“I shall.” Claire laughed. “This is the happiest day of my life already.”
“We shall wait for you outside,” Magdalene said gently. “Take a few moments and meet us when you are ready. We have plenty of time, dear.”
Claire nodded, grateful for the offer.
As the house emptied out, Claire caught her breath by the door, watching as her mother climbed into one of the carriages.
“Are you watching the outside so you can plan your escape?”
Ernest’s voice came from behind her. Claire whirled around to face him. He stood at the top of the staircase, handsome and striking, but it was he who looked struck by Claire. His lips parted as he took her in, a small blush working over his cheeks.
“I thought you had already left,” Claire said, smiling, as he descended the stairs to approach her.
“And yet here I am, quite intent on riding to the church with my wife-to-be,” he murmured, pulling her close to kiss her cheek. “I feel as though I am the luckiest man in the world to be marrying such a beautiful bride. You are beautiful, Claire.”
“And you are handsome.” She giggled, kissing his cheek right back. “I cannot believe we are here, finally getting married.”
“Are you suggesting I took too long?”
“You took plenty of time,” she corrected, laughing softly.
“Well, we are here now. And I shall not be letting you out of sight.” He pulled her towards him, and his lips pressed to her forehead. “However, I must remind you, Claire, that you are smart and incredible. You are brave, bold, and intelligent. And you can be anybody you want to be. You can do anything you wish and must not feel compelled to marry me, do you understand?”
Claire pulled back. “I know this, as you have told me many times. But all I wish, Ernest, is to be your wife. That is all I would ask of the universe. The rest of our future is something we shall figure out together, but right now, I only wish to be your wife.”
“Well, I believe I can make that happen,” Ernest murmured as he leaned in to kiss her.
It was lingering and affectionate, and Claire’s heart swelled as she was pulled into the arms of her husband-to-be, ignoring the world outside. For they had faced plenty of trials and waited for goodness.
For a few more moments, the world could wait for them.
THE END?
