Page 83 of A Royal Arrangement
With a steadying breath, Rosalie continued, “I’ve thought long and hard about our relationship, and you were definitely a jerk at the beginning. I couldn’t even get you to say more than a few words at a time. You were withdrawn and blunt and rude. But I’ve slowly watched you change over the time I’ve been here. Your walls have come down little by little, and I have seen tiny glimpses of the real Colin. And every time I learn another piece of you, of the real Colin, I fall for you a little bit more.”
She clasped her hands in front of her, hoping that holding her own hand would give her the strength to keep going. “Then you invited my friends here and started leaving gifts for me to find. It made me feel so seen and known.” Rosalie stepped closer to Colin, their eyes never leaving each other. “After the night you held me in your arms, I knew my heart would never be the same again. And then you chased me down in that storm and kissed me in the pouring rain, andI knew. I knew that I wanted all our days to look just like that.”
Colin opened his mouth to speak, but she held a hand up to stop him.
“I’m not going to leave you. We may have been pushed into an arranged marriage. But now, this is me choosing you. Iwantyou. Ineedyou. Iloveyou.” Rosalie stepped closer to him with each declaration she made. She was trusting in him and being brave, even though it scared the living daylights out of her. But he was worth it, and their marriage was worth fighting for.
He jumped up from his chair and moved toward her in hurried steps. Colin spun her around and gently pressed her up against the wall. He tilted her chin up and stared deeply into her eyes.
“Youloveme?” His question came out breathless.
“Of course I do.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and willed him to believe her words.
In painstakingly slow motion, Colin lowered his mouth and stopped right in front of hers. She could feel his breath on her lips, so achingly close.
Rosalie made the final move, pressing her lips to his, and Colin immediately responded. He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. With each kiss, she told him just how much she loved him.
He hadn’t actually said the words “I love you” back to her. She had quickly learned Colin was more of a man of action. But actions spoke louder than words. And every press of his lips, the way he caressed her face like she was the most valuable thing on the planet…all of it told her what he couldn’t bring himself to say.
After they had thoroughly kissed each other, he set her back on her feet and smiled down at her. A smile that meant so much more because it was only for her. “In case you don’t already know…I love you, sunshine.”
Tears of joy sprang to her eyes and fell down her cheeks. Colin gently wiped them away so carefully and tenderly that she could feel his love in every touch. Rosalie tucked herself into his arms again, running her hands up and down his back before holding onto him tightly.
They didn’t say anything else as they held each other, but no more words were needed. She had found her happily-ever-after, and she didn’t plan to ever let him go.
Epilogue
Colin
Seven Months Later
Colin walked along the beach with a smile on his face. That seemed to happen more often since the day Rosalie had burst into the conference room, boldly declaring her love for him. He was happier than he had been in a long time, and it was all because of his wonderful wife. She had brought so much joy and light into his life that he couldn’t help but feel more positive.
They had learned so much about each other over the course of their marriage, but especially in the seven months since they’d admitted their love for one another. As they got to know each other on a deeper level, they were able to show their love in ways that meant even more to each other.
Rosalie had taken over his position on some local initiatives to free up his time. She also made sure to tuck Addie into bed when he had to work late and brought him a steaming cup of his favorite tea before he had a meeting. Her actions not only made him feel loved but helped him get through the day and made his life easier.
Colin did small things for her in return whenever he could, like bringing her iced coffee in the morning along with one of Gloria’s cinnamon rolls. But he knew Rosaliefelt most loved through bigger actions. She believed in fairy tales and loved the kinds of grand gestures people read about only in romance novels.
Today, he hoped to give her the kind of romantic grand gesture that would make Rosalie feel like she was living in her own fairy tale. Colin was throwing his wife the wedding of her dreams. Everything had come together quickly with the help of her best friend, Charlotte, who luckily had access to Rosalie’s Pinterest boards. And now, the long-awaited day was finally here.
Charlotte had done a wonderful job working with him and a wedding coordinator to make the beach wedding-ready. Cushioned folding chairs were arranged on both sides of a white runner. The chairs faced a wood altar covered in pampas grass, white roses, and greenery, framed by the gorgeous ocean view behind it. Tables set up off to the side were decorated with white rose centerpieces and food stations ready to serve the wedding party once the ceremony was complete. It was a simple but elegant look Charlotte assured him Rosalie would love.
The best part was that a decent gathering of friends and loved ones had shown up to celebrate with them.
Rosalie’s parents, Frederick and Grace, were there, along with her family’s butler, Niles. Her brother, Leo, also was in attendance with his wife, Clara, and their son, Malcolm. Of course he had invited Rosalie’s best friends. Charlotte and Liam arrived with his brother, Barrett, and his wife, Jules. Sienna came with her boyfriend, Spencer, while Bridgette attended without a date.
Sitting on his side of the chairs, present as always, were Beverly and Richard. When they had arrived, happy tears had streamed down Bev’s cheeks as she’d fawned over himand told him how ecstatic she was that Colin had opened his heart to loving someone else. It had made him tear up a little bit because, through her kindness and acceptance, he felt like Isabella was telling him this was right and she was happy he found someone to love again.
Colin stood by a rocky cove, facing the ocean. He closed his eyes and breathed in the spring air. The thought had never even crossed his mind that he would be this joyful again, let alone fall in love. He had built up a solid rock fortress around his heart after losing Isabella. But Rosalie had slowly chiseled away at the wall until it had come crumbling down, and he could no longer deny what he felt for her.
The fact that she had never given up on him was astounding. He was so thankful that every rough interaction and conversation had led them to this moment—the start of their new forever together.
He walked back to the beach, waving at the royal families who had decided to attend from all the other countries in Fenimore. After he hadn’t attended the past few Fenimore Kingdoms Alliance meetings, it seemed everyone was excited to see him with their own eyes, because the leaders from Glencrest, Westridge, Rothwell, Meldovia, and Bristol were all in attendance, along with their children.
Colin knew Rosalie had been close friends with Prince Andrew of Glencrest and Princess Brielle of Westridge, so he was happy to have more of her friends there supporting her and making the day even more special for her.
“It’s time, my friend.” Wes came up beside him, clapping him on the shoulder. Colin smiled in response and turned around, ready to greet his bride.
