Page 63 of Secrets of Capell Manor
“Yes, please, Mr. Kelley. I cannot wait another moment. You can speak freely in front of Benton and Marta.”
Mr. Kelley smiled in understanding. “The king recognizes that you are the sole heir to the Capell estate; however, he sees no advantage to the monarchy in granting you the Capell lands. He feels strongly that he needs this holding to secure the borders and monitor the king’s enemies. In exchange for Capell Manor, however, you have been granted a rare gift.”
Rosalind blinked in confusion. “A gift?”
“A choice,” Mr. Kelley continued, his eyes gleaming with the weight of his message. “The king regrets the abuse you endured under the care of your uncle. And for that, he has now given you the power to choose your own husband. You may marry any man or no man at all. Your estate inherited through your father shall remain in your name—but he requires you to surrender all the Capell lands to His Majesty.”
Rosalind’s heart skipped a beat. The king was allowing her to choose! She was able to keep and would return to her childhood home!
“Any man? Any man at all, you say?”
Mr. Kelley nodded “Any man or no man, my lady. And that’s not all. I will let Devlin share this next part.”
Devlin knelt in front of her, his voice low. “Rosalind, I’ve come back to you, and that’s not all. The king has released me from my duties. I am a free man.”
Rosalind’s breath caught in her throat, as her mind processed Mr. Kelley and Devlin’s announcement.
“Rosalind, I want to marry you. If you’ll have me, I’m yours.”
All the waiting, all the fear, melted away in that single moment.
“I don’t even have to consider your proposal, Devlin. All I’ve only ever wanted is you. My answer is yes!”
A slow smile spread across Devlin’s face, and in that instant, Rosalind knew her decision had already been made long ago. The Capell estate, the king’s plans, none of it mattered compared to the love standing before her.
Benton and Marta smiled from ear to ear and once again Marta wiped tears from her face. Alden clapped Devlin on the back and shook his hand.
Mr. Kelley bowed slightly. “Then I shall inform the king that the matter is settled.”
Benton motioned for Mr. Kelley to sit, and they found seats at the end of the long table. Marta announced that she’d fetch wine to celebrate and retreated to the kitchen.
Rosalind and Devlin stood facing each other, smiling, but then her heart stuttered and her stomach fell.
“Rosalind, what is the matter?”
“Devlin, I must speak to you now. Alone.”
Benton and Mr. Kelley were already deep in conversation. The couple left the great hall and quickly went upstairs to the solar.
Rosalind closed the door behind her and stood before Devlin, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hardly look him in the eyes. “You may not want to marry me,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Devlin’s head tilted slightly, and his brow furrowed. He stepped closer, reaching for her hand, but she pulled it away.
“Rosalind, nothing could ever change my mind about you. I love you.”
She shook her head, her fingers twisting the fabric of her gown at her neck, “You don’t understand. You think you know me, but you don’t. You don’t know what I’ve done, Devlin. I… I lied to you. I’ve lied the entire time you and Alden have been here.”
She looked him squarely in the eyes. There was no anger and no surprise. He started to speak, but Rosalind cut him off. She was unable to stop.
“You’ve known all along, haven’t you?” she asked, her voice thick with emotion. “You knew I was there… when Edmond died.”
Devlin was silent for a moment. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the delicate silver locket. He held it between his fingers, and Rosalind’s breath caught in her throat.
“I found it,” he said softly, “in Edmond’s hand when I pulled him from the bog. I knew that you were there. You knew what happened to him, and you kept that from me. Yes, you lied to me, Rosalind, but you lied to protect yourself and the children. You were in an impossible situation. What were you supposed to do?”
Angry tears welled up in her eyes and her teeth clenched with her anger and shame. But she brushed the tears away with a swipe of her hand, squared her shoulders and faced Devlin, ready for whatever happened next.
“Stop!” she yelled. “Stop being so understanding! You don’t know! It’s so much worse than you think,” she managed to say, her voice now barely above a whisper.
