The True Worth of a Penny:

Thomas walked into the room this time to hear the quiet closing of a briefcase and the gentle but stern instructions from the doctor. He stepped out of the way for the doctor to pass, and paused in the doorway to take in the splendor of the room and how the fire in the fireplace incited a healthy glow onto Cecilia's cheeks. He watched her and a slow smile tugged at his mouth, knowing she was safe, knowing she was his, was happiness enough to last him a lifetime.
      She looked so serene, he couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking about. "A penny for your thoughts?"
      Lia looked up at him with a sad, gentle smile. "Half a crown and I might consider it."
      Thomas shook his head as he walked into the room and sat down beside her, careful not to bump her injured leg resting on the cushion. "I'd give you ten thousand pounds if I thought you'd take it. There's nothing I like spending my money on better than you."
      She lifted an eyebrow. "Money isn't everything, Thomas."
      He nodded, his smile broadening. "I know. But you are." To see the blush that rose on her cheeks was all he had hoped for. It was like watching his world brighten with the sunrise.
      Suddenly she broke eye contact with him. Looking down at the floor, she said, "Thomas, I'm sorry about Mr. Pritchard. I should have listened to you; he was everything you warned me about, cruel and presumptuous and untoward. And when I think of how I scolded you...!" She paused and hazard a glance at him. He saw her eyes brimmed with tears and the sight wrung his heart. He gathered her into his arms, comforting her. "It was wrong of me to choose him, I know. But he seemed so new and exciting; I couldn't pass up the opportunity. And all the time I'd compare him to you, but he was never good enough. Never as good as you."
      Thomas tightened his grip on her. He never wanted to let go. She felt too good in his arms, too right. "Shhh. None of that matters now. I'm here. I won't leave this time."
     Cecilia sniffed. "You promise?"
     "I promise."
     She pulled away from him. "How can I be sure?" It was evident in that moment how much Louis had hurt her. It pained him to see the distrust on her face, but he forged on nevertheless.
    "I shall give you something to remember my promise by. What would you like? A bracelet or a necklace? My ten thousand pounds?" He'd meant that last part as a joke, but she cocked her head and wondered at it all the same.
     Cecilia looked up at him, "I think I'd take your penny."
     Without thinking, Thomas was kissing her and feeling all his despair and hopelessness melt away from existence. And suddenly something changed within him; he became entirely certain that nothing else in the world mattered but that moment, nothing mattered but Cecilia.
      Reluctantly he pulled back and leaned his cheek on top of her head, pressing another soft kiss into her hair. As he held her close, he suddenly remembered something and a smile spread across his face.
     Percival had been right after all. All was fair in love and war.