Page 24 of Once Upon a Winter's Tale
Jane scratched at Brianna’s door before stepping inside. “My lady, the duke is here to escort you to the manor house.”
*
The light fromthe full moon and the candlelit windows turned the glistening snow into a sparkling wonderland and gave the manor house a palatial splendor as the coach carried Brianna, the duke, and her mother to the front door.
As they approached the top step, Augustus opened the door and stepped out. “My lady, Miss Brianna, Your Grace, please come in. Mr. Stanton and Her Grace are awaiting you in the parlor.”
“Alaina, Brianna, how wonderful to see you,” gushed the duchess, taking the hands of her most special friend and squeezing them gently. “May I offer you some beverage? We have tea, lemonade, and sherry.”
Alaina laughed. “You haven’t changed—always saving the best for last, Caroline. I’d love a glass of sherry.”
“Allow me,” Roger said, stepping over to the small glass beverage cart, pouring a glass of sherry, and handing it to the countess. “I am one of the younger sons, Roger,” he said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Roger. Your mother has spoken highly of you and is proud of the work you do. You are a solicitor, correct?”
He nodded. “And this must be the beautiful Brianna I’ve heard about. Miss Brianna, they have not given your beauty enough praise.”
Brianna blushed. “Thank you, Mr. Stanton.” She looked at Albert, who winked at her while standing behind his brother, sipping a brandy.
The duchess put her arm around her friend and whispered discreetly, “I know you, my dear, and I want to assure you that all is well. I needed to see my son and take care of some business that necessitated our following him to Devon.”
“I received your note and the letter from Felix. Would I be wrong to assume the business has something to do with me?” Alaina asked.
“Some of it does. Circumstances did not give me a chance to brief my son that you were living here before he left. It was important to do that. And it had been too long since I had seen my dear friend. I became vexed that the clandestine note I sent warning of Albert’s trip would worry you, and needed to make that right.”
Alaina nodded. “You have always been too kind to me. And to rush down here for me—you are the dearest friend a person could ever have. Thank you.” She managed a smile. “I am certain Cook has been in her element with dinner arrangements. She loves to feed a crowd.”
Albert walked up to Brianna and took her hand. “Do you think anyone would think badly of me if I stole you for a few minutes?”
Brianna turned to her mother, who nodded her approval.
“I’ve been wanting to talk with you about an idea I have had,” he began when they were alone.
“An idea? What kind of idea?” They had spoken about so many things in the past few days that she wondered if it had to do with her animals. He had ideas for housing her strays where they might be a little safer, particularly from predators like the dogs that threatened the kittens and the fawn.
“Just something I’ve been thinking about now,” he said, evading an answer.
He led her through the dining room to the veranda overlooking the snow-covered gardens below and placed his jacket around her shoulders.
“I have something to ask you, Brianna,” he said, and dropped to one knee.
Brianna gazed into green eyes that had held her captive for days, as her heart beat a loud tattoo. She was certain he could hear it. Her lips formed a question, but no words emerged.
“It’s more a question,” he said, taking her hands in his. “I came here and landed unceremoniously in the mud, staring up at the most beautiful woman I have ever met. And since that experience, I’ve gotten to know you and find myself unable to think about riding away from here and leaving you.” He took a steadying breath and shifted a little. “Brianna Thomas, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She could feel her lower lip tremble and her eyes fill with tears. Nodding, she whispered, “Yes. Yes, I would love to be your wife.”
Albert stood and reached into this pocket, withdrawing a small black velvet box. “Will you accept this ring as a symbol of my affection?” He opened the box and displayed a sparkling amethyst and diamond ring.
Trembling, she took a small step back and held out her hand. Tears streamed down her cheek while he placed the ring on her finger. “It’s so beautiful!”
He pulled her close and slanted his face, grazing her lips with his before giving her a soul-searing kiss that ignited her body to its core, with a tingling that continued beyond the touch of his lips.
“Shall we let the others know?” He nodded toward the dining room, where everyone had already gathered.
With her still wearing his jacket, they returned to the much warmer dining room, and their announcement was met with cheers around the table.
“Let me be the first to congratulate you, dear sister,” Roger said, before kissing her on the cheek and pulling out the vacant chair next to her fiancé for her.
