And sitting on his heels, Justin was grinning like a fool, holding out the most gorgeous piece of jewelry she’d ever seen. Twisted white gold, dozens of tiny rubies encircling a dazzling diamond, much like a flower. He tilted his head and grimaced. “Closest thing I could find to a rhododendron.”
She threw herself into his arms again.Oh dear, God. Thank you for this man!
“Looks as though you’ve located it.” Her mother stood looking down at them both. “For a moment, I was concerned that you were attempting to win the wager again.”
“Mother!” Rhoda stared at her mother in disapproval. Who was this woman and what had happened to the mother she’d grown up with?
“Ah, no.” Justin pushed himself to his feet and then assisted her off the floor as well. “That business can well be considered settled and far behind us.”
Her mother laughed. “I doubt the highest wager ever to be won in the history of White’s will soon be forgotten. It’s interesting, however. A small scandal will attach itself to a woman for life, ruining her. An extravagant, outrageous scandal, however, has lifted her to infamy. You’d be surprised at the pile of invitations we’ve received this afternoon.”
“Really?” Rhoda did not relinquish Justin’s hand now that she was standing. Surprisingly, she hadn’t considered how all of this would affect her social standing. She ought to have, for Coleus and Holly’s sake. All that had mattered was that she not swing from the gallows, and that once allowed to live, she be allowed to do so with the man beside her.
Justin turned and took both of her hands. “Will you come with me for a drive?”
He looked so earnest. She’d do anything he asked her at that moment. “Of course, let me fetch my bonnet.” Even the thought of being without him for a few minutes squeezed her heart. “Mother will keep you company until I return.”
And then she dashed upstairs, donned her prettiest hat, and descended the stairs again as quickly as possible. All the while, the weight of the ring on her finger assuring her she wasn’t dreaming.
“I’m ready.” She sounded slightly breathless when she reappeared at the door.
Her mother fussed with the ribbon on her bonnet, and then sent them out the door with a happy sigh.
“I cannot count how many times you and I have been interrupted.” Justin assisted her into a carriage. She’d expected a curricle, or something open aired for the drive but appreciated the privacy afforded them in the coach.
She wondered if her mother knew.
Justin joined her on the front facing bench and dropped one arm behind her. “Now. I have another question for you.”
He looked smug, much like a cat who’d gotten his canary. She rather liked this expression on his handsome face.
“And once you’ve asked it, I’ll give you an answer.” She wouldn’t cease to be cheeky, simply because she was to marry.
They gazed into one another’s eyes like lovesick fools for nearly a full minute.
Then he reached into his coat pocket. “I have a special license on my person. Are you inclined to a grand wedding, with all your relatives and friends? Or will you multiply my joy today? The driver is taking us to a small church not far from here right now. And at that church, a friend of mine, another vicar, is willing to perform the ceremony.”
Was he asking?
“Oh, yes. Oh yes!” She was ready to begin their lives together now. “And where will we go after?” Surely not Prescott House, where she assumed he’d been staying.
“That’s a surprise.”
It didn’t matter where they went together afterward. All that mattered was that they would go together. No shadows lingering over their heads. Just the anticipation of a long life together filled with joy and love. And perhaps a few children.
“I can’t believe it.” It all dawned on her. She’d hoped and not been disappointed. “Everything has worked out after all.”
This man. This man she would spend the rest of her life loving leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. “You are no longer a cynic, then?”
This close, she could see tiny lines forming at the edges of his eyes. She also noticed silver flecks hidden in those glorious blue irises.
Was she? A cynic anymore? “I think that would be impossible now. I didn’t believe dreams could come true but now…” She shook her head in disbelief. “I do.”
“I’m glad.” His voice came out gravelly sounding. He cared so much that she believed in dreams.
“Even more importantly. I believe in you.”
Ah, he swallowed hard upon hearing those words.
