by Joyce Alec
James ran to Ginny's room, but there was no answer. He knew William and Jane were taking a walk, so he ran to see if Ginny was with them.
“I'll help you look for her, James. She has to be here somewhere.”
Soon the news came that Lady Virginia had left hours earlier and still wasn't back.
“Can you saddle a horse for me? I'm coming with you,” Jane said as she left to return to her room to change her clothes. As she opened the door, there was a letter on the carpeted floor. She read the letter and quickly left to alert James and William on what the letter said.
“James, William, she's returning to her home. James, you must go after her.”
James jumped on his horse and raced to find his love. She had a few hours head start, but she was traveling by road whereas he could cut across the fields. His heart raced as he pushed his horse harder than he ever had before. He could feel his mouth dry, and his throat tightened at the thought of losing her. What if she said no to him? He pushed the thought back, and then he saw the carriage up ahead. It had the duke's crest on the door, and he pushed his horse to go faster.
“Stop the carriage,” Dawson shouted to the driver as she saw the man riding towards them.
“M'lady, look out the window,” Dawson was excited.
Ginny's eyes were puffy from crying. When she looked out the window, she was in utter disbelief. James was coming for her. He jumped down off his horse and opened the door of his carriage as he jumped in beside Ginny.
“Sorry, my breath,” he said, nearly gasping from the exertion of chasing after her. Will you marry me, Lady Virginia?”
Ginny took his hands and between her sobs gave him his reply.
“No, I cannot marry you. You will be a duke, and not just any duke, but the richest one in England. I cannot compete with that, nor do I wish to be the subject of gossip when I am not from the same ranks. I would be doing you an injustice to say yes.”
Her refusal made him sure she was the one he wanted to marry.
“Dearest Ginny, that fact that you love me enough to say no, tells me that you are the one I have to marry. My heart has chosen you, and I will not leave until you agree.”
“The duke will never allow it. He told me so.”
“Ginny, darling, he was testing us. I told him in no uncertain terms that I was going to marry you, and he told me he was testing me. To see if I could understand the love of a good woman.”
“Is this true?” Ginny asked.
James nodded.
“The sly duke,” she said as she smiled through her tears.
“Return with me. You have to. We have duties to perform tomorrow, and then we will announce our engagement to the world. I love you, Lady Virginia Croft.
Ginny's tears changed to tears of joy.
“Yes, I will marry you.”
And to the young woman who had stolen his heart, James leaned in to kiss her lips. Ginny felt a tingle through her body as James jumped out to tie his horse to the carriage. They were going back to the Carvingham Estate that in a few months' time would be Lady Virginia Croft's new home.
***
THE END
Receive a FREE inspirational romance eBook by visiting our website and signing up for our mailing list. Click the link or enter www.LoveLightFaith.com into your browser.
The newsletter will also provide information on upcoming books and special offers.