“Something grand?” she replied uncertainly as she tugged the quilt more tightly over her shoulders. The moment they made it to the fireplace, she leaned in and warmed her hands in front of the flames.
“Grand?” Sebastian grabbed the poker to move the logs. “What are you talking about? And where did you get a ladder in the middle of the night?”
“Justin carried it over. I needed to talk to you.”
“You couldn’t have simply knocked on the front door? Wait. Is Whitmore outside?” Sebastian asked incredulously.
Veronica bit her lip and nodded.
Sebastian returned to the window and pried it open once more. “Whitmore, are you there?”
“Yes,” came Whitmore’s unrepentant voice.
“What are you doing?” Sebastian demanded.
“Helping my sister,” was his answer.
“You might have got her killed,” Sebastian yelled back, wanting to punch Whitmore in the gut for his recklessness.
“First, she insisted, and I don’t have to tell you how stubborn she is. Second, I was holding the bottom of the ladder and watching the entire time. I would have caught her if she’d fallen. Now, are you two going to make up? I’d like to go home and get a decent night’s sleep.”
“Thank you, Justin,” Veronica called from her spot in front of the fire.
“Go home, Whitmore. You’ve obviously lost your mind,” Sebastian called before closing the window again. Then he stalked back to Veronica. “You might have broken your neck.”
Veronica scrunched up her nose. “I didn’t think you’d answer if I knocked on the front door.”
“You’re terrified of heights,” Sebastian pointed out, his hands on his hips.
“I know. But I had to tell you something right away.” She searched his face.
“Tell me, then.”
Her eyes met his, and that’s when he realized hers were filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Sebastian.”
Sebastian froze. He stared at her as if she wasn’t real before cupping a hand behind his ear. “What was that?”
“I’m sorry,” she said, louder this time. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I’m sorry I jumped to the worst conclusion because of my fear. I’m sorry I refused to forgive you all this time. I was wrong and I’m terribly sorry. And I know you don’t owe me your forgiveness, but—”
Sebastian stepped forward, gently grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her into his arms. “Are you serious, Veronica?” he whispered into her hair, a mixture of relief and incredulity sweeping through him.
“Yes,” she said, trying to nod as he held her. “I’m sorry I’ve been such an awful wife. And I’m most sorry that I was waiting for you to say you were sorry first. That’s how stubborn I am.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Sebastian said, hugging her tightly, squeezing his eyes shut. “I’m sorry I lied to you that night. I thought I was keeping you from pain, but all it did was cause you to mistrust me. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything sooner. I’m sorry I ever made you doubt me for one moment.” He took a deep breath and kissed the top of her head. “And I’m sorry I waited for you to say you were sorry first. I’ll say I’m sorry first for the rest of our lives if you’ll forgive me.”
“I already have,” she said, pressing her cheek against his chest. “Do you forgive me?”
“Of course, my darling,” he said, leaning down and kissing her soundly.
Tears ran down her face. “Grandpapa was right. Trust is the most important thing in a marriage…besides picking the right partner. And I already did that.”
Sebastian didn’t speak, instead he kissed her again.
“There’s just one more thing…” Veronica said the moment his lips left hers.
His brow furrowed. He dragged his thumbs across her cheeks to wipe away the tears. “What’s that?”
“I love you,” she breathed.
