“Henry...” Cecilia gasped quietly, and now the tears did spill.
Henry’s chest swelled when he heard his name, as if he’d just taken his first full breath in his entire life. The dance pattern pulled her away once more but their eyes continued to search each other from across the floor.
Cecilia took her turn to speak as they reunited again.
“I cannot promise that the future would be without hardships or disagreements,” she whispered. Henry had to lean forward to hear her better, their foreheads almost touching. “But we understand each other in a truly rare way. You are someone I can speak freely with, share my passions and struggles with. Someone I can be friends with. I fell in love with you for exactly who you are. I can think of no better way to spend my time than by being wherever you are, whether it be in your study or at a dance like this one. Because I love you, too.”
The words took Henry’s breath away—such unimaginable, perfect, miraculous words—but he managed to muster up enough air to speak. “But Cecilia, what of my writing work? I must confess that the original draft of the manuscript I sent you fell far short of my expectations and had to be scrapped entirely. There may be times when I cannot give you the attention you deserve or cannot join you out in Society.
“This manuscript was so challenging for me because my mind is not used to sharing its space with anything else when I write. But you were always there in the background. If I had you by my side, if I knew you would always be with me, I think I could overcome this. The uncertainty is what made this process so laboriously slow and resulted in a work of poor quality. But even still, it is necessary to my being to write. Can you be happy, sharing me with my life’s work?”
Despite Henry’s earlier shame and reluctance to speak about his failure, he found it completely natural and effortless to speak about it now. He knew instinctively that he need not be embarrassed sharing such a blunder with Cecilia. He need not be embarrassed to share anything with her. She was someone he could trust, someone whose opinion and support he valued.
Cecilia’s gaze softened from across the floor and a small smile graced her lips. It was such a look as Henry had never seen before, a look of total acceptance.
“Please don’t worry about such a thing, Henry,” she whispered as they came back together. “I greatly enjoyed your manuscript and I have an immense amount of respect for your passion and your desire to share it with the world. That is something I am glad to know we have in common. I consider myself exceedingly lucky to have found someone who can intimately understand my passion as a fellow artistic soul.
“I don’t need to constantly be at the forefront of your thoughts, nor do I need to take up all your time and energy. I have my own interests to see to, and I think it’s perfectly respectable that we have time to ourselves to pursue our desires. Though I certainly wouldn’t mind sitting in while you write and I can amuse myself with a book or some embroidery. It is enough for me to share your company, to look up and see you nearby working away so diligently. That to me would be a very happy life indeed.”
Such a feeling of contentment and peace that Henry had never dreamed possible settled over him, seeping into his bones from the crown of his head all the way down to his toes.
“I think I can do better than that,” he said with a knowing smile. Cecilia tilted her head in that curious way Henry adored, always seeking to know more, to figure out life’s puzzles and find new ways to appreciate the world around her. “There’s plenty of space in my study. I can simply move the pianoforte from the drawing room. That way we can both work on our interests and still enjoy time with each other.”
Henry was amazed at the words that came out of his mouth. He had pictured that exact scenario hundreds of times over the last several months, never imagining that it would come to fruition. And yet here he stood on the dance floor with Cecilia in his arms, flowing about the room with her, planning their future together. That life that had seemed so out of reach just yesterday was on the verge of becoming reality.
Cecilia beamed, her eyes swimming with visions of comfortable days in Henry’s home—their home—intertwined but with the freedom to pursue their independence.
“I should like that very, very much. I should love it, in fact.”
“Then it shall be so.” Henry nodded seriously, and Cecilia giggled at the resolute expression on his face.
The music drifted off into the air, signaling the end of the set. But Henry kept both of Cecilia’s hands in his as they came apart from the dance.
“If you could find your sister and meet me in the garden shortly, my dear, I have just a quick matter of business to attend to.” Henry gave her hands a squeeze before trailing a finger down her cheek. He felt her sharp inhale and ingrained the image of her standing before him, with an expectant smile on her face, as he made his way through the ballroom. He missed her the instant he let go, but Henry knew that another moment of separation would be worth everything that was to come.
Chapter 17
Cecilia weaved through the crowded ballroom as quickly as she could.
Had all this really just happened? Had the course of her life changed in this one dance?
No, not this dance, Cecilia realized. That first dance, months ago, had changed her life. For it brought Henry into it, though she didn’t know it at the time. This must be what fate felt like. This strange mixture of exhilaration, tranquility, security, the deep knowing that everything had finally fallen into place in the most natural way possible. And yes—love.
She wasn’t sure how long she stood on the edge of the dance floor staring after Henry, the scene she’d just lived through already playing back in her mind. But another guest brushing past her to take the floor startled Cecilia back to her senses and she rushed forward to find Juliet and get to the garden. She had a very good guess as to what Henry’s quick matter of business was, but she didn’t know how long it might take. And she wanted to be in the garden waiting for him, just as she’d said she would.
