Nell’s face went hot, then cold. Every head in the crowd turned toward her, drawn by the direction of Dominic’s stare like iron filings to a magnet.
“I could hear.” He said it directly to her, ignoring the gasps and scandals erupting around them. “I heard every word.”
Mrs. Pemberton let out a sound like a scandalized teakettle—and someone near the back whistled, low and impressed.
“Nell Ashford.” He named her with a reverence that felt like a prayer. “Would you come up here?”
Her legs wouldn’t move. She remained rooted to the spot, her heart hammering so hard she could feel the pulse in her throat. Daphne gave her a firm push.
“Go.” Her friend’s eyes were wet as she nudged her forward. “Go on.”
The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Faces blurred past as she stumbled toward the stage, her own ragged breathing the only thing she could hear over the crunch of her shoes on the packed earth. She climbed the steps on legs that felt like they belonged to someone else. Dominic took her hand the moment she reached the top, his fingers wrapping around hers to steady her.
“Breathe.” His lips brushed her ear, the word intended for her alone. “I have got you.”
“What are you doing?” She breathed back, her fingers trembling against his palm.
“I know what you are going to say.” He smiled against her temple, his grip tightening. “Just let me finish.”
He turned to face the crowd, still holding her hand, and threw his words out to the square.
“This woman...” He lifted their joined hands for the assembled villagers to see. “…is the most stubborn, infuriating, magnificent person I have ever met.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Nell felt her face burn.
“She threw a sovereign back at me the first time we met.” Dominic grinned at the neighbors, his eyes dancing with the memory. More laughter followed. Somewhere in the crowd, Nell heard Lily’s distinct giggle.
“I fell in love with her then.” The performative edge drained from his expression, replaced by a quiet, raw sincerity. “I have been falling ever since.”
He released her hand and stepped back. To the shock of every soul present, he went to one knee, sinking into the mud without a second thought. The crowd gasped as one. Mrs. Pemberton actually clutched her chest as if she might faint.
Nell couldn’t breathe. The world had narrowed to this man and this impossible gesture.
“I have asked everyone who matters.” He held up a small velvet box, his hand shaking with a visible tremor. “Daphne gave her blessing this afternoon. Your children gave theirs this morning. Now I am asking you.”
“We said yes already!” Lily’s shout rang out from the crowd, high and joyful.
Laughter rippled through the square. Even Nell laughed — a choked, wet sound. Dominic opened the box. Inside, a simple gold ring caught the lantern light like a drop of fire.
“Marry me, Nell.” Her name broke in the back of his throat. This man who had faced cavalry charges at Waterloo was now openly trembling on a stage before the entire village. “Marry me because I love you. Because I have loved you since you slid my coin back across that counter and told me sixpence would do.”
She was crying properly now, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Marry me.” He looked up at her with raw hope on his scarred face. “Please. Say yes. Put me out of my misery.”
The whole square held its breath. Nell looked at him — this man who had asked her children’s permission, who was kneeling before everyone he knew, risking everything because he loved her.
“Yes.” The word came out broken and in a whisper.
“What?” He cupped his hand to his ear, a grin breaking across his face. “I couldn’t hear you.”
“Yes.” She said it louder this time, laughing through her tears. “Yes, you impossible man. Yes.”
He slid the ring onto her finger. His hands were still shaking, and hers were no better. Then he was on his feet, pulling her into his arms and lifting her clear off the ground as the crowd erupted.
“She said yes!” He announced it to the sky, his face radiant. “She said yes!”
Cheers exploded. Daphne was sobbing loudly into a handkerchief.
