“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Marigold answered, her soft voice smoothing even Alex’s ruffled emotions. “I have greatly enjoyed your presence here. It’s been most...enlightening.”
Lady Gorem tsked. “Kill them with kindness, Lady Arundel. That is your strategy?”
Marigold stepped into the room, her smile unwavering. “I don’t wish to hurt anyone, Lady Gorem.”
With a shake of her head, Lady Gorem turned toward the door. “We’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow. I’ve received a missive from my husband calling us back to London.”
“Of course,” Marigold replied. “We’re fortunate you could come at all. Thank you for attending.”
Without a reply and with a swish of her skirts, Lady Gorem was gone.
Alex turned to look at Marigold. She’d done a far better job of handling the irate duchess than he had. “You’ve really grown into the role of marchioness.”
She gave him a wink. “My heart is not invested in the matter the way yours is.”
Had he been that obvious? His head dipped as he rubbed the back of his neck. “How did you know?”
Marigold gave a small laugh. “Oh, it wasn’t difficult. Let’s see. You can barely look away from her, you’re stealing kisses in fields, you’ve rushed headlong into danger multiple times to save her...”
He winced despite himself. “And yet, she said no when I suggested marriage.”
Marigold cleared her throat. A tiny sound that echoed through the room. “Your feelings are obvious to me because I am on the outside looking in and because I’m not emotionally involved.”
He frowned down at his friend. “What does that mean?”
She shrugged. “In Abigail’s estimation, you were courting another woman just this morning.”
That was a fair point. “I did mean to clear that up. I just got carried away when I heard her mother.”
“Of course you did.” Marigold gave his sleeve a tug. “But she doesn’t know that yet and if she wanted to be a good person, she might think that you’d be better off without her.”
His brows drew low. “Better off without the woman I love?”
Marigold gave him a radiant smile. “Just out of curiosity, and since we’re discussing things you’ve yet to tell her, does she know that you love her?”
He took a half step back as Marigold’s words sunk in. Did she know? He’d never told her so. “I...I…don’t know.”
“I do believe that you know what to do next,” Marigold answered.
He shook his head, his limbs weighted with regret. “You heard Lady Gorem. She doesn’t approve. She won’t allow me permission to court and they’re leaving tomorrow. How am I going to tell her any of it?”
Marigold winked again. “Take heart. If there is one thing they’ll avoid, it’s scandal. If you press the issue, they’ll concede. There are ways around Lady Gorem.”
“But how?” he asked, his brow scrunching.
Marigold stifled a giggle. “It’s a good thing you were a soldier and not a spy. You’d be awful at the job.”
That made him relax. Did Marigold have a plan? He hoped so because his thoughts were too full of his feelings to think logically. “Fair point.”
“I do believe that you should take a walk in the garden at half past ten. I hear the stars are lovely at that time.” Marigold gave her hand an airy wave. “There’s a bench just by the rose garden that is perfect for viewing them.”
“Marigold,” he said, hope filling his chest. “What are you…”
“Shhh,” she answered. “Just think about what you’re going to say. This is your chance to win over the woman you love.”
Alex shook his head. She was a dear friend for doing this. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You already did,” she said with a grin. “I believe it’s my turn to help you. Now, if I might give you some advice, be absolutely clear that Charlotte was never a good option. No woman wants to feel as though she is the second choice.”
“Sound advice,” he grinned.
“And I’d use the word ‘love’ specifically,” she added.
He gave a quick jerk of his chin in military fashion as he clicked his heels. “I shall do as you’ve commanded.”
Then he drew in a deep breath. He’d tell her that and more. He’d tell her about the person he saw inside her hard shell and the way she made him feel hope again.
He’d not hold a thing back.
This was his battle to win.
* * *
Abigail paced the length of the nearly empty salon for the fifth time. “Are you certain about this plan?”
Max eyed her with open amusement from where he leaned against the doorframe. “I promise you,” he said for the third time. “Marigold has this well in hand.”
“Yes, but—”
“Honestly, Abbie…” Lily rolled her eyes from where she was cuddled up against Merrick’s side. “At what point did you become such a coward?”
Merrick gave a huff of laughter as he kissed the top of his wife’s head. “I seem to recall you having a moment of panic or two before we both came to our senses and admitted that we loved each other.”
“Panic? Me?” Lily shook her head as she gave Abigail a laughing look. “I remember no such thing.”
Despite her own panic—and yes, Abigail could admit that this roiling wave of anxiety was indeed panic—she found herself returning Lily’s grin.
The one bright spot in this otherwise terrifying evening was this newfound truce she’d found with Lily. She wasn’t certain either of them were about to call one another “friend” any time soon—they still had a ways to go to repair the damage to their friendship—but tonight was a start.
Much to her mortification, Lily had insisted on telling Merrick the truth about her rejection and he’d surprised her by pulling her into a tight embrace to thank her for tossing him over.
But now they were all waiting on Marigold, who was apparently the mastermind behind tonight’s encounter.
