Chapter Fifteen #2
“As if I could ever forget you.” While still holding her gaze, he put the ring of her hair on the fourth finger of his right hand.
“At that time, you were quite young; there was nothing I could do about it then, and I didn’t want to extract a promise from you that you couldn’t keep, especially since your brother had said your father wanted Weymouth for you. ”
“But that wasn’t what I wanted for my life,” she said, as tears welled in her eyes.
“And I didn’t want you to wait for me in the event I didn’t survive my time in India.” He caught her hand in his again. “The final rebellion I was sent into to quell was the last time I remained in India, for I received a slice of a cutlass to my back—”
“The scar you wouldn’t let me explore…”
“Yes.” He nodded. “The blow knocked me from my horse, which is how I broke my ankle. I was bandaged and set as best they could do, but ultimately, they put me on a ship bound for home, and it was a long journey indeed, for I contracted a fever, was told I was in a bad state for weeks. Being on a ship for so long didn’t help. ”
Shock roiled through her body. “I didn’t know that.”
“In those feverish imaginings, I dreamed of you. Honestly, I truly believe seeing you in those horrid times is what kept me grounded to this world, for I continued to hope I might have a chance, even if you were still married, so I continued to dream, spoke to you in those imaginings…”
“Oh, Cornelius.” Her hand trembled in his, but she clung to his fingers. “I’m so grateful you didn’t succumb to your injuries.” And she was. That wasn’t a lie. Then she removed one of the silver rings on her right hand. “You gave me this ring after I gave you mine. Do you remember?”
“Yes.” He nodded and took it from her. “My father gifted me this when I went to university.” The scrollwork had become a bit worn from age, but the metal shone bright, for she was careful to polish it every week.
“I was so moved when you offered me your gift, so after we met in the hedge maze that night, I wanted—needed—you to remember me, had the silly hope that there might be a future for us if fate was kind.”
“I wanted that too.”
Her brother bristled. “You defiled my sister before she married the marquess?”
“Not quite.” Cornelius snorted. “But there was scandal.”
A grin tugged at the corners of Penny’s lips. “And not in the way you think.”
The major once more caught her hand. “Penelope, my sweetest dream, I believe that fate has put us both here now for a reason. Will you make me the happiest of men and promise to be my wife?”
“Oh, heavens.” Despite the race of her heartbeat, despite the fact she had yearned quite hard for this exact moment, tears filled her eyes and spilled to her cheeks. “I hadn’t planned to marry again, at least not right now, for I wanted to explore that freedom.”
He gasped and stared at her with shock in his eyes. “You are rejecting me, then, after everything we’ve shared this week?”
“I…” Was she? This was the pinnacle of everything she’d ever wanted. And he was certainly quite delicious when it came to carnal pursuits, but was that enough? Did they share anything else between them? And would she only be in his life to calm his demons? “I…”
Mrs. Abbott came forward a few steps. “Lady Penelope, the poor man deserves an answer.”
“Of course he does.” She flicked her gaze to his dear face, upturned and waiting for her response.
Clearly, he had honor since he’d served England in the war, and he was brave and strong for the same reasons.
But her brother was right. He’d warmed beds all over England for many years.
Would he prove faithful to just one or would he grow bored?
Yet he’d remembered all the little things she’d told him thus far and even from the past, and she wore his grandmother’s hair combs, which had stolen her heart when he’d offered them.
“Oh, Cornelius, I’ve waited so long for you to say those words to me… ”
“And?”
“I don’t know that I want to be under another man’s control or treated as if I’m his property.” Her voice faltered. “I have dreams—”
“I know, and I want to help you fulfil them.”
She frowned. “I don’t want to become some man’s arm ornament to further his intentions or help him climb in society.”
“Sweeting, have you ever known me to be that?”
“I don’t know you all that well, but no.
” Slowly, she shook her head, for her heart was fairly seething at her brain.
“You’ve been so sweet and romantic to me this week, but I don’t want you to offer for me based on obligation from what happened between us.
I…” She wiped away a tear. “I want you to want me for me, not because of something else.”
“What the hell happened between the two of you this week?” her brother wanted to know, but everyone ignored him.
Again.
“Well, I’m not down on one knee on Valentine’s night out of obligation.” A trace of annoyance went through his expression.
“That’s probably true.” Was she being a fool?
“Penelope, I’m falling tip over tail into love with you.
You’ve managed to capture my heart when I wasn’t expecting it.
” His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow.
Moisture welled in his eyes, making the brandy hue more pronounced.
