“That is a compliment, right?” she narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.
“Of course,” he beamed back innocently.
She giggled and reached for his hand, holding it between hers in her lap.
“I think I understand what you meant when you said you never imagined being able to love someone like this. Although, my context is much different. For most of my life, I lived for my sisters. I was their protector and their guardian, and I only ever wanted happiness for them. Their happiness was my happiness, and so, I never sought to have anything for myself – until I met you. At first, I tried to be civil because I needed you to help me bring them back into my life, but then, I became interested in you… for you.
“It had nothing to do with them most of the time, and I found myself craving facets of you that I never had the faintest idea that I would. And it made me realize that perhaps my father had been thinking of my happiness when he separated us. I had been angry with him, feeling as though I had done something wrong – perhaps seemed untrustworthy and unreliable in his eyes. I thought that after all I had done to show him that I could take care of them, he doubted me and split us apart. But now… I see that he was worried about me. He knew that I would have never wanted a life for myself outside of their needs and livelihoods. And if he didn’t do what he had, I might have never met you.”
She gently kneaded his hand with her fingers, looking content and at peace to just be there with him as she continued as softly as she had begun.
“I think our past weighed down on us quite heavily for a long time, and understandably, we lost our way for a little while. What matters now is that we look forward to the future and the new beginnings that will come along with it. I’ve… I’ve never dreamt that I would have someone to call mine. And yet, here you are. Just for me, as I am for you. It will take a while for old habits to die, but as long as we have each other and we consistently try to live our best lives, I think we’ll be just fine.”
She didn’t sound absolutely sure. She sounded hopeful, as though she were saying a prayer from the depths of her heart, asking that her words be made into reality. And Silas was willing to work as hard as possible to ensure that it all came to pass.
“Thank you for not giving up on me. For loving me and trusting me to love you, too. Because I do, Agnes. I love you, your courage, your caring nature and your feisty spirit. I love that you are willing to calmly guide me, as much as you are always ready to argue with me until I come to my senses. And I want to love you for the rest of our lives. I can't wait to do that.”
She leaned in to kiss him, letting it linger as a soft press of lips for a moment, pulling away with pink cheeks.
“Neither can I.”
Epilogue
Silas took a deep breath and sat down.
Then he stood up almost immediately and began pacing around again. Elliot – the new butler – sighed and pulled out his pocket watch to check the time, noting that his master had been at this anxious parade for over fifteen minutes. He would catch himself being too fussy and sit, only to promptly rise to his feet moments later to continue pacing about his dressing room.
“Your Grace,” Elliot tried, “If you do not calm down, you might end up wearing yourself out before you actually get to the ceremony.”
Silas sighed, ready to sink to his knees and die from nervousness.
“I can't help it,” he groaned, fisting his hands by his sides to keep him from running it through his hair. He had done that earlier and messed up his locks, giving his valet a heart attack. “Whatif… what if she changes her mind? What if she realizes that my past is far too complicated and feels that I cannot be trusted and leaves?”
Elliot walked up to him and gently placed his hands on Silas’ shoulders, keeping him still for a bit.
“Your Grace, let me ask you this: do you love her?”
“I do,” Silas replied without hesitation.
“And you trust her?”
“With my life.”
The butler nodded with a knowing smile.
“If you feel so strongly about her, then you should believe that she feels the same about you. I can tell that she cares for you deeply, your Grace, and loves you just as much as you love her. Do not let fear taint the pure connection between you both. Just breathe and listen to your heart.”
Silas took a deep breath, attempting to soothe his frayed nerves. Soon, he felt calmer, less anxious and more eager to see his bride. Elliot smiled with satisfaction and released his hold over his master.
“Very good, Your Grace. The time to leave is nearly here. You simply have to hold on till then.”
“Right,” Silas swallowed. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, Your Grace.”
The Dowager Duchess walked in a moment later, eyeing her grandson warily before pointing at him and addressing his butler.
“I expected him to be vomiting the contents of his breakfast into a potted plant from distress.”