Page 62 of ?n Arranged Betrothal with a Blind Duke
Adrian rose, standing at the edge of the garden, the scent of blooming roses filling the air, his mind abuzz with the realization of what he had discovered. The incident at the lake had been a turning point, a moment of clarity that had opened his eyes to a truth he had never dared to acknowledge. She had taught him that he, too, was worthy of love, that he was more than just his blindness. Annabelle’s presence in his life had been a revelation, her gentle understanding and unerring belief in him had peeled away layers of doubt and fear. And along this journey, he had found himself falling, truly plunging, into the depths of love with her.
His heart swelled with the emotion, a sensation so powerful and profound that it left him breathless. He turned, his face alight with a joy he had never known, and found her standing right behind him, seemingly holding her breath. He knew there was one more thing she needed to hear.
“And there is one other thing I wish to tell you,” he said, summoning all his courage.
Annabelle stepped toward him until their bodies were almost touching.
“You can tell me anything,” she whispered, putting her hands on his arms.
Adrian nodded, hoping that was true.
“Annabelle,” he said, his voice trembling with the weight of his confession. His words hung in the air, a poignant echo swept up by the morning breeze, the world holding its breath as it waited for her response. “I love you.” His voice was a gentle caress against the morning’s quietude. It was a declaration, a vow, a promise that encompassed all that he was and all that he hoped to be.
Her response was another gasp, and when she spoke, he didn’t need to see her face to pick up on her joy.
“And I love you, Adrian,” she whispered with a tenderness that reached into the very depths of his soul.
They stood there, lost in the beauty of the moment, the world falling away as they embraced the truth of their love. The garden around them seemed to shimmer with a magic of its own, the flowers more vibrant, the birdsong sweeter. For Adrian, it was as if he were seeing it all for the first time, his blindness no obstacle to the beauty that surrounded him. He had found love, a love that transcended the physical, that spoke to the very essence of who he was. He had found a woman who saw him, not his disability, a woman who loved him with a passion and depth that took his breath away.
And as they stood there in each other’s arms, hearts intertwined, he knew that he had found his home. His journey had led him here, to this moment, to this place of acceptance and joy. He was whole, he was loved, and he was ready to face whatever the future might hold, secure in the knowledge that he had Annabelle by his side. Emotion surged, blurring his sightless eyes, a wave of joy and relief that threatened to overwhelm him. He gathered her into his arms, pulling her close, feeling the press of her body against his, the gentle curve of her cheek as he bent to kiss her.
Their lips met in a tender affirmation of their love, a kiss that was sweet and lingering, a promise and a pledge. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other, the world around them fading into insignificance. A jubilant bark disrupted the tranquility, and they broke apart, laughter bubbling up as Patches bounded into the rose garden, his tail wagging, his eyes bright with excitement.
“Oh, Patches!” Annabelle exclaimed, bending to pet the enthusiastic canine, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
Adrian joined in the laughter, the sound rich and full, a testament to the joy that filled his heart. The dog’s intrusion, rather than a distraction, seemed a fitting punctuation to the moment, a reminder of the simple joys and pleasures that awaited them.
“I think he approves,” he said, also leaning down to pet his beloved dog. The animal was bouncing and leaping between the two lovers, and when Adrian spoke, he began licking his master’s hand as if in confirmation. Adrian laughed again, guessing that Patches had switched to licking Annabelle by the way she began giggling again.
“I think you are right,” she said. “Oh, heavens, I had no idea I could ever be so happy.”
Adrian’s expression grew more serious, but it was with doting love and affection for the woman who would soon be his wife.
“Nor did I,” he said. “You are the best thing that could have ever happened to me.”
Annabelle put her arm around him again, resting her head against his chest, even as the dog kept his joyful leaping around them.
“I feel the same,” she said softly.
Amidst the roses, under the soft glow of the morning sun, they stood together, their arms wrapped around each other, their hearts united. The path that led them to that point had not been without its challenges, but they emerged stronger, their love tested and found true.
“I am so grateful for you, Annabelle,” Adrian murmured, his voice thick with emotion, “You have given me a life I never thought possible.”
Annabelle tilted her head so that her chin was resting on his chest, and he could feel her looking up at him.
“And you have given me love, Adrian,” she replied, and she was close enough for him to vaguely see that her eyes were shining with tears of happiness. “A love I never thought I’d find.”
They embraced again, Patches’ joyful barks a melody that mingled with the birdsong, a harmony that echoed their own. As they stood there, amidst the beauty of the garden, surrounded by the fragrance of blooming roses, he knew that they have found something rare and precious, a love that transcended all barriers, a love that would endure. And in her arms, he found a home, a place where he was seen, understood, and cherished, a place where he could be truly himself.
Chapter Thirty
Annabelle’s heart thumped in her chest as she stood before Adrian inside Thornwood’s village chapel, her hands trembling like fragile leaves caught in a soft wind. The walls, adorned with timeworn paintings of patron saints, seemed to echo the eternal nature of their love. The filtered sunlight, which danced through the stained-glass windows, cast colorful rays upon the wooden pews and created a heavenly aura around Adrian.
Adrian, the duke who was, in mere moments, going to be her husband. The man she had fallen in love with unexpectedly. The man who loved her, in return. Her soul was full, and she was beside herself with joy.
“As we stand here today,” Adrian began, his eyes locking with Annabelle’s, brimming with sincerity, “I vow to love and cherish you with all that I am, in sickness and in health, through joy and sorrow.” Each syllable carried profound emotional weight, blurring the line between a beautiful dream and a tangible reality. His voice trembled with the passion he felt, resonating deep within Annabelle’s soul.
The words were familiar, yet spoken by Adrian, they were imbued with a profound and extraordinary meaning. A solitary tear escaped Annabelle’s eye, gliding down her cheek like the delicate trail of a shooting star. Adrian reached out to wipe it away, his touch as gentle as the first rays of dawn.
