Page 110 of Rescued from Betrayal
“But—”
He placed a finger over her mouth. “There are no buts. We all make mistakes”—his lips quirked— “yours just happens to be my favorite.”
She snorted. “How can a mistake be anyone’s favorite?”
His voice grew very quiet. “Because it brought me you.”
She sat up to look at him, her lips trembling with a smile. “I think it is my favorite mistake too.”
Heaven help him, she was so beautiful.
The candlelight flickered off the brilliant blue of her eyes as she stared intently at him. “I love you, Nathaniel.”
His pulse leaped into his ears and he leaned forward until his forehead rested against hers. Lifting a hand, he cradled her cheek.
“And I love you, Melior. I think I always have. You make my life infinitely better, and I cannot imagine a day without you in it.”
Her hands slipped around his neck and she closed the distance between them, sealing her lips to his and his heart to hers… forever.
Chapter 37
The day dawned warmer than usual, as if spring had finally decided to come. It was a perfect mirror of the joy in Melior’s heart. Nathaniel smiled as he helped her into the coach that would take them to the church where her uncle would wed Lady Jillian. It was a happy day.
Al and Javenia chattered about the excitement that had transpired after they’d left. It seemed Edith’s secret would be kept a little longer as her father had made a rush trip to the country depositing Edith where she could hide from the scorn of Society.
The grey stones of St. James Church came into sight and a bittersweet joy filled Melior’s chest. They had made it. Uncle Percy would be married. Edith was no longer a threat. But it pained her to remember all the sadness that had transpired to get here.
Aunt Lucinda would always carry a special place in her heart and she hoped one day she would grow to love Lady Jillian just as much. But nothing could ever repair the damage Edith haddone to Agatha and Lady Jane. They would most likely suffer for it the rest of their lives.
Melior could not hold Edith in complete contempt, however; after all, she had led her to the love of her life.
She glanced across the carriage at Nathaniel. His eyes sparked with interest and he raised his eyebrows. She ducked her head, her cheeks warming.
“Dear me,” Javenia said. “They are flirting again.”
Algenon shook his head. “And we still have to ride all the way back to Kent with them.”
Javenia tutted, but a smile curved her lips. “I hope we arrive with our tender sensibilities unscathed.”
People climbed the front steps of the church after they disembarked. Melior searched the familiar faces for her family, but none of them appeared. Moments before the ceremony started, Eddie slipped into the seat beside her. He peered at her in concern, but she smiled brightly back.
Eddie grinned.
The ceremony was beautiful, Lady Jillian resplendent in her light blue silk with yards of French lace trimming the neck and sleeves. It was probably the prettiest Melior had ever seen her.
At the vicar’s words, Uncle Percy lifted Lady Jillian’s veil and their marriage was sealed with a kiss. The love shining in both their eyes during the moment brought comfort to Melior’s tender heart.
Aunt Lucinda would have wanted Uncle Percy to go on and live his life, not die along with her. It was the best way he could honor her memory. A tear slipped down Melior’s cheek.
As the crowd gathered outside the church congratulated the happy couple, Eddie sidled up to her. “I do not believe I have ever been so happy for my own financial displacement in all my life.”
A smile pulled at Melior’s lips. “Yes. And what a hardship life will be with your measly ten thousand pounds.”
“You know it is quite gauche to speak of money, sister.” He bumped her shoulder and the smile she’d been fighting blossomed.
“I was not the one who brought it up.”
Eddie chuckled, then lowered his voice. “I assume everything has been settled between you and Nate?”
