Page 46 of The Marquess's Imperfect Brid
“Of course,” she said, taking his hand. The thrill she had felt when reaching for the scarf at the fair was stronger than ever as he gently grasped her fingers. He led her to the entryway of the orphanage, turning to face her with a smile warmer than she feltshe deserved.
“I know the truth behind your rejection, Grace,” he said with incredible emotion. “I was not aware that my mother had said such terrible things to you, and I now know that you felt that you had no choice but to turn away from me.”
Grace exhaled.
“Neil,” she said, shaking her head. “It must have been.” She wanted to be angry with her brother for interfering. And she did not even need to guess how he had learned of the conversation between the duchess and her. But she knew he meant well. And that Lord Hayewood had come searching for her after learning the truth meant that his feelings for her had not changed. But could she accept his love when she still did not feel that he could risk his future and reputation by marrying her?
The marquess smiled softly and shook his head.
“It does not matter how I know,” he said. “I came to tell you that my love for you is unwavering, and I want nothing more than to build a life with you by my side. I do not care what anyone thinks of you, or of us, or of anything we choose to do as both marquess and marchioness and as future duke and duchess. They are the ones who are wrong for not seeing what I see when I look at you, for not loving you as I do. Nothing in the world could ever be worse than spending the rest of my days without you in my life. I will always be proud to have you at my side, no matter what.”
Grace sobbed, only this time it was with joy. The agony she had felt for the past three days seemed to vanish in an instant. And with the man she loved offering such reassurance about his love and pride for her, she felt free at last to be honest with him.
“Oh, Gareth,” she said as tears streamed down her face. “I love you, too. I think I have loved you since the moment you rescued Lady Whiskers from that tree. I am truly sorry for lying to you and pushing you away. I do love you, Gareth. I only hopethat you can forgive me for scaring and hurting you by rejecting you the way that I did.”
Gareth laughed, his own eyes shining with tears. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and nodded eagerly.
“I can forgive anything, so long as you love me,” he said. He leaned down, placing his warm lips on hers. The tender kiss dissolved the world around them, and for that moment, Grace was lost in the true perfection that was now her life. The love she could now share freely with the man she adored so deeply was all that existed. And Grace had never been happier.
A burst of giggles interrupted the sweet kiss. The couple turned to see a row of little orphan faces, clapping as they smiled at their teacher.
“Are you two getting married?” Susan asked.
Grace blushed, looking up at Gareth. He looked at her, his eyes filled with more love than Grace had ever imagined she would see when looking at a man.
“Are we?” he asked, kneeling down on one knee. “Will you agree to be my wife, Grace Farraway?”
Grace laughed, more tears falling just as Abigail, Millicent and Juliet entered. The women must have heard the proposal, as they were also crying and smiling.
“Yes, Gareth,” she said, turning to the hallway now filled with people. “Yes, we are getting married.”
Epilogue
The weeks following her reconciliation with Gareth and her engagement to him felt like every happily ended storybook that Grace had ever read. She, her mother and her sister left early each morning for dress fittings, accessory shopping, wedding planning and arranging and even just for tea to discuss decorations and entertainment for the wedding breakfast. With each passing day, Grace felt more like a princess. For the first time since her accident, her scars did not cross her mind. She felt nothing but love and delight from her loved ones. Particularly, her betrothed and beloved Gareth.
At the end of the second week, Millicent, who had been called away to Bath to attend the birth of her elder sister’s baby, burst through her chamber door as Juliet was helping her dress for the day. She thrust herself into Grace’s arms, sobbing and laughing wildly as she hugged her friend tightly.
“Grace, darling, I came as soon as I could,” she said. “I could not be happier for you. Am I too late to attend fittings for your wedding dress?”
Grace laughed, reinvigorated by her friend’s excitement.
“Not at all, darling,” she said, kissing her friend’s wet cheek. “In fact, I am scheduled for another one in just one hour, while Mother and Anne make some arrangements for the wedding breakfast. Would you like to come with me?”
Millicent squealed, clapping her hands and embracing Grace again.
“I would not miss it for the world,” she said.
From that day on, Millicent was the fourth in their party as they shopped and planned. Even Neil made adjustments in his busy schedule to attend the final fitting for her wedding dresseight days before the wedding. When she stepped out from behind the partition in the seamstress’s shop, Neil covered his mouth with his hands. His eyes, which usually twinkled with mirth or glowed with doting protectiveness, were damp with tears as he smiled at his sister.
“Grace, my dear,” he said, taking her hands and twirling her in a circle so he could see the full dress. “You have always been one of the three most beautiful women in all of England to me. But now, you look like royalty. And I can think of no one more deserving than you.”
Grace embraced her brother, bittersweet tears streaming down her cheeks. With just over a week until the wedding, she realized how different their lives would now be. She would soon be married, leaving behind her siblings, her parents and her family home to begin her new life with Gareth. She knew that she would see her loved ones often. But that would be one of the last times they spent a day in town as a family.
“Thank you, Brother,” she said. “I am going to miss you so much.”
Neil laughed, wiping away her tears before rubbing fiercely at his own eyes.
“Sister, dear, I assure you that I shall call in on you so much that it will be as if I live there,” he said.
