Page 68 of One Waltz with the Viscount

Sarah looked well, although there was a definite hint of sadness about her. The Huntleys seemed good people, and he wondered if she would accept him or whether she would choose a simpler life here in Kent.

‘I need to ask you something,’ he said softly. ‘Please consider it before you give your answer.’

She regarded him cautiously, then nodded.

‘I know there are so many things I still need to work on. I know my feelings are influenced so much by past events, and sometimes I forget that the man I am now, the life I lead now, is very different to a few years ago.’

‘Henry, I...’

He pushed on quickly, not wanting to hear her say no, however gently. He needed her to hear everything he had to say.

‘I do not have a lot to offer you materially, but I have a little money. I plan to retire to the seaside for a while, somewhere outside of my father’s realm of influence. I thought I might start investing in some property again, renovating a few old buildings so they can be used as lodgings. After a few months of hard work it will give me a modest income, enough to support three if we live frugally.’ He glanced down at her belly. ‘Or even four.

‘I love you, Sarah. I love everything about you, and I know I have not been the easiest person to fall in love with, but I think you love me too.’

She searched his face, uncertainty clouding hers.

‘Marry me, Sarah.’

‘What about your reservations about marrying a woman of a different class?’

He shrugged. ‘I realised you were right, I cannot base all my future decisions on what happened in the past. Just because it did not work with Anne does not mean it will not work with you. You are an entirely different person. Anyway, a penniless Viscount and a successful music teacher are not so different in status. Marry me. I have been a fool, but you have opened my eyes. I love you, Sarah.’

It felt like the wait for her answer was never-ending, but finally she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

‘Does this mean you say yes?’

‘Yes. Yes, a thousand times. I do not know how this has happened, but I think I fell in love with you on that first evening we met in Lord Shrewsbury’s library. You were so patient and kind, and you were the first person who truly listened to what I had to say.’ She shook her head. ‘Although, back then, I never thought we would end up here.’

‘You do not mind marrying a destitute Viscount with a sister to care for?’

‘It will just make it all the more interesting,’ Sarah said.

He picked her up and spun her round, unable to quite believe she had said yes. He’d always known Sarah was reasonable and didn’t hold a grudge, but the hurt he had seen in her eyes—that evening after his father instructed him to marry the young Lady Isabelle—had been deep and all encompassing. He was grateful she could move past it, and see he cared for her with all his heart.

‘I will show you how much you mean to me each and every day,’ he murmured as he set her on the ground.

Then, amongst the sweet-smelling roses, he kissed the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

Epilogue

February was always a grim month at the seaside. The weather was cold and grey and the hours of daylight limited. No visitors came to stroll along the promenade, or stay in the little hotels and lodging houses that peppered the seafront. Yet Sarah could not feel happier as she looked out of the top floor window. They had a view of the beach and the sea beyond. Today the waves were crashing against the edge of the promenade, threatening to spill over, and it gave everything a dramatic look.

She rested a hand on her growing belly. She was seven months pregnant and getting uncomfortable. Henry had suggested she stop the pupils coming for their piano lessons soon, but she enjoyed it too much and did not want to get bored as she neared the time of birth. Not that there was much chance of that. With Sophia to look after, and the renovations of the rooms downstairs continuing, often both she and Henry would collapse into bed at the end of the day, absolutely exhausted.

It was a good exhaustion though, the sort of exhaustion that comes from being busy doing the things that bring you pleasure.

The door to their set of rooms opened and Henry walked in, his face set into a frown.

‘I have a letter,’ he said, coming over to kiss her. His passion for her had not dimmed, even as she grew bigger with the pregnancy, and she had not lost her desire for her handsome husband. ‘In fact, I have two. One looks to be from your sister.’

‘And the other?’

‘The update from Shrewsbury I have been waiting for.’

‘Let us read that one first.’

Henry moved a chair so they were sitting side by side, and carefully he opened the seal. He was right, it was written in Lord Shrewsbury’s neat handwriting and was two pages long. Carefully they read it, sitting back in amazement as they finished.