Page 57 of Maid for the Duke

‘You cannot risk that. Your position in parliament, the importance of the family name, all of it could be jeopardised by marrying the wrong person.’

‘I visited my sister’s grave a few weeks ago, when I was hurting and unsure. It helped to clear my head. I came away from there thinking about what sort of people I want my children to be: honest, kind, strong. I want them to do the right thing even when it is the hard choice. If I want children like that, I need to have a wife who shares those values. You are the strongest woman I know, Amelie, but the hard times you have been through have not made you bitter or selfish. They have shaped you into the most wonderful young woman who would take any job, work herself to the bone, to look after her family and then spend her very last penny on the father that caused all the trouble.’

He was looking at her with warmth and admiration and Amelie felt something shift inside her. She had doubted his words at first, but now she thought of all the times he had been there for her. One mistake at the end of their relationship did not negate all the good parts. He had seen her distress when her brother and sisters had still been with Mrs Creedy and swept them up into his protection. He had reprimanded her father when the old man had refused to see how selfish he was being. He had wanted to share all aspects of his life with her—sneaking her into the library where he spent his time working and taking her to the masked ball.

‘I love you, Amelie. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I cannot promise perfection—I do not want to deceive you that there will be people who object to our marriage, and do not hide the fact, but I will fight to correct them until my very last breath. I cannot imagine a life without you by my side.’ His eyes searched hers before he continued, as if looking for a clue, something that might help with his next words. ‘Amelie Somersham, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

Amelie felt her heart swell with love. It was what she had wanted ever since she had realised she was falling for Will, but she hadn’t dared to dream it was possible. He was right: if she agreed it would not altogether be easy. People would whisper about the circumstances of their meeting, her lowly origins and the scandal in her family. But that would be an acceptable price to pay if it meant she could walk out in the open, arm in arm with Will.

‘I love you,’ she said, unable to keep the smile from her lips. ‘And I will not pretend you did not hurt me, but I do understand the pressure you were under, the generations of expectations weighing down on you.’

‘The anticipation is killing me, Amelie. Will you marry me?’

‘Yes,’ she said, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face. ‘Yes, yes, yes.’

He leaned forward, looping an arm around her waist and pulling her onto his lap. For a moment it felt as if they were the only people in the world.

Then there was a scream from the other side of the garden. They sprung apart, panicked.

‘Will is kissing Amelie!’ Harriet said, her eyes shining with excitement. ‘It is like something out of a story.’ She grabbed hold of Marie’s arms and shook her.

Next to them Charles pulled a disgusted face and raised a hand close to his face, just in case he had to cover his eyes quickly.

‘Stop shaking me,’ Marie said, pulling herself away from her younger sister. ‘Did he kiss you, Amelie?’ Her tone was part-disbelieving, part-accusing.

Amelie stood, wondering how to tell her siblings that she was engaged. She did not want them to feel she was leaving them behind; they had suffered so much already. Will stood beside her, taking her hand and giving it a little squeeze.

‘May I?’ he asked.

She inclined her head, wondering what he might say.

‘There is a question I want to ask you all, and it is important that you think about it carefully.’

Amelie looked at him with puzzlement.

‘I have asked your sister to marry me and she has said yes, but it is important to both of us that you are all happy too. I wonder if you would consider coming to live at Ashmead Hall? It is a beautiful house set in extensive grounds. There are so many places to hide and play. Amelie would be there with you all the time. There would be no need to ever be separated from her again.’

Amelie felt the tears prick her eyes. He understood how very miserable the three children had been, not having a permanent home and having to spend their time with strangers. By settling them at Ashmead Hall they would have somewhere to call home, somewhere permanent. And he had reassured them that he would not take Amelie from them.

‘Yes!’ Harriet cried, running forward and throwing her arms around Amelie. Charles quickly followed, tugging at Will’s arm and asking to be picked up. Only Marie was left standing facing them.

‘It will be your home,’ Amelie said, ‘A proper home. No more moving around.’

‘And if you would like to continue your lessons, we can hire a governess,’ Will said.

There was a slight flicker in Marie’s eyes. The idea of a governess had got her attention.

‘You will not go off and leave us?’ Marie asked, her voice quiet.

‘No. Never,’ Amelie promised.

Marie hesitated a moment longer and then flung herself towards them, embracing Amelie with a tight squeeze.

Amelie closed her eyes and felt the happiness suffuse through her. All she had dared to hope for a few months earlier was a safe place for her siblings. Now she would have that and so much more: a home, a future, a man who loved her. Who could want more than that?

Epilogue

Amelie held the package in her hands and then hugged it to her chest. She had been hoping it would be delivered today, an extra, wonderful present on a very special day.