Chapter 20
Dear P,
It began with a letter.
A whisper of information, ink and paper and a quest to change the world. I chose you because of your tireless work to help the poor, yet something else formed: a connection, a kindred spirit, a familiar soul.
The letters were forged to make a difference, yet far more emerged. We shared stories of the past and present. Dreams for the future. Joys and heartbreaks, delight and pain. And as I came to know the mysterious Lord P, you went from informant to friend, from friend to best friend.
Without seeing your face, your letters told me who you are. You are kind and caring, clever and witty, heartfelt and sincere. We grew closer and closer, beyond the many secrets.
And then I found Lady Priscilla hiding behind a hedge.
In the letters it took months, yet something sparked within an instant of your true presence. A future filled solely with duty changed into something far more. And suddenly my emotion had a name.
Love.
I love you. Lord P. Lady Priscilla. It does not matter what I call you. It does not matter if it is through a letter or face to face. You bring joy I never imagined, a bright future I never dreamed possible.
I do not wish to stop you from the work that defines you. We will find a way to further the cause we both love. I have always said we could do more together. I truly believe that.
And so now I have a single question. One I am ASKING.
Priscilla, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?
Yours,
Edmund
All along she had been wrong. She had used her quest as an excuse, but the truth was she was scared. Scared Edmund did not love her as she loved him, scared to surrender herself, scared to receive such a precious love in return.
She feared no more.
“I love you, Priscilla. Since the moment I saw you hiding in the hedges, defiantly claiming innocence, I knew there was something extraordinary about you.”
“Yes, and that statue–” She blushed deeply. “Never mind.”
He smiled. “I apologize for my harshness when I discovered the truth, but I was horrified I had sent you into danger. I am protective, but I believe we can find a way for you to fulfill your calling, one that involves not a single drawing room, tea room, or–” He lifted an eyebrow. “Behind-the-hedges retiring room.”
She laughed softly.
“Your work at the sanctuary changes lives. I’m certain there are many such places in need of help. I would like to find them and offer my assistance, yet I cannot do it alone. Perhaps you could aid me in this endeavor, identify where help is most needed, create sanctuaries and run them. It would be grueling, difficult work, but…”
“It would change lives,” she breathed. Excitement grew in her. It was an opportunity to make a difference to so many people.
“As for your investigations, they can be continued.”
Her breath hitched.
“In a way.”
She gazed at him carefully. “What do you mean?”
“Am I correct that most of your information comes simply from conversations?”
She nodded. Much of her sleuthing did not involve anything more dangerous than a probing talk with the target lord, or his lady.
“If you promise to be subtle, I do not see harm in such efforts.” He gazed at her earnestly. “Do you think it could be enough? Could you give up sneaking through the homes of criminal lords?”
After tonight, she never wanted to search a lord’s house ever again. With his plan of researching and creating homes for those in need, she could help as many or more children than by endangering herself. When she needed a taste of action, she could continue her conversations. She could have everything.
Including the man she loved.
She stood up tall, kept her voice businesslike. “I need to write a letter.”
“Now?”
She nodded.
He narrowed his eyes, but went to a desk, where he retrieved the necessary instruments. She took them and quickly sprawled a note.
He read it out loud.
Dear Edmund.
I will marry you.
Yours,
Lord P
P.S. I love you with all my heart.
He smiled widely and wickedly, a roughish grin of pure happiness. He opened his arms.
And without a care as to who could see them…
She jumped into them.
“I love you, Priscilla. No matter who you are or what name you call yourself, you are my greatest gift.”
She smiled with all the joy in her heart. “I love you, too.”
He gave her one last lingering kiss. “Why don’t we tell the world the good news, before the scandal we’ve been tempting finally arrives?”
“It’s a miracle we’re not the talk of London.”
“Oh we are,” he assured her. “But everyone knew we would wed.”
“Oh they did?”
“Of course,” he said in mock seriousness. “After all, it is what I commanded. And I am accustomed to winning.”
She shook her head, yet could not stop the beaming smile.
“Are you ready for our announcement?”
Their betrothal. Instead of fear, pure joy flourished at the thought of being with this man forever. “Are you quite certain the announcement wasn’t a banishment of all of the vases in London?”
He laughed. “I fear no vases. I am the Duke of Bradenton.”
“Do not forget how powerful future duchesses can be. I have decided to extend an invitation for your sister to join the guild after all.”
“Your sewing guild?”
She smiled. “My social action guild.”
He laughed. “I should have known. But what of her guardian? I hear he is extremely strict.”
“That’s all right,” she purred. “I have ways of accomplishing my goals when it comes to the Duke of Bradenton.”
“I suppose he may be persuaded – at a cost.”
“What cost is that?”
“You.” He turned serious. “I will always love you,” he promised. “And you will always be free.”
She smiled through unshed tears. “And I will love you forever.”
He held her close, her powerful warrior. “We will build a beautiful life together, forged in love and lasting into eternity.”
And as usual…
The duke got his way.