Page 80 of The Undesirable Duke
“What is the matter? Did something happen?”
The Duke chuckled in amusement.
“Nothing is the matter. I apologize for causing you to worry.”
“What do you wish to discuss with me?”
“After Lord Bertram caused damage to my study, I was assisting Mrs. Hall and the maids to put things in order, including reorganizing my desk. Inside a compartment in one of the drawers, I found something rather valuable. It was a gift from my mother many years ago, and frankly, I had forgotten it was there. It has been in my family for several generations, and I had been keeping it safe until the time was right.”
Lillian sat quietly in the moving coach, waiting for the Duke to continue. He retrieved a small velvet pouch from his breast pocket and slowly opened it, then reached inside to retrieve whatever it contained.
“This ring was my mother’s,” he announced, uncurling his fingers to reveal it.
Lillian gasped at the sheer beauty of the ring, the ruby sparkling in the light which shone through the window.
“It is exquisite.”
“An exquisite ring for an exquisite young woman.”
Lillian’s brows shot up, and her jaw dropped in disbelief.
“You wish to give that to me?”
“There is no person I would rather give this to than you.”
“Are you certain?”
Lillian’s heart raced as the Duke took her hand in his and gazed into her eyes.
“I have never been as certain of anything before in my entire life. I love you, Lillian, and I wish to spend the rest of my life with you, if you will have me.”
Lillian pursed her lips, and her eyes filled with tears of joy.
“Your Grace…”
“Samuel, if you please.”
“Samuel,” Lillian tested his name for the very first time, and it was the most natural thing in the world. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“Indeed I am. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?”
“Nothing would make me happier, Samuel.”
The Duke’s smile broadened, and his eyes flickered with pure joy. Still holding her hand, he slipped the ruby ring onto her finger and leaned closer to her.
Her heart pounded in her chest as their lips touched in a tender moment which was truly magnificent. She had dreamed of that moment ever since she’d first met the Duke, not even knowing who he was. Even then, she’d been unable to rid the memory of him from her mind. Lillian could not believe that she was so lucky as to have such a kind and wonderful man in her life, a man who would soon be her husband.
As they arrived at Welsford House, they joined Lillian’s family in the dining room, where a delightful Christmas dinner awaited. In the center of the table was the head of a pig, turkey, vegetables, and rich potatoes. The dessert table was laden withplum pudding, marchpane, and gingerbread, and the aromas of the different foods were alluring.
As the family sat around the table, Lord Welsford rose to his feet and smiled happily at his family.
“As I gaze around me, I consider myself a very fortunate man, as I have all of my loved ones at the table to celebrate Christmas. It is a time for family, for spending time together, and for enjoying the company of the people closest to me. The people I see before me at this moment mean the world to me, and without them, I am nothing. I also wish to welcome His Grace to the table and the family. It is an honor to have you with us this day.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” the Duke said gratefully, and rose to his feet since he was expected to say a few words as well. “I wish to thank Lord and Lady Welsford for being the most gracious hosts and allowing me to be a part of this wonderful celebration. It means the world to me that I can sit at this table and spend this Christmas with you. I truly am grateful for your hospitality, despite our differences at the start of my visit here.”
“Let us not allow the past to place a damper on our celebration, Your Grace,” Lord Welsford grinned. “It is a privilege to have you at our table, especially given the recent events of your courtship to Lillian.”
“Indeed, and what a delightful courtship it has been thus far.”
