“But I am still a governess. I am still beneath your station. Society will never—”
“Society may go hang.” Nathaniel took her hands in his, his grip warm and sure. “My brother was brave enough, and he was happy. Deliriously, completely happy. He told me once that the only opinion that mattered was his wife’s, and that as long as she loved him, he could face anything.” He squeezed her fingers. “I want that, Serena. I want to face anything, as long as you are beside me.”
Serena stared at him, her tears still falling, her expression a mixture of hope and terror.
“You would do that?” she whispered. “You would face scandal, face society’s disapproval, face everything—for me?”
“I would do far more than that.” Nathaniel raised her hands to his lips and kissed them gently. “I would burn the world down for you, Serena Collard. If you will let me.”
She laughed—a wet, broken sound that was half sob, half joy. “That sounds rather extreme.”
“I am rather extreme when it comes to you.”
“Nathaniel.” She freed one hand and pressed it against his cheek, her touch impossibly tender. “Are you certain? Once such an announcement is made, it cannot be recalled. Whatever happens with Lady Crane, whatever happens with society—”
“I am certain.” He turned his head and kissed her palm. “I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
She was quiet for a long moment, her grey eyes searching his face. Then, slowly, she smiled—a real smile, bright and tremulous and full of hope.
“Then yes,” she said. “Yes, I will marry you. Yes, I will stand beside you. Yes, I will face whatever comes, as long as we face it together.”
Nathaniel felt something break open in his chest—a flood of joy and relief and love so overwhelming he could barely contain it. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close, feeling her heart beat against his.
“Together,” he repeated. “Always together.”
They stood like that for a long time, wrapped in each other’s arms, the resignation letter forgotten on the floor where it had fallen from Nathaniel’s hand.
Tomorrow would bring battles. Tomorrow would bring Lady Crane’s fury and society’s judgment and a thousand complications they could not yet foresee.
But tonight, there was only this: two people who had found each other against all odds, clinging to the love they had built, ready to fight for the future they deserved.
Tomorrow, they would face the world.
Tonight, they had each other.
And that was enough.
***
Morning came too soon.
Serena woke in her bed, feeling different. Lighter. As though a weight she had been carrying for weeks had finally been lifted.
She was going to marry Nathaniel.
The thought was terrifying and wonderful in equal measure. There would be scandal, yes. There would be whispers and judgment and closed doors. But there would also be love, and family, and a home where she truly belonged.
She dressed carefully, choosing her best gown and pinning her hair with more attention than usual. If she was going to face Lady Crane’s fury, she would do it looking her best.
When she descended to the breakfast room, she found the household already assembled. The Cranes sat on one side of the table, Lady Crane’s expression smug and satisfied, Sir Harold’s uncomfortable. The children sat on the other side, Ella tense and watchful, Samuel silent, Rosie clutching Marianne with white-knuckled fingers.
And at the head of the table sat Nathaniel.
He looked up as she entered, and something passed between them—a silent communication, a shared understanding. He nodded almost imperceptibly, and she knew: this was the moment.
“Good morning, Miss Collard,” he said, his voice carrying clearly through the room. “Pray, sit down. I have an announcement to make.”
Lady Crane’s expression sharpened. “An announcement, Lord Greystone?”
