Page 86 of Enthralled in the Governess' Gaze

After, they lay in each other’s arms, bathed in sunlight and the scent of ripe berries. Edward held her tight, and Victoria clung to him, almost afraid that he would disappear if she let him go.

“I love you, Victoria,” he murmured. “I am sorry for the way I treated you. Please…please come back to England with me.”

She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. She so badly wanted to say yes, but she hesitated, the weight of her lies pressing down on her.

“Edward,” she whispered. “There are things I must tell you…things about who I am….”

“I know all that already,” he told her, shocking her. “Lady Longmore told me everything. She was the one who told me how to find you.”

She lifted her head and gazed down at him. “You are not upset?”

Brushing a strand of hair from her face, he said, “No, I am not. I understand why you did the things you did. I cannot say I would have done anything differently if I had been in your position. It does not matter to me, though, if you were born a lady or born common. I love you for you, Victoria. I want to marry you, no matter what.”

She smiled down at him, tears forming in her eyes. “Really? You really want to marry me? Despite everything?”

Grinning, he nodded. “Yes, I do. If you will have me.”

“Of course, I will,” she sobbed, dropping her head to press a kiss to his lips. “I love you too, Edward. I want nothing more than to be your wife.”

Laughing, he hugged her and showered her face with kisses. Happiness exploded through her, and she let her tears flow freely. It did not seem real. It seemed like it was all a dream, but if that was the case, Victoria never wanted to wake up from it.

“Will you come meet my family?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” he told her. “I want to ask your mother for her blessing.”

Excited, Victoria climbed to her feet, and Edward followed her. After straightening their clothes, she took his hand and started to lead him to her family’s home. She was eager to show him everything that she was and introduce him to those who mattered most to her.

The future was bright, and her heart was so full she thought it would burst.

She had given up on love. Given up on a future with someone by her side. In the absence of that hope, however, was when Edward had found his way into her heart. It was more than a coincidence. More than chance. They were soulmates. Fated for each other.

And the future had never looked brighter.

THE END