On cue, the door opened, and Marigold slipped in with a triumphant smile. “Your mother is well occupied by Sir Geoffrey, and Alex is waiting for you. I can slip you out undetected through a side entrance to avoid scandal.” She fixed her wide smile on Abigail. “Are you ready?”
No. Definitely not! Her heart pounded in her chest.
“He’s waiting, Abbie,” Lily said with surprising gentleness.
Alex was waiting. She drew in a deep breath. She could do this. With a nod, she headed toward the door to join Marigold. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
A chorus of “good lucks” followed her out the door and Marigold sweetly tucked her hand in Abigail’s as she led her down a darkened hall toward this back entrance.
Abigail slowed to a stop and Marigold turned to look at her with brows arched in question.
“Marigold, I...” Abigail cleared her throat. “I just wanted to say thank you for doing this.”
Marigold grinned. “As I told Alex, I owed him one.”
“Yes, but you owe me nothing,” she said. “I’ve never been particularly kind to you. In fact, some might say I’ve been nothing but a frightful cow.”
Marigold made a choking sound as she tried not to laugh. “I wouldn’t say cow...”
Abigail laughed outright. “That’s only because you’re too kind to speak so bluntly. But I’m saying it for you. When you confronted me earlier today—”
“I shouldn’t have done that.” Marigold winced. “It wasn’t my place. I see that now.”
“Nonsense. You are Alex’s friend and you were only looking out for him.” She drew in a deep breath. “I need you to know that no matter what happens out there, I’m glad that Alex has a friend like you.” She looked back toward the others. “All of you. He’s a good man and he deserves good friends.”
Marigold looked like she might interrupt, but Abigail didn’t give her the chance. “I always looked down on you, you know.”
Marigold’s eyes widened in
surprise but Abigail squeezed her hand, willing her to stay silent so she could get this over with.
“I thought…” Abigail cleared her throat. “I thought kindness was a weakness.”
Marigold’s expression shifted to one so sweet and sympathetic, it made Abigail’s chest ache.
“I see now that I was wrong, of course,” she continued. “I’m starting to realize that being kind in the face of cruelty takes more strength and bravery than I’d ever imagined. The ability to forgive is a true act of valor.” She sighed, her gaze meeting Marigold’s once more. “All this is to say, I’m sorry for underestimating you and I’m sorry for all of the harsh words I’ve ever said about you—to your face and behind your back.”
Marigold’s lips curved up. “I forgive you. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad that Alex has you, too.”
“You are?” Her brows shot up and hope began to flicker in her belly. If Alex’s friend thought there was a possibility she could make him happy, then maybe there was a chance for her yet.
Marigold nodded. “Alex has spent so long fighting for this country, for our people—it’s about time he found someone willing to fight for him. And something tells me you would fight tooth and nail for that man.”
Abigail nodded, her eyes welling with tears. “I would.”
Marigold nodded toward the door on the far side of the darkened room. “Then I suggest you go do just that.”
Abigail bit her lip and nodded again, this time with resolve.
“Good luck,” Marigold called after her.
Luck? Yes, she’d likely need that. But more than anything… She glanced up toward the heavens and said a little prayer. More than anything she needed courage to lay her heart open and faith that whatever his response, it would all turn out for the best.
She spotted him first, his head down as he paced a path along the garden just as she’d done in the salon. The sight of him with his brow furrowed in concern—it lightened her own steps as she moved toward him. “Alex.”
His head snapped up and he turned to her expectantly. “Abigail. You came.”
“Of course I did,” she said as she reached him. She was so close she could feel his warmth, his scent wrapping around her. “I wanted to say I’m sorry—”
“Please let me apologize—”
They’d both started and stopped at once, and after a startled stare, they burst out laughing at the same time too. Laughter eased the last of the panic, and she reached out a hand to touch his arm. “Please, let me say what I need to say?”
He nodded, his gaze filled with such tenderness that it almost hurt to look into his eyes. A sweet ache filled her chest, making her voice higher and breathier than she’d ever heard it. “I’m sorry for rejecting you like that. It was just…” She stopped to swallow. “It would seem I’ve fallen in love with you, you see.”
His eyes widened in surprise but she hurried on, half afraid that if he were to respond, it would be to tell her he did not feel the same.
“I didn’t mean to, I can assure you of that,” she babbled. “It was most unexpected, and honestly, more than a little inconvenient since I knew very well that you had your sights set on Charlotte.”
“Abigail, I—”
“But honestly, it wasn’t really my fault.” Oh yes, it was definitely panic that had her prattling on now. The tenderness in his eyes was more than she could bear and if he were to try and let her down easy, her heart would surely shatter. “You see, no one has ever shown such patience with me before. Or such kindness, if I’m being honest. It wasn’t as though I stood a chance, now did I? I’m afraid I fell in love that very first—”
He cut her off with a crushing kiss, one hand cupping the back of her head as his free arm wrapped around her waist and hauled her in close so she was pressed against the length of him.
His lips were warm and firm as he kissed her as though he might never let her go. She clung to his shoulders, kissing him with every ounce of love she felt.
When he lifted his head, he was grinning down at her. “Abigail, might I speak now?”
She nodded, dazed and dreamy from that kiss. “Yes, please.”
