“I love you.”
He kissed her then, hard and hungry. Rain fell in heavy sheets, but neither cared. His hands framed her face, his mouth moved over hers with the fervor of a man who had been starving and at last found his sustenance. She clung to him, her body melting against his.
When at last they broke apart Sebastian rested his forehead against hers. “I swear, Maryann, I will adore you every single day.”
She smiled, her fingers tracing his jaw. “And I will never let you forget that I love you just as fiercely.”
2 days later….
The great doorsof Hardwick Manor opened before them, and the familiar scent of beeswax greeted Maryann. Her hand rested in the crook of Sebastian’s arm, while Sarah skipped happily at her side. They had scarcely crossed the threshold when two shrieks echoed down the corridor. Elizabeth and Vivian came flying toward them like small whirlwinds, their slippers skidding on the marble.
“Maryann! Sarah!” they cried, voices overlapping as they flung themselves forward.
Maryann laughed softly, bending to catch them both in her arms. “Oh, my dears,” she said, her voice trembling, “I have missed you so very much.”
“We missed you too!” Elizabeth said breathlessly. “We wrote you letters, but we didn’t know where to send them!”
“And we have so much to tell you,” Vivian added, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Mama—oh, the countess—has been teaching us the piano, and we have our first recital next week.”
Maryann smiled through the sudden burn in her throat. “Then I shall expect a private performance later. But for now,” she said, smoothing a curl from Sarah’s forehead, “will you keep your sister company? The viscount and I must speak with the earl and countess.”
The girls nodded eagerly, already tugging Sarah away with promises of cake and lemonade. Their laughter trailed down the hall, bright and innocent, as Maryann straightened and turned to Sebastian.
He stood beside her, tall and composed, his cravat perfectly tied, his coat tailored to perfection, his expression calm and unreadable. She, on the other hand, felt as though her heart were a trapped bird inside her chest.
He had not told her why they were meeting his parents, only that it was necessary. But she suspected it was because of their engagement. Still, the thought of facing the countess again made her stomach twist with unease.
She peered up at him, searching his face. “You are very calm, my lord,” she said softly.
His lips curved faintly. “There is no reason to be alarmed, I promise you.”
Her lips parted in surprise, and then she smiled, a touch tremulously. “That does make me feel better.”
They began to walk toward the drawing room, the soft echo of their steps on the marble floor sounding louder than usual. The portraits of his ancestors seemed to watch her as she passed, their painted eyes full of stern judgment. She held her head high nonetheless, though her palms were damp and her heart pounded.
Sebastian paused at the door, his gaze finding hers. He smiled faintly, then opened the door. Inside, the earl rose from his chair by the fire, his expression surprised but not unfriendly. The countess, however, sat rigidly beside him, her posture perfect, her eyes cool and sharp as ever.
Maryann curtsied, her pulse fluttering like mad. “My lord, my lady.”
“Miss Winton,” the earl greeted warmly enough. “It is… good to see you again.”
The countess inclined her head but said nothing.
Sebastian guided Maryann to stand beside him. His tone was measured but firm when he spoke. “Mother, Father, I haveasked to meet with you because there is something I must make known.”
The countess’s brows arched. “Indeed? Should I be bracing myself?”
He smiled faintly. “Perhaps.” Then, taking Maryann’s hand, he said clearly, “Miss Winton has done me the very great honor of accepting my proposal of marriage.”
The earl’s brows lifted slightly, but it was the countess who reacted first. Her lips parted in shock, color draining from her face. “Marriage?” she repeated faintly. “You cannot be serious.”
“I am entirely serious,” Sebastian said evenly, his voice calm but unyielding. “I love her. I have asked her to be my wife, and she has done me the very great honor of accepting.”
He turned his gaze fully upon his mother. “Maryann is the kindest, bravest, and most extraordinary woman I have ever known. A single laugh from her is enough to brighten my entire day. She possesses grace, dignity, and a strength of spirit that humbles me. She loves fiercely, without pretense or vanity, and I could never hope for a worthier partner.”
His tone deepened, firm as steel. “I am not here to beg permission to love her—nor to marry her. I state this plainly: she is the only woman I will ever take to be my wife. If that displeases you, Mother, I shall protect my wife—and our future children—from your disdain. I will not have them feel unworthy because of your prejudice. I hope I have made myself clear.”
The countess stared at him, utterly speechless.
