“I know I’ve hurt you deeply,” Abel said, his voice trembling as his eyes watered, “and I will spend the rest of my days making it up to you, proving my love and devotion. I cannot undo the past, but I promise you, Bridget, that I will be the man you deserve.”
He took a step forward, his eyes locked on hers, his voice filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability.
“Bridget,” he began, his voice quivering. “I cannot bear to be without you any longer. This is not about duty or societal expectations. I love you with all my heart, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He reached out, his hand trembling as it brushed against her cheek. “I have been a fool, Bridget. Blind to the depth of my feelings for you. But now, at this moment, I know with absolute certainty that I truly cannot live without you. I do not wish to.”
There was a sincere, yet lighthearted tone as he added, “I have loved you from the moment you attacked me for my jest at the table. Never had I met a woman so sharp and aggressive. Your fierceness plucked out my heart and trashed it on the ground, yet it wanted more.”
Bridget couldn’t help the laughter that escaped her lips as she shook her head at him. He smiled back at her, his eyes filled with adoration as he stared at her as though she was the only woman in existence.
His voice trembled with a mix of nervousness and determination when he spoke again, “My darling Bridget… will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Bridget’s heart raced in her chest, her emotions swirling like a tempest. She took a step closer to him, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and longing.
“You foolish man,” she whispered, her eyes glistening with her tears. “Why did it take you so long to realize what we could have? You are the one my heart waited for, has always yearned for.”
Her heart nearly exploded with joy, her voice filled with a mix of awe and love. “Yes, Abel.” She nodded, her arms wrapping around his neck. “Yes, a thousand times yes. I love you too, and I will marry you.”
And with that, she pressed her lips to his, igniting the now familiar feeling between them, their lips entwining in a passionate kiss. Nothing else seemed to matter but that very moment as their love enveloped them, their hearts soaring with happiness and the promise of a future together.
After the minutes passed, Bridget gently pulled away, breaking their kiss with a soft smile playing on her lips. “I shall prepare the guest room for you to stay the night,” she said, her voice filled with affection and anticipation.
Her hands felt his wet clothes again with a laugh. “And I’m going to have to wake the servants as well, it seems. Something must be done about this before you actually fall ill.”
“That’s all good and fine.”
But Abel’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he reached out, his hand firmly grasping her waist. She gasped softly, her heart skipping a beat as he pulled her close again and planted a slow kiss on her lips.
His voice dropped to a low, sultry tone, tinged with a hint of warning. “But just so you know, my darling,” he murmured, his gaze intense. “This will be the last night we spend apart. I vow to make our wedding happen as swiftly as humanly possible.”
A blush spread across Bridget’s cheeks in full force, her eyes downcast with shy excitement. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, it should be swift, I agree.”
EPILOGUE
The sweet fragrance of freshly bloomed roses perfumed the warm summer air, mingling with the crisp scent of newly cut grass. Bridget inhaled deeply as she stepped out onto the garden terrace, unable to suppress a radiant smile.
Today was a day she had never dreamed would happen—her wedding day. And the setting could scarcely be more perfect.
Sweeping her gaze over the lush gardens, she smiled as she remembered her first time meeting Abel. He had ripped into her family with some painful barbs about the state of the garden. That seemed like an eternity ago.
She took in the delicate floral arches lining the aisle, the rows of white wooden chairs adorned with ribbons and flowers, and the spectacular view overlooking the gently rolling hills beyond. A trio of musicians was already in place, preparing to provide the music for the ceremony.
Turning towards the stately manor house, Bridget’s breath caught in her throat. White and pink peonies overflowed from urns and window boxes, draping the stone facade in romantic blossoms, as if the entire estate was bedecked to celebrate this joyous occasion just for her.
Abel, who had fought so vigorously for Olivia and Elliot to have a quiet wedding, had gone out of his way for this one, sparing no expense.
Her family was no longer facing financial ruin, since Olivia and Elliot had married, and Abel wanted his sister to be comfortable, but they had balked at the costs. Abel needed no assistance, however. In fact, he was adamantly against it, covering all expenses by himself.
A part of her told her it was too much, but she was too happy and nervous to care.
“Oh, Bridget, you look a vision!”
She turned at the familiar voice, her smile widening as Virginia hurried across the terrace in a flurry of blue skirts.
She made it!
Briget’s eyes misted over with tears. Virginia did not live close by, so she thought her sister would not make it even if their father allowed her.
