“As you say,” Joseph finally said, his voice clipped, “there are times when young men do indeed fall prey to impetuousness and a lack of foresight. But this is not one such time, Mr. Scott. A wiser and older man I highly esteem recently told me not to let the barriers of class interfere with anything, not with work, life, or love. I shall hold to his advice as I believe it is the same advice my own father would have given me.”

Mr. Scott’s eyes had widened at Joseph’s speech, and Mrs. Moresby had closed her mouth, the hint of a smile now playing on her lips.

Joseph put his hat back on. “As it appears our business here is concluded, I suggest we be on our way now. Shall we, Mr. Scott?” Joseph gestured toward the door, indicating that the reverend should precede him.

“Very well, Lord Colville.” Mr. Scott fiddled with his collar and buttoned his coat before bowing again. “I bid you good day.” When he exited the room, Mercy released a tight breath.

“I must be on my way as well.” Mrs. Moresby bustled forward, but then stopped in the doorway and turned back to Mercy. “Again, I trust you’ll make the right decision.”

Mercy nodded. But as before, she didn’t understand what decision Mrs. Moresby was referencing. Did she expect her to find a husband after all? Ultimately, did the kind matron believe as Mr. Scott did, that women needed to become wives and mothers? Or was she referring to Joseph?

When Mrs. Moresby was gone, Joseph hesitated by the door.

An invisible force seemed to pull at Mercy, urging her to close the span betwixt them and to throw her arms around him. Even as she fought against the force, the desire to go to him only increased. The desire to wipe her hand across his brow and smooth away the worried lines. The longing to ease the sadness in his eyes and bring a smile to his face. The wish to cling to him and never let go.

As his eyes connected with hers across the distance, her pulse slowed to a crawl. He’d told her he loved her and wanted to marry her. Would he do it again now?

A part of her wanted him to say the words once more. If he proposed again, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to say no. He’d been there for her time after time during the voyage. He’d given of himself in countless ways. He’d never demanded anything in return, and he wasn’t doing so now either.

Joseph Colville was an honorable and noble man. And her heart swelled with something she couldn’t name.