Page 51 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
Beryl’s gaze bored into him and he felt exposed. “Yet, you did not seek me out. Why?”
“Truth be told, I lacked the emotional maturity to see what was in front of me the whole time. It was not easy for me. I had my inner struggles and challenges, but I have grown and developed. I can show you … if you let me.”
Beryl caught her lower lip between her teeth as though she was contemplating. Theodore waited anxiously, yet she said nothing. The silence was deafening. He had to go further and pour his heart out. He would not leave anything behind.
“Beryl, I am pleading with you … please forgive me … for all the pain and hurt that I caused you. I would be the first to say that it was my pride and arrogance that caused me to act the way that I did. I do not seek to make excuses for myself. I want you toknow that I am standing before you an imperfect man, but I am willing to grow. I know that I can do it if you are by my side. I can grow with you because I love you. You make me a better … me.”
Beryl’s hand flew to her lips, mouth agape. “Love? Youloveme?”
“Yes. I was beside myself when you left Bowden Park. I already realized how much you meant to me and how much I wanted …neededyou in my life. I was a fool to think a carefree life could be fulfilling. It was not and, for reasons I cannot fathom, I still wanted to cling to it. My life was empty before you came along, and you made me realize it could be so much more. I was happy when you were there with me and the girls and that is where you belong.”
Theodore stared at Beryl whose mouth had dropped open when he mentioned love. Was she surprised or did she doubt him? The former is understandable; the latter he would not allow.
Theodore took another step closer. “You will not know how much I berated myself for adding to your hurt and sorrow. I tore at my chest when I recalled the hurt in your eyes. I should never have been the source of your pain. Rather than harm you, I want to cherish and protect you. You are precious to me, and I will not lose you. I know you do not love me–”
“But I do!” Beryl’s words sent a shiver down his spine.
Theodore knees almost buckled under the weight of his relief and happiness. “You do what?”
“Love you. I love you, Theodore. That is why it was so painful for me to remain at Bowden Park. How could I when I had fallen helplessly in love with you? It would have been too painful to be so close to you after everything that we shared. It would have destroyed me if I could not step away for a while. I love you too much.”
Theodore fell to one knee.
Beryl’s hand flew to her cheek and her lips formed a perfect ‘O’. “Goodness! What are you doing?”
Theodore grinned. “I am being chivalrous and proposing to you with the respect that you deserve, my love.”
Beryl gasped and the sweet sound washed over him. Both of Beryl’s hands flew to her lips.
Theodore reached inside his jacket pocket and removed the ring. It was a family heirloom and the last one to wear it was his mother. It had a large diamond with a small cluster of gemstones surrounding it. Theodore removed it and reached for Beryl’s hand. “I am your knight, humbled before you, and I pledge my devotion. My heart belongs to you and only you. If you give me your heart, I will never cause you such pain. I will honor and cherish you. Will you marry me?”
Beryl gave a resounding, “Yes.” Her hand was shaking a little as Theodore slipped the ring onto her finger.
Theodore stood and pulled Beryl into his arms. He understood the sentiment now, about never wanting to let someone go. Now that he was desperately in love with her, her acceptance made him giddy with happiness. He did not know everything about her, but there would be time to learn. They would get to know each other even more during their life together. This would be their new start, and he would never have to give her up.
Beryl and Theodorewere in a carriage returning to Bowden Park. They had stopped for lunch at an inn but did not dally there. They returned to the carriage and, almost as soon as the carriage rolled away, Theodore went to sleep. He was clearly exhausted, and Beryl realized he had not been resting well. Shestudied his sweet bodily repose and handsome features and wondered if he was thinking of her in his dreams. She closed her own eyes and did not know how long she had been asleep when she was jolted awake by the bumps on the rough surface. A quick glance at Theodore showed he was not disturbed.
Beryl was moved by Theodore’s love and the kindness he showed on their return journey. He could not have been more attentive. She reflected on how much he had grown and the depth of his character. It had taken him a little while to express his true feelings, but who was she to judge? She never told him how she felt, never said she was in love with him and she had been for a while. If her long-term plan had materialized, she would have left Bowden Park and lost Theodore. It would have destroyed her. Instead, he declared his love and loyalty. He chose her to be his wife. Beryl had never been in love, and she did not know it was possible to love someone so much, not until she met Theodore. Emotion tore through Beryl’s heart and tears stung her eyes. She could not bear the thought of anything tearing them apart, and she was certain she did not want to lose him.
Beryl reached out and lightly brushed his cheeks. “My darling. I love you more than you can ever know.” It was all she could manage as her voice trembled. Beryl pulled the curtain aside and peered through the window at comfortable familiarity. The corners of her mouth lifted in a warm smile as the carriage entered the grounds of Bowden Park, and Beryl felt like she was home. She had only been gone for a few days, but she missed the children and the estate. As the carriage approached the courtyard, Beryl could see that Louise and Mattie were waiting outside. They were holding something, but she could not discern what it was. As she grew closer, she saw the girls holding a welcome sign and, when the carriage pulled into the courtyard, she could see what it said.
Emotion squeezed Beryl’s heart, and tears of joy found their way to her eyes. Theodore came awake when the carriage stopped and they alighted.
The sign read ‘Will you marry us?’
For a moment Beryl was at a loss for words until Mattie said, “Will you marry us, Lady Beryl?”
Beryl fell to her knees and hugged both girls. “I will marry you, my sweet.”
“And you will be our aunt. I am so happy, Lady Beryl,” Louise said.
“As am I,” Theodore said.
EPILOGUE
Nine months later
Bowden town house, London
