Page 70 of A Bachelor’s Lessons in Love

She had donned the deep green gown, and she looked so enchanting, so lovely in that color that he stood absolutely stunned before her.

The dress was a shade so rich and striking that it should have been entirely too bold, yet on her it was perfection, making her brown eyes stand out and sparkle in a way that would surely turn heads. The gown fit her like a dream, the neckline modest yet devastating, the embroidery fine and elegant. She did not merely wear the gown. She sparkled in the entire room.

Felicity was incredible.

“Captain,” he breathed.

Edward had always thought her handsome, in the way one admired a woman with striking intelligence and strong opinions. But this—this was something else entirely. This was the moment he knew, irrevocably, that his heart was hers.

That it had been for some time. And that it always would be.

Felicity stepped onto the second-to-last stair and looked at him, her dark eyes warm and a small, knowing smile on her lips. Before he could find his voice, she spoke. “Daphne has just informed me she has a headache,” she said, tilting her head as she studied him.

Daphne. His ward. Her niece. Yes, she was supposed to come downstairs, too.

Edward looked to the top of the stairs, his mind still catching up with her words, then back at the vision before him as he frowned. “She seemed well earlier.”

“She did,” Felicity agreed, seemingly not at all concerned. “But she has since retired to bed.” She took another step down, closer to him, and Edward’s breath shallowed. “I was coming to ask if you would rather stay home as well.”

Edward did not answer immediately. Instead, he reached for her, drawing her close in a way that left no space between them. Felicity let out the softest of breaths, her hands resting lightly against his chest. Not to resist him, but to keep her balance.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet but full of more certainty than it had ever held before. “I love you.”

Felicity stilled. He felt her inhale sharply, felt the way her fingers curled slightly against his coat. But she did not pull away.

“In the weeks and months I have known you,” Edward continued, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart, “I have fallen in love with you—and no matter what comes next, I want you beside me. Always. As my dearest friend, my ally. My captain. As my wife.”

Felicity’s breath shook as she exhaled. For a moment, she said nothing. Then with all the certainty in the world, she made him the happiest man alive. “Yes.”

Edward closed his eyes briefly, pressing his forehead to hers. She had chosen him. For the first time in his entire life, he felt true peace.

His future wife’s fingers brushed lightly over the front of his coat. “I love you, too,” she admitted.

He laughed softly, opening his eyes to look down at her. “A very good thing. I would feel quite let down otherwise. Oh, Felicity.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you.” First one cheek, then the other, as her breathing hitched. “I will spend the whole of my life loving you, and I will care for you as you have taken care of everyone else.” He pressed his lips to hers, and she eagerly returned his kiss. “I will always be thankful you chose me.”

She shook her head, the smile returned to her lips. “How could I not? You are wonderful. A man of honor, integrity, you care so deeply about the people for whom you are responsible. You are the best of men, Edward.”

“I have made so many mistakes,” he reminded her, a note of caution in his voice. Best she not gain the habit of thinking him perfect.

Felicity cupped his cheek in her hand. “Everyone makes mistakes. It is how we right our wrongs, how we heal the hurts we cause, that matters. You are a good man, and I—I love you with my whole being.”

That deserved another kiss, and his silent vow to never stop bettering himself. Felicity deserved the best him that he could give her.

When their lips parted, but their foreheads remained touching, Felicity asked softly, “What now?”

Edward exhaled a quiet laugh, stepping back enough to look at her properly. “You have seen to Daphne?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Do you have a great desire to go to the theater tonight?”

His beloved smiled. “Not precisely. And we cannot really go alone, the two of us. People would talk.”

“They are going to anyway when we announce our marriage.”

“Do you mean when we announce our engagement?” Felicity teased.

“I am getting a common license first thing in the morning. I will wed you this very Sunday—if you are not averse to it?”