Page 23 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
“I am Miss Wainwright. I just adore arranging matches for soldiers,” she rambled, leading him further into the home.
Thomas looked about the space and felt his own great confusion at how anyone might wish to live in a home like this. It was disastrous, but Miss Wainwright appeared to be oblivious to that fact.
He tried not to rush to judgment; after all this woman was a matchmaker, not a cleaner. But it seemed a strange idea that he might put the fate of his future in the hands of someone who was evidently so careless with her own belongings. What capability did she have in the progression of others if she could not even maintain her own arrangements?
“Now, I shall bring the tea. Anything else for you? Cakes?” she offered.
Thomas looked at her, waiting for Miss Wainwright to tell him to be seated. But she simply stood, waiting for an answer.
“I shall be fine with just the tea, thank you,” he replied.
The Matchmaker went about merrily on her way into the kitchen and he decided it was best to just have a seat anyway.
All over again, Thomas thought that he had been a fool. What was he doing here? What had led him to this ridiculous decision to approach this woman in order to find him a wife? He could live without a wife. He could live an eternity without ever loving again.
He had allowed his friend to push him into this. Since when had he become the sort of man who gave in to others? Since when had he been someone who could be ruled by emotions?
Soon Miss Wainwright came out with the tea and set it before him, along with sugar and milk. She was evidently rather involved in the process of preparing his cup, but upon completion, she sat across from Thomas.
He lifted the cup and took a sip to appease her, and once she grinned at him, he knew that they would be about their business.
“Now, Mr. Gregory, I should very much like to know about you. First of all, it was the Kingsley boy who recommended me, is that correct?” she asked.
“Yes, Miss Wainwright,” he replied.
“Excellent. I knew a few of his relatives, each of whom are in happy marriages. I have heard much about him as well and should say that it would do him a great deal of good to allow me the opportunity to make a match for him,” she stated in a scolding way.
Thomas laughed. “I think he is not quite ready to choose a woman.”
“Oh dear, what a crass young man. He is off to a very bad start, if you ask my opinion. I should like to think that you are not the same sort of man as he?” she inquired.
Thomas adamantly shook his head.
“Not at all, Miss Wainwright. Officer Kingsley and I are rather different in our beliefs regarding love. In fact, it is a difficulty for me to be here as I struggle to overcome a love of the past,” he confessed.
She smiled at him once more.
“I am glad to hear that. It means that you love deeply and loyally. But I should still urge you in one respect. If you are here for my services, you must be ready to love again. Anew. You cannot cling to another woman if you are to open your heart. Are you ready to move on?” she asked.
Thomas thought about it for a moment. Could he? Could he move on from Lady Hastings? The beautiful Sophia that he had longed for all these years?
“I think I must, Miss Wainwright,” he said, sadly.
“Then we shall find you the sort of woman who can bring you an entirely new joy and love. You shan’t think about the past ever again,” she replied.
He nodded, unconvinced.
“Alright, now for a few questions. First, you must tell me about your family,” she said.
Thomas gave her a few details, about his family’s wealth and position in society, how hard his father had worked to get them there, and what a good wife and mother his own had been. It felt good to talk about them. It was a light in a confusing place, something he could be certain of.
“I am glad to hear of it. And they have a happy marriage?” she asked.
“Indeed. They are very happy,” he replied.
“And what of your education?” she inquired next.
“I attended Weston Boys’ School,” he answered.
