Doctor...to Duchess?
Page 17
“Which is?” A thump of nerves weighted her stomach. Here it was. The other side of the coin. She knew it had to be too good to be true. Come on, Julia. Be a grown-up. “And what, pray tell, is that, Jolly Ollie?” Oops. Not so grown-up.
Oliver took her hands in his and brought them to his lips, planting a kiss on each one. His dark lashes lifted and her heart gave another pirouette as their eyes met.
“Marry me, Julia. Let’s do this. Let’s make Bryar Hall come alive again. Together.”
* * *
Oliver’s heart felt near to bursting as Julia rose up on tiptoe and gave him a soft kiss. A kiss that held a thousand promises.
“Ask me again in a year.”
Ah. Not quite what he’d had in mind for a “yes.” Cue English aristocratic response.
“Is this your way of saying no thank you?”
Julia unleashed a giddy laugh. “Not at all. I’d marry you this very moment if it was just a question of us running off into the sunset.”
She slipped her hand down along his arm and wove her fingers through his. “It’s my way of saying make sure this is truly where you want to be. I’m not going anywhere—but you need to make sure you feel the same way. And don’t forget—I’ve got a couple of teenagers who come along with the package.”
Oliver could easily imagine the children’s laughter filling the empty spaces of Bryar Hall. They were as much a part of his plans for the future as Julia.
“They are a very welcome part of an awfully, awfully nice package.”
“Good.” She gave his hand another squeeze, tears glistening in her eyes. “It’s an amazing idea, Oliver. I just love it. Just think of everything we have to do! I bet I could apply for more grants... Now that we’ve got a focus, there are bound to be all sorts of organizations that would contribute and—”
“Should we enjoy the rest of the party first?” Oliver interrupted, giving her a kiss on her forehead and wrapping an arm around the woman whom he couldn’t wait to call his wife. He was already feeling more settled at Bryar Hall than he had in a lifetime. He’d wait a year. He’d wait forever as long as she was here by his side.
One year later
“I don’t think I can even fit through the door.”
“Of course you can, Mum. Just turn sideways!” Julia’s children went into fits of giggles as they watched her negotiate the entrance to the Gatehouse.
Getting married was one thing. Getting married in an enormous meringue of a wedding dress she’d let her daughter talk her into was another.
“Mum, hurry up! Oliver’s waiting!”
“Honestly, you’d think he was the King of England for all the fuss you two are making.”
“Would you rather I were?” Oliver appeared at the doorway, a hand extended to take hers in his. It was impossible to wipe the smile from her face. He looked absolutely gorgeous in his fawn-colored linen suit, a sky-blue kerchief just peeking out of his breast pocket.
“Are you kidding me? Think of all the things we could do with Buckingham Palace!” Julia teased, still overwhelmed with all the changes that were well underway as Bryar Hall was transformed from a stately home into a beautiful rehabilitation hospital. None of the character of the hall house had been detracted from—and, thanks to some clever thinking from Oliver’s father and a local architect, the changes to make it accessible for all of the veterans were truly breathtaking. She couldn’t believe the support they’d received locally, and from national charitable institutions now clamoring to help.
“We’d better get along to the courthouse, you old fusspot. Father and Clara are already on their way, the kids are in the car...” Oliver gave her hand a little tug. “We’ve only got an hour booked. I, for one, intend to use most of that time kissing the bride.”
Julia grinned, enjoying a slow inhalation of his scent as he tilted his head toward her. “You don’t think anyone will mind that we’re not having a big shindig, do you?”
“Mind? I should think they’d be terrified to do anything against your wishes to make sure you stay!”
“Make sure you stay, is more like it.” Julia slipped her fingers through his.
“Both of us, my love. You know as well as I do everyone’s over the moon that Bryar Hall is bursting with life. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere but here—with you.” He gently tapped a finger on her nose then gave it a kiss. “Ready to become a proper local?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be!”
“Well, then, m’lady...” Oliver planted a kiss on her cheek and took her hand. “Your chariot awaits!”
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460389560
Doctor...to Duchess?
Copyright © 2015 by Annie O’Neil
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