"Oh! I'm sorry to hear that," she said, feeling genuinely sorry since she herself knew how hard and painful heart breaks could be.
"Don't be," Harriet said, waving a hand dismissively. "What I want for Liam now isn't pity my dear. It's some who can help him and bring back my Liam, someone genuine who would love him and show him that love still exists out there. And I think you could be just who he needs," Harriet said and Maria looked at her, slightly taken aback, but there was a thoughtful expression on her face.
"That's… quite a proposition, Mrs. Parker," she said and Harriet gave her a look.
"Harriet," she corrected gently, leaning forward slightly. "Let me be direct with you, Maria. Can you see yourself marrying my son?" she asked and Maria's eyes widened slightly at the directness of the question, but she quickly composed herself as she thought about it.