Richard met her gaze. He had notintendedto spill the information during his fit of rage, but it had happened. “I do hope that that is all right?”
Her answer was to hug him tightly, her face pressed into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her tightly.
“He told me that he was behind all of it…he orchestrated the entire thing…everything in the garden…that Lady Harrington was cross and spitting nettles when you stormed away from her. She vowed her revenge…” Catherine sounded on the verge of tears, and yet the words were also tinged with rage. “She would have cost us our child…”
“We cannot allow her to get away with this,” Richard said, his words a promise and a vow to seek his own retribution for what she tried to do. His eyes lifted to his father as the older man simply nodded.
“I shall do everything within my power to make this right…I know that the wound between us is a great one and that I have caused far more damage than I am certain that I even yet realize…” The duke’s voice grew thick. “It feels as if I have been asleep for a very, very long time, and I am only now starting to feel awake once more…”
It was the very thing that Richard had hoped that he would someday say to him. Yet, now that the words were actually leaving his mouth, it felt somewhat surreal. It would be a long road ahead of them…but he was willing to walk it if his father were truly remorseful.
“I forgot what it looked like to see two people in love with one another…willing to fight their way back to the other,” the duke continued.
Father and son, standing in the wake of danger and revelation, shared a silent moment of reconciliation. The tangled web of deceit began to unravel, and amidst the shadows of the estate, a newfound understanding between Richard and his father emerged—a realization that love, in its various forms, had the power to mend even the most shattered bonds.
While Richard had not yet said the words out loud, and yet his father, of all people, had been able to pick up on that most important truth in the way that would always matter most. He did love Catherine—and she needed to know how he felt. She deserved to know that he was going to do absolutely everything in his power to ensure that they had a safe and happy future. Their child would never want for anything.
Richard turned to his wife, putting only the space between them that was absolutely necessary for him to look into her beautiful eyes.
“I love you, Catherine. I should have said it earlier—I should have shouted it from the very rooftops—you are everything that I desire. I do not ever wish to be parted from you. Not in a year, not in a hundred years—not ever. I want to raise our child and many more after that. I want to have a life with you, for better or for worse…I love you. I love all of you.”
Catherine was silent for a long moment as she gazed up at him. He did not wish to attempt to interpret the look in her eyes lest he get it wrong but he hoped against hope that she was looking at him with a portion of the same adoration that he felt burning inside of him for her.
Her hands tightened around his own, and a soft smile graced her pretty features. “I love you, too, Richard…I think that I have loved you for quite some time. Today, the fear of losing you…was almost my undoing in more ways than one. It will be a long path to our happily ever after…there will be much to do, but I want to do it. I want to share every moment with you no matter what the future will hold…you are the only one that I have ever truly desired.”
Richard kissed her with every part of him. He pulled her back into his arms; the love that he felt for her nearly overwhelming as her lips pressed against his.
The duke cleared his throat audibly.
Richard had nearly forgotten that it was not just the two of them. The duke plucked nervously at his clothes. He did not think that he had ever seen his father look nervous about anything before. It was a very strange sight to behold.
“I know that this is likely the very last thing that either of you has any desire to hear right now…but I would like to formally offer your union my blessing. For whatever that is worth to you. Of course, it will be with as much land and inheritance as you deserve, Son.”
Richard’s eyes widened. He could not remember the last time that he had been called that without the word being drenched in sarcasm.
It was for that reason alone that he freed one hand to extend out to his father. He could not promise that it would be easy or that even the outcome would be good…but he would try. For the first time in a very long time—he felt hopeful for what awaited them on the horizon.
Epilogue
Wallingham Place—Two Weeks Later
The azure sky stretched overhead, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the blooming gardens that surrounded the enchanting venue. In the presence of vibrant blossoms and the gentle rustle of leaves, Richard and Catherine found themselves standing hand-in-hand at the ornate altar, the echoes of joy reverberating through the air.
The gardens unfolded in a riot of colors, a canvas painted with the vibrant hues of countless blossoms. Once tainted by shadows of deception during their initial union, now bore witness to a celebration of love and redemption. Majestic roses stood tall, their petals unfurling in delicate shades of pink, red, and ivory.
A gentle breeze swept through, causing the blossoms to dance in harmony, scattering their sweet fragrance in the air, a stark contrast to the lingering memory of past turmoil. Underneath the towering arches adorned with flowers, Richard and Catherine exchanged vows, promising a future built on trust, understanding, and the enduring strength of their love.
The wedding venue, nestled within this botanical paradise, featured a gracefully adorned altar framed by intertwining vines and blooming wisteria. A pathway, strewn with petals in rich shades of lavender and gold, led the couple through an aisle lined with quaint lanterns. The soft glow from these lanterns cast a warm and inviting ambiance, creating an ethereal scene.
A memory to last. The guests, adorned in their finest attire, were seated amidst nature’s splendor, with strategically placed flower arrangements enhancing the venue’s enchanting allure. Delicate white chairs adorned with satin ribbons showcased the meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every element harmonized with the natural beauty of the surroundings.
As Richard and Catherine stood facing one another at the altar, the sunlight filtered through the lush greenery, casting a golden glow on the couple. Catherine’s gown, a vision of ivory silk and delicate lace, seemed to mirror the purity of the occasion. Richard, in his dashing attire, exuded a quiet confidence, a stark contrast to the tumultuous journey that had led them to this moment.
A glaring contrast to the wedding that they had had before. No expense had been spared, much to her mother’s joy. It was only a figurehead of a ceremony—to mark the occasion formally as their first wedding had been rushed and shrouded in secrecy.
The ceremony unfolded like a fairy tale, with vows exchanged under the gaze of a floral arch that seemed to encapsulate their love story. The officiant’s words, spoken amidst the symphony of birdsong and the rustling of leaves, resonated with the promise of a new beginning.
As the couple sealed their vows with a tender kiss, petals rained down upon them, creating an enchanting shower of blessings. Under the meticulously curated gardens, the wedding became a timeless affair—an ode to love’s triumph over adversity, and a celebration of the enduring beauty found in the delicate dance between nature and the human heart.
