Page 84 of The Heiress in Disguise
“I wouldn’t mind that,” Angelique agreed. “Then I would be benefitting from the inheritance my mother and father left me, but at the same time, I wouldn’t have to worry about returning to that house ever again.”
“I thought you didn’t want to leave the house that belonged to your parents, though.”
“I suppose a part of me used to believe that too. But it was really Molly and Peter I couldn’t bear to leave behind. They are the reminders I need of my past life. A house is just a house.”
“I’ll have the solicitor see to it,” Antoine pledged.
Angelique smiled. “Thank you,” she said. “It means a lot to me that you would take care of everything like that. And tell me, do you know where my aunt and uncle have gone?”
“It seems they’re living in a cottage in the countryside for now, with Lady Gwyneth,” Antoine said. “Your other cousin has struck out on his own. The last news I heard of him was that he had boarded a ship bound for Spain to seek his fortune there.”
“Well, I hope he has good luck,” Angelique said.
“You always wish the best for everyone,” Antoine marveled. “I don’t know how you can do it after the way you’ve been treated.”
“Oh, it’s much easier now that I don’t have to see them every day,” Angelique said with a smile. “I would only be harming myself, I think, by walking around with a lot of rage toward them. It would do me no good. And it would affect them not at all. The best thing I can do for myself is to simