With a sense of mischief in her heart, Ivy tiptoed behind the men, and she followed them from a distance to the drawing room. A part of her hoped that the discussion would be terribly dull, then she could return to the living room and act like she had heard nothing. In that way, she would not have a reason to feel guilty.
The door closed behind the men and she made her way there quietly. Fear and guilt did not set in until she pressed her ear up against the door. That was the moment she started to feel bad. Even more so, when she heard the words being spoke, first by her father, and then by Royce.
“You would like to marry my daughter?”
“Yes, my Lord, that is why I have purchased a ring for her. Of course, I cannot ask until I have your permission, which I am hoping you will give me now.”
Ivy almost leapt back as shock bolted through her. Royce wanted to marry her, too! He was planning to ask her to marry him soon, he simply needed her father’s permission before he could. That was so wonderful, so overwhelmingly romantic; it made her happier than anything else ever could.
She knew that she needed to get away quickly, so she would not be caught listening to their conversation. If Royce knew that she invaded his privacy again, he might change his mind about the whole thing, and that was the last thing that she wanted. Ivy did not regret listening in though, because now she could prepare herself for the biggest moment of her entire life. If she had not been prepared for that conversation coming her way, it might have caused her to collapse, and they had suffered enough fainting to last them a lifetime.
Ivy moved even faster, with her heart pounding heavily in her chest and she positioned herself on the chair. She crossed her legs at the ankles and folded her hands in her lap.
“Are you alright?” Ewan asked as he spotted her sitting stiffly in the seat as if she was waiting expectantly. He ran his eyes over her face curiously. “You look very strange, Ivy, is something happening?”
Ivy smiled at her brother and she indicated for him to take a seat. She wanted all of her family there for the big moment. They had been a large part of her romantic journey and she wanted everyone to join her for the next part and the rest of her life. After all, they were the most important people to her.
“Something is about to happen,” she told Ewan mysteriously. “But you’ll have to wait and see.”
“Oh no, not more secrets?” Ewan chuckled. “Secrets have never done this family well.”
Epilogue
Ivy stared at her reflection, admiring the way that her wedding dress clung to her body, really giving her an amazing hourglass figure. The dressmakers had done a wonderful job of making her look like a princess from a fantasy land, which was exactly how she wanted to appear. Ivy wanted to spend the happiest day of her life feeling like one of the heroines from her favourite books. The lacy, tight-fitting bodice, and the skirts that flowed out around her feet were helping her get that sensation. As was the veil covering her blushing cheeks. As soon as she grasped the flowers in her hands, she knew that she would be ready.
“You look absolutely beautiful,” her father commented from behind her. Ivy could hear the thick emotion in his throat which threatened to bring tears to her eyes, as well. “And the house looks wonderful also. It was a wonderful idea of yours to hold the ceremony in our home. It allows everyone to be here.”
As far as Ivy was concerned, there were many people that she wanted at her wedding; people who had helped her along with her love story. Mostly Johnathan and the extended family that came with him. Without him, the meetings with Royce in the early days when her father and brother were indisposed, would have been impossible.
There were other guests that Ivy wanted, too, people who she worked with. Many of the children that she helped with her financial assistance had been invited, and she really wanted them to be there. Ivy would not have felt right without inviting them along, and a church wedding might have prevented that. It was not considered seemly to have working class people at events such as weddings, but that did not affect Ivy’s decision. She preferred to work around things and to find a way to bend the rules to suit herself.
She had even made favours of flowers and silver leaves for all the staff at the Winters house, as well as herself and the bridesmaids – Mary and Elizabeth, of course – so that everyone could be involved. It was not traditional, but Ivy hoped that it would be. She felt like a wedding should be a pleasant event for everyone to enjoy.
Mary had been stunned to learn of the proposal. Even after she learned about the friendship that had built after all that had happened, she was not expecting it. But then, Mary found it challenging not to believe the rumours, even when she saw first-hand what a good man Royce was. Maybe she was not as smart as Ivy had always assumed--not that she could blame her friend-- she was the same before she learned more about life.
“I am ready now,” Ivy told her father with a determined nod. “Come on, let us go.”
They walked down the stairs, the same stairs that Ivy had descended all that time ago when it was her coming-out party. She had felt uncomfortable then, unhappy in her clothing and generally in her own skin. She had not like the idea of getting married then and she did not want men to assume she was ready, so she shut herself down. Now, she was a different person, one who was filled with confidence and happiness because she had grown up and she knew exactly who she was. She felt happy with the woman that she had become.
She saw Royce at the end of the aisle of blossoms that had been settled on the floor to assure the couple a happy path through life. He looked even more handsome than usual in his tailored charcoal grey suit that fitted his body perfectly. Now when Ivy looked at him, she did not simply see a man with lovely dark hair, warm eyes, and striking features. She also saw the wonderful, golden heart that lay in his chest and made him the most perfect man in the world. She had gotten lucky, meeting a man that she loved so dearly, and she could not wait to spend the rest of her life as his wife. The fantasy that she had created in her mind when it came to her future was about to become the most wonderful reality that she could ever ask for. She could not wait.
