Chapter 66
Valeraine returned to Alyce’s wedding ball with a little spring in her step.
Upon entering the Netherfield ballroom, she was struck with the sense of being surrounded by people she loved.
There was Merna, content to be a wallflower.
Papa and Mamma were dancing together (cordially, as Mamma was in such a good mood today).
Selaide was with some beau, and Alyce was dancing with Nethenabbi.
Valeraine’s eyes roved for the final piece of her heart, whom she spotted as he came out of the crowd to her.
“My Valeraine,” Pemberley said, “would you give me the honor of this dance?” He was wearing a burgundy suit with lace at his cuffs — the first time she had seen him in a vibrant color — which perfectly matched his dragon.
She took his hand, and they joined the fray.
Valeraine asked him, “Will our wedding ball be as grand as this one, do you think?”
He pursed his lips, taking the question far more seriously than it warranted. “Our housekeeper will demand grander, I’m afraid. We’ll have to accept it as our due.”
“Our due?”
“We’ll be the happiest couple in the world, and our wedding should reflect that. Don’t you think so?”
Valeraine smiled at his small joke, so rare from Pemberley (though this side of him was emerging more around her), and took it far more seriously than it warranted.
“That’s settled then. We will be the happiest couple in the world, and everyone should know it.
Though there is something that’s been on my mind.
” Valeraine asked, “How did you ever begin to love me? I can’t fathom how it started, in between us trading insults? ”
Pemberley took a few turns of the dance to think on it. “There were a few moments. The insults, if anything, attracted me to you. I’ve grown up somewhat spoiled. It was refreshing to have someone to pull me out of myself, to tell me my actions were incorrect.”
“So it was my stubbornness and rudeness to you?”
“In part. I think perhaps I began to like you, then. What started the love — really when I couldn’t stop thinking about you — was when I discovered your riding.”
“A woman had never been so thoroughly unsuitable, had she?” Valeraine teased.
“Certainly,” Pemberley chuckled. “But you were building the dragoneering you wanted, that you fit into. That boldness, that courage of yours, attracted me to you more fully than your beauty or sharp tongue ever could.”
“I’ve been considering, this next season, racing openly for Pemberley, on Lelantos.
What would you say to that?” Here, she was nervous.
She had teased Nedine about it, but hadn’t yet broached the subject.
What if Pemberley forbade it? Would he be right to do so, as it would only bring scandal to Pemberley and danger to her?
Pemberley thought on the question, giving it the time that it warranted. “We can’t be the happiest couple in the world if we do not pursue dragoneering as we wish. You should race for us. Would you mind terribly if I took a more public role in hatch-mothering?”
“I thought we had already settled that we would be the happiest couple in the world?” she teased. “Of course I wouldn’t mind.”
They continued dancing, until Pemberley brought up a question: “What began your love, for me? I cannot imagine that was easy, with me being so abominably rude to you?”
“It wasn’t your manner, that’s certain. It wasn’t even your looks, though they are handsome.
Perhaps the first moment I loved you was when I read your writings, knowing you were Scaleheart, and felt your passion there.
” Valeraine considered. “No, the first moment was when you forcefully sewed up my arm, so intent on making things right. I didn’t admit it to myself, being full of hatred for you at the time, but I admired you then. That, perhaps, was the seed.”
“I’m glad of it. It took me a small eternity to realize, but it’s worth all of the sacrifices in the world to please you. You are my treasure, Valeraine.”
“And you, mine.”
After the dance, they snuck out to check on Pemberley’s dragon Amaranth, whom he had flown to attend the wedding, and give her a turkey leg as a treat.
They then delivered one to Lelantos, too. They flew together on a short flight into the stars, and shared a kiss.
They were the happiest couple in the world, and would be (despite frequent insults and teasings) ever after.