Page 24 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
Miss Wainwright raised her eyebrows, as if impressed by the status of his education. Once more, it felt good to be able to speak about things that he knew with clarity.
“How has your time as an Officer impacted you?” she asked next.
This was a question that Thomas had not been so prepared for. How could he explain it? He had seen a great number of tragic things. But to explain all of that to this Matchmaker would surely do him no good at all. He was a man, and as such, he had to be strong.
“Well, it was not easy. But it was a privilege and honour to serve my country,” he remarked.
She looked at him for a moment longer than necessary, and Thomas sensed that she could smell the lie in his vague answer.
“Ever the soldier, I see,” she said softly, before looking down and grabbing her own tea.
“Alright then, now we must learn what it is you wish for in a young woman. Tell me, what sort of wife do you desire?” she asked.
“Is it not your role to choose that?” he asked in reply, having hoped he wouldn’t have to give any answers on that sort of thing.
“Well, ultimately I shall, but still I must know what it is that you want. If you wish for a wispy little thing who adores being doted upon and I instead match you with a tall and broad woman who craves motherhood, you can imagine what a disappointment that should be,” Miss Wainwright addressed.
Thomas felt like a fool for even having questioned that. Of course he wanted to have a say in the sort of woman that he was going to marry. There was no reason at all for him having expected her to choose his wife out of a crowd of many, without knowing what he might prefer.
“Alright, first let us speak of appearance. That is the easiest to begin with. Would you like a woman who has dark hair or light?” she asked.
A smile tugged at the side of Thomas’s mouth as he pictured a beautiful auburn that shone red in the sunlight.
“I am fond of darker hair. And red…” he added.
“And a petite figure or that which shall easily bear children?” she asked next.
Thomas thought this a foolish question as he had known many a petite woman to bear children, but when he considered what he found to be the most beautiful, he knew that he had a preference after all.
“I should like a woman with a feminine figure,” he said, feeling his choice of wording would be inoffensive.
“Perfect. Now, should you like someone who listens to whatever you think and decide or a woman who shall engage in debates with you?” she asked.
“Certainly a woman who is unafraid to challenge me. Respectfully, of course. I shouldn’t like to be embarrassed by it, and certainly not in public. But I enjoy wit,” he answered.
“Quiet or robust?” she offered next.
Once more, a smile tugged at his lips.
“I enjoy a woman who understands when to speak up, but with a generally calm character. Someone who is not afraid to be herself, but would rather think than simply be heard,” he replied.
The questions that he was being asked were exactly the sort he would’ve wanted to answer. Were these not the very things that could bring him happiness? Surely, it was wise to know the sort of woman that he desired to be with.
Even if that sort of woman was one he already knew.
“You know, I do believe I have quite a match for you. But I should continue to get to know you better. Your interests as well as the sort you expect your wife to be interested in. I simply cannot help but be excited by the thought of arranging this match for you if the rest of your thoughts are in line with this young woman’s,” she remarked.
Thomas’s mouth fell open. She already had someone in mind for him? She was already choosing a woman to complete him when he hardly knew himself what he would really want in any other woman?
“No need to fret, there is plenty more that I must know of you first before we go on and consider this match,” she told him.
From there, Miss Wainwright continued to ask him questions and get to know him. She wanted to learn a great deal, it seemed, and he was glad for that. If she cared this much to ensure that she understood his likes and dislikes, she could better find a match for him.
Thomas answered each question as honestly as he could. It was difficult to not be frightened by the prospect of these answers determining his future bride, but he was glad to imagine what sort of woman she would be.
In his mind’s eye, he continued to see Lady Sophia. But he had made the decision to move on. To let her go. To love another.
And that was a commitment he would stick to. With the help of Miss Wainwright, he would fall in love with another. Officer Kingsley would be proud of him. His mother and father would be delighted to see him wed. There were too many benefits to the arrangement for him to remain passive or dubious about it.
