“Emily,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I know I have no right to ask, but I am still a selfish man. I want you for myself. Today, tomorrow, always. I am asking you to marry me, Emily. I want to spend the rest of my life proving that you made the right choice in loving me. Let me be your partner, your protector, your husband. Let me be the man you deserve.”
Her eyes fluttered open. In the depths of her gaze, he saw a glimmer of the future he so desperately longed for, a future filled with love, laughter, and the promise of forever.
She took a step forward, her hand trembling as she reached out to caress his cheek. The warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips sent a shiver down her spine, igniting a fire within her.
“Nicolas...” Her voice trembled, betraying the storm raging inside her. “I am terrified to trust again, to believe that this—” she gestured between them, her hand trembling “—can be real. What if we fall apart? What if you leave me again?” She averted her gaze for a heartbeat, then continued. “Still, I cannot deny the truth that resides within my heart. I love you with a depth and intensity that frightens me. I have longed for this since the very moment I reached for you, only to find you gone.” She drew in a breath. “My heart shattered at the loss. Still, I do not want to live a life where I wonder what if. I would rather face that fear with you.”
He leaned into her touch, reveling in the softness of her hand. “Let me be your strength, your solace. Together, we can face any obstacle, overcome any fear. I vow I will never leave you again. Never willingly cause you a moment’s pain.”
The walls she had constructed around her heart crumbled in the face of his unwavering devotion. In that moment, she knew that the risk was one worth taking, that the promise of a future with Nicolas outweighed the fears that held her captive.
“Yes.” Tears slipped down her cheeks as she gazed at him. “Yes, Nicolas. I will marry you.”
He gathered her in his arms, his lips finding hers in a kiss that sealed their fate, a promise of a love that would endure through the ages. And as they clung to each other, their hearts beating as one, he knew they had found their home, their haven, in the shelter of each other’s embrace.
The door burst open, and in rushed Beatrice, Charlotte, and Mathew, their faces a mix of surprise and delight. Beatrice was the first to recover, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Well, I see we are just in time for the happy ending,” she quipped, her sharp gaze softening as it landed on Emily and Nicolas.
Charlotte, her blonde curls bouncing with each step, clasped her hands together in delight. “Oh, Emily,” she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness. “I am so thrilled for you both.”
Mathew, his chestnut-brown hair tousled from the excitement, grinned from ear to ear. “Mother, Mr. Winters.” He nodded, his expression filled with a mix of youthful exuberance and sincere affection. “Aunt Beatrice and Aunt Charlotte filled me in. I suppose congratulations are now in order.”
Emily and Nicolas, still wrapped in each other’s embrace, turned to face their impromptu audience. Emily’s cheeks flushed with a becoming pink, her hazel eyes sparkling with a mixture of embarrassment and joy. “I suppose there is no hiding it now,” she said, her voice trembling as she fought to contain her emotions.
Nicolas, his arm still securely around her waist, chuckled. “It seems our secret is out,” he said, his gaze brimming with mirth. “And I am not the least bit ashamed.”
Beatrice stepped forward and enveloped Emily in a fierce hug. “I knew you would bring him up to scratch,” she said, her voice laced with affection. “I am so happy for you, Emily.” Her sharp gaze softened for just a moment as she took in her friend’s radiant expression. “You deserve this, Emily.”
Charlotte approached Nicolas with a warm smile. “Congratulations, Mr. Winters,” she said, her gaze filled with sincerity. “I trust you will make Emily incredibly happy.”
Mathew stepped forward, a mixture of pride and vulnerability in his eyes. He squared his shoulders, his voice steady despite his youth. “Mr. Winters,” he began, his voice carrying a blend of the politeness instilled by his upbringing and the informal cadence of an adolescent eager to assert his position. “I believe a formal introduction is in order. I am Mathew Fairchild, Viscount Gilford.”
Nicolas, understanding the importance of this moment, disentangled himself from Emily’s embrace and turned to face the young lord. He bowed, a gesture of respect and deference, before meeting Mathew’s gaze with a sincere expression. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lord Gilford. I have heard so much about you from your mother, and I must say, her pride in you is well-founded.”
Mathew’s cheeks flushed at the compliment, but he maintained his composure, determined to fulfill his role as the protector of his family. “I appreciate your kind words, Mr. Winters.” His voice remained steady despite the weight of the moment. “However, I must ask about your commitment to my mother. She has been through a great deal, and her happiness is of the utmost importance to me.”
Nicolas nodded, his gaze filled with understanding. He took a step closer to Mathew, his posture open and honest. “Lord Gilford, I assure you that my intentions toward your mother are nothing short of honorable,” he began, his voice filled with conviction. “I have come to realize that Emily is the most extraordinary woman I have ever known, and I am deeply in love with her. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life making her happy and cherishing her as she deserves.”
Mathew listened intently, his gaze never wavering from Nicolas’ face. “Mr. Winters,” Mathew said, his voice softening, “I give you my blessing.”
Nicolas lowered himself to one knee, leveling his gaze with Mathew’s. “Lord Gilford, I give you my word. I will protect and love your mother with everything I have.”
With a slow nod, Mathew’s face softened into a smile. “I believe you,” he began, his voice slightly tremulous, “And I welcome you into our family.”
Nicolas reached out to clasp Mathew’s hand, a gesture of gratitude and understanding passing between them. “Thank you, Lord Gilford,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I promise to be not only a devoted husband to your mother, but also a loyal and supportive friend to you.”
Nicolas wrapped an arm around Mathew’s shoulders, pulling him into a warm, fatherly embrace. Emily’s heart swelled with love as she watched them, knowing that this was the family she had always longed for.
As Nicolas and Mathew shared a moment of silent camaraderie, Beatrice and Charlotte exchanged knowing glances, their eyes sparkling with delight at the touching scene unfolding before them. With a gentle clearing of her throat, Beatrice stepped forward, mischief dancing across her features. “Well, now that the formalities are out of the way,” she said, her voice laced with a playful lilt, “perhaps we should give the lovebirds some privacy?”
Charlotte, her soft features alight with understanding, nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Bea,” she said, her voice warm and gentle. “I believe Emily and Mr. Winters have much to discuss.” Turning to Mathew, she said, “Shall we adjourn to our chambers? The hour grows late and morning will bring Christmas Day.”
Mathew offered an agreeable nod. “An excellent suggestion,” he agreed, his youthful face alight with a mix of happiness and a touch of reluctance to leave his mother’s side. With a final glance at her, he allowed Beatrice and Charlotte to guide him from the room.
Thirteen
As the parlor stilled, silence wrapped around them. Alone at last, the world beyond their shared moment seemed to fade into insignificance. Emily’s heart thrummed, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears of joy as she gazed up at Nicolas. How improbable it all seemed—that this man, the one she had longed for, now stood before her, love etched so clearly on his face.
Her Christmas wish had come true, and as fate would have it, she did not need to do anything at all, for he came of his own accord. Nicolas truly loved her.
