Healing the Captain's Heart: A Clean Regency Romance (Resolved In Love Book 2)

by Penny Fairbanks

  Owen’s eyes widened in surprise and when Violet’s face split into a smile, he threw his arms around her and held her tight. Her arms slid around his back and he could feel her hands clinging to the back of his coat. He marveled at how perfectly she fit against him, how warm she was, how sweet she smelled, how much love he could feel emanating from her as they grasped each other.

  “Wait a moment, Violet.” Despite everything in Owen’s body yearning for him to never let go, he pulled back from the hug and held Violet at arm’s length, peering into her face. “Are you sure this what you wish to do? I do not want to pressure you.”

  Violet smiled. “Yes, I am sure. You were right. I have been content here but I have never been truly happy. I let fear hold me back for too long. And now that you’ve shown me that I can and should have more than just contentment, I want to pursue things that will make me happy. Including you. No matter what happens in our future, no matter where life calls us, any time I have with you will be worth it.”

  A tear slipped down Violet’s cheek and Owen quickly brushed it away. He jumped in surprise when Violet’s finger swiped at the corner of his eye. He hadn’t realized that he too had been so overwhelmed with happiness that his own loving tears had made an appearance.

  He cupped her small round face in his hands, hands he had once thought were too rough and stained to ever be so gentle. But it all felt so natural now, as if this were the real purpose of his hands all along.

  “I promise, Violet, that I will do everything in my power to protect you, your happiness, your dreams...and the life we will create together.”

  Violet rested her hands over Owen’s. “I know. I trust you completely.”

  Owen grinned and simply stared at her for a moment, amazed that he was about to say the words he’d longed to say for months.

  “I love you, Violet.”

  “I love you, too, Owen.”

  The fire bathed them in a warm, sweet glow as he leaned forward and felt her lips against his own, soft and slow and gentle but full of love and hope and excitement.

  Owen could look forward to the future now in a way he had never thought possible. Because Violet was his future.

  Epilogue

  Violet’s hands shook in her pretty lace gloves, the blooms in the small bouquet trembling with her nerves. She stared down at the flowers and marveled at the brightness of the colors and the sweetness of their scent, allowing her anxious mind to get lost in their simple beauty for a moment.

  A sniffle at her side brought Violet back to the present. Lady Neil stood next to her with a handkerchief in hand, dabbing at her eyes.

  “You look absolutely beautiful, my dear. I am so very happy that this day has come.”

  Violet smiled and wrapped her arms around her mistress in a warm hug. Lady Neil returned the gesture earnestly, still sniffling.

  “Thank you for being such a wonderful mistress and friend to me. And thank you for being here with me on this day and allowing us to use the Gatherford Park chapel.”

  “Oh hush now. It is an honor to help you prepare on your wedding day and I would see you wed in no other place but right here at your home.”

  Violet felt her own tears threatened to spill at the word “home.” Gatherford Park had been her home as long as it had been Lady Neil’s. She just hadn’t allowed herself to think of it in that way. But she happily did so now. Gatherford Park wasn’t just the place she worked. It had become her home. And now she would have her own home on the grounds with Owen in the little cottage gifted to them by Lord and Lady Neil.

  A knock interrupted their many sniffles as Lord Neil and Frank entered the small side room where they awaited the start of the ceremony.

  But Violet’s tears returned in full force when she saw the warmth and happiness in her brother’s eyes. He walked forward confidently, his crutch long since abandoned and his leg fully healed. He took Violet’s hands in his.

  “You look lovely, sister.”

  “Thank you, brother. I can’t believe we’re sharing this moment together.” Violet’s voice trembled and Frank brought out his handkerchief to catch her falling tears.

  “It would have been unimaginable to either of us several months ago, wouldn’t it? How strange life can be. Strange but amazing.”

  Violet could only nod her agreement as her emotion continued to swell and threaten to make her a blubbering mess just minutes before walking down the aisle.

