I examined it carefully, again struck dumb. I recognized the jewel from that of the one sitting atop Mrs. Lovell’s finger. “Your grandmother’s?”
“My dear Isabelle, you must tell me if I stand a chance of winning you.”
I swatted at my tears, soaking the blue silk of the ribbon. I had never dared to hope, never thought to consider the reality standing in front of me.
“I have found us a home, only a few miles ride from here. Charlotte tells me the views from Whittingham Hall are the best in the area, that the beaches are her favorite, and I hoped you might share them with me.”
The ring glistened in my hand, and I could not stop staring at all the meaning the beautiful item held. “But your mother, your father…I am not your equal.”
He pressed his forehead against mine, as he had on the terrace weeks ago. His touch opened the gate of my emotions once more, and I was nearly drowned with affection. His familiar sandalwood scent enveloped us both and I breathed in deeply.
“Traveling all this way, seeing your home and your family—all of it has convinced me quite conclusively. I wish to marry none but you. Isabelle, I love you, and not in spite of your lack of money or your country ways, but because of them.”
I closed my eyes, leaning against his warmth. Such sentiments seemed impossible, yet the sincerity coating each of his words, the way he cradled me against him, gave me the smallest hope that all of the reasons which had made me certain I would never see him again were not as true as I’d imagined them to be.
“I adore how you do not allow such concerns to dictate your entire life. With you, I feel more alive, happier than I thought possible.” A deep chuckle filled the air between us.
Oh, how I loved his laugh.
He continued, “Elliot was married, and for the first time in my life, I envied him like I’d never envied another man.”
Anna had written of Elliot and Mary’s nuptials, but I could have never imagined Simon’s reaction.
“With you,” he whispered. “I find myself wishing for things I have never wished for—a future, a family, a home.”
I pushed away to study his face. “What of your family?”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “My grandmother has given her ring, Isabelle. That is as much permission as it is a blessing. After the way you treated her, my mother is convinced of your goodness. And even if they disapproved or attempted to prevent a connection between us, I cannot walk away from you. I have spent the last three days touring a property just north of your home. I believe you are the only woman that is worthy to be its mistress. We have my parents blessing, but I daresay I’d have begged you to be my wife even without it.”
I shook my head, but soft laughter broke through. His consideration of my every feeling, his goodness.
“I hope that is the sound of happiness.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned to the tips of my toes. “I fear I will die of happiness.”
Warm hands cradled my neck as Simon drew himself closer. “I shall be a gentleman and ask permission before I—”
But I stopped his words by pressing my lips to his. Warmth swirled through me, even as another gust of sea air blanketed us. Simon’s lips parted, and he slid his arms around my waist, cradling me more fully against him.
For the first time, I felt his smile before I saw it. I peered up at him, resting solidly in his arms.
“Isabelle,” he said, drawing out my name. “Is that a yes?”
“We certainly cannot have the likes of Elliot creating jealousy in such a man as you,” I teased.
His laughter filled the air and mixed with my own, and as much disbelief as bliss filled my heart.
“Will you wear the ring now?” he asked.
I found myself without words, nodding instead. In a swift move, the sapphire I’d seen on his grandmother was now placed on my own hand. Not in my wildest dreams, had I ever expected to wear such a thing.
“Dearest Isabelle.” He once again cradled my face in the warmth of his hands, his smile filling his handsome face. “You and I…I promise that we shall have more laughter and more love than any two people in the history of the world. I love you.”
I reached up and touched the jaw I’d admired since our first meeting, tracing the line of his cheekbones, and the softness of his hair near his temple. Simon’s eyes fell closed.
“I love you, Simon.”
His arms came around me again. “Just imagine what we would be missing if you had never dropped that book on my head.”
More laughter. “Will you always tell that story?”
“Forever,” he answered, his face growing serious again. “I shall tell that story forever, my dearest Isabelle.”
Epilogue
Isabelle tugged her shawl more fully over her shoulders, covering her shift as we sat next to the window. Candlelight reflected off the glass, and the roar of the ocean below had become as much a part of relaxing as playing cards with my wife.
“Dear husband,” Isabelle chided as she looked over the sheet of paper we kept on the card table. “You owe me near a thousand pounds. Are you certain you wish to go another round?”
