Page 82 of The Precious Secret of a Loving Governess
It would have been easy for her husband to be resentful of a woman who had been unfaithful to him. And it would have been easy for Mrs. Smith to have been bitter that he had let her go so readily.
But the two showed to be dear friends and that was the part that mattered most. Now that they had no pressure to love one another, they could easily be the sort of friends that they were, perhaps, always meant to be.
After a bit more conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Smith took their leave of Lord and Lady Hanover and made their way to dance with one another.
“I think that our life has turned out just as it was always meant to,” Reginald declared with satisfaction.
“I believe you are right, my darling husband,” Victoria replied.
“And whatever the future holds for us, I am quite certain that you shall never again find yourself a governess,” he added.
Victoria glanced over to where Miss Ridge chatted away with Miss Franklin and the maids. A small part of her was already missing the position and wondering what she was meant to do with her time now that she was to be a simple wife in a grand home with servants to do all the work.
“I think I would not mind if I ever had to return to such a position, but I am glad to know that you will be taking care of me and it should never be a necessity,” she laughed.
“Yes, well you have caused one very dire problem for which I am unable to find a solution,” Reginald complained.
“And what is that?” Victoria asked, turning her head to him and lifting a hand to ensure that her hair was not coming undone.
“You have given me such high hopes for a governess for our daughter that none shall ever manage to live up to the former young woman who filled the role,” he laughed.
Victoria giggled with him, loving the simplicity and charm of his wit.
As the day wore on and the guests began to dwindle, the two went back into the estate and to Reginald’s balcony. They stared out at the stars beyond the gardens and far away from the lights of the city and allowed themselves to dream about the future and everything that it might hold.
“I think we shall find ourselves very happy,” Reginald whispered, his cheek resting upon the hair of Victoria’s head.
“I expect the same. And I think we shall find our home filled with children,” she added, sighing at the dream.
“And I believe that you shall be the most ideal of mothers,” he concluded.
Victoria turned her face upward to look directly into his blue eyes. Reginald met her with his own gaze and the two allowed their lips to meet once more.
It was the sort of kiss that held a gentle promise. It was a commitment to the dreams they had for the future and the guarantee that their love would never fade.
In the glow of the stars, it was the only silent word that ever needed to be spoken.
THE END