  Lord Neil appeared at Frank’s side with a warm smile. “You do look very lovely, Violet. And I am happy to announce that I have good news to share on this already wonderful day.”

  Violet’s heart stopped and she gripped Lady Neil’s hand for support as she waited to hear Lord Neil say the words she’d looked forward to for weeks.

  “The publisher has gone over the samples you sent him and he would like to publish a volume of your poetry.”

  The baron grinned, his excitement nearly eclipsing Violet’s. He had been serious when he’d told Violet the first time that he would be thrilled to help her through the process and he’d nearly fallen over in shock when Violet approached him after Owen’s return to inform him that she would accept his assistance.

  Lady Neil gasped while Violet simply stared into the distance in silence, Lord Neil’s words still ringing in her head. But Lady Neil did not allow her much time to ponder the amazement of it all. She squeezed Violet in a tight hug while a round of congratulations sounded through the room.

  Violet laughed in excitement as much as disbelief. She wondered for a moment if this day could get any better and laughed at her own silly thought. Of course it would get much, much better. Soon she would be Mrs. Jessup.

  “I cannot wait to get to the altar and tell Owen the good news!”

  “Of course you are excited, dear Violet, but do not forget that you have other things to say to the captain at the altar first,” Lady Neil chuckled. “Are you ready?”

  Violet took a deep breath before answering. “Yes, I am. But first I would like a moment alone with my brother.”

  The baron and baroness nodded and quietly left the room. Violet took a hesitant step towards Frank.

  “Charlie?”

  Frank did not answer right away but took one of Violet’s hands and smiled ruefully.

  “He has recently taken up a job at a shop in a nearby village. He seems more serious about getting himself into a better position after the little...discussion I had with him.”

  Violet let out the breath she’d been holding. She recalled all too well Frank’s first meeting with their brother. He did not share all the particulars with her, but she knew that after much yelling and threatening to leave Charlie destitute for good, Frank managed to finally start turning him around.

  The work would be long and hard and neither Violet nor Frank trusted that Charlie would change his ways. But they’d agreed to give him one chance to put himself right if he wished to be in their lives again as he claimed he did.

  “I am glad to hear it. I think I should like to see him after Owen and I are settled in our cottage.”

  “Do not worry about that right now.”

  Frank held his arm out to Violet and she took it, nerves shooting through her again. She did not know why she should be so nervous. She had no fears whatsoever of being jilted. In fact, she would not have been surprised if Owen had slept at the altar in his excitement. But still, it was a momentous occasion and all eyes would be on Violet.

  Her brother gave her an encouraging smile as they left the side room behind and stepped into the chapel.

  All worries of whether she might trip over her dress or drop her bouquet or say the wrong words left Violet in an instant.

  Warm spring sunlight filtered through the tall windows and bathed the aisle in an angelic glow, each pew adorned with a beautiful arrangement of flowers.

  At the altar stood Owen, a perfectly placed beam of light shimmering over him.

  Violet swore she could see the tears in his eyes all the way from
her end of the aisle. Her nerves melted away when she saw his smile.

  All the guests stood as she and Frank began their walk. The Neils were at the front on one side while Owen’s family whom she’d gotten to know over the past few weeks stood on the other side. The entire Gatherford Park staff was also in attendance. Mrs. Baird’s eyes watered as Mr. Taylor patted her on the shoulder, both looking for all the world like proud parents.

  But Violet did not worry about all these eyes on her anymore.

  All she wanted to do was walk towards those comforting brown eyes she loved so dearly, to stand beside the man who had opened her heart and her life to so many exciting possibilities.

  Her body felt as though it might float away as Frank removed his arm from hers but Owen quickly took her hands, keeping her grounded before him.

  Violet could see the absolute joy and adoration in Owen’s eyes as he smiled at her. He mouthed a silent “I love you” to her and she did the same.

