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I did not have to listen to her or give her the opportunity to spread such lies about you. But I was a fool and I let it happen. I allowed her to say something which was entirely untrue about you and it grieves me to know how weak I was,” he said.
She wanted to dispute this, but Crispin was already moving on in his speech and Mary didn’t wish to interrupt him. She knew that he needed to say his piece, even if she disagreed to an extent.
“I did, however, learn something through all of this,” Crispin continued. “I learned that there is something far more important to me than everything that took place. Something more important than society, than my solitude, than my determination to be strong and alone.
“The most important thing in the world to me is you, Mary. I want to be your husband and I wish to take you for my bride,” he said.
Mary had hoped that he would express an interest in courting her, but she had never anticipated a proposal that day. She gasped slightly, too surprised to speak. And at her silence, Crispin continued, moving forward in his speech.
“I love you because I have seen such amazing things in your heart. I have seen how kind and gentle you are. I have seen how forgiving you are, even to those who seek to do you much harm. I have been amazed by your willingness to seek out what is best for others, even when they have sought only to ruin you.
“I have been astonished by your intellect and your taste, when it is not something I would have expected from a young lady in society. I have noticed the way you strive to do more and be better at every turn. It is truly amazing to me. and I cannot help but think that you are the most remarkable woman I have ever known.”
Mary listened to all of this in wonder and awe. She couldn’t believe that he felt so strongly about her. He spoke of her with such love and admiration that she felt she did not deserve. But hearing Crispin’s words was like a balm on a painful wound. He gave her a peace and a calm that she needed more than anything.
“I love you, Mary. I love you more than I ever knew was possible. You have given me hope for my life and for the days to come. If ever there was a time for a man like me to believe in something good, it was the day that I met you. And I want to spend my life showing you how grateful I am,” he said.
Mary’s eyes misted over. She was quite emotional, but hoped that her smile told him what her words could not. She gathered herself, trying to be strong so she could respond and tell him how much she loved him as well. It took a moment, but she finally found her strength.
“Crispin, I am astonished that you would love me so, but I have never been happier about anything in all my life. The night that I met you was the first day of my life. It was the day that everything changed for me and I was reborn as a woman full of hope and trust that there is still good in the world. I never imagined that I would fall in love that evening, but I did. And my love for you has only grown and moved forward.
“I have truly appreciated every moment, thinking that it could get no better than this. And then, even in the midst of it all falling apart and the two of us being kept away from one another, I had the hope in my mind that you were doing whatever you could to help me. I did not know for certain if your intentions were love and marriage or if you simply wanted to help me, but I had hoped for this. I had longed for the chance that we might be together,” she said.
“And? Do you still feel this way? Does this mean that you would be willing to marry me? Will you be my wife?” he asked, his voice clearly full of hope.
Mary bit her lip, having to control her emotions so she could properly answer. But in that moment, she saw his eyes fall, as though he believed she would refuse him and that her pause was an effort to let him down.
“I see…” he said.
“No!” she exclaimed laughing and trying to stop him from thinking she would not say yes.
“No? You mean, my errors have not changed your mind?” he asked, hopeful.
“Of course not! I only needed a moment to stop myself from weeping for pure joy,” she said with a laugh.
“Crispin, during all the devastation that occurred, it was not until I realized that I might lose you that I hurt. I feared at one moment that you might wish to marry Charlotte and the next I feared I might never see you again. I would not miss this opportunity for all the riches in the world. Of course I will marry you!”
At that, Crispin quickly pulled the reins and brought his horse to a halt. He dismounted and offered Mary his hand as he helped her down. Mary was glad to have his aid and she loved the moment that he drew her close and looked deep into her eyes.
She gazed at him with such love and hope and the promise of better days ahead. It was a remarkable moment to know, at last, that they would find their true happiness together.
“Lady Mary Goldfield, you have made me the happiest man in all the world,” he said, holding tightly to her hands.
“And you have made me the happiest woman in all the world. Nothing could ever be so good as being your wife. Nothing will ever bring me such joy again,” Mary said.
With that, Crispin drew her close as if to kiss her when they heard the clearing of a throat nearby.
Mary looked up and saw Mr Post, the groom, once more. He was still atop his horse, with Miss Lilly beside him, glaring at him for having put a stop to the moment. But Mary only laughed and Crispin clenched his jaw, although clearly amused in kind. They had not compromised the moment and there was no reason they had to kiss then anyway.
After all, they now had an entire future with one another. Their best days were still ahead and they would have all the time in the world to be together. They could have as many kisses as they wished and the rest of their lives to enjoy one another’s company.
This was only the beginning and, for that, Mary was thrilled. She loved Crispin more than she’d ever loved anyone and he loved her in kind.
If ever there was a dream that could come true, it was this. And now, with only good things ahead for them, Mary knew that she and Crispin would never again let the little things get between them. They had overcome jealousy, scandal, and lies. They had overcome closed ears and bitter manipulation and family disputes.
But now, they could walk through the meadow, hand in hand, knowing that their love had overcome it all.
