Page 84

How he’d lasted a week to see her was beyond him. How he could wait a minute more for her to answer his proposal was even more unthinkable.

“Did you tell your family of me?” she asked.

He nodded. They’d been surprised at his declaration of love for the woman, especially when he’d shared the journey she’d taken to get to Bellthorne, but in the end, they were thrilled that Oliver had finally fallen in love. In truth, they were the reason he was here right now. They’d pushed and prodded and encouraged and strengthened.

“Propose to her again,” the twins had said.

“Beg her to marry you,” Mother had said.

“I’ll ready your horse,” Father had added in a joke.

So Oliver, strengthened by his family’s resolve and wanting to meet the woman who’d captured him so fully, had left that moment and did not stop until he’d arrived and spotted Clara gathering greenery.

“I told them, yes,” he replied.

“And they are...fine with me? Your sisters?”

He lowered the basket to her hands, stroking his thumb against her cheek as a tear fell from her eye. He’d never seen her appear so vulnerable.

“They cannot wait to meet you, Clara.”

He would not correct his usage of her name. Not now.

She nodded, swallowing her emotion before smiling through her tears. “You’re certain you wish to marry a simple housemaid, sir?”

“More certain than I ever have been in my life. I love you, Clara—with a love I never thought I’d experience.”

Her smile grew, and before he knew it, she launched herself toward him, threw her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his.

He took but a second to respond, holding her against him and breathing in the scent of her, willing himself to remember how perfect this moment was until they finally pulled apart.

“Will you stay for our Christmas dinner?” she asked, staring up at him with love and devotion apparent in her eyes.

“I would love to, if it is not an imposition.”

“Not at all. Come. My mother should be up now. She will be so pleased to finally meet you.”

She wrapped her arm around his as he retrieved the basket and carried it toward the house.

“Oh, and you must help us decorate,” she said. “I know how greatly you love the pastime.”

He chuckled, placing a kiss against her temple. “With you, Clara, I shall enjoy any pastime. So long as you are by my side.”

And that was the truth of it. For he’d never been happier than when he was next to the love of his life.

Epilogue

Clara and Oliver’s wedding took place in the spring. It was a small affair, with their closest friends and family in attendance, exactly as they both wished it to be.

The following months had also proven to be a dream come true for Clara as she was welcomed with open arms into the Cole family, especially by Violet and Vivian, who did not leave Clara’s side from the moment she’d moved into Strandwick.

Mother chose to remain in the home purchased by Father, though she came to stay with Clara often and was also treated like family by Oliver’s.

Alongside the twins, Clara had become swift friends with Millie, who visited often with her own husband. Upon one of her visits, she shared with Clara and Oliver that at least two other couples aside from them had found love at the house party put on by Lady Dalmeer—including her own son, Lord Dalmeer.

“The woman truly is a gifted matchmaker,” Clara had said.

“Although,” Oliver mused, “you’ll notice her planned matches all failed.”