by Rose Pearson
“Oh?” Her heart was beating so loudly, she was certain he could hear it, and yet she wanted to be nowhere other than in his arms.
His expression changed, the smile fading as he lifted one hand and brushed his hand down her cheek, cupping her chin gently. “You must know, Lady Rebecca, that when I ask you this, I ask it because of what I hope for.” His eyes seemed to glow with life, his lips lifting slightly as he held her gaze. “I ask it because I hope for a future with you. A future that speaks of love and joy and all manner of happiness. You have quite captured my heart, Lady Rebecca. I have never known another like you. From the very first moment, you saw my heart, saw the truth that so many did not, and you clung to it. Without your determination, I do not think I would have ever escaped from Lady Kensington. And now, here I stand before you, free of rumor, free of scandal, and free to love you as my heart so desperately desires.”
Rebecca could not speak for some moments, trying to take in what he had said and finding her heart so overcome with all manner of emotion that she simply could not think of what to say. His fingers were gentle on her skin, his other hand pressing her fingers lightly. There was no fear or doubt in his heart or his expression any longer. There was nothing to hold either of them back, nothing to push them asunder, and Rebecca reveled in that freedom.
“My dear Richmond,” she murmured, placing her free hand lightly on his chest, next to his heart. “I recall the day we met. I recall it with such clarity that I remember all that I felt. Something within me drew near to you, and I could not remove you from my thoughts. Since then, my heart has found itself yearning for you, Lord Richmond. I have felt despair, loss, brokenness, and joy. Now that I know there is nothing further to prevent our happiness, my heart is so overcome with love that I do not know how to express it.”
Lord Richmond smiled, his hands slipping about her waist. “I believe I do,” he murmured, the look in his eyes making her heart race as he lowered his head, his lips finding hers in a gentle kiss.
Rebecca responded to him at once, her whole being filled with such extraordinary sensations that she found herself clinging to him as though he were the very air she needed to breathe. When he lifted his head, Rebecca kept her eyes closed, steadying herself for a few moments before she allowed herself to look back at him.
He was still smiling.
“You will accept my court, will you not?” he asked quietly. “You know my heart. You know my intention. Will you be my own sweet wife, Lady Rebecca?”
Joy overflowed within her. “My dear Jeffery,” she whispered, her happiness now complete. “Of course I will.”
I hope you enjoyed Rebecca and Jeffrey’s story! I was happy to see Lord Richmond get out of his situation with the help of his friends! The next book in the series is still a work in process!
Please check out the first book in The Spinster’s Guild series A New Beginning or check out all of my books on Amazon! Rose Pearson