At that moment, she wondered if her knees would give way. But if they did, she knew Tedric would rescue her, just as he had done that night in the churchyard. “Do you really mean it?”
“Yes. I followed Cecil’s advice and sent the letter right away. Your father has already granted his permission.” Tedric paused. “I–I believe he now realizes how much I love you.”
“Yes, I think he does.”
Without another moment’s hesitation, Tedric touched one knee to the floor. “Will you, Abigail? Will you be my wife?”
She didn’t need to take time to consider. “Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!”
Tedric rose and embraced her. “You have made me the happiest I have ever been in my life.”
“As you have me, my beloved.” She broke the embrace, but only because her desire to look into his eyes overwhelmed her. “My beloved! How wonderful it feels to call you that after thinking of you in that way for so long.”
“May I?” He leaned toward her and took her once again in his arms. The reasons to resist existed no longer. His lips drew close to hers in anticipation of a kiss.
“Always,” she answered, her heart beating against his chest. “Now and forever more.”
Epilogue
“Mirabelle is so beautiful, Griselda.” Abigail sighed as she watched the little girl crawl through the grass in the side yard of the Pettigrew manor house. Mirabelle’s dark curls reminded her of Griselda’s.
“If you had told me two years ago that Griselda would ask me to give our child your middle name, Abigail, I never would have believed it,” Father told them.
“What do you think we should name our little girl, Abigail, now that such a beautiful name is taken?” Tedric asked.
“I am certain that God will grant you many children, so you will have the opportunity to bestow upon them many names,” Father said.
“That is your hope, is it not, Father?”
“Of course. What man would not be blessed to know many grandchildren?”
“Perhaps we should name a little girl Griselda,” Tedric suggested.
“Or we could start a new tradition,” Griselda suggested. “You could use my middle name of Diane.”
“Indeed.” Tedric wasn’t looking at Griselda, but at his wife. He swept his hand over Abigail’s cheek. She felt the same little thrill now that she had on their wedding day. Only now, they were even closer as man and wife.
“What is all this talk about little girls? Wishful thinking?” Father’s eyes twinkled.
“Not anymore, Father.” Unwilling to broach such a delicate topic further, Abigail merely concentrated on watching little Mirabelle.
Father and Griselda gasped at once.
“How wonderful!” Griselda congratulated her. She leaned over and gave Abigail’s hand a squeeze.
“Indeed!” Father shook Tedric’s hand. “Naturally, one must be prepared for a little boy.”
“If God grants us a boy, he shall be named after you, Father,” Abigail said.
They heard the clapping of little hands. Mirabelle obviously approved.
Tedric and Abigail exchanged a knowing glance, one in which they promised each other a lifetime of dreams fulfilled.
About the Author
Tamela Hancock Murray shares her home in Virginia with her godly husband and their two beautiful daughters. The car is her second home as she chauffeurs her girls to their many activities related to church, school, sports, scouting, and music. She is thankful that several local Christian radio stations allow her family to spend much of their driving time in praise and worship. Tamela hopes that her stories of God-centered romance edify and entertain her sisters in Christ.
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I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Tamela Hancock Murray
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