“For me?” She seemed a bit taken aback by this kindness, but nonetheless, her hands eagerly accepted the box.
However, she didn’t open it. She waited for him to say something else, as if she knew there was more to be said.
“Please, open it,” he urged.
Slowly, with trembling fingers, she unclasped a small lock, and opened the box. In there, nestled into a velvet pillow, lay a dainty brooch. It was oval shaped, adorned by a row of precious stones which sparkled in the light. Inside the glass, was a pressed, dry flower of light blue and purple, the color of her eyes.
“This belonged to my grandmother,” he explained. “She said this was the first flower my grandfather had gifted her, and she couldn’t part with it. So, she had it made into this brooch.”
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Rosalie gushed.
“I also don’t know what to say,” he admitted. “I don’t know how to say what I feel. Rosalie, this isn’t something I am used to. I couldn’t find a better way to reveal my feelings for you.”
“Your feelings?” she echoed.
“Yes,” he nodded, resisting the urge to look away.
“May I?”
Her fingers reached inside the box but stopped short just as the tips of her fingers brushed against the brooch. It looked like she dared not touch it for fear of breaking it or damaging it.
“Certainly. It is yours to do with as you wish.”
She smiled. With the skill of a real lady, she took out the brooch and attached it to her dress, at the level of her chest. It blended in perfectly with her simple, light-blue dress.
“It is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever gifted me,” she disclosed. “I still don’t know what to say.”
“Just say you feel the same,” he dared to announce the deepest, hidden wishes of his heart.
He took her by the hand. Her touch was so warm. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she took his hand into both of hers.
“I have always felt the same,” she admitted, blushing fervently. “I never dared accept this as true. It could only lead to heartache, and I’ve had too much heartache in my life. I still…”
She didn’t finish what she wanted to say. That same cover of despair and hopelessness enshrouded her beautiful face once more. He was certain of a deep secret she was harboring, a secret she couldn’t share yet. However, that did not matter in the least. He was willing to be patient, all for her, the one who had changed all their lives for the better.
“You need not fear that any longer,” he assured her. “You are safe with us. I promise to love you with every breath I take.”
That cloud of bleakness left her as quickly as it came. She was once again her joyful self, beaming with light.
“Edmund,” she smiled, her hand caressing his cheek. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.”
“It is you who has made me happy,” he replied.
They remained like that for a few moments more when a knock on the door interrupted them.
“Yes?” Edmund shouted, unwilling to let go of her hand.
Now that he had finally admitted his feelings, he felt like there was nothing else to hide, nothing else to keep a secret from the rest of his family. Whatever it was that Rosalie felt, it was too early to share with him, Edmund could wait. His love was unconditional.
“My Lord,” the butler opened the door. “Mr. Warner has arrived, and he begs to be admitted.”
“Ah yes,” Edmund nodded. “Show him in.”
The butler nodded, then quickly disappeared.
“I shall leave you to your work then,” Rosalie smiled. “I should also go see if the girls have done what I have asked them to.”
“Thank you,” he added. “For everything you do, for everything you are.”
