Chapter Twenty-One
Sebastian’s pulse quickened at the sight of the woman he loved. She looked lovely in her dark blue traveling cloak, but there was a lightness, a confidence that made her eyes shine. Justice had been served. She was free to choose her own life.
But had she come for him, or to confront him for his betrayal?
Sebastian nodded, his throat tight. “I’m suddenly without words.”
“Perhaps we can start with an introduction,” Rose said. “Is this your brother?”
“Yes. James, this is Lady Rose.”
James bowed respectfully, his blue eyes taking her in with obvious curiosity. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Rose.”
“The pleasure is mine. I imagine the circumstances of Sebastian’s and my acquaintance have been most unusual to hear about.”
James glanced between them. “Unexpected, certainly. But my father used to say that solace often comes from finding good in even the worst circumstances. Even a kernel can bloom into something beautiful.”
“He did say that,” Sebastian said with a rueful smile.
Mr. Hale approached. Sebastian held out his hand for the man to shake, before introducing him to James. “This is the courageous Mr. Hale I told you about.”
James suggested Mr. Hale come to the bar for an ale. After they were gone, Sebastian turned back to Rose. “Shall we take a walk? Somewhere we can speak privately?”
“Yes, if you think it’s safe.”
“You’re safe with me.”
He led her through narrow streets past the hum of taverns until cobbled paths gave way to dunes. The sounds of town faded, replaced by waves crashing gently against the shore. The sea glowed in the late afternoon light, silver and blue stretching to the horizon.
“It’s beautiful,” Rose said, her voice soft.
“I came here when I needed to think.” He paused, then added quietly, “To plan.”
She nodded, understanding flickering in her eyes. “I can imagine you here, contemplating your revenge.”
There was no bitterness in her tone, but the truth hung between them nonetheless. Sebastian led her to a weathered log near the water’s edge. They sat in silence for a moment, waves filling the quiet.
“Mr. Hale told me about your inheritance,” he said finally. “Your freedom. I’m glad for you.”
“It gives me opportunities I never expected.” She turned to face him. “Sebastian, I have something to say, and now that I’m here, I hardly know how to begin.”
He braced himself, expecting anger, recrimination.
“I’ve come to tell you I love you. And that I’d like us to marry.”
His mouth fell open. “What?”
“I should have said it that night in the garden, but I was overwhelmed and then chaos ensued.”
“I love you too. With everything in me. But are you sure about marriage?”
Her face went pale. “Why wouldn’t I be? What else is there to consider now that I’m free?”
“Because I have nothing to offer you. My family is disgraced, my title stripped. And the scandal—marrying the man who brought down your father? Society will shun you. You would have to face that for the rest of your life.”
Rose let out a bitter laugh. “I’ll be shunned regardless. My father’s actions have ensured that. No one will think of me without remembering what he did.” She stared out at the water. “But I find I don’t care. I’m free to choose what I want. Who I want. I choose you.”
“But I’m poor, Rose. You should hate me for the lies and deceit.”
“Do you want me or not?” Her voice broke slightly. “Because you seem to have a lot of reasons to reject me.”
Sebastian’s chest constricted at the tremor in her voice. “God, no. I’m so in love with you I can’t think of anything else. I want you by my side, in my bed, building a life together. But I want what’s best for you, and I fear I’m not it.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “That’s your choice to make.
I won’t beg.” Her voice grew stronger. “I’ve been at my father’s mercy all my life.
He took the person I loved most away from me.
You can choose to let him do it again, or you can choose differently.
” She wiped her cheek with the back of her hand.
“I’ve offered myself to you. If you don’t want me, I’ll go home heartbroken but proud of my courage. ”
He reached for his handkerchief and pressed it into her hands. “Making you cry is the last thing I want.”
“Then don’t.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Tell me you’ll come home with me.”
“Will there be a day when you look at me and see only the man who destroyed your father?”
“Sebastian, you didn’t destroy him—he did that himself. My God, he killed my mother and was ready to hand me to a monster.” Her voice grew fierce. “When I look at you, I see the man who saved me. You offered to give up everything for me. I’ll never forget that.”
Sebastian reached out, brushing a tear from her cheek. “You saved us, Rose. Your courage, your goodness—that’s what made this possible.”
“Come home with me,” she whispered.
He studied her face, seeing the determination mixed with vulnerability, the love shining in her eyes despite everything they’d endured. How could he refuse her? They belonged together, regardless of how they’d found each other.
“What will we tell our children about how we met?” he asked, a smile tugging at his lips.
Relief flooded her features. “The truth. No good comes from secrets.”
“And about our first kiss?”
Her eyes widened. “I don’t know.”
“Shall we tell them about this afternoon? The sea breeze and the way you looked at me when I asked if I could kiss you at long last?”
“Are you asking?”
“I am.”
“If we kiss, you must marry me.”
“Yes,” he said, grinning. “I surrender completely.”
She tilted her face up to his, eyes soft and unafraid. “I’m ready.”
Sebastian cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing her jaw. She leaned into his touch, lips parting slightly. He closed the distance slowly, giving her time to pull away. She didn’t.
The first brush of his lips was gentle, questioning. When Rose responded by curling her fingers into his coat sleeve and pressing closer, he deepened the kiss, his hand slipping to her waist as the world fell away around them.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing unsteadily.
“Oh my, that was quite pleasant,” Rose said, wonder in her voice.
“Indeed it was.”
“Perhaps we should practice more before the wedding.”
Sebastian laughed, the sound carrying across the water. “I think that’s very wise, Lady Rose. Very wise indeed.”