“Pardon me,” she mumbled countless times as she pressed through the many bodies in the ballroom. Lady Brunt’s farewell masked ball always had one of the highest guest counts of any event during the Season, and for once Cecilia found herself irked by all these people who seemed not to know how to get out of her way. Not to mention it made finding Juliet a chore.
“Sissy! Wait!” Juliet’s familiar voice rose above the din, shortly followed by her rosy cheeks and big blue eyes and heaving chest. “I’ve been trying to follow after you but it’s nearly impossible getting through all these people.”
“There you are! I’ve been looking for you. Henry asked both of us to meet him in the garden while he sees to something,” Cecilia explained over her shoulder without stopping.
“Henry?” Juliet finally managed to pull up next to her sister, her eyebrow cocked knowingly. “I take it things have gone well then.” The younger woman giggled, an impish smile lighting up her porcelain features.
“Yes, and I think they are about to get even better,” Cecilia confessed breathlessly. “But I won’t find out if I can’t make it to the garden. Thank you for your help, guardian angel. I shall hear more of your side of the story when we get home.” She winked at her younger sister and squeezed her hand, pulling her through the crowd.
Cecilia only stopped once to ask a footman for directions to the garden. Lady Brunt, a wealthy widow, had the largest town home Cecilia had ever been inside. Though most London residences only had very modest gardens, if they had one at all, this garden put all of them to shame.
A gasp slipped through Cecilia’s lips as she paused for a moment to take in the evenly spaced lanterns that spread a soft golden light in the night air, the tall hedges with pretty blooms of all colors peeking out between the deep green leaves, the springy saplings, the quietly bubbling fountains, and the intricately wrought tables and chairs and benches that dotted the grass.
A few other guests were taking a brief respite in the soothing garden, bu
t Juliet pointed out a relatively secluded bench partially blocked from view by a fragrant and colorful bush. The two women approached. The nearer Cecilia got the weaker her legs became. She felt as though she’d danced a lifetime’s worth of dances during her set with Henry. Or perhaps her body was finally giving out under the overwhelming emotions that ran about her heart in circles.
“I’ll stay within sight but I promise not to disturb.” Juliet beamed and gripped Cecilia’s gloved hands before finding a nearby flower to examine.
No sooner did Cecilia remove her mask and lower herself onto the cool metal of the bench than the sound of approaching footsteps behind the bush caused her to jump back up.
“Cecilia, thank you for waiting for me.” Henry’s warm voice greeted her as he came into sight, his face fully revealed and glowing beneath the warm lantern lighting, his dark hair threaded through with streaks of gold and his eyes shimmering brighter than the stars above.
“I only just arrived myself. It’s absolutely mad in there,” Cecilia laughed. She eased back onto the bench. Everything felt right now that Henry was here. She even forgot that Juliet lingered just a few feet away to keep watch over them.
He sat beside her, their bodies brushing against each other, and reached for her hands in her lap. “Indeed it was, but worth every second because you were there.” His eyes gazed warmly into her face, taking everything in, reading her.
Cecilia’s heart took up a deep, pulsing beat. She could feel it thundering in her neck and the palms of her hands. Though she had danced with Henry on numerous occasions and had sat near him in a carriage and at the theater, this was without a doubt the closest they had been. His leg pressed against hers through the thick fabric of her skirt, his shoulder brushing against hers. His hands kept a tight grip around hers, as if he hoped that pressing hard enough would melt their gloves away.
She stared back into his face for a silent moment, appreciating all those features that she had once thought were cold and aloof. But now she knew the truth of what lay underneath, what had come to the surface in the months she’d spent getting to know him. His surface now was only warmth and adoration and love.
“I’ve just had a discussion with your father,” he coughed, a hint of rose coloring his cheeks.
Cecilia smiled even as tears sprung up in the corners of her eyes, the butterflies floating in her stomach bursting into a flurry of anticipation. “Go on.”
“I am not a perfect man, Cecilia. I made a grave mistake in pushing you out of my life and causing you the very pain I’d hoped to avoid. But I’ve learned in that time that I simply cannot live without you. My world is more vibrant, more enjoyable when you’re in it. Your color touches everything. And I do not wish to go back to a life without your color.
“I hope that I will be able to provide you with a similar new light in your world. For, if I can have you by my side, I promise that I will try each day to create the life of your dreams. I give you that which is mine to give. A comfortable home, a listening ear, understanding, friendship. Love.
“If you will have me, I promise to give you that which is mine to give, without reservation, for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me, Cecilia?”
Despite the tremor in his voice, Henry’s words came out with a slow and steady strength. His dark brown eyes lit up, not from the lanterns above, but from the luminescence of his love for Cecilia that sprung from deep within.
He gently rubbed the back of Cecilia’s hand with his thumb and let silence fall between them, patiently watching Cecilia.
How many times had she imagined this moment since she was a little girl? Receiving a proposal from her true love and becoming not just a wife but a real companion had been her dream since she could remember.
But none of her most vivid and extravagant imaginings could compare to this moment. Every fiber in her body buzzed with love, with the rightness of it all, as if everything in her sang in response to Henry’s words.