He moved his hand from the back of her head to her jaw, cupping her face and stroking her cheek with his thumb. “I love you with all my heart and soul, Abigail.”
Her eyes widened as her breath left her in a gasp. “You do?”
He nodded. “I was a fool earlier when I barged in there and asked for your hand like that—”
“No, you weren’t,” she protested.
“Yes, I was.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “I went about it all wrong because I was overcome with anger when I heard your mother’s lecture.”
Abigail bit her lip at the humiliating reminder of all he and the others had overheard.
“I meant to talk to you first. To tell you how I’d been so very wrong about Charlotte. Not because she’s not the woman I’d thought, but because…” He leaned down closer, his gaze fierce. “Because she’s not you.”
Tears welled in Abigail’s eyes at the sincerity she saw in his gaze. “Truly?”
“Abigail, there could only ever be one woman for me, and I am happy to say that I’m holding her in my arms.”
“But I’m not sure I…” She wet her lips. “I don’t know that I deserve you.”
He gave a little huff of amusement before kissing her soundly. “Well then, we’re even, because I’m not certain I deserve you either.”
She laughed as she rolled her eyes. “I’m being serious, Alex. We both know that I’m—”
“Fiercely loyal?” he offered before she could finish. “Clever and insightful?”
She shook her head with another laugh. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Abigail, you are the only woman for me. The way you’re working to be a better person in every way inspires me to try and be better too. The way you reach out and embrace life makes me want to rise to that challenge myself.” His lips met hers softly, the kiss a silent vow. “I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know every complicated layer that makes you the strong and brave woman you are. I want to grow and thrive as we challenge each other to live more, to love more, to be more.”
She nodded eagerly as tears welled once more in her eyes. “I want that too, Alex. I want…” For a moment she couldn’t finish because emotions made it hard to speak. “With you I want to learn what love truly means.”
He wrapped both arms around her and for the first time in her life, Abigail felt as though she was where she truly belonged. As if who she was, mistakes and all, was more than enough. As though she could be herself and be loved for it. The sensation was so heady she thought she might swoon.
Or perhaps that was the love shining in his eyes that made her feel as though she’d lost her senses. She went up on tiptoe and her lips curled up in a smile as she kissed this man who had taught her so much about herself.
It wasn’t her senses she’d lost, she realized.
It was her heart.
Epilogue
Seven months later…
Abigail looked at her husband as their carriage bumped down the rutted road. A drizzling rain fell outside punctuated by a fat snowflake here and there.
It was nearly Christmastide and they were on their way to Lord and Lady Arundel’s home.
And while it wasn’t the place where they first met, somehow, it was the place where Abigail attributed the blooming of their romance and the changing of her life.
“Are you sad to not spend the holiday with your family?” Alex asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
She reached for his hand. While she greatly appreciated her husband’s concern, he needn't have it today. They’d left her parents’ home to come here. The three-day stay with the Duke and Duchess of Gorem had been more than enough. “I think our visit with my family was very fruitful and I am happy to be spending the holiday in calmer waters.”
He quirked a brow. “Mrs. Mayfi
eld, you are becoming quite diplomatic.”
Abigail smiled. She was learning the fine art of not saying certain truths. For example, her family was beyond dismayed that she’d chosen the address of Mrs. rather than Lady. She’d managed to restrain herself from informing them that their legacy was not one she wished to participate in. “Thank you, darling. I find I quite enjoy leaving people to wonder what I might be thinking.”
He chuckled then. “There’s my Abigail.”
She let go of his hand, but her smile grew wider. “Not to worry. I’ll be more than kind to your friends. I truly appreciate how welcoming they’ve been.”
“Did you hear? You’re not the only newcomer to the party. Daisy’s cousin, who’s been traveling on the continent, has recently returned to England and she’ll be joining us.”
Abigail raised her brows. Alex was being too kind, attempting to comfort her. “Virginia is her name. And she’s hardly a newcomer to the group. Lily’s letters are filled with Virginia’s antics.”
Alex winced, hardly noticeable except to his wife. “Still. It won’t just be Daisy, Lily, and Marigold. I’m sure you’ll feel welcome.”
She shook her head. “You needn’t worry. I’ll be fine.” Her eyes twinkled. “And I am excited to meet Virginia. If Lily’s story are any indication, she is a girl after my own heart.”
Alex gave her an assessing glance as the carriage pulled up the drive to the Arundel’s home. “You and Lily have been conversing a great deal.”
“We have.” While she still wasn’t certain she deserved Lily’s forgiveness, she was glad to have her old friend back in her life. She looked out the window at the manor that rose before them. “Is there anyone else in attendance?”
“Marigold’s sister-in-law, Sarah, and her new husband.”
“Wonderful,” she said with a smile. She’d always like Sarah. She drew in a deep breath and then exhaled with a sigh.
The front door opened and several guests rushed out of the house, umbrellas in hand. Despite the rain, they’d all come out to greet her and Alex.
She pressed her lips together, holding back emotion she didn’t know she’d feel. But she’d found a real family with Alex’s friends and she was beyond thankful.
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