Page 68 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
“I changed my mind,” she exclaimed joyfully, watching them sit so closely together, holding hands. Her eyes widened, as if an invisible voice had spoken something right into her ear, for only her to know. “Something happened here!”
“What do you mean, you little mischief-maker?” Sebastian teased her.
“You…” Anna pointed at them both. “There is something about you two now.”
“Well, if you must know, Amelia has agreed to marry me,” Sebastian revealed playfully, much to Anna’s delight, who squealed with joy.
“I knew it!”
“Did you, now?” Sebastian chuckled, and everyone joined it.
Anna nodded with an air of utter confidence. “Of course! I’ve seen the way you both look at each other, with so much love. It’s like in the fairy tales when the prince and the princess finally find each other.”
Amelia smiled warmly at Anna. “You have quite the knack for understanding matters of the heart, my dear. We are so lucky to have you as our little matchmaker.”
Anna beamed with pride, her eyes shining with genuine happiness for the couple. “Can I be the flower girl at the wedding?”
Sebastian exchanged a knowing glance with Amelia, realizing that perhaps the wisdom of a child was the most genuine guide in matters of love.
“Absolutely, my dear. You can be anything you want at our wedding.”
With that, they embraced the simplicity of the moment, reveling in the shared joy and the anticipation of a future filled with love, laughter, and the promise of a family bound by more than mere blood. The garden, witness to so much of their journey, seemed to echo the sentiment as if the very blooms celebrated the union of two souls destined to find each other in the intricate tapestry of life.
Epilogue
Ravenscroft Manor, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, witnessed a momentous occasion as Sebastian and Amelia exchanged vows in a quaint ceremony attended by close friends and family. The garden, now adorned with vibrant flowers, served as a picturesque backdrop, symbolizing the growth and blossoming of their love.
To Amelia, the garden was the perfect place for their ceremony. In fact, it was the only place that had seen them through all of their trials and tribulations, the place that had brought them together, despite all the obstacles.
Amelia, radiant in a simple yet elegant gown, walked down a makeshift aisle that seemed to have been strewn with petals by the very hands of nature. Sebastian, looking more handsome than ever, waited for her at the altar. As she reached his side, their exchanged glances spoke volumes, reflecting a shared journey of trials and triumphs.
The ceremony, conducted by a local clergyman, echoed with promises and declarations of love. The intimate gathering, consisting of those who had become an integral part of their lives, bore witness to the union that transcended societal norms and expectations.
Under the blossoming boughs and the gentle rustle of leaves, Sebastian placed his mother’s ring on Amelia’s outstretched finger, sealing their commitment with a tender kiss. The gathered friends and family applauded, their cheers blending with the harmonious melody of nature, celebrating not just a marriage but the triumph of love over adversity.
“Can you believe we are here, together, after everything that has happened?” she asked him as they danced together to the soft music of a string quartet later that day.
“I cannot imagine being anywhere else, with anyone else,” he replied, gazing at her lovingly. “So, yes…I can believe it, my love. I believe it with all my heart…”
Amelia felt her heart full to the brim, as if it would burst at the seams. All the people she loved most were here.
“It seems that Anna has taken quite a liking to your best friend and sister,” Sebastian pointed out, gesturing somewhere behind her.
He swirled her to the sound of the music, so she could see for herself. The sight made her smile, and it warmed her heart. Anna was excitedly explaining something to both Rosalind and Penelope, who, in turn, were listening to her quite intently. She had seen that look in their eyes enough times to recognize it even from a distance.
At first, Anna darted between guests, her eyes wide with wonder, as she observed all the people she did not know. However, it seemed that Penelope, with her grace, and Rosalind, with her vivacity, left an indelible impression on the young girl’s heart.
Glancing at her sister and her best friend, who were finally with her, Amelia felt a deep sense of gratitude. In the midst of the festivities, she found solace in the bond they shared, a bond that had withstood the test of time and distance. The wedding became not just a union of two souls, but a reunion of hearts, bridging the gaps that life’s journey had introduced.
“And Anna does not like everyone, you know,” Sebastian reminded her.
“Yes.” Amelia nodded. “I’ve witnessed that myself. I am sorry that we didn’t listen to her when she first told us that she didn’t like your cousins,” she replied.
She didn’t like to think about that, and one time, she shared the sentiment with Sebastian. Then, he changed her perspective on the whole matter. He said sometimes, life brought them an obstacle, but only once they were ready to overcome it. They might not have known it at the time, but they were both ready.
Ready to fight, ready to open up to each other, ready to find their true path in life, which was by each other’s side. So, it was a goodthing that his supposed cousins arrived and threw their world upside down. They were able to fight…together.
“You know, I have an idea,” he suddenly said, once the music had brought them close enough to speak again.
