Page 45 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
“I am only open-hearted because of you, Abigail.” Lifting his hand, he settled it against hers as she rested it against his scarred cheek. “You have brought that out of me, have encouraged me to step out of the darkness and to see myself in a way which I never expected to again. Had it not been for you, for your kindness, your willingness to pursue me, to defend me and to come alongside me, I am certain that I would have continued to push away all that I felt.”
“But you are not doing so now.”
He shook his head. “No, I am doing nothing of the sort now, Abigail, not when it comes to you. My heart is filled with an affection for you which is utterly overwhelming. It fills every part of me, burns through me and makes my life brighter in every way. You say that you love me, Abigail, and I feel as though I do not deserve such a gift.”
She smiled at him, leaning closer still so that the sweet scent of lavender clouded his senses. “You deserve it all and a good deal more, Crestwood.”
“I shall never be convinced of it,” he answered, though she laughed softly at his response, “but I do love you, Abigail. And I promise you that I always shall.”
Quite who it was who moved first, Arthur did not know but one moment he was looking into Miss Townsend’s eyes and the next, he was kissing her. It was soft and sweet and unlike anything he had ever known before. He had cared for Lady Clara, he realized, but he had not loved her, not in the way he loved Abigail. She had brought him out of the darkness, taken him out from himself and had forced him to be in the light – and what a light it was! It brought him beauty and joy and happiness to such an extent, it felt as if he were entirely filled with sunlight.
“I do not think I have ever been as happy as I am at this moment,” he murmured against her lips, knowing that he had to break the kiss given that they might be joined by anyone from her family at any moment. “That is all thanks to you, my darling Abigail.”
Her eyes twinkled as she pulled back from him, though her fingers still laced through his. “I think I should continue to plan our wedding then, given that you are well on your way to recovery.”
Arthur chuckled and pressed her fingers. “I am delighted to hear you say so, for I cannot think of anything I want more than to stand up in church and take you as my bride.”
She pressed one hand to her heart, her eyes filled with the love she had spoken of. Love that was held solely for him. “And I want nothing more than to be your wife, Crestwood. The sooner we can marry, the happier I shall be. I love you.”
“And I love you.”
Epilogue
“Are you quite prepared?”
Abigail caught one last look at herself in her reflection before she smiled and nodded. “I am.”
“Then let us depart.” Lady Townsend came across to her and, reaching out one hand, took Abigail’s in her own. “You look very happy, my dear child.”
Abigail let out a slow breath. “I am very happy, Mama.”
“And I am still very sorry for what I did at the beginning of all of this.” Lady Townsend’s smile wobbled. “Though I can see now that it has brought you a good deal of happiness, had I known that your father was – ”
“Please, do not distress yourself on my account,” Abigail interrupted, not wanting her happy day to be sorrowful in any way. “I am happier than I thought I might ever be and it is all because you thought that Lord Crestwood would be a suitable match for me. You might not have had the same thoughts nor ideas as I had about it all but I believe that you did it with the right motivations and out of consideration for my future.” She pressed her mother’s hand and then let it go, twirling around so that her wedding gown might be displayed in all its glory. “And see now what it has brought about!” With a laugh, she threw up her hands just as Charlotte came into the room. “I am to marry the gentleman I love with all of my heart, knowing that he loves me just as much. It is more happiness than I ever thought I should have in my life and I am beyond grateful for that.”
“Oh, and you look so very beautiful.” With a sigh, Charlotte clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes shining. “I am glad to see you happy. I could not have borne it if you were not.”
Abigail smiled and reached out to embrace her sister. “I am certain you will find your own happiness soon enough,” she murmured, as she pulled back and looked into Charlotte’s eyes. “There is my own wedding, then there will be Isabella’s wedding at the end of the Season – and then, mayhap, your wedding the following Season?”
“Lady Isabella is to marry?” their mother exclaimed, as Abigail and Charlotte giggled together. “Who is she to wed?”
Abigail turned, her heart swelling with happiness. “Captain Harrington asked for Lord Crestwood’s permission to court Isabella and he gave him his blessing. I believe the courtship has turned very swiftly to engagement and they shall marry at the end of the Season.”
Lady Townsend blinked. “Captain Harrington? She is to marry a Captain when she is the daughter of – and sister to – an Earl?”
“Yes, Mama,” Abigail laughed, as Charlotte smiled happily at the news. “My dear Crestwood understands that one cannot help whom one falls in love with. If he were entirely unsuitable, that would be quite another matter, but Captain Harrington is brave, kind, considerate and cares very deeply for Lady Isabella. I think they shall have a very happy marriage.”
“As I am sure you shall also,” Charlotte replied, before Lady Townsend could say anything more. “Come then, I think the carriage is waiting.”
“And your betrothed will be also,” Lady Townsend continued, her smile breaking through again. “Abigail, I am very happy for you. Truly, I am. May this day be the beginning of a joyous union between yourself and Lord Crestwood, where your future is nothing but joy and happiness within your own house.”
“And may you bring him the required heir within the right time!” Charlotte quipped as Abigail’s face burst into flame. “Come now, we must hurry. We do not want to make Lord Crestwood wait any longer than he has already done!”
With a laugh, Abigail followed after her sister, her mind already on Lord Crestwood. Soon, she would be his bride, soon she would take her place as his wife and then, she was certain, her happiness would be complete.
“I – I am sorry, Abigail.”
Abigail looked to her father, her eyes wide in surprise.
