Simon came to the evergreen grove and looked up, surveying a number of talltrees.
“That one.” He pointed to a nicely proportioned tree. He pulled out a red ribbon from his pocket and tied it to a branch. “There—we’re done. Let’s get you back. You lookcold.”
Fitz gave him a searing look. “Why ever would you thinkthat?”
Simon took her arm and led her through the woods without speaking. But once they reached the path back to the house he turned to her. He placed his hand on her arm andsmiled.
“Fiona, you know I care for you a greatdeal.”
“And I for you, Simon,” she said demurely, but she was wildly excited.Finally…she thought.Now get on withit.
“And I’ve wanted to take our relationship to the next level, but I’ve been terrified to askyou.”
Fitz stopped and looked at him directly. “But why? You have nothing to fear fromme.”
“Fiona, a woman of your stature deserves the very best, most accomplished husband—a man with wealth and title. I’m none of those things. I have a terrible history as a wastrel and a thief. I’ll have the most modest living and I have no title. I’m only the second son of aDuke.”
Fitz smiled at him, and shook her head, “Those things don’t matter to me. It’s what’s in a man’s heart thatcounts.”
She was suddenly filled with a rush of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, she was greatly relieved to anticipate becoming engaged. But, on the other hand, all of her dreams of titled wealth were shattering down around her. There would be no title, no London townhouse, no vast fortune at her disposal. But then another feeling swept over her—gratitude. Simon cared for her and, to her surprise, she cared for him. If she accepted him, the search would be over. She could relax. She would actually have a real life, free from the anxiety that had plagued her through all these past years ofdesperation.
“Then will you be my wife, Fiona Fitzwilliam? Will you haveme?”
“Yes, Simon, I will.” And she started to cry like she’d never criedbefore.
* * *
Susan neededto go into town for some shopping for herself and for Elizabeth. She could have gone to Preston, but she decided to go to Ash and make a quick visit to her parents and Katherine. Daniel had dropped her a note saying he was leaving for Portsmouth for a few days and she didn’t expect him to bethere.
She wanted to get her shopping out of the way first and visited the stores she needed before heading over to see Katherine. And much to her surprise, Daniel answered thedoor.
“Susan…” he exclaimed. “I didn’t know you werecoming.”
“I thought you would be in Portsmouth,” she replied. “I was on a shopping excursion and came by to seeKatherine.”
“And you found me instead,” he said somewhatbitterly.
Daniel was even more disheveled than when she saw him last time. It looked like he’d not shaven for a week. His hair was now growing down over his ears, and his eyes werebloodshot.
“Daniel, are you alright? You don’t look toowell.”
“I’m fine. I’m fine. Comeinside.”
As he led her down the hallway, he said, “Katherine and mother are out. But I’m happy you’re here. We can have a momentalone.”
They went to the sitting room where there was a cherryfire.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked, as shesat.
“No, thankyou.”
He sat oppositeher.
“Why are you not in Portsmouth? Your notesaid…”
“I know what my note said,” he said, becoming agitated. “But I decided not togo.”
“Daniel? What’s wrong with you? You lookterrible.”
