Page 82 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

A surge of relief washed over him, and he moved quickly to the carriage’s side, searching for a way to open it. The coach was partially overturned, and the debris made it difficult to access. Jonathan’s hands worked with urgency, pushing aside the wreckage and debris that blocked the way.

“Hold on!” he called out, his voice filled with determination. “I’m going to get you out.”

As he finally managed to pry open a portion of the carriage’s side, the sight of Ciara’s pale, exhausted face filled him with both relief and sorrow. Her eyes, though dimmed by the ordeal, lit up with recognition as she saw him.

“Jonathan,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “You found me.”

Jonathan’s heart swelled with relief as he reached out to her. “Yes, darling. I’m here. We’ll get you out of this.”

Carefully, he helped her out of the wreckage, his hands gentle yet firm as he guided her to safety. When Ciara stumbled into his arms, she clung to him with a desperation born of fear and exhaustion. Tears streamed down her face as she buried her head in his chest, her body trembling with the release of all the emotions she had held in.

“Are you real?” she kept asking, her voice choked with sobs. “Are you really here?”

Jonathan held her tightly. He looked down at her, his heart aching with both sorrow and joy. Without a word, he pulled her gently back and kissed her, the kiss a tender affirmation of his love and relief.

When their lips finally parted, Jonathan searched her eyes with a mixture of vulnerability and hope.

“Is that proof enough?” he asked softly, his voice thick with emotion.

Ciara’s response was immediate. She hugged him again, her embrace a silent testament to her need for him, her tears mingling with the rain on their skin. Jonathan’s heart swelled with both joy and regret as he held her close, feeling the warmth of her presence and the weight of his own feelings.

“I was miserable without you,” he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. “I missed you so much. I missed your song. You are my siren, and like Odysseus’ men, I would have jumped into the seas for you.”

He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. “I’m sorry for what I told you and how I treated you. You deserve the whole world, not a broken man like me. But I promise, I’ll try. If you’ll have me, I’ll try to be better. I love you, Ciara.”

Ciara’s response was immediate. She leaned in and kissed him, her lips conveying a depth of emotion that words could scarcely capture.

“I love you, too,” she said, her voice steady despite the tremors of the storm and their ordeal. “I’ve always loved you.”

“Let’s go home.” He smiled at her, caressing her wet cheek.

“Yes, my love,” she agreed.

With a tenderness that belied the urgency of their circumstances, Jonathan helped Ciara onto the horse. He ensured she was settled comfortably, her exhausted form wrapped securely in his cloak.

As he mounted the horse and took the reins, Jonathan looked at Ciara, his heart swelling with a mixture of love and gratitude.

They had a long journey back home, but they were now together. And that’s all that mattered.

EPILOGUE

“It’s a miracle you were able to find her and bring her home. We’ve all been deeply worried,” Uncle Brendan said, his voice filled with love and tenderness.

Jonathan looked at Ciara, his expression filled with affection and gratitude. “It was the most important thing I’ve ever done. I would have traveled to the ends of the earth to bring her back.”

Several weeks after he’d brought Ciara back home, the garden of Silverbrook Manor had welcomed guests.

At a charmingly set table, Jonathan and Ciara were enjoying lemonade, their spirits buoyed by the serene surroundings. The Kirdales and Ciara’s uncle were seated around them.

As Jonathan sipped his lemonade, he looked over at Ciara, who was seated beside him, her hand resting comfortably in his. Hereyes were bright with relief and happiness, the storm’s shadows now a distant memory.

Ciara realized she could never express her gratitude for what he had done. The only thing she could do was love him with every breath of her body and show him her love in every way possible.

“And what about Mother Superior?” Archie asked a question that had clearly been on his mind.

“When the storm subsided and the constables were finally able to search for any remaining traces, we found the bodies of Mother Superior and the coachman on the side of the road. It seems they were thrown from the coach when it hit that large branch. The storm and the accident… they had no chance.”

A hush fell over the group as they absorbed the gravity of Jonathan’s words. The garden’s serene beauty seemed to contrast sharply with the dark turn of the conversation.

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