And now it was.
Yet, amidst the euphoria, a seed of doubt sprouted in her mind, growing rapidly by the second.
“What is it?”
Surprise filled her face as she raised her eyes back to Gabriel’s once more, his astute observation of her change in demeanor leaving a warm tingling in her chest.
“Your Grace-”
She was almost immediately cut short, as he shook his head, saying, “I want you to call me by my name, Evelina. Please, drop the formalities.”
“P-Pardon?”
Her breath hitched in her throat as he reached out and took her hands in his. “Gabriel. Gabriel Jones. That is my name.” He nodded his head affirmatively.
“I-I know your name, Your Grace.” Evelina’s cheeks flushed harder as she frantically pulled her hands out of his, battling to remember what she’d meant to say at this point.
The duke’s eyes narrowed slightly at her, a flash of his ever trumping character shining through. “Then say it, call me by my name.”
“Y-Your Grace…” Evelina’s voice quivered slightly, and she gulped before slowly pushing out the word he wished to hear. “Gabriel…”
Her cheeks flamed as another smile lifter his handsome features, “Yes?”
“B-Before I say yes,” She coughed and cleared her throat as she pushed on, “there’s something you must know. I have one condition.”
Gabriel’s expression softened, his gaze unwavering as he peered at her, “Tell me. I’ll do anything for you. No matter what it is, Evelina.” His voice was a gentle reassurance amidst the tension, “I want you to know you can always count on me.”
Evelina drew in a deep breath and went straight to the point, her eyes locked with his. “If we are to be married, you must help me care for my sisters,” she stated firmly, her tone unwavering.
For a second, Gabriel seemed to hesitate. Then, he opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word, she continued, her words flowing with urgency.
“I’ve always been the one looking after them, as our father isn’t capable. I need you to understand this,” she insisted, the weight of her responsibility evident in her plea.
“Evelina...”
I do not wish to lose you over this, please understand.
As he tried to interject, her voice cut through the room once more, her eyes pleading with him to comprehend, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but my sisters and I have a close bond, I simply cannot-”
“Evelina.”
Her eyes widened with surprise as he suddenly reached out, cupping her face in his hand tenderly. Like clockwork, her heart began to race rapidly at his unexpected touch.
With a soft smile playing on his lips, his eyes searched hers, filled with warmth and affection. “I gladly accept your condition,” he declared, his chuckle breaking the tension thatlingered in the room. “Truth be told, I had already anticipated this, if you had not brought it up, I would have.”
Evelina’s astonishment was palpable as she searched his eyes for any hint of doubt. “Do you mean this?” she questioned, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Of course,” he replied earnestly, his thumb caressing her skin gently once again. A sigh escaped him, his eyes softening as they locked onto her lips. “I love you, Evelina. It’s only natural for me to consider these things.”
Leaning in closer, he whispered once more, the depth of his feelings resonating in the quiet intimacy of the moment, “I love you, so much.”
Evelina felt as though she was floating.
Could this be real life? Am I worthy of feeling so much happiness in this moment?
“And I love you too, Gabriel.”
Finally able to confess the words she’d never admitted to any other but herself felt more freeing than she could imagine. Boldly, she took a step, finally closing the distance between them, feeling the warmth of his breath directly on her skin, a moment of intimacy shared between them.
