Page 60 of The Marchioness of his Desire

“If a man can be as mad as Edward Johnson, then I will gladly have nothing to do with any man, I am so glad I avoided Henry Bloom; he too was mad, quite mad,” she replied, as they helped themselves to lemonade.

“Not all men are mad; some are quite delightful,” Rebecca said, glancing at Nicholas, who was engaged in a similar conversation with his friend, who also, it seemed, could not believe the astonishing tale.

“The change that has come over Her Grace,” he whispered later to Rebecca, “I had thought she would forever play the disgruntled old dragon she always was.”

“I am quite willing to accept that people can change,” Rebecca said, smiling at the sight of the Duchess and her uncle still talking animatedly to one another.

“And what now, Nicholas? Will you go back to the New World? Your father is no doubt eager for you to return there,” Ian said, and Nicholas glanced at Rebecca, shaking his head, as he put his arm around her.

“I have no intention of going anywhere, Ian. Not to the New World, not even as far as Bath, if it would take me away from Rebecca,” he said, and Ian raised his eyebrows.

“The two of you really are in love, that much is certain,” he said, and Nicholas nodded.

“I almost lost her, but I shall not make that mistake again. Not ever,” he declared.

The picnic turned into a tea which turned into a supper, the party enjoying the sunshine in the park and reveling in one another’s company. It astonished Rebecca to see how the events of the past days had served to bring them together. She had never seen her uncle look so happy, nor the Duchess, and as for Laura, she was laughing and joking, delighting in everyone’s company.

Later that evening, when farewells had been exchanged and assurances of further social delights obtained, Rebecca and Nicholas walked together in the gardens behind the house. The warmth of the day had left the pleasant scent of the flowers hanging in the air. A slight coolness was now falling, so that Rebecca was glad for the shawl about her shoulders as she walked upon Nicholas’ arm.

“I was astonished by your mother and my uncle today, and the change that has come over us all,” she said, and he smiled down at her.

“We have all felt it. It is as though a burden has been lifted, one which has hung over us for too long. Still, we shall not be troubled by him again,” he said, pausing and turning to her.

They were amidst the rose garden now, and he plucked a single stem from a nearby plant, its sweet aroma heady with scent. Now, he presented it to her, smiling as he did so, and slipping his hand into hers.

“I meant what I said,” he said, and she looked at him curiously.

“What did you mean?” she asked, taking the rose from him and bringing it to her nose, delighting in the smell, which now perfumed the air.

“That I have no interest in returning to the New World. My father may do as he wishes, just as he always does. My place is here, at your side,” he said, and she smiled.

“What if I were to ask to come with you?” she said, at which he looked surprised.

“You would wish to see such places?” he asked, and she pondered.

“I would only wish it if I were with you,” she replied, and he put his arms around her and kissed her gently upon the forehead.

“Then we must decide together, but for now, I think it matters not where we are, so long as we have one another,” he replied, and looking up into his eyes, Rebecca knew that being with him was all she wanted. Their lips met in a kiss, each knowing that a happy future lay ahead.

The End?