“Let us get her back to her stall,” he said.
He led them out of the corral and back to the stables. He helped his wife off the mare, relishing the shivers as he held her in his arms. He put Sunshine in her stall and gave her some carrots and a bucket of oats. Then, he took Cecily’s arm and led her back toward the garden.
“I am ready for dinner,” she said, smiling up at him. “This has been an eventful, wonderful day, indeed.”
Val grinned once more.
“It is not over yet, Cecily, darling,” he said.
Cecily looked at him with excited wonder.
“Pardon?” she asked.
Val wagged his eyebrows as he took his wife’s hands.
“Oh,” he said, still smiling.
He led Cecily back toward the manor. But instead of going inside, he took her through a secret entrance in the gardens, one which they had never encountered, and thus, he had never described to her. It led to a lovely, secluded spot surrounded by nothing but red rose bushes, which Val knew she would smell.
Beyond the secret entrance was a secret little alcove. There was a small open space of grass with the only heart statue in the gardens. It had been his mother’s idea, and he had allowed it with little thought to it. Now, however, he was grateful. He knew it was the perfect spot for his intentions.
“What is this?” Cecily asked as they entered the little alcove.
“A surprise,” Val said.
There was already a grand picnic dinner laid out before them. A large roast with carrots and potatoes, Cecily’s favorite berry pastries and wine were spread out on a large, checkered blanket. And a special surprise sat in the midst of it all, which Val was saving for later.
“Dinner,” Val said mysteriously.
Cecily laughed and let Val help her sit. He put food on her plate and handed it to her. He then poured her a glass of wine, smiling as she smelled it with joy.
“This is the perfect end to the perfect day,” she said.
They ate in their familiar comfortable silence. Cecily was clearly beside herself with the joy of it all, and Val could not stop staring at her radiant smile. He could not believe that what started as a marriage of convenience had led him to the love of his life.
Cecily must have sensed him staring at her. She turned to face him with red cheeks and a shy smile.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
Val reached for the last item in the picnic basket. He kept a tight grip on the box as he pulled it out and took Cecily’s hand.
“I was thinking about how beautiful you are,” he said. “And about how I want to give you a proper token of our marriage.”
As Cecily looked at him with loving bemusement, he opened the box. He took his wife’s hand and placed it on the item inside. She gasped as her fingertips glided along the item, caressing it gently.
“A ring,” she breathed.
Val patted her hand in acknowledgment.
“My grandmother’s emerald ring,” he said. “My mother gave it to me to give to you. I wanted to surprise you with it.”
Cecily giggled.
“Well, surprise me, you certainly did,” she said.
Val removed the ring from the box and slipped it onto her left ring finger. It fit perfectly, to his delight, and he kissed gently.
“It looks beautiful on you, darling,” he said. “But nothing is as beautiful as your face.”
