“Nothing… nothing is the matter,” she hesitated, biting her lower lip before she continued. “I just never thought I would be granted the chance to say this back to you. I am so happy, so very happy.”
“Marjorie, I… I know this is all sudden, and I have not prepared for this, but…” he paused to kneel down right before her.
She gasped, hiding her lips with her palm, shaking her head slowly in disbelief. Was this real or was it just a dream? It could not be real. How could her deepest, most secretive desires have come true in the exact manner that she wished them to? It was impossible, yet when she brought her hands together, pinching her skin ever so gently, she was still there. Alexander was still kneeling. The question still lingered between them, unsaid, yet obvious to them both.
“Marjorie… will you marry me?”
She blinked against another onslaught of tears. It was the second time she had heard that question, only now she welcomed it. Her heart heard it, and it already knew the answer. Her smile revealed it. All this was scarcely making any sense. A part of her still feared this was a wonderful dream, and she would at some point wake up in her bed, devoid of his magical presence, his enchanting question which changed her life. But she did not care. If it were a dream, she would savor it for as long as she could. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, emotions, fear and thrill, and so much love. More than she ever thought she was capable of feeling.
“Yes…” she finally said, realizing that he was waiting for the words, for the final opening of the doors that would bring them together forever. “But…” she suddenly added.
“But what?” He stood up immediately, his hand once again on her cheek, lovingly, tenderly patient. “What has you worried?”
“I hope you are not asking out of a sense of duty,” she explained.
“Sense of duty?” he wondered.
“Because of what just happened,” she noted. “I do not wish you to marry me just so you would save my reputation. I do not need saving. I never did. What I do need is what I have already told you. I wish to marry for love, and I wish to live the rest of my life cherishing the one I love, not being grateful that someone has saved my reputation by ruining his own.”
“All I want is to make you happy,” he told her. “To cherish you, to remind you every day how happy you’ve made me by marrying me. As for our reputations and what the ton will think of us, you know I do not give a damn about that.”
She could not resist chuckling at his cursing. It was so unlike him.
He stepped closer to her. His scent washed over her, caressing every inch of her body. “I have never been more certain of anything my entire life,” he assured her.
With those words, he pressed his lips upon her forehead. It was just an innocent kiss, prim and proper, yet at the same time, it was a kiss of worship and reverence, a kiss that promised he would love her forever no matter what. It was a kiss she believed.
“What should we do about him?” she suddenly asked, gesturing somewhere behind him. They turned around at the same time. Percival was still there, staring at him. Not only that, but they could also see faces on the window, even people in the doorway, huddling together, their gazes fixated on the actors of the drama before them. “Have they been there the entire time?” she whispered, incredulous at their audacity.
“I do believe so,” he chuckled. “I personally do not mind. I have nothing to hide.” His words were loud and proud.
“Neither do I,” she voiced herself, equally proud.
“As for you…” Alexander turned to Percival. She could see his fists clenching again, and she knew that this magical moment would be ruined if he decided to resort to physical violence. She did not want that.
“Alexander, please,” she gently said, placing her hand on his shoulder. He immediately stopped. His entire body relaxed, even his fists unclenched. He inhaled loudly, as if a huge burden had just been lifted off his chest. That was the kind of effect she had on him. “Leave him be. They’ve all seen what they needed to see. That will be enough of a punishment for him.”
“You are too kind, dear,” Alexander gushed, then turned to Percival once more. “You are fortunate that my wife to be has a heart that has a soft spot even for scoundrels like yourself. If it were me, you would be reacquainted with my fist. Now, be gone from sight before I change my mind and give you what you deserve.”
Percival looked like he wanted to say something, but he changed his mind in the last minute. He looked angry, sorrowful, and apologetic at the same time, if such an amalgamation of emotions as even possible. Whether it was an apology or even more lies, Marjorie did not care. She did not wish to hear him say a single word more. She, just like Alexander, wanted him out of sight. A few moments passed, and finally, he obliged, cowering away out of sight, and out of their lives.
“Now, what do you say we go back inside for another dance?” Alexander suggested.
Strangely, she did not wish to run away home and hide from the rest of the world. Right now, she felt like she owned the world herself. She felt like shouting it from the top of the mountain, unwilling to allow herself to be silenced ever again.
“I think that is a splendid idea,” she beamed, taking his hand, and allowing him to lead her back inside for that promised dance.
As they walked, he leaned closer to her, whispering right into her ear. “You look so beautiful, Marjorie. I could never say it aloud before, but now, I shall be repeating it repeatedly, until you get bored of it. Even then,” he chuckled again, in that sweet melodious laughter that awoke the memories of childhood in them both.
“Do not worry,” she replied teasingly. “I could never get bored of hearing that.”
Chapter 29
The wedding morning passed by in a daze. From the moment she opened her eyes, she felt she was still sleeping, still dreaming. While Edith helped her with the dress, she could not take her eyes off her own reflection in the mirror. The dress was an ivory white, shimmering jewel of a gown, elegant and flowing, which made her feel like a mermaid that had washed ashore, only to be found by the dashing young prince. Now, she was becoming his bride., leaving her old life behind her. She could scarcely recognize the happy, beaming woman who stared back at her. That was what a beloved woman looked like.
They exchanged their vows with only two witnesses. One was, of course, Edith, and the other Alexander’s old-time friend, who had just returned from his year spent abroad. He was a man of Alexander’s age, whom he had met during university. Not being tied down by anything, Timothy decided to spend most of his time abroad, traveling to the most exotic locations, to see every hidden part of the world. So far, he was most successful in that endeavor.
Marjorie did consider inviting the children to church, but with so many toddlers who would not be able to remain calm even for a minute, she decided against it, instead choosing to have their wedding breakfast in Vaughan Estate.
