Page 57 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
“I am not married, Josephine,” he told her with some urgency in his voice. “The wedding was cancelled.”
His words made no sense. She struggled to comprehend what he was saying. She looked into his face, and he must have noticed the puzzled look she gave him.
“Before I explain everything to you, I want us to sit on the grass," he said, nodding his head at her as he searched for an agreeable response. "You look as if you might faint on me.”
She nodded back to him in silence. Her legs ached, her stomach churned, and her head buzzed; sitting down would be good. Josephine found herself sitting opposite him as he positioned himself in front of her.
“Now listen to what I have to tell you,” he said, taking hold of her numbed hands. “Oh, my love, your hands are cold, let me warm them with my good news.”
Still, she could not reply. Still, she was confused, to be seeing Ethan before her.
“I had been set up, Josephine,” he began. “That braggart, Thomas Barrett, had forced his sister, poor Lady Matilda, to find herself alone with me.”
He paused as if to allow his words to sink into Josephine’s muddled mind. For muddled she was, at finding him holding her cold hands and warming her heart with his words.
“He was willing to compromise his sister so that he could force me into marrying her,” Ethan announced. “Can you believe the audacity of the man?”
Josephine watched as he nodded his head in disbelief over what had happened to him. Her heart thudded and shuddered, like rolling thunder in her chest. The implication of his words was breaking through into her mind.
She had built a protective wall so that she could ignore his wedding day. As the truth dawned on her, that Ethan had not wed Lady Matilda, she let out a nervous laugh.
Ethan let go of her hand and moved to cup her face in his large palm. “And now,” he whispered, oh so softly. “Now, I can tell the world what you truly mean to me, my sweet, darling Josephine. I am madly and deeply in love with you. And I hope that you knew that in your heart?”
She wanted to tell him how much she loved him too, but words would not come as her throat felt tight and her mouth dry. Instead, she laughed. And then she cried. And then she nodded her head in agreement, hoping that he would understand her unspoken message.
“Yes, my love, it is true,” he too laughed and nodded his head with hers. “What’s more, nothing would make me happier than to take you as my wife. What do you say to that?”
“I… I cannot believe it all,” she muttered. “And, I say, yes! That would most agreeable. It would make me the happiest woman ever, to become your wife.”
Ethan leaned over and embraced her shivering body. She felt the strength emanating from his body, like a gift of power that caused her unsteadiness to fade away in his arms. As he pulled back a little, he cupped her cheek once again, only this time he placed the softness of lips upon hers.
Stars sparkled as she closed her eyes. She felt the warmth of his lips as hers tingled with delight. Gone was the heavy feeling in her stomach, only to be replaced with flutters of delight. Tears brimmed in her eyes and flowed freely down her cheeks. But this time they were tears of joy. As they shared a most wonderful, sweet kiss, she knew that it was filled with love, and never-ending devotion.
Epilogue
“The banns were posted in the local parish church so that the whole community knows of our wedding,” Ethan had explained to Josephine. “Only a few more weeks to go and we can take our vows of marriage.”
Josephine was still surprised how well the marquess had taken the news. Even Ethan’s Aunt Geraldine had welcomed her back into the family with open arms. She had gone out of her way to declare that it was right and proper that Josephine return to the bosom of the family that had always loved her.
The marquess had taken her aside and assured her that she had always had a place in his heart. Hers had been a unique situation and they had not wanted to press her into a life that she may not have wanted.
By ensuring that she had a secure position in their home, they believed it to be the right thing to do at the time. When the marquess apologised for what he thought was now a mistake, she had been speechless at first.
“Lord Marcus, where would I have ended up, had you not taken me in as a child?” she said to him. “You gave me shelter and safety, sir, and now you take me in once again. Please, do not berate yourself, for I have been nothing but happy memories whilst in your employ.”
They had gone on to debate the matter, but Josephine would have none of his regrets. She continued to assure the marquess that he had shown her nothing but kindness.
From the day Ethan had come to her in the rose garden, he had insisted that she take to new chambers. He would not have her remain in the servant’s quarters a moment longer. Josephine had refused at first, confused at the speed of events. After only two days had she agreed, but only if Lettie could go with her as her new companion.
For four weeks, Ethan and Josephine did everything together. They dined, they strolled in the gardens, they rode horses, after Ethan had gifted her with a beautiful piebald mare. Luckily, her riding skills had not deserted her, and they rode around the entire estate, picnicking everywhere.
Lady Cynthia had insisted on throwing a ball a few days before the ceremony, to celebrate the occasion. She invited the entire local ton to the affair. Being in the presence of so many of the county's finest, and being the centre of attention, had all overwhelmed Josephine a little.
At least it had helped to pass the time away she supposed. Many of the guests decided to stay on to attend what was going to be the wedding of the year.
“It is not meant to be such a huge affair,” Josephine had argued. To which Lady Cynthia reminded her that it was a classic romantic tale, and everyone wanted to be a part of it.
Finally, on the third Sunday of the banns being read out in church, Josephine Chappie became Lady Josephine Ellsworth. She was so happy to be the wife of Lord Ethan Ellsworth, son, and heir of the Marquess of Sarandale.
