“Mrs. Wakefield?”
“Herself,” he said.
“And she’s passed judgment on me already?”
“Not a negative word,” he said.
“But she doesn’t know about this,” I said, holding up my ringed finger.
He was silent.
“Does she?”
“I have no mother, Lorelei. I checked out the ring with Mrs. Wakefield first. To be sure it was good enough.”
I was silent.
How much of an influence would Mrs. Wakefield be after we were married? Should I be concerned? He seemed to hear my thoughts.
“But you’ll be the number one woman in my life forever. Sooner rather than later,” he emphasized.
We drove on.
Mr. Dolan and Julia, who was off that evening, were watching television together in the den. Mrs. Wakefield saw us first. I looked at her for a reaction. She didn’t smile. She just nodded. Obviously, she had kept it secret. Maybe she had suspected that I might not accept Liam’s proposal. I had taken my time, and that could have made her think so. Any other girl Liam knew would surely have clutched the ring instantly, behaving like someone lost in a desert who was being offered a glass of water.
When we entered the den, both of them looked up quickly.
“What’s going on?” Mr. Dolan asked. He rose, reaching for the remote control to put the television sound on mute. Julia looked at us suspiciously but with a soft, sweet smile.
“I’ve asked Lorelei to marry me. I’ve given her an engagement ring,” Liam blurted.
Mr. Dolan’s eyes smiled first, and then his lips softened and he stepped forward, extending his hand to Liam before hugging me and kissing my cheek. Julia stood up and held her arms open for me to embrace her.
“Well, I am surprised,” Mr. Dolan said, looking serious again. “Not because you proposed to her but because she accepted so soon. She’s a perceptive young lady, so I’m confident she’s seen you as a good bet, son. You don’t know how good that makes me feel.”
“I have some idea,” Liam said dryly. “I don’t blame you, blame anyone, for having those thoughts.”
“Well, let’s not talk about the past. Let’s talk about the future,” Mr. Dolan said, and he turned the television off completely. “Do you have any dates in mind?”
“Tomorrow,” Liam joked.
When I glanced at the doorway, I saw Mrs. Wakefield standing there.
“Come in, please, Mrs. Wakefield,” Mr. Dolan said. “You’re as much a part of this family as any of us. And I have a sneaking suspicion that you knew about this,” he added, pretending to chide her.
“I won’t play poker with you,” she told him, and everyone laughed.
Was she really warming up to me? Somehow, I thought that if I had her blessing, I would be safe. That would be good. I had rarely met anyone besides Daddy and Mrs. Fennel with as scrutinizing a gaze as hers. She was better than an airport full-body scanner, because she seemed to be able to see your thoughts and your personality along with your bones.
“My son seems to want to get married as soon as possible.” Mr. Dolan paused and looked at Julia. I saw her shake her head slightly. He looked at me and then at Liam.
“We’re getting married because we’re in love with each other, Dad. There’s no other reason,” he said.
I saw Mr. Dolan look at Mrs. Wakefield. She closed and opened her eyelids to confirm what Liam had said. Mr. Dolan nodded, relieved.
“Okay, so we’re back to the date. What’s your wish, Lorelei? Don’t think about anything but the date. This is one event that I had fears I’d never live to see.”
“I don’t know. In six weeks?” I asked.