But the only words she cared about were the ones Jacob said next.
He shook out a folded sheet of paper and began to read.
Each syllable of his love poetry washed over her like the warmth of the sun on a cool day. Sweet, sensual, irreverent, heartrending. Tears ran down her cheeks before he finished the final line.
Young ladies in the audience dropped like flies, swooning in unison.
Viv almost joined them.
“I didn’t have a chance to rehearse this next bit.” Jacob handed the speaking-trumpet to Adrian, then lowered himself to one knee so that he could lock eyes with Viv. This time, his words were only for her. “Before I get to the main question, I want you to know I would never force you to live in the same house with my siblings if you don’t want to. Pick a place, and I’m there.”
She frowned. “What about your animals?”
“I can afford to build another barn. What I can’t afford is to lose you.”
She glanced over his shoulder at his family.
“They don’t want to lose you either,” he added. “Your views balance us, in the best possible way. Together, we could have more impactand be better people than I’d ever imagined. But even that isn’t your responsibility. If you never want to work another case again, that’s your prerogative. I’m not asking you to come labor for the Wynchesters.”
She bit her lip. “What are you asking me?”
“Right.” Jacob cleared his throat, his face half-terrified, half-hopeful. He lowered his lips to kiss the back of her hand. “Miss Vivian Henry, formerly of Demerara, soon to be the most sought-after playwright in England, forever the owner of my heart. Would you do me the eternal honor of agreeing to be my wife?”
Her voice may have trembled, but it rang out clear and loud. “Of course I will.”
All the Wynchesters cheered, causing whoops and huzzahs to spread through the crowd like ocean waves.
The happiest ending of all.
Jacob reached out his hand. Viv held on tight. He hauled her up onstage and swirled her in a circle, earning even more cheers from the adoring crowd.
“I love you so much,” he murmured into her ear. “If you ever need more basil, or a passionate distraction while you read, you can always call on me.”
She hiccup-laughed into his chest. “I love you more than all the soon-to-be heartbroken ladies in England combined.”
“You do know what this means, don’t you?” crowed Marjorie.
“We’re going to have to teach Rufus to respect hedgehogs?” Viv guessed.
Elizabeth rushed onstage, sword drawn. “It means it’s my turn to shine!”
The other Wynchesters were right behind her. Graham sent his sister a repressive look.
“I mean Vivian’s turn.” Elizabeth swung her sword with a lofty smile. “I merely provide the knighting services.”
“You do not have to be inducted as an official Wynchester in front of half of London,” Jacob murmured to Viv.
“Are you jesting?” She raised her brows. “My cousin would disown me on the spot if I failed to make the most of such a spectacle.”
She glanced out into the crowd. Quentin was being swarmed by his faux-Wynchester friends. They took turns hugging him and pointing at the stage, every one of them bouncing around like a litter of puppies.
“More importantly,” Viv continued, “Iwantto be part of this family. Just tell me what I need to do.”
“Kneel,” Elizabeth commanded.
Viv knelt.
Elizabeth waved her sword at Jacob. “You, too.”
