“I love you, too. A life without you would be no life at all.”
“I wish I could make promises as to my prospects.” His expression sobered. “Perhaps I should’ve waited to declare myself, but I couldn’t. Your faith in me has made me realize I need to believe in myself and my ideas. I might fail, but I have to try. With you at my side, I know I will find a way to save my family and pay the debts. It will take effort and creativity, but I think I have both.”
Prue smiled, remembering Lady Bolton saying the risk was worth the potential reward. How right she’d been. “I know you do, Silas. I have complete faith in you. You have taught me to believe in myself, and that I don’t have to be at the mercy of fate. Nor do you.”
“I suppose we are stronger and smarter than we realize. Those are only some of the reasons I love you.” He placed a hand along her cheek. “I want to spend the rest of my life telling you each one.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She lifted onto her toes and kissed him, pouring everything in her heart into the kiss.
His lips were warm and masterful as they moved over hers. He wrapped his arms around her to pull her against his length.
At last, he drew back, still holding her close. “Thank you, Prue. You rescued me from the moment I fell from the tree, and you continue to do so. You saved my plans, but more importantly, you saved me.”
“We saved each other,” she countered. “Despite the wallflower wager. Or perhaps because of it.”
They kissed, and Prue had no doubt their future would be perfect because they were blessed to spend it together.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
Prue sank into the chair before Silas’s desk, waiting patiently for him to finish writing. He’d been in his study the entire afternoon and each time she’d looked in on him, his obvious concentration had kept her from interrupting.
Clearly, an idea had taken hold, and she knew he wouldn’t be able to stop until he wrote down all the details running through his mind.
Dusk had fallen and a lamp on his desk and another in the corner gently lit the room.
She had sent a tray in with his dinner while she’d eaten with the children. William, at three years of age, and Hettie, at one, were a delight. She’d tucked them into bed and left the nanny to watch over them.
“There.” Silas heaved a sigh and set down the pen, paging through the numerous notes and sketches he’d completed.
Unable to resist, Prue rose and walked around the desk to place a hand on his shoulder as she looked at his work. “What is it?”
“A wind turbine. Similar to a windmill but more powerful.”
“How exciting.”
“I received a letter from a professor in Scotland with interest in the project. We are sharing a few details via post, but we will need to venture there to meet with him.”
“I look forward to it.” She ran a hand over his shoulders. “Perhaps your grandmother will want to join us for the trip.”
“Excellent idea.” He glanced toward the window on the far side of the room in surprise. “It’s dark out already? I’m sorry. I must’ve lost track of the time.”
“I could see an idea was burning brightly and didn’t want to interrupt.”
He caressed her hand that rested on his shoulder. “Have I mentioned you are the best wife and partner I could possibly have hoped for?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, her heart full. “Once or twice.”
“The children?”
“Sound asleep.”
He reached for her, pushing his chair back and pulling her onto his lap. “Perfect.”
“Oh?” She wrapped her arms around him, awareness rippling through her. “Perfect for what?”
“Us.” He kissed her deeply, his tongue demanding entrance as he held her tight before his hands started to roam.