“No one else has ever managed to get past my walls and find out the real man I hide… and no other woman has had the courage to love me for me despite all of that… until you.”
Her chest tightened even as her heart squeezed.
If she ever wanted the life she’d always dreamed of, she needed to be honest with herself.
“This ring?” Gently, she removed her hand from his and tapped a fingertip to the remaining silver band on her right index finger.
A plain silver band with a flat, square shape where there used to be a silver lion, but it had long since fallen off, and she’d lost it.
“This came from Weymouth, one of his signet rings he gave me midway through our marriage when it was obvious we were merely existing with each other.”
“What has that to do with me?”
“I keep wearing this to remind me that surface looks are deceptive.”
He frowned. “Yet you kept my ring as well.”
“Yes. I did, because to me it represents hope and a future unfulfilled.”
“Meaning?” Expectation reflected in his eyes.
Flutters moved through her lower belly. “Meaning I have worn this ring every day since you gave it to me because…” She pressed her lips together; it was hopeless to deny what she felt for this man.
“Because I am in love with you too. I worried and wondered what became of you after our letters stopped.” She glanced over at her mother, whose cheeks reddened.
“I never stopped hoping that eventually our paths would cross again.”
“While those words are romantic, I need you to answer my question.”
“I know.” She nodded as she slowly sank to her knees in front of him. “I told you that I liked books because they never disappoint me, and I have never had that same feeling from any other person in my life.”
“I remember.”
“I adore books more than anything, so when I tell you that I also love you, please don’t take that for granted.
However, I also wish to move forward in opening my own bookshop once Mr. Chandler closes his.
It’s important to me that books are available to the public, because reading is rebellion and words are power. ”
“Sweeting, are you not listening? I have no intention of stopping you from doing anything. Loving someone means loving every part of them and what they stand for.” He chuckled then winced.
No doubt his injuries were paining him. “I don’t want to tame you or quell your spirit.
I refuse to demand that you suddenly become a proper member of society, for I adore you just as you are, but please, for the love of God, will you marry me? ”
“Have we already wasted too much time?”
“As we’re doing now?” He huffed. “Penny!” The word came out on a strangled sort of sound.
“I apologize.” But she nodded as tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Yes, I will marry you.” Then she tumbled into his arms and surrendered with a tiny sigh when he sought her lips with his. As she slipped her arms about his shoulders and pressed herself further into his embrace, her brother sputtered.
“Damn it, Penny, he’s not good enough for you!”
“Oh, I know,” she said, against the major’s mouth. “That’s one of the reasons he’s perfect.”
“He won’t be able to take care of you in the style to which you’ve been accustomed over the years.”
“He doesn’t need to. Weymouth left me well off. We shall be fine, and besides,” she turned her head and looked at her brother, “I’m hoping he can give me what the marquess never could.”
“What is that?” he asked, as he crossed his arms at his chest while their mother pretended to faint again on the sofa.
“Children.”
Mrs. Abbott sighed. She stepped close to her husband, who slipped an arm around her waist. “Do shut up, Birchfield. This is turning into quite the romantic night.”
“I fear I don’t know what to do with myself,” Cornelius whispered, as he slipped the silver band he’d given her years ago onto the fourth finger of her left hand. “I’ll give you a proper ring later.”
“That isn’t necessary; I only want you.” She’d crawl into his lap if there weren’t so many people about. “I’ve only ever wanted you.”
His eyes lit as he held her head between his hands. “My sentiment, exactly.”
She smiled, and for the first time in many years, she was light, happy…
free. Perhaps she did need to marry again after all.
But there was one more thing she needed to do.
Standing, Penny crossed the floor and stood in front of her brother.
“Please don’t be cross. Cornelius is your best friend; the two of you need each other, and I need you too.
Don’t shut us out just because we fell in love despite the odds and your opposition.
” Laying a hand on his arm, she added, “At least this time, I’m marrying for love. ”
A series of emotions went over her brother’s face, but finally, he nodded as Cornelius joined her. “I only ever wanted what was best for you, Little Sister.”
“And the best is Cornelius. You know it deep down.”
His gaze flicked to her fiancé. “Perhaps I do, but—”
“No.” Penny shook her head. “He is, and he’ll take care of me, protect me… love me. Please celebrate with us.”
“Damn, sometimes I think you are wiser than all of us.” Then her brother tugged her into his arms and hugged her. “Congratulations. To you both.”
Breathing deeply, she nodded against his shoulder. Finally, she was where she belonged, and perhaps this time, she wouldn’t feel so alone.