Page 56 of A Duke's Overlooked Spinster
Robert gaped at her. “You could never hurt him,” he said instantly. “He adores you. You must have noticed?”
Sarah smiled. “I know he is fond of me,” she said carefully. “But, well...what your mother said is true. I could hurt him.”
“What my mother said?” Robert gaped.
“She told me that I would only hurt Henry. That I should leave your family alone. She said that I would ruin your son’s reputation.”
“What?” Robert demanded. He knew that Sarah’s father had not been particularly well known in society. He had not inquired at all as to whether she had—or could, by law—inherit anything, but that did not matter at all. His dukedom was prosperous, and he had no need of any dowry or inheritance to add to his wealth. Henry’s reputation and status in society would not be tainted by his marrying a peer—the longer he thought about it, the more he knew that. His mother simply disapproved of Sarah because she was not manipulable. “Did she truly make such a statement?”
“She came and found me at the party,” Sarah said. “The party yesterday. That was why I left early. I do not know if you noticed?”
“Of course, I noticed!” Robert said a little crossly. “I had been looking forward to seeing you all morning! I wondered why you had done that.” He swallowed hard, seeing her sorrowful expression and realizing that, while he was incredulous, she was simply hurt. “I am so sorry that my mother did that to you,” he said quickly.
“There is no need to be,” Sarah said quickly. “You did not make her do it.”
Robert chuckled at the slight grin that lifted her mouth, though her eyes still looked troubled.
They both stood quietly for a moment. Robert’s mind reeled. The first thing he wanted to do was to rush off and confront his mother, but a second of reflection made him realize that it made little sense to do so. He needed to reassure Sarah more than he needed to reprimand his mother. She could have caused immense trouble, but it had not happened, and he could ignore his rage for the moment. Talking to Sarah was more important.
“I am deeply sorry for what she said,” he said slowly. “But, as it is, I do not believe there is any impediment to us being together.” He paused as her eyes lit up. “Henry is my son, and my heir, and nothing can change that. You are a peer. My own family reputation should be able to weather a little bit of an unusual story,” he added with a smile. “And you are unusual, Sarah. I think that only adds to your allure.”
To his amazement, she started sobbing.
“You...” she gazed up at him, her eyes shining. “You really mean that, don’t you,” she breathed. “You mean that you...that you don’t mind my unusual past? My strange introduction into society?”
“Of course not,” Robert said instantly. “It rather adds to you. A certain amount of talk in society is no bad thing. My father always said that if one drew a certain amount of gossip, that meant people were interested. And that can never be bad.” He chuckled.
Sarah gaped at him. “You mean it?”
“Of course.”
He drew a breath. He had decided what he wanted weeks ago, but it took some effort to find words to say it. He decided simply to be brave. “Sarah,” he breathed. “My sweetest Sarah. Will you do me the honour of becoming my duchess?”
Sarah gaped again. This time, her eyes were wet with tears. She lifted her hands to her cheeks, her eyes wide and shiningwith teardrops that he guessed must be of happiness, because a big grin split her face as she tried to form words.
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “Yes. I will.”
Robert let out a breath as he stared at her. It was his turn to look surprised. Somehow, he had never really entertained the idea that she would say yes. It took him by such surprise that he had no idea what to say.
He chuckled—a delighted, warm chuckle that arose from deep within, letting out all the joy and surprise and delight that her answer called up.
“I am so happy,” he said softly.
“I am, too,” Sarah said, a big grin lifting her lips at the corners.
Robert reached for her and drew her into his arms, and she leaned against him, her weight pressing against him in a firm, real, delightful embrace that nourished his soul.
He pressed his lips against hers and they kissed.
A lark flew overhead, singing the purest notes he could imagine and he without needing further thought, he knew that somewhere infinitely far above them, in another place, Elizabeth was smiling and that all was well.
He wrapped his arm around Sarah’s shoulders, and they walked the short distance across the lawn to where his son played with her puppy on the grass. They had a lot of good news. And they could not wait to tell it to them.
Epilogue
“Are you ready?” Edward asked Sarah as she walked up the path. Sarah swallowed hard. Her heart was glowing, joy bursting from her. She had thought she would be scared or tense, but instead, a delicious, blissful happiness radiated from her and made her stride up the path towards the door.
“I am,” Sarah said softly. She beamed at Edward and Edward smiled back. He took her hand and led her through the door and into the dark, candlelit interior of the chapel.
