“Another Christmas Alone,” She Thought — Until a Duke’s Carriage Broke Down at Her Gate
Chapter 27
Theme:
Font Size:
24px
Her breath caught. He had said it, clearly, without hesitation:I fell in love with you.Julian took her hands. "I love your intelligence, your courage, your kindness, your dreadful habit of laughing when I am attempting to be dignified." Rosamond gave a shaky laugh. "And I love the life you have made here," he continued. "I would never ask you to abandon it."She looked into his eyes. "Even if it is inconvenient?""Especially then.""Julian...""I cannot promise that marriage would never require compromise. We would both have responsibilities; there would be difficult days." He squeezed her hands. "But I can promise that your wishes would matter as much as mine."Rosamond felt tears rise. He smiled gently."Willowmere need not become a memory. It can remain your home. Our home, when we wish it."She laughed through her tears. "You make it sound very simple.""Not simple. Worth doing."For a moment, she could not speak. Then she whispered, "I love you, too."Julian's expression changed; the joy that crossed his face was so open that Rosamond felt her heart ache with tenderness. "You do?"She laughed. "Julian, I have spent the last several months waiting for you to notice.""I had hoped.""You are a remarkably intelligent man in most matters.""And in this?""Hopelessly slow."He laughed. Then, very gently, he drew her closer. "May I kiss you?"Rosamond smiled. "Yes."Their first kiss was soft and unhurried: there was no audience, no grand declaration before a crowded ballroom—only the scent of spring blossoms drifting through an open window, the quiet ticking of a clock, and two people who had learned that love need not arrive with thunder to change a life completely.When Julian drew back, Rosamond was smiling. He rested his forehead lightly against hers. "I have wanted to do that for a very long time.""Since Christmas?""Possibly."She laughed. "Your Grace, that is a scandalous confession.""I have several more.""Then perhaps we should sit down."Julian proposed beneath the old apple tree in May.He had planned the occasion carefully: there would be flowers, a small picnic, a beautiful speech. He had even rehearsed the speech while walking through his study, much to the confusion of his valet.Unfortunately, Pickles discovered the picnic basket before the proposal began. By the time Julian reached the orchard, the terrier had managed to steal half a sandwich and was attempting to escape with a napkin.Rosamond was laughing too hard to assist. "Pickles, come back!"Julian pursued the dog around the tree; the dog ran faster. Rosamond leaned against the trunk, helpless with laughter."Julian, you mustn't chase him! He thinks it is a game!""It is not a game!"Pickles barked. Julian stopped; the dog stopped. They regarded one another. Then Julian sighed. "I have negotiated with difficult members of Parliament who were less troublesome than this creature."