“Thank you,” Agatha said, blushing a little. “Neither have you.”
“I’m a little broader in some places,” Theodore joked, patting his stomach.
Agatha chuckled. “It suits you.”
A gentle silence fell over them as they stood in reverie at one another.
“Would you like to go for a walk in the garden? I can chaperone you,” Lydia said.
“I think we’re far too old for a chaperone,” Agatha chuckled, but she did not protest when Lydia joined them. Theodore offered Agatha his arm, and she took it willingly. Together, they went outside, and Lydia followed a few paces back.
“I’ve been speaking to Lydia, and it seems as though you have lived a full life,” Theodore said.
“Indeed, I have, one that has been filled with both triumphs and tragedy.”
“I am sorry to hear what happened. Parents should never outlive their children.”
“No, and I miss them every day. But I see so much of him in Charlotte, Edmund, and Lydia. They have all grown into fine people.”
“I’m sure they have, especially if Lydia is any indication. She is an intrepid young woman, and I have much to be grateful to her for. If it was not for her, then I would not be standing here.”
“No, she does like to make the world better for other people.”
“Do you find it strange that we are standing here after all this time?”
“A little, yes, especially as so many of our peers are no longer with us.”
“There are times when it is hard to ignore the days are dwindling, but I do hope that I have a good few years left in me yet.”
“And to make the most of them, no matter how many there are.”
“Indeed,” Theodore replied. They walked around the garden slowly, sharing stories of former acquaintances and reminiscing about old times. Lydia thought that Agatha must have been relieved to speak with someone who had lived through those times with her. They also talked about the years they had spent apart, Agatha who had a family, and Theodore who did not.
“I always did hope that you found someone who would take care of you, Theodore. You were far too good a man to spend life alone.”
“I could not love anyone after you, Agatha. I tried, and for a time, I even thought of getting married for practical reasons, but it seemed wrong of me to marry someone when I would always compare her to you. I never forgot you, not over all these years.”
“And I never forgot you, either. And even though I am happy with my life and the people in it,” she glanced over her shoulder at Lydia as she said this, “there are times when I think about what might have happened if things had been different. If we had…”
Her words trailed away. Theodore bowed his head. He stopped suddenly and turned towards her.
“I have never been an impetuous man, Agatha, but being here with you has stirred something in my heart. I had to walk away from you once, and I’m not sure I can do so again. Would you consider marrying again? We can give each other a second chance. Of course, I know the diamond of the Season must have many suitors…” he said with a wry smile.
Agatha tapped his shoulder and chuckled lightly. Lydia pressed her lips together. While she was happy for Agatha, she couldn’t help but feel slightly galled that her grandmother would get married too, and she would be the only unwed member of the family. At this rate, even Clara, Mary and Alfred’s daughter, would be a bride before her.
“Thankfully I have no overbearing father to make my decisions for me, unless you object.” Agatha shot a look towards Lydia, who raised her hands and shook her head. Agatha turned back toTheodore. “I would be honored to be your wife, Theodore. I just hope I am worth the wait.”
“I have no doubt,” Theodore said. They hugged tightly, and as Lydia gazed upon them, all bitterness was dispelled from her heart, for how could she be selfish enough to think of her own pain when faced with such wholesome news?
Theodore and Agatha shared a secret whisper before Theodore approached Lydia. He took her hands gently and gazed with eyes shimmering eyes, the eyes of a man whose life-long dream had been fulfilled, a man for whom the impossible had happened.
“Lydia, I want to thank you sincerely for your letter and your encouragement. I was an utter wreck on the way here. I did not feel as though I could ever match up with Agatha’s memory of me, but now, I am glad that I did not allow my fears to get the better of me.”
“It is my pleasure and honor, Theodore. I don’t feel that anyone should go through life being unhappy, not when things can be so easily rectified,” she replied.
A strange look came over Theodore’s face.
“It’s funny you should say that because I know of another who is unhappy, and I would like to offer you some advice so that I may repay the favor you have shown me.”
