“I better understand that now,” Algernon quickly replied. “Truly, I do. Henry helped me see that I was not alone.”
Beatrice drew up a confused brow.
“Henry?” she asked.
“We had a talk, he and I. Earlier today,” Algernon explained. “In fact, it is he I owe for the courage I needed to come to you. He removed the scales from my eyes.”
More curious than ever now, Beatrice nodded, encouraging him to continue.
“I did not quite tell you the truth about our parents,” Algernon confessed in a low, quiet tone. “No one but my household knows the truth.” He paused, taking a breath as if he needed to gather his courage.
“You see, our father did not just die from some malady or accident. He killed himself, and I… I am the one that found him. I am also the one that covered it up.”
Beatrice’s heart skipped a beat as cold tunneled through her veins. She knew Algernon had barely been sixteen when his parents had passed, and she could not imagine of the heavy weight of responsibility such a task would put on a young boy.
“Our mother was not exactly in touch with reality before his death, but when I confessed to her what happened, she truly broke off all ties to it. Her mind became lost, and she tried to take Henry with her,” Algernon went on, his voice laden with sorrow.
“It is… um… it is why I snapped at Henry for telling you that story when we were in the garden. He never knew how close he was to joining our parents. I think—it is awful, but I believe my mother was trying to die as well, and she wanted Henry to go with her. He would have if I had not intervened when I did. So, in a way, both of our parents committed suicide. And I have been afraid of connecting with people ever since.”
“Algernon,” Beatrice whispered, her heart aching for him, “I am so very sorry.”
“Not as sorry as I am,” he quickly replied, shaking his head as he cast his gaze to the floor, “I let that fear push me away from you. Let it tell me that no matter what I felt for you, I could not have you. That you were not safe with me and that you were better off with your arrangement with Henry.”
Algernon looked up at her again, his grief apparent in his eyes.
“Beatrice, I love you,” he confessed shakily, helplessly as he shook his head.
“I think I felt it the moment I saw you at auction. The way you faced the crowd so fiercely lit a fire in me that I thought would never ignite.”
The lump in Beatrice’s throat broke and came out as a sob, her entire body upheaving a breath of relief.
“I am so sorry,” he choked out. “So sorry that I hurt you. That I made you believe that I felt anything less than adored, and I did that. I know I did that, but I swear to you, if you forgive me I willnever…”
Beatrice did not let him finish; she closed the space between them, throwing her arms around his neck, and leaned up to kiss him. A tortured sound left Algernon’s throat as their lips collided, and his arms instantly wrapped around her waist, lifting her off her feet.
“I am sorry,” he rasped between kisses. “I am sorry. Forgive me. I love you. Forgive me.”
“I love you,” she whispered then hungrily kissed him again.
Another sob left Algernon’s throat, and he drew his hand up to the back of her head and pulled her into a long, deep kiss. They stayed that way for long time, long after Beatrice’s lungs burned for fresh air and her mind grew dizzy from the rush of it all.
Then eventually, Algernon slowly pulled away from her lips. He gently brushed another soft kiss across her mouth and lowered her feet back to the ground. Even still, neither let go of one another as they pressed their foreheads together.
“I know you had your heart set on marrying Henry,” Algernon said after they caught their breaths, “however, I was hoping you might settle for me instead?”
A half-sob, half-laugh broke from Beatrice’s lips at his question, and even Algernon gave a small chuckle as his hand came up to cup her cheek. He gently pressed his palm there until she looked up, and she saw the most playful, loving look in his green eyes.
She could not help but smile back, even as tears began to trek down her cheeks.
“I believe I could make that adjustment,” she replied, and reveled in the way she felt Algernon’s chuckle deep within his chest.
“I have missed this so very much,” she confessed, snuggling into his chest.
“As have I,” Algernon replied, holding her close. He nuzzled the top of her head with his cheek, making her heart flutter.
“Let me take you home,” he urged, slowly pulling away from her.
She lifted her head just in time to see him taking a long look around the parlor.