Page 76 of The Secret Suitor

THREE MONTHS LATER

The sun had finally peeked out from the dreary winter weather and shone over the land that separated Wesley’s family estate from the Hollis property. He had been working on the plans for the new garden in the back of the house over the last week, and he needed a break.

Wesley mounted his horse and turned in the direction of Millie’s house. They had made this ride so many times in the last few months, his horse knew where to go without being heavily prompted. The hills were green, thanks to the rain they had endured the last few months, and yellow gorse lined the path between their houses. It was vibrant, making the earth look alive.

The Hollis house came into view, and his heart thudded in his chest. Each time he was about to see Millie, his joy rose.

He left his horse with a groom and made his way to the house.

“Miss Hollis will be down shortly,” the butler said upon opening the door. “You may wait in the parlor.”

“Thank you, Budge.” Wesley knew the way well. He let himself into the parlor and found Mr. Hollis seated on the sofa, reading. “Good morning, sir.”

Mr. Hollis lowered his book. He wore long side-whiskers and had combed his graying hair to the side. “Good morning, Wesley. Has Millie been notified of your arrival?”

“I believe so, yes.”

He nodded once, setting the book on the cushion beside him. “How do your garden plans come along?”

“We have selected all the plants we are going to use, but choosing a fountain for the center has proven difficult. There are different opinions.”

“Give it time, and everyone will come to one accord,” Mr. Hollis offered.

Wesley hoped that was the case. His mother wanted a fountain and his father wanted a bench. Could they not have both? They could reasonably put a fountain in the center and a bench in another area of the garden.

The door opened and Millie strode inside, the long tail of her riding habit lifted off the ground. The deep burgundy of the gown and hat were striking against her creamy skin and dark hair. She threw a dazzling smile at Wesley. “Good morning.”

“Fancy a ride?” he asked.

“I would love to.” She crossed the room and kissed her father on the cheek. “I will not be gone long.”

He did not reply, but his chuckle was indulgent.

Millie and Wesley left the house hand in hand. Both of their horses were waiting outside the stables near the mounting block, prepared. “I saw you approach through the window, so I asked that my horse be readied.”

“Of course you did.” Wesley helped her into her saddle, then mounted his horse.

“To the garden?” she asked. She had been helping him decide where to place the plants and how to lay out the walking paths, so riding to his house had been a regular occurrence.

“Not today.” Wesley directed his horse toward his property, and Millie fell in beside him. They took their time, enjoying the sun beating down on their faces and the smell of fresh earth and growing greenery.

By the time Millie realized they were heading to the dower house on the edge of the property, they had nearly approached it.

“Shall we walk for a minute?” Wesley asked.

Millie peered down at him doubtfully. “How will I regain my saddle? Will we need to walk to your stables to find a mounting block?”

“Would that be such a terrible thing?”

She glanced over her shoulder toward his house, noting the edges peeking between the trees. “I suppose not.”

Wesley tied his horse to the tethering ring, then approached her, his arms up.

Millie put her hands on his shoulders and let him help her to the ground. When both her feet were settled firmly on the earth, he did not release her, enjoying the feeling of her waist in his hands. She looked up at him, her eyes shaded by the brim of her hat.

“Come, I want to show you something,” he said.

Millie nodded, taking his hand and holding up her dragging hem with the other.

Wesley opened the door and led her inside. When they went into the parlor, done over in sage green and cream, he stopped and put his hands out.

She looked around but did not appear to see what he meant. “Nothing has changed.”

“That is correct. My mother thought it would be good for the new bride to make any decisions regarding wall hangings or cushions.”

“New bri—” Millie’s hand clapped over her mouth. “Wesleyford.”

“Mildred.” He bracketed her face in his hands. “I love you. Will you marry me and live in this dower house as my new bride?”

“Yes!” She jumped up on her toes and their mouths met in a kiss so vibrant, it challenged the new blooms outside.

Wesley filled his arms and heart with this woman and kissed her until he lost all sense of time and space.

“I love you, Wesley.”