Page 67 of Adeline

“Miss Adeline Price.” He coughed to clear his throat as his gravelly voice pushed on. “You were the outer light to my inner demons, but now I recognize your inner light is enough to overshadow my outer beast. You think yourself not worthy, but it is I who will spend eternity pondering the hows and whys surrounding our joining. You have an inner light that will brighten the darkest storms—and those storms will come. They will be fierce. They will be all-consuming. However, with you by my side, your light will guide us through the worst tempests life throws at us. Adeline, your affection is more than simply returned, it is multiplied a thousand times over and cast far and wide in every direction. I love you, and you would honor me if you will have me as your husband.”

“Truly?” Adeline’s breathless whisper echoed around the room.

He nodded, pulling her against him and settling his lips against hers.

It was more perfect than any answer he could have given.

This kiss was far different than the one they’d shared on the terrace. This kiss was more than a spoken promise, more than a verbalized assurance of their future together, and far more than anything Adeline deserved.

This kiss was a silent vow from Jasper to her—an unspoken pledge that he would care for, cherish, and love her forever.

Her brother was correct, no further words needed to be uttered.

As she wrapped her arms around his neck, their lips never releasing one another, Adeline vaguely heard her friends—and then Theo and Alistair—depart the room, pulling the door closed behind them.

No doubt Donovan remained to continue making certain no one disturbed her and Jasper.

Yet, in that moment, Adeline didn’t care if the entire ballroom invaded the room to see the love and happiness surrounding her—all made possible because the Beast of Faversham had given her his heart.

Epilogue

Faversham, England

August, 1827

Adeline took in the majestic view of Faversham Abbey, seeing it for the first time through the eyes of her family and friends as their carriage rambled down the long drive. After much research and discussion with Jasper, she now knew the place had once been a monastery with its tall, picturesque towers protruding at precisely measured intervals. Every doorway was graced by columns and concentric aches. The narrow windows made the structure appear much like a medieval castle, readied to defend its occupants against invasion.

Likely similar to the way Jasper must be feeling with the entire Melton family descending on him, with Georgie and Felton, and Josie, in tow. Arabella and Ainsley would be the last to arrive on the morrow when Alistair and Theo set off at first light to collect them from Miss Emmeline’s School.

And the following day…she and Jasper would be forever wed in a late-morning ceremony, followed by a feast for all. Every villager, servant, and plant worker had been delivered an invitation, personally written by Adeline, their soon-to-be countess.

While it had been a shock to Jasper, Adeline hadn’t been surprised in the slightest that each and every invitation was met with a confirmation.

Every door would be thrown wide to welcome all and sundry to the Abbey.

Adeline’s heart warmed at the thought of all of Faversham coming together to bless Jasper’s marriage.

“Are you ready to see your betrothed once more?” Josie asked.

Adeline stared at the woman across from her, taking in her subtle beauty: the way her dark hair highlighted her pale skin, and her reserved interest that most took for a weakness, though Adeline knew firsthand was one of her greatest strengths. Soon, very soon, she prayed Josie would find the happiness that she, Georgie, and Theo had been blessed with. Until that day came, she could always depend on her friends.

“It has been nearly a month since Jasper came to London last, and I’ve missed him tremendously.” Adeline paused, smiling to herself. “Distance does make the heart grow fonder, I can assure you.”

“Well, let us hope all of us housed in one building does not diminish your fondness,” Georgie laughed as she stared out her window toward the Abbey. “Lord Ailesbury is out front and prepared to greet his betrothed.”

“He is what?” Adeline leaned out her window, joyous to see that Jasper, indeed, stood in the drive, awaiting her arrival.

“And I must say, this carriage ride has me missing my dear Felton ever so much.”

“He resides in the carriage behind us, Georgie,” Josie retorted.

“And we stopped for a meal with them in Rochester only a few hours ago,” Theo added.

“Be that as it may, Felton finds it hard to be separated from his love,” Georgie said with another laugh.

Adeline settled back in the plush squabs of the carriage interior as they traveled ever closer to her heart. Yes, distance was difficult, far harder than Adeline had ever imagined it would be. But she was at the Abbey now, and never would she depart again without Jasper by her side.

At times, it was still nearly impossible to believe that she’d found love and everyone who mattered to her had come together to see her wed. Even now, two carriages followed the one she and her friends traveled in. Her brothers, Abel and Alistair, along with Felton were tucked safely in Felton’s traveling coach. Thanks to Jasper’s generosity, Alfred, Adelaide, Amelia, Adrian, and her maid, Poppy were ensconced in the newly repaired Melton coach.