"We should..." she began, but her cheeks flushed pink as her voice trailed off.
Ambrose grinned, tightening his grip on her hand. "Yes, let's go."
Hand in hand, they started walking back toward the rest of her family.
Daphne glanced sideways at him, her heart skipping another beat just at the sight of his easy smile. He looked so different now from the man she had been afraid of losing just moments ago—lighter, freer.
As soon as they reached her sisters, they wasted no time in pulling Daphne to the side.
"What happened?" Annie asked, barely able to contain her excitement. "Did he... did he propose?"
Daphne's cheeks turned bright red as she glanced at Ambrose, who was talking quietly with the husbands.
"Yes," she admitted, her voice a little breathless. "We're engaged."
There was a moment of stunned silence before her sisters erupted into squeals of joy, enveloping her in hugs.
Felicity clapped her hands together. "Oh, Daphne, this is wonderful!" she exclaimed, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
"I knew something was going on with you two," Joyce teased. "But I didn't expect this. Congratulations!"
Daphne blushed harder, her heart swelling with happiness.
For a long time, she had worried about where her life would lead, but now, with Ambrose's promise, it all felt so clear, so right.
The husbands who were nearby came over with Ambrose as a part of the group.
"Well, well, Your Grace," Edward said, "Looks like you're part of the family now."
Ambrose gave him a genuine smile. "It seems so," he replied.
Charles, who had been so protective earlier, was now grinning. "That means you'll have to join us for a drink soon," he added. "We'll show you what it means to really be a part of the family."
Ambrose chuckled. "I would like that," he said.
When Daphne saw the way Ambrose was interacting with the men, her heart warmed even more. He looked so comfortable, so at ease with her family. It was something she had never expected to see.
After a few more moments of lighthearted conversation, Ambrose turned to Daphne, meeting her eyes. "I'll take my leave now," he said, his voice gentle but full of promise. "But I'll see you again very soon."
Daphne smiled, squeezing his hand one last time before letting him go. "I'll be waiting."
For the first time in a long time, the future seemed filled with nothing but light.
CHAPTER 26
Daphne sat surrounded by her sisters and closest friends, all of whom were giggling and chattering away. They had arranged a girls night, as Daphne's wedding was right around the corner.
Joyce swirled her drink in her glass, reclining against the sofa, "Daphne, do not keep the ladies waiting any longer."
Isadora and Violet nodded eagerly, "Your sister is right. You must make haste," Isadora said.
"Patience is always rewarded, ladies," Daphne said, holding up a cloth bag carefully in her arms. She had gone with Joyce and Felicity this morning to the seamstress to pick up her wedding dress.
"Reward us, already," Violet giggled, already giddy from the wine. "Must you be so mysterious about everything?"
Felicity and Annie sat in the corner of the room, observing the girls talk amongst them.
Daphne opened the clothing bag, her heart thudding in her chest as she reached for the delicate wedding dress. She pulled it out slowly, holding it up for them to see.
