Page 58 of Prescription for Sin

“There’s more, isn’t there?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

For a moment, he wavered. But then she swayed toward him slightly, unconsciously, and his resolve hardened. The ring in his pocket, his mother’s ring that had waited generations for the right moment, suddenly felt heavy.

“Yes,” he said softly, reaching for her hand. “There is one other thing I need to share.”

Her eyes widened as he lowered himself to one knee, the movement deliberate and weighted with meaning. The ring caught the lantern light as he withdrew it, the antique diamonds sparking like captured stars.

“This ring has been in my family for generations,” he began, his voice low. “My mother wore it until the day she died, and her last wish was that it would go to someone worthy of its legacy. Someone extraordinary.” His thumb stroked across her knuckles. “Someone like you, Emma.”

She drew in a sharp breath, her free hand flying to her mouth. “Everett…”

“I know this isn’t a conventional courtship. God knows nothing about us has been conventional.” His lips quirked in a brief smile. “But I’ve never been more certain of anything than I am of this—of us. You challenge me, inspire me, make me want to be worthy of the way you look at me.” He squeezed her hand gently. “I love you, Emma. Will you marry me?”

For several heartbeats that felt like eternity, she just stared at him, tears gathering in her remarkable eyes. "Do you promise you'll always be honest? That you won't mislead me in the name of shielding me?"

"No," he said quietly, watching her smile fade. "I can't promise never to protect you. But I will promise to consider that there might be more than one way to shield what we both hold dear."

"Everett—"

"Listen to me, Emma. You see the world in absolutes—right and wrong, truth and lies. But sometimes protecting what matters means finding the path between." His voice gentled. "I'll promise to trust your strength if you'll promise to trust that there might be more than one kind of justice."

She studied him for a long moment, her mind weighing evidence against instinct. "I... I promise to try," she said finally. "To listen, even when my heart screams there's only one right way."

"Then yes," he whispered, "I promise to try as well."

When his hand trembled as he slipped the ring onto her finger, she laughed—not the pure joy of blind faith, but something richer, tempered with understanding. He rose, pulling her into his arms, and as their lips met in a kiss, they both silently acknowledged that love meant learning to bend without breaking.

The ring sparkled on her finger, a testament to generations of love stories. But none, he thought, quite as remarkable as theirs.

“I am yours,” he whispered against her hair. No matter what happens.

Chapter sixteen

Trust and Thorns

Emma’s heart soared as she and Everett approached the morning room, where voices and laughter spilled into the hallway. Her fingers kept touching Everett’s mother’s ring, still hardly believing this wasn’t a fever dream. Everett squeezed her hand as they entered, finding Alexi supervising footmen arranging skating boots, while Arthur studied a map of the frozen lake.

“We have news,” Emma announced, unable to keep the joy from her voice. She extended her hand, the antique diamonds catching winter light streaming through the tall windows.

Alexi squealed with delight and rushed forward but stopped abruptly at her husband’s quiet command. “No. I cannot support this match.”

Emma’s smile faltered at her brother-in-law’s stern response and granite expression.

“Arthur!” Alexi protested, looking between her husband and sister in distress.

“The Moreland family faces complete ruin,” Arthur continued, his voice heavy with regret. “Once the faulty pipes come to light—”

“If they come to light,” Everett interjected.

“When,” Arthur corrected grimly. He dismissed the footmen with a gesture. “I’ve been attempting to negotiate quietly with London Water Works. If they refuse to rectify the situation…” He spread his hands helplessly. “I’ll have no choice but to expose them, even though it would mean isolating important political connections. Either path leads to their destruction. Social standing, fortune, reputation; all will be lost.”

Emma felt Everett stiffen beside her but kept her voice steady. “I don’t care. We don’t need fortune or standing.”

“You should care,” Arthur insisted, pacing before the fire. “I cannot provide a dowry because I cannot appear to approve this match. And think of your practice, Emma. Your patients’ trust. Do you imagine they’ll continue coming to you once your name is linked to such a scandal?”

“My patients know my worth,” Emma declared, though uncertainty crept into her heart. “They won’t abandon me over something I had no hand in.”

Alexi moved to stand before them with concern in her dark eyes. “Have you decided you can trust him, then? Despite his lies and actions?”