“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice soft but filled with urgency.
She shook her head, tears spilling over. “No, I’m all right,” she whispered. “You came for me.”
“Of course I did,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “I will always come for you. You must know that.”
Niles helped her out of the coach, steadying her as her legs wobbled beneath her. Behind them, Charles and Alfred restrained Mr. Strother, binding his hands with a rope.
“It’s over,” Niles said, pulling her into a tight embrace. “You’re safe now.”
For the first time in days, Elsbeth allowed herself to believe it. She was safe; her home was in his arms.
As the afternoon sunlight cast golden streaks across the gardens, Niles led Elsbeth back towards the manor. His thoughts churned with all the things he wanted to say, the emotions he could no longer suppress. She had become the center of his world, and he knew he could not let another moment pass without speaking his heart.
He came to a stop, gently tugging her to pause as well. The manor loomed ahead, but they stood on the quiet path. Turning to face her, Niles took a deep breath. “May we speak for a moment?”
Elsbeth glanced ahead, where Alfred and Bedford were a few steps ahead of them. “I would like that.”
Alfred stopped and turned back, his expression a mixture of impatience and curiosity. “Say what needs to be said but make it quick. Meet us in the study afterward.”
Bedford opened his mouth, as though to protest, but instead, he sighed and followed Alfred into the house, leaving Niles and Elsbeth standing in the stillness of the gardens.
Niles turned back to her, his eyes locking with hers. “We are finally alone.”
Elsbeth smiled, and he swore he had never seen anything more beautiful. “What is it you wish to say?”
Taking a step closer, Niles gently reached for her hand, clasping it. “I want to continue the conversation we started earlier. About marriage.”
“There’s no need anymore,” Elsbeth replied. “I am safe now that Mr. Strother has been handed over to the Bow Street Runner. The constable will see to his arrest.”
“I’m relieved that you’re safe,” Niles said, his tone earnest. “But that’s not the only reason I wish to marry you.” He stepped closer, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “I want to marry you because I found a piece of my soul in your eyes and I don’t want it back.”
Elsbeth’s gaze dropped, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. “That is kind, but?—”
“I love you,” Niles interrupted firmly. His voice carried a depth that startled even himself. “You may deny it, and knowing you, you will. But it won’t make it any less true. You’ve breathed life back into me, Elsbeth. You’ve shown me what it is to truly live.”
Her gaze lifted to meet his, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “What of my reputation?”
“I don’t care about your reputation,” he replied. “Not anymore. I only care about you. I just want you.”
“But—”
He cupped her cheek in his hand, speaking over her. “No more ‘buts.’ Nothing you say will change my mind. I am so hopelessly in love with you that I cannot imagine a future without you.”
Elsbeth leaned into his hand, her lips trembling as she whispered, “Then my answer is yes.”
Relief and joy surged through Niles, and a wide smile spread across his face. “That was much easier than I expected,” he said with a laugh. “I had prepared an entire speech to convince you.”
“Perhaps you can save it for another time,” she teased. “Though I do have some concerns on your earlier attempt at being a highwayman. You didn’t even bother to steal anything from Mr. Strother. Not even a pocket watch.”
Niles chuckled. “It seems to have worked out regardless.”
“It did,” she agreed. “But only because you came to save me. Thank you.”
His finger caressed her cheek as he murmured, “I think it is only fair because you saved me from myself.”
Her eyes filled with tears, one escaping to trail down her cheek. “I love you, Niles,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.
Niles leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was both tender and fierce, full of the promises he hadn’t yet spoken aloud. Her lips were soft, her touch grounding him in a way he had never experienced before. In that moment, he knew he would never tire of her, of this, of them.
