She laughed, watery and relieved, and he pressed another soft kiss to her cheek.
"I want you," he said. "I want a life with you. Children, if we are fortunate."
She nodded, her heart too full for words.
"But perhaps," he added more gently, brushing a thumb over her damp lashes, "we might wait a little. Until the girls are older and settled in their own lives. Then…then I want us to have a family of our own. Is that something that you can come to accept?"
"Of course." Alethea drew in a shaky breath. "Nothing would make me happier. I understand that, and if anything, I might prefer it. I have never wanted us to rush, only that we should not close a door for ourselves."
"I will never do that again," His smile softened into something almost boyish. "I just hope that you mean what you say."
"I do," she whispered.
"Then it is settled." He kissed her again, even slower this time.
The rain was still falling hard in sheets outside. It had turned into a storm now, worse than before. But Alethea could not care less. Oliver held her hand in his, refusing to let go even though they were both tired into the late hour of the night.
But there was no time to sleep now. For now, Alethea suddenly had a wonderful future to look forward to with Oliver.
EPILOGUE
"You have been staring."
Felicity said the words to Alethea in a whisper. Who in turn was startled and turned to her sister. "Have I been, really?"
Felicity arched a brow in a manner that motherly. "You have not taken your eyes off them since we walked in."
"Well, I suppose you cannot blame me for that. It is finally their big day, and just will you look at them? Alethea said and inclined her head toward the center of the ballroom where Joyce and Theodore were dancing. "Have you ever seen her so happy?"
"No," Felicity admitted. She was quiet for a moment. "I do not believe I have ever seen either of them look so settled."
"It suits her," Alethea's gaze lingered on Joyce's face.
"It suits them both," Daphne said as she joined them. "I am glad that they got the ending that they deserved."
"It was not without a fight, I assure you," Alethea smiled. Finally, Theodore's efforts had paid off and Oliver had agreed to their match some weeks ago. Today was the day of their engagement ceremony.
"Then you see how love is worth the fight," Daphne smiled. "Of course, you already know that, I should presume. Love looks lovely on you as well. I think you have done nothing but smile all evening."
"I suppose I have," Alethea tried to look reproachful but failed. The last few months had been nothing short of bliss for Alethea.
She had finally reached a point with Oliver where they did not hide their love for one another.
"Then we are all precisely where we should be," Daphne's smile gentled.
Felicity looked across the hall, her expression hard to read.
"It is a rare thing," she said, "to see so many people so plainly in love."
Alethea's chest filled with something warm. It had been so long since they were all gathered in one place like this, so long sinceshe could look around a room and feel that everyone she cared for was safe.
Her gaze drifted then to the tall figure standing near the fireplace, listening with polite attention to an elderly dowager who had cornered him for conversation.
Oliver.
He looked at ease, for once. His posture was relaxed, and his mouth curved in the faintest of smiles.
"You know," Felicity began, her voice thoughtful in a way that made Alethea turn at once, "I think I have misjudged him."
