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She inclined her head, wiped at the corner of her mouth with the linen napkin Becky had somehow found yesterday when she’d been advising on just how the dining room should be set. “Adventures of that sort would be most exciting, should one be so fortunate and blessed to participate.” She glanced fondly at her mother, who was studying her too. “But I could never leave my mother.”
Daniel drew in a breath, tension spiraling within. That was the most chief of his concerns.
“I don’t wish you to sacrifice your future for me, my dear,” her mother said.
Theodosia laughed. “I should hardly think that chasing one’s own adventures would be considered sacrificial. Indeed, one might consider it most selfish indeed.”
Becky laid her utensil to the side of her plate. “Is it selfish to wish to be happy?”
The question seemed to float around the table until it gently rested on Daniel. “I believe perhaps it can be,” he said slowly, “when one’s pursuit of happiness comes at the expense of others.”
“I do not believe happiness need be everything.” Theodosia rested her fork on her plate. “Happiness tends to be a momentary thing, too often circumstantial. What brings us happiness can vary.”
Becky fluttered her hands. “Oh, like when one has the most perfect gown and you think yourself a picture, then you realize that in certain lights the color does absolutely nothing for your complexion, so what brought joy one moment brings unhappiness the next,” said Becky.
“I suspect joy is rather a different commodity to happiness,” Theodosia mused. “I see joy more as a bedrock to one’s life, always there, connected to one’s sense of contentedness and peace.”
“That comes from assurance in one’s purpose in this life,” Daniel interposed.
“And assurance for the next,” she replied.
“Salvation brings a sense of joy that those who do not know it can be hard-pressed to find,” Daniel said.
“I agree.”
Their gazes entwined, and he knew a new certainty that this shared faith was as it ought be.
“I should think that your merry heart would be enough to bring you joy, Miss Stapleton,” Musgrave said gallantly.
“Ah, but this merry heart cannot always be merry, so it needs a firmer foundation than my emotions might provide.”
Daniel nodded, glancing around at the walls. “Much like this house needed shoring up to stand the tests of time.”
“There is little point in having pretty rooms if they are only going to fall,” Theodosia agreed.
“A man’s heart needs a sure foundation, Lieutenant Musgrave.” Mrs. Stapleton leaned back in her chair. “I would hope that one would seek that solid foundation in God’s truths.”
“Indeed, ma’am,” he said seriously. “One should. One does.”
“Forgive me, but I do not see how all of this pertains to having adventures,” Becky complained.
“We have found ourselves wandering down a path or two, haven’t we?” Theodosia said. “Let’s just say you are sure to find happiness as you appreciate the new and embrace the unfamiliar.” She patted Becky’s hand. “It is not everyone who is as fortunate as you, getting to travel and see the delights of London.”
Becky’s face fell, and it was apparent she took little pleasure in what Theodosia was determined to regard as a treat.
“That’s right, dear,” Mrs. Stapleton said. “Opportunities do not come to all, and when they do, one should be sure to make the most of it. I was that way when I married my husband and had to leave the known parts of Derbyshire to come here. Though I cannot say it has always been easy, it has been most worthwhile. One never knows what might lie on the other side of an invitation.”
“That is very true, ma’am.” Musgrave gave Daniel another sidelong look before switching back to Theodosia. “What say you, Miss Stapleton, to the power of an invitation?”
Daniel’s breath suspended. That was indeed the question.
Theodosia glanced at Daniel, then back at Musgrave. “It depends on the details of the invitation, sir.”
The air in the room filled with a dozen unsaid things.
“Never should I hope to be considered the person who stops a loved one from being willing to accept an opportunity.” Mrs. Stapleton clutched her cameo brooch. “Instead, I’d wish to be like my dear parents, who waved me off with a smile. A mother wouldn’t like to think she might impair someone’s happiness.”
Theodosia turned loving eyes upon her mother. “You could never impair my happiness.”
