“Are you certain? Even knowing what I did?”
He hated the doubt on Harriet’s face. “There is not a doubt in my mind. May I begin to court you now? This very moment?”
Her smile lit her eyes then took over her face. He’d never seen anything more beautiful. Especially since it gave him hope.
She glanced at her mother.
“Follow your heart, my dear,” Lady Chapman said. “That is where you will find happiness. Now then, I will leave the two of you to talk but know that I wish you both all the joy in the world. I’ll be in my sitting room if you need me.” With a smile, she was gone.
Joseph looked back to Harriet, wondering what else he could say to convince her. “I will wait as long as you would like to make it official, but please say you agree.”
“Joseph, the gift you have given me is more than I could have ever hoped for. Your belief in me is a dream come true.” She straightened her shoulders for the first time since his arrival. “You may be right. What happened wasn’t all my fault.”
“None of it was your fault,” Joseph countered.
She blew out of breath and looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.” She looked back at him. “All because of you. I had nearly given up on my dream of a future. Yet here you are. To think you care for me in return is unbelievable.”
He lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. “Believe it, my dear. You have changed my thinking as well and helped me see that love is a gift. One to be cherished. We are the perfect pair, don’t you think?”
She laughed and reached to wrap her arms around his shoulders. “I do believe you are right. I should very much like you to call on me.”
“Perfect.” He took her mouth with his, gently, pouring all he felt into the kiss, including his belief in her.
When he drew back, she said, “Joseph, I am the luckiest woman alive.” Then an odd look came over her face making his worry return.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I need to tell Frances.”
“Actually, I happened to see Frances when I visited her father to tell him about Henderson’s deception.”
“You did? What did she say?”
Harriet’s concern for her friend only made him admire her more. “I believe I let her down gently. I hope she understands that what arose between us wasn’t planned, nor did we mean to hurt her.” He shook his head. “I thought Sinclair was the one who had caught her eye at the house party.”
Harriet smiled. “I wondered the same thing.”
Joseph trailed a finger along her cheek. “I already miss those messages.”
“I never meant to deceive you when I helped Frances write them.”
“I know. Perhaps you will write me a message or two in the coming weeks...or years,” he suggested with a smile.
She laughed again. “As long as you don’t mistake me for anyone else.”
“Never. That would be impossible given how much I adore you. We might both be scarred, but we’re perfect together. I believe we can heal our hearts with love.” He leaned forward to seal his words with a kiss.