I leaned over the table and pressed my lips to hers. Her skin and hair glowed in the flickering light, her face already more familiar to me than my own. “There is no one I would rather lose to.”
Her laughter filled the air between us.
“Do not for a moment believe that I’m allowing you to win.” In truth, Isabelle was quite an expert at distracting me from cards. After several months of marriage, I still could not discern her card-playing skill level—only her skill in diversion.
The moment my new hand was dealt, her small foot rested against my leg. She smiled over the cards fanned out in her hand. “Do you wish to place a bet?”
“Imagine your sisters seeing you in such a scandalous state,” I teased. “Touching my leg beneath the table, smiling over your cards, placing bets as to your prowess.”
“Oh no,” she answered lightly. “I’m quite sure my sisters would be thrilled at my prowess, as you describe my actions.”
Situated just above the ocean, Whittingham Hall was the perfect mix of grandeur and comfort. Not a day passed when I was not grateful I had the ability to provide so much for Isabelle. With my family’s expanded business in Bridlington, the Kinsleys were close enough for frequent encounters, as well as for walks along the beach. Conversely, my family was far enough away for us to take long breaths between visits, and it would always be so.
I reached across the table to graze my hand against her perfect cheek. “I don’t want to imagine my life any different. You make me the happiest of men.”
One of her delicate brows arched upward. “I do believe you are now the one distracting me. Are you, or aren’t you, going to place a bet?”
“Ten pounds,” I said loosely.
“Oh, Simon.” She rested her cards on the table with a wide smile. “You are hopeless.”
I sat back in my chair, reveling in my good fortune of a wife. “Only when it comes to you.”
Dear Reader
Heather and Jo had a blast writing this book. We have a love of history, of this time period in history, and all the fun little details that come with it.
Our fun add in this one is the Sauteuse Waltz, also known as the Hop Waltz, and doesn’t have the normal 1,2,3 counts, but is done in 2/4 time.
And YES, we’ll have a quirky fun thing in every novel we write together.
If you enjoyed the book, we’d love for you to leave a review. Reviews helps other readers find books they may love. Remember, just a sentence or two is enough!
Bookish people are the best people.
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Thank you!
~ Heather & Jo
About Heather Chapman
Being the youngest of four sisters and one very tolerant older brother, Heather grew up on a steady diet of chocolate, Anne of
Green Gables, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Austen, and the other staples of female literature and moviedom. These stories inspired Heather to begin writing at an early age. Between writing, her husband, and four kids, she hardly gets a moment to herself. On the rare occasion she does have free time, Heather enjoys volleyball, piano, the outdoors, and almost anything creative.
Find Heather online:
WEBSITE:
http://www.heatherchapmanauthor.com
About Jo Perry
Jo grew up on a steady diet of outdoor adventure, horses, Jane Eyre, the Brontë sisters, Mary Shelly, Jane Austen, and more black and white movies than she can count. These stories, when paired with the real-life wild tales of her, mom, dad, and G’dad, have always driven her imagination toward writing. Jo lives in Colorado with her husband and two kids where she works as an author, writing coach, and editor. When she’s not behind her computer, you can find her practicing yoga, playing the guitar, sewing, hiking, riding horses, or hiding behind the pages of a fabulous book.
Find Jo online:
WEBSITE: https://author-jo-perry.com
Jo writes young adult fiction as Jolene Perry www.jolenebperry.com
Kinsley Sisters Book 2
Juliet Kinsley is a dreamer, preferring poetry and novels to anything aside from the chance at experiencing the world she’s only read about. When a mysterious man washes ashore in her small town of Bridlington, Juliet assists her father in caring for his injuries. Instant connection and mutual attraction sparks Juliet’s interest in the new stranger, but how could she possibly decide her future without fully knowing what else the world has to offer?
After months of silence, Miles Harding is desperate to locate his grieving father, even if it means traveling across all of England. Ever the honorable son and tradesman, Miles has little time for love, and even less thought for a future other than growing his already successful trading company. Providence, however, takes matters into Her own hands and decides to toss him, quite literally, at the feet of love. But with little experience and demanding business concerns, the chance at familial happiness might slip through his fingers...
Of Cloudless Climes and Starry Skies is the second novel in the Kinsley Sisters, a series of Sweet Regency Romances and will be available November 17, 2020.
Of Twisted Fates (Kinsley Sisters Book 1) Page 25