy felt as if she were forgiven for her tardiness. Forgiven by everyone but Thomas that was.
