Helena nodded slowly.
“And now we’re going to be able to do that. I am happy.” He sighed. “But that isn’t the reason why I helped you.”
Helena cocked her head to the side curiously. “Why did you help me, then?”
He pursed his lips. “It is difficult to explain. The minute I saw you, I knew that you were different from any other woman I’d ever met. You had my blood pumping in my veins, the world seemed brighter, everything was that much more immediate and alive. Having you here in my home, in my life, has been the most exciting, yet peaceful time I have ever spent. I didn’t recognize it for what it was, until recently. Not speaking to you, not being able to lie next to you in your bed—our bed—has been the most excruciating time of my life. I realized then that you have wrangled your way into my very soul. That you are a part of me in a way that I could never get rid of.”
He gave a rueful laugh shaking his head, as he squeezed her hand.
“Do you realize how terrifying it is for me to discover that you have cleared a place for yourself in my heart without so much as a by-your-leave?”
She laughed wetly. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
He nodded, looking down. “I don’t even know what to say to you. Except… please stay with me, and be my wife.”
“I never stopped being your wife,” she whispered. “I wanted to—so used was I to being alone—but I could not manage it.”
“Good. I don’t want you to leave this tangled up thing we have woven between us. Always with danger in the background, I wish to have some time to show you that I can be a good husband to you. Even when you’re not in distress.”
She gave him a sad smile. “I know I haven’t been the easiest. I have pushed you, I have harangued you, I have been an utter nuisance. But you’ve been patient with me. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
He snorted. “Hardly patient. And you were not a nuisance. Never.” He shook his head emphatically.
“Well, I suppose that’s good to hear.”
He looked into her eyes, letting her see everything in his—the love he felt for, the fear for her safety he had gone through, the fierce protectiveness and possessiveness. It was all there, open and unhidden.
Tears fell from her eyes unbidden. “Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for saving my life. And my soul.”
He slowly leaned in and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “It was my pleasure. Now, come with me. I have something to show you.”
Helena wiped her face. “Now? I’m such a mess.”
“I don’t think anyone will mind,” he said as he helped her to her feet and then knelt down to put her slippers on for her.
He took the shawl from the chair and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“There. Are you comfortable?”
She smiled and nodded shyly. “I feel very taken care of.”
“Good. You should get used to it. I plan on doing it a lot more.”
Helena’s cheeks hurt from how much she was smiling.
She followed him from the room, and he led her down the stairs towards the parlor. she thought that he probably had prepared a feast for her there.
Now that I think of it, I am rather peckish.
She entered the parlor and her eyes immediately went to the table wanting to see what food was laid out.
It took her a moment to realize that there were other people in the room.
Her eyes flicked from the table to the door, then back again, her heart suddenly lodged in her throat.
She froze, her breath catching in her chest as she saw them—standing there, both smiling wide, both beaming with an undeniable joy that filled the room.
“Charlie!” she gasped, her voice trembling with disbelief.