  “Welcome, everyone. We are gathered here today to join Captain Owen Jessup and Miss Violet Davies in holy matrimony,” the pastor began.

  The day was too beautiful not to spend outside. A feast had been spread out over the great lawn behind the house, in perfect view of the blooming gardens.

  Violet watched happily as her family and friends gathered, conversing and enjoying their time together under a beautiful spring sky.

  But most of all, she loved the feeling of Owen’s hand in hers.

  As if on cue, Owen’s hand squeezed hers. Violet looked up at her husband curiously, surprised by the way his eyes shifted about nervously.

  “What troubles you, love?”

  “Let us remove ourselves from the festivities just for a moment. Will you join me for a walk around the lawn?”

  Confused, Violet allowed Owen to lead her from her chair at the dining table. Everyone had finished their meals for the most part and simply sat or stood around the table talking.

  She rested her hand on his forearm as they began a slow circuit around the rest of the party.

  “Owen, what’s the matter?” She asked again, unable to contain her curiosity, a twinge of worry shooting through her chest.

  “I have a surprise for you, my darling wife.”

  Owen smiled as the new word left his lips and Violet felt her worry drift away on the cool spring breeze.

  “You have already given me the greatest gift of all today, my dear husband.”

  Owen stopped and turned to face Violet. His large hands gripped hers. “I think you will like this gift anyway. You see, I’ve decided to sell my commission so we can remain here for as long as we wish now that you’ve found a new position as Lady Neil’s companion.”

  Violet blinked rapidly in shock, her mind processing the words as quickly as she could. Shortly after she and Owen announced their engagement, Lady Neil had offered to change Violet’s position from lady’s maid to companion, allowing Violet a bit more freedom in her duties and removing the necessity for Violet to live within the main house. Of course Violet had gladly accepted.

  “Owen, that is really not necessary. I know how much your service means to you and I would hate for you to give it up on my behalf. You know that I will fully support you if or when duty may call for you again.”

  They had had this conversation numerous times leading up to the wedding, in regards to both of their careers. Neither wanted the other to give up their sense of duty. Thus they both agreed that Violet would maintain her position for as long as it suited her to do so and that should Owen be called away again, they would constantly be in each other’s hearts and prayers.

  Owen chuckled and trailed a finger down Violet’s cheek. “I know you would and I greatly appreciate that. But I have given it much thought and I have come to terms with the fact that I have done my duty to my country and I can be proud of that. Now it is time to fulfill my duty in another way.”

  Violet tilted her head, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Her husband did not lack for wild ideas.

  “I can fulfill my duty by becoming a great husband to the nation’s treasure and most beloved poet. And by bringing more brave, smart, caring little Englishmen and Englishwomen into the world,” Owen said with a grin.

  Violet couldn’t help laughing. Yes, her husband was truly full of wild ideas.

  “I don’t need to be the nation’s treasure, you know. I only want to be your treasure. But I agree with the rest of your plan. In fact, I can’t wait for our new adventure.”

  Owen leaned down and gave Violet a quick kiss on the lips.

  She threaded her arm through his once more and they continued their walk over the bright green grass, the warm sun shining down upon them, a soft breeze brushing against their cheeks.

  Spring was Violet’s favorite season indeed, made all the sweeter by her husband at her side.

  About the Author

  Penny Fairbanks has been a voracious reader since she could hold a book and immediately fell in love with Jane Austen and her world. Now Penny has branched out into writing her own romantic tales.

  Penny lives in sunny Florida with her charming husband and their aptly named cat Prince. When she’s not writing or reading she enjoys drinking a lot of coffee and rewatching The Office.

  Want to read more of Penny’s works? Sign up for her newsletter and receive a short and sweet extended epilogue for Behind The Baron’s Mask only available to newsletter subscribers! You’ll also be the first to know about upcoming releases including the next book in the Resolved In Love series!

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  Also by Penny Fairbanks

  Behind the Baron’s Mask - Resolved in Love Book 1