Hand in hand, they made their way to the site. Cassie hadn’t any idea what to expect, but she couldn’t immediately discern anything different as they passed under the former chapel’s arch and made their way to the stairs. Then she saw it, a little monument in rose marble, just to the side of the stairs.
“Go over,” he urged. “Read it.”
She approached the stone and knelt down, shading her eyes from the afternoon sun.
C+Ehad been carved inside the shape of a heart. And just underneath the heart’s point, the wordsOur place.Always.
Her heart spasmed in the best of ways. She bit her lip as she traced over the carving, and then she rose to her feet. “Edward,”—she turned—“I—”
He had gone down on one knee.
“Cassandra…Cassie…love,” he said. “I’ve never properly asked.” He reached out and grasped her hand. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She blinked. Rapidly. And she sniffed to hold back her tears. “I’m already your wife.”
“But would you marry me again? Now? Right here in this chapel?”
“Without a clergyman?” She smiled. “Without aroof?”
“The only thing that truly matters is the vow before God.”
“Why?” She whispered.
“Because…” He cleared his throat. “Because I want to promise again to love you, to comfort, honor, and keep you, in sickness and in health, and truly and completely, forsaking all others.”
“Harbury—Edward—do you mean it?” She couldn’t keep herself from adding, “You really don’t love her anymore?”
“I thought that was clear.”
“No…I mean, I know you love me, but I feared, perhaps, you still loved her, too.”
He shook his head. “I know now what I felt for Lady Pennington wasn’t love. Only a kind of idolatry.” He squeezed her hand. “I know because I know what love—a deep, abiding, strengthening love—feels like.”
Cassie had wished for his affection. And she’d hoped for—and received—his passion. She had decided to try to become first in his heart, but she never truly believed she would fully win him.
“Tell me again,” she whispered.
“I love you, Cassandra. And I promise to keep myself only for you.” He brought her hand to his lips. “As long as we both shall live.”
She knelt. Facing him, she took his other hand.
“I have a secret, too.”
“Oh?”
“From the moment I saw you, I wanted you. And since then, you’ve come to mean so much to me, I’m sometimes afraid.”
“You’ve loved me? From the start?”
“Not just loved you. I’ve been mad for you. Jealous, too.”
“There’s no need—”
“But there is. The other ladies you’ve been with…” her voice faded.
He winced. “There’s something else I should have told you. I’ve always believed chastity before marriage a virtue. A virtue that should be practiced by all.”
She jerked back. “Are you telling me I am the only woman you’ve ever taken to bed?”
