When they finally broke apart, their breaths mingling, Niles said, “We should probably share the good news with your family.”
Elsbeth smiled mischievously. “We should, but I’d much rather kiss you a little longer.”
“As would I,” he replied with a grin, “but Bedford will likely come out and interrupt us again.”
She laughed. “True. Let’s tell them, and then we can plan for more uninterrupted kissing.”
“I find that plan quite agreeable,” he said, taking her handonce more as they resumed their walk towards the manor. “I suspect kissing you will be my favorite new pastime.”
Once they arrived at the manor, they headed into the study, where Elsbeth’s family was assembled.
Lady Isabella was the first to see them, and her face lit up. “Are congratulations in order?” she asked eagerly.
Elsbeth nodded. “Yes. Niles offered for me, and I accepted.”
Lady Isabella squealed with delight, rushing forward to embrace her daughter. “Oh, my darling, I am so incredibly happy for you both!”
Bedford stepped forward next, extending his hand towards Niles. “Shall we let bygones be bygones now that we’re about to be family?”
Niles shook his hand firmly. “I would like that.”
Lady Isabella’s gaze softened as she looked at her daughter. “I am so relieved you are safe, Elsbeth. Alfred told me how brave you were.”
“I was brave because I had no choice,” Elsbeth replied. Her gaze shifted to Niles, her voice softening. “And because I knew Niles would never let anything bad happen to me.”
Bedford cleared his throat. “Need I remind you that Alfred and I played a part in rescuing you as well?”
Elsbeth smiled warmly at him. “No, and I am grateful to you both. And I am sorry for ever doubting either of you. I was wrong to do so.”
Alfred spoke up from his place by the hearth. “What matters is that you’re safe, my dear. And that you have found happiness.”
“I have,” Elsbeth said, glancing at Niles. “More than I ever thought possible.”
Bedford tilted his head. “I am happy for you, Cousin.”
“Thank you,” Elsbeth acknowledged. She turned her attention to Alfred, her gaze unwavering. “There’s something I need tosay to you. I owe you an apology. I’ve been so unfair to you since you married my mother. I was angry and hurt, but I see now that the secrets you were keeping were only meant to protect me.”
Alfred regarded her for a moment before tipping his head in a gesture of quiet acceptance. “You are forgiven,” he said simply, though there was a trace of warmth in his voice that hadn’t been there before.
Elsbeth continued. “Mr. Strother told me that he killed my father because he discovered he was embezzling from the estate. And he was behind all the attempts on my life. He wanted to kill me so my dowry would return back to the estate.”
A heavy silence filled the room as her words sank in. Finally, Bedford spoke. “I had no idea that Mr. Strother was capable of such deceit,” he admitted. “He fooled us all.”
Elsbeth turned to face her cousin. “Charles, I owe you an apology as well. I’m sorry for believing, even for a moment, that you were capable of anything so nefarious.”
Bedford stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I don’t fault you for that, Cousin,” he said, his tone kind. “We were all deceived by Mr. Strother’s manipulations. But if there’s one thing we must learn from this, it’s that we can’t allow secrets to ever come between us again.”
Alfred winced. “There is one more secret you need to know, Elsbeth,” he said, his voice heavy with regret.
Lady Isabella gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “No, Alfred. She isn’t ready for this.”
“I want to start anew with Elsbeth and have no more secrets between us. Not anymore,” Alfred said.
Lady Isabella stepped closer to her husband, her eyes pleading. “I don’t think this is wise. Some secrets are meant to stay buried.”
“I think Alfred is right,” Elsbeth interjected. “If we’re going to move forward, we need complete honesty.”
“There must be another way,” Lady Isabella said. “There has to be.”