Ewan stood next to Royce, a proud supporter of their union and a very pleased groomsman, with a happy smile on his face. He had been given the responsibility of holding on to the plain gold rings with their initials and the date of their wedding upon it, until the moment that the couple needed them, which was a job that he took very seriously.
Even though they were not having the most typical of weddings because Ivy did not care for the rules, there were certain traditions that he could not let go. This wedding was not just about appearances, but he wanted it to be right.
“It really does look wonderful in here,” Ivy commented to her father, not letting go of his arm for even a second. “I shall have to thank all the staff who worked on it afterward. Oh, and look at that pile of gifts. Goodness me, I did not think that we invited so many people to come, and we did not ask for anything!”
Again, Lord Winters found himself impressed. Ivy was not the most spoiled child, she did not act out in the way that he had seen other wealthy children did, but she had grown up in a world where everything was done for her, so she did not ever think about the staff before. It was nice for him to see her more aware of the people around her. It had made Ewan and himself more thoughtful. They had all become much better.
The organist started playing the music, indicating that it was time for the wedding to begin. All the guests rose from their seats and turned to look at the bride, but Ivy had eyes for only one person. She could barely acknowledge anyone else in the room when the love of her life stood across from her, looking at her as if she was a vision of beauty. Ivy could not recall another time where she had seen Royce as close to tears at this moment.
Ivy walked with grace and poise, meeting her bridesmaids at the end of the aisle and the priest who stood just above them. At that moment, her father let her arm go, and her future husband took hold of her hands.
I shall be able to kiss him soon, Ivy thought excitedly. Finally, after all this time, it will be allowed.
She had been thinking of that moment for such a long time, planning it in her mind. The chemistry still sizzled brightly between them, so she did not think that it would be a let-down when it finally happened. At least, she hoped it would not. Already, her lips tingled with anticipation.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for joining us on this beautiful spring morning. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Duke Royce Merrick and Lady Ivy Winters…”
Excitement built in Ivy’s chest as the ceremony progressed. She really wanted to listen to every single word spoken, to savour every single second of the most wonderful day of her life, but her brain had become fixated on the idea of her very first kiss with Royce and she could not shake the thought. It reminded her of the day in her father’s office and when they went to the library for research, back when it felt like she might explode if she did not kiss him. Now, she was glad that they had waited. The moment would be even more special because they had done it in the right way, in the way that was expected of them.
The ceremony rolled on, with the couple eventually reciting their vows to one another. There was a tremble in Ivy’s voice as she said, “I do,” but she did not feel embarrassed about it because Royce sounded exactly the same. The emotion that had built up between them ever since the moment that they had first met, filled them both and burst free as they tried to speak. It was impossible for either of them to keep it inside.
Eventually, the wedding came to an end allowing Ivy and Royce a moment alone before the celebration began. While in the family hallway, just enjoying their first ever moment by herself, everything inside of Ivy tensed. Her shoulders practically hunched up around her shoulders as she waited for it to happen. Royce cocked his head and he slowly dipped his head down to hers, increasing the tension inside of her. It felt like he was moving incredibly slowly, too slowly, and the anticipation grew worse. Ivy rose slightly onto her tiptoes to meet Royce’s kiss. She pursed out her lips and brought them up to his, her heart racing the nearer she got.
Then their lips connected, and everything changed for Ivy. She felt as if the world had been turned upside down as mini explosions fired off in her chest. The butterflies continued to flap, giving it everything they had, and Ivy’s knees grew weak. She had never been kissed before, but she knew that it was a good one. She did not need to worry that their compatibility was only in her mind because it definitely was not.
“I love you,” Royce told her as they pulled apart, saying those freeing words for the very first time. He had not even said them as he proposed, even though he felt it because he wanted to create so many wonderful memories of their wedding day.
“I love you too,” Ivy replied happily. “I love you more than I thought I could love anyone. I am so very happy that I met you.”
Maybe their meeting had been fractured and stressful, but it was clearly something that was supposed to happen because it had changed a lot of lives for the better. Now, all they had to do was look forward to their happy ever after together.
The End
About the Author
Emma Linfield has always been passionate about historical romances. Ever fascinated with the world of Regency England and being utmost inspired by Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s work, she decided she wanted to write her own stories. Stories of love and tradition being mixed in the most appealing way for every hopeless romantic, much like herself.
Born and raised in Southern California, Emma Linfield has a degree in Creative Writing and English Literature, and she has been working as a freelance writer for the past 10 years. When she isn’t writing, Emma loves spending her time with her own prince charming and two beautiful children, all the while enjoying the famous Californian sun and ocean.
So, hop on to this exciting journey of Dukes, Earls and true love with Emma and find pleasure in the old fashioned world of Regency - an Era of pure romance, elegance and high fashion!
The Betrayed Lady Winters Page 9