"Not as beautiful as you. Caroline, I love you," he declared, his voice unwavering. "From the depths of my soul, I love you more than life itself. I’ve only known you a short time, but it’s long enough to know I don’t want a future that doesn’t include Caroline Rutherford.”
Tears glistened in Caroline's eyes as she watched him take the ring out of the box. “So you will settle for this struggling newspaper man? You’ll be my wife?” he asked, his heart pounding in his chest.
“Mrs. Black. Caroline Black.” She grinned. “I like the sound of that.”
Her smile radiant, Caroline didn’t hesitate, but held out her hand, splayed so he could slide the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.
“Come up here.” She took both of his hands and tugged him to his feet. Maxwell gathered her into his arms, and as their lips met, a bright new future unfolded before him.
Before both of them.
“You’re sure it doesn’t bother you? The lie?”
She was shaking her head. “But it isn’t your lie. It won’t be our lie.”
“I’m not the real earl.”
“Because you haven’t wanted to be. But, Maxwell, people need the Earl of Helton. Your estates need the Earl of Helton. Parliament needs an Earl of Helton.”
“And you?”
“I just need you. Whoever you want to be.”
But she was right. He’d hired the best managers, but that was not enough. He’d neglected his responsibilities for too long. “You will be my countess.” He tested the word.
“And you will be my earl. Seeing as we haven’t much choice.” But she was laughing. And the sound of her laughter was one of the best sounds in the world.
Was it really this easy?
She tugged his mouth down to hers, and he willingly allowed her to end this conversation. They had all the time in the world to talk. All the time in the world to plan.
As husband and wife, they would not only share their lives but also their dreams—of being together, of having a family, and so much more.
Together, they would decide where to live, how to raise their family, and what to do with the Gazette.
Because yes, they had stories to live, but they also stories to write.
And from this point forward, they’d write those stories together.
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
“She’s magnificent.” Max couldn’t contain his pride. He put an arm around his wife’s waist and pulled her close.
“I can’t believe she’s finally here,” Caroline said, and then brushed at the corner of her eye.
“You aren’t crying, are you?” He bent forward to see her expression.
“Happy tears.” She sniffed, smiling. “I didn’t think this day would ever come.”
“Neither did I.” If he wasn’t careful, he’d damn near start sobbing himself. Overwhelmed by the momentousness of the occasion, the newlywed couple stood in the Gazette’s office, staring at their new addition in awe.
“What should we name her?” Max asked. Caroline had wanted to leave it up to him, but she belonged to both of them.
“Well.” Caroline turned shining eyes up at him. “What do you think of naming her… Edmund?”
He frowned. “Edmund isn’t a girl’s name.”
