Estelle dipped her head. “But I lied and I—”
I interrupted her by grabbing her hand. “You saved my life, Estelle. Without your kindness, my family would be mourning yet another family member. You saved Augusta too, in a sense. Her studies are improving, and Mother is letting her have a Season.” I hated seeing her pain, and I prayed she would understand. “Estelle, darling, you are a hero.”
“You are too good to me.”
“Just as you are to me,” I countered.
Estelle gave me a small, sweet smile. She studied me before reaching and lifting the hair on my brow and tracing her fingers along my scar. Then she ran her fingers down my cheek, leaving a trail of heat. “You have healed so well.”
“I had the best care.”
She shook her head. “I did not guess that you were my Mr. Long until after I had left. When Mr. Briggs . . .”
I nodded. She deserved to know what had happened. “You were right. He was behind my attack. He admitted to embezzling money from me.”
She gasped. “He did not try to hurt you again, did he?”
I shook my head. “He is taking his family and moving to America to live with his brother. We won’t see him again.”
She stared at me. “You did not turn him in?”
I reached for her braid, pulling it over her shoulder, as I searched for the right words. “He seemed truly repentant. Perhaps it was an act and I was wrong, but I could not deny him forgiveness when I hoped to receive the same from others.”
Understanding bloomed in her eyes. “Oh, Atlas. How you must have suffered.” She wrapped her arms around me. “I am so sorry your friend betrayed you.”
I tucked her closer to me, grateful for her support. “So am I.” I ran my hand down her back, treasuring the feel of her. “But at least I have you.”
She suddenly stilled in my arms. I glanced down at her as she lifted her head. “What about my brother?”
“And Hanover.?” I added.
She pulled out of my arms and climbed off the bench. She started pacing, her finger between her teeth. “If we put our minds to it, we can think of some way to scare him off. We could try a snake in his bed—a harmless garter snake, of course. It worked for Augusta when she wanted to get rid of her governesses. I could wake up the gardener right now. He could—”
I climbed to my feet and gently placed my hands on her arms to stop her pacing. “No one is putting a snake in Hanover’s bed.”
“Think about it a little longer. It has potential.”
I shook my head. “Let the man leave in peace tomorrow.”
Her shoulders fell. “He won’t simply leave on his own accord.”
“He will leave when your brother tells him that you are marrying me instead.” I slid my hands down to her waist and encircled them around her.
“What? Why would . . . wait. You and I?” Her words became airy and her eyes locked on mine.
“Your brother gave his consent.”
Her lips trembled. “I cannot believe it. Can this be true?”
“So long as you wish for it. Estelle Palmer Lewis Lowry, I love you. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”
Tears dripped down her cheeks. “I fell in love with you when you were but a stranger.” She set her hand over my chest. “You already have my heart, and now it will be an honor to give you my hand.”
She slid that hand up my chest and around my neck. I lowered my head and kissed her. And because she loved variety, I kissed her in the kitchen, and then I pulled her to the larder and kissed her in there too.
Epilogue
Estelle