She had never heard a more beautiful music than those words.
Cecilia took several deep breaths as Henry looked on. He didn’t seem nervous that she hadn’t responded yet. She could see in his eyes that he once again understood what her silence conveyed.
“Henry...” She managed to gasp out, still gathering her bearings. She didn’t want to leave him in silence anymore. He simply smiled encouragingly and continued to rub small comforting circles against her hand.
“Yes, Henry. It would be my greatest dream come true to marry you. I love you.”
The words came out so quietly that she wasn’t sure if they’d made any sound at all. The tears that had held themselves back now broke free.
“I love you, too, darling,” Henry chuckled as he pulled out his handkerchief and gently wiped at Cecilia’s scarlet face.
She reveled in the electrifying naturalness of his touch. Unbidden, her eyes closed and she leaned her face into his hand, desperate for more connection.
Firm but gentle fingers gripped her chin and Henry tilted her head back slightly. She opened her eyes to find his just inches away, gazing at her with an intensity that rendered her speechless.
“May I?” He asked, sounding as breathless as Cecilia felt. All she could do was nod weakly and close her eyes again.
It was all Henry needed.
His soft lips covered Cecilia’s in a sweet, tender kiss, an undercurrent of passion rippling between them.
A shiver ran down Cecilia’s spine as their lips moved together for a wonderous moment, one of his hands still holding her chin while the other had become intertwined with her own trembling fingers.
All too soon Henry pulled back and the cool night air hit her lips with a shock. When she opened her eyes to look at her fiancé, she saw that some of her tears had transferred to his cheeks, or perhaps they were his own tears.
Cecilia immediately craved him again. She'd had no idea that she could crave someone’s touch so deeply. But the look in Henry’s eyes told her he experienced the same thing.
“There will be time for many more kisses soon, my love.” Henry murmured, his voice gruff and thick with desire. “An entire lifetime’s worth.”
He cupped her cheek in one hand and Cecilia swore she could feel the heat from his skin through his glove. She nodded quietly, still coming out of her daze.
“Promise?”
Henry let out a booming laugh. “Promise. I give you that which is mine to give, remember?”
“I’ll hold you to it. Don't think that I won’t,” Cecilia giggled, surprised at her forwardness.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Henry stood. She felt the loss of his warmth immediately. “Now, shall we share the good news?”
“I should think so. After all, I doubt Juliet would be able to keep this a secret for very long even if her life depended on it.” Cecilia giggled, glancing over to her sister who had given up trying to look disinterested in their conversation. Tears sparkled in her eyes and she clasped her hands before her chest. She looked ready to swoon herself.
Henry simply laughed again and reached a hand down to Cecilia.
With a bright smile, Cecilia gladly accepted her future husband’s hand.
Cecilia returned to the ballroom, this time on Henry’s arm and with a blissful heart.
It seemed that quite a few guests had taken their leave as the night wore on. It was far easier to move about the room for which Cecilia was grateful.
“Sissy, I’ll meet you back at our corner,” Juliet announced before disappearing into the crowd.
In keeping with the theme, they’d both donned their masks again. As they walked around the perimeter of the room, searching for familiar faces among the remaining crowd, Cecilia felt as though she carried a precious secret in her chest—a secret she couldn’t wait to share with her loved ones and then the whole of London and even the entire world.
“Solomon’s just over there,” Henry whispered to her, pointing to a footman along the wall with a tray of drinks. Henry’s friend was just
approaching to take a refreshment.
They quickened their pace and managed to catch him before he melted back into the group of young men he’d just left. Henry put a hand on the earl’s shoulder, causing the taller man to jump slightly.
“Henry, you nearly startled me to high heaven,” Lord Overton whined as he turned around.
Henry and Cecilia remained silent, waiting to see if he would catch on.
Lord Overton took a sip of his drink and looked expectantly at Henry, waiting for his friend to say something. It took him a moment to glance to Henry’s side where Cecilia stood, and then to Henry and back again several times.
Suddenly he gasped, nearly splashing his drink on them all. “Goodness gracious! Has it happened?”
Cecilia could only giggle and blush, still in shock herself. Henry nodded, proudly straightening out his shoulders. “I imagine you’ll be reading it in the papers in a few days.”
The earl whooped, drawing half the room’s attention to them. “I am so happy for you, my dear friend. I never imagined this day would come, but I’m so very glad it has. Miss Richards, I trust that you will take care of him. He is a very particular creature, you see,” Lord Overton whispered conspiratorially to Cecilia.
“I am in excellent hands, Solomon, never fear. The best hands there could ever be.” Henry’s voice was full of pride as he drew Cecilia a little closer to his side.
“And you.” Lord Overton rounded sharply on his friend, poking him in the chest. “I trust that you will do right by this miraculous young woman, the only one who could have achieved such a feat as finally bringing the unsociable Baron of Neil out of hiding.”
Behind The Baron's Mask: A Regency Romance (Resolved In Love Book 1) Page 22