Page 91 of Forgotten No More

“Harold,” Ruby whispered. “Look at me.”

He raised his lowered gaze to find her still smiling, the tears having receded.

“I am overwhelmed with joy, fairly brought to my own knees at the immense barrage of emotions I am feeling at the moment. I should not be experiencing such extreme feelings of love and joy on a day for mourning,” she continued. “But I am…and it feels abundantly right and good.”

“Are you sure?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“Do you think I am not aware and in control of my own feelings?”

“I would never seek to offend you in such a manner.”

A light tap drew Harold’s attention away from the only woman he would happily spend every day of the rest of his earthly existence looking upon. Reluctantly, he turned to Ellie behind him. “Lady Ellington, I believe I am a bit busy at the moment. What can I help you with?”

The girl, always an irritation, leaned closer before speaking. “I think you are neglecting to ask a fairly important question, which by the by, I would turn down due to your common birth.”

Ellington’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

He knew it would take him time to adjust to the girl’s brash manners, but if he ever actually got around to asking Ruby to marry him, she would undoubtedly occupy her sister’s frequent attention wherever they decided to live.

“Yes, thank you again, Lady Ellington, ever so much for your redirection of the conversation.” Putting the other occupants of the room from his mind, he again addressed Ruby. “I do understand that my lineage is far below the standard of man who should be allowed to ask for your hand in marriage, but I do believe I make you happy. I will work hard from sun up to sun down to provide a stable, prosperous home for you. And if the good Lord is willing and we are blessed with children, I will do all in my power to afford them the best upbringing possible, safe in the bosom of two loving, devoted parents.” He paused to take a deep breath before he disgraced himself by fainting where he knelt.

“Still lacking a question,” Ellington prodded.

“I am getting there.” It would help if Ruby’s sister and estranged mother were not breathing down his neck. Thankfully, the latter had kept silent—which was more than he could say for Ellington. He moved slightly to relieve the pressure from his knee digging into the hardwood flooring of the study. Ruby looked on encouragingly. “Ruby St. Augustin, will you do me the great honor of becoming Mrs. Harold Jakeston—my wife.”

She stayed silent. For the briefest of moments, the stark possibility that she would turn down his proposal weighed heavy upon him. He loathed the idea of leaving this room without Ruby.

He didn’t know when he’d started to envision his future with her, but he now knew he would have none without her.

Harold trembled as he opened the small box, every nerve in his body calling for her consent and approval. He kept his eyes on hers, not wanting to look away for fear he would miss her answer.

He’d perish if she did not reply soon, but he had no other option but to give her time. He’d give her all the time she needed if that meant she would eventually say the words he longed to hear.

Ruby stared at the ring Harold held out before her, a simple gold band with an exquisite ruby perched atop it. Thin gold-leaf anchors held the precious stone fast to the band.

The ring perfectly embodied Harold and the life they would share.

Simplicity at its finest.

And she knew that was the life she craved.

A life unburdened by society’s expectation. An existence where love meant more than status or coin. An eternity surrounded by what mattered most to her—her family and close friends.

“Of course, I will be honored to become your wife.” Truer words had never passed her lips.

She watched as Harold—his hands shaking—removed the ring from its velvet box.

Not another person existed in the room as she held her hand out. The ring glided easily onto her finger, fitting so perfectly that she thought he must have taken her measure while she slept.

“It fits perfectly.” He smiled up at her. “Just as we do.”

Ruby slid off the chaise and into his arms before her feelings overwhelmed her further. Sinking her head into his shoulder, she wept. She let all the pent-up sorrow and grief of the last few weeks go, giving it all up—and allowed the bliss of the moment to overtake her.

Her tears of sadness turned into tears of happiness, knowing she would always be safe and cherished in Harold’s arms. He was a man of worth who would never forget her longings and desires, a man who would give up himself for her.

While her relationship with her mother and sister was far from stable, Ruby knew that with Harold at her side they would mend the bridge to her mother and guide Ellington down the right path to embrace her future.

“I love you with my whole heart,” she breathed into his ear as her sobs receded.