When they finally parted from their kiss, Felicity looked up at him and smiled. She now had her Victor back, that wonderful, loving, kind man she had fallen in love with.
He smiled back at her, then his smile hardened. ‘I’d still like to give that Montgomery a horsewhipping. It’s no less than he deserves.’
‘No need. While you were away on the Continent his debts were called in and much of his property was seized. He tried desperately to find another heiress to marry, but too many people had seen the scratches on his face and no one wanted him anywhere near their daughter. As one, society turned its back on him. And for an arrogant rake like him that’s even worse than any physical pain you could inflict in him. He got his comeuppance and even better, Jenny is so happy and in love, so she had her revenge as well.’
She smiled at him, pleased with this satisfying outcome, then a delicious thought occurred to her. ‘Speaking of marriage, did you say when you saw me in the park you had your grandmother’s engagement ring in your pocket? And did you say you were planning to ask me to marry you?’
As hoped, that scowl disappeared. ‘Yes, I believe that is what I said. And if I remember correctly, you recently said something about being in love with me.’
‘Yes, I believe I did,’ she said with laughter in her voice.
‘So, you have declared your love for me tonight, and I have confessed to wanting to marry you. They are two things we should have told each other last season rather than throwing them at each other tonight in anger.’
‘I believe that is true. But we could say them again, in a more appropriately affectionate manner,’ she teased.
‘Yes, definitely. That is exactly what we should do.’
‘Well? I’m waiting.’
To Felicity’s delight, he was instantly down on one knee. ‘I love you, Felicity. I love you with all my heart and soul. I have been a wretch without you, miserable every minute that we have been apart. I love and adore you, and I should have known that the woman I had fallen in love with would never do something to hurt me. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I deeply regret not coming to your aid when you needed me most and I deeply regret leaving without an explanation.’
Felicity’s heart soared and happiness filled her. ‘And I love you, and I am so sorry that I hurt you. That had never been my intention. And I’m sorry I didn’t trust you and tell you of my plans.’
‘Let’s promise to always trust each other, to always tell each other what we’re feeling,’ he said. ‘For the rest of our lives.’
She nodded vigorously, tears in her eyes.
‘So will you marry me, Felicity? Will you make me the happiest man alive?’
‘Yes,’ she said.
And with that one simple word, Felicity had ensured this season was the best season a young woman could ever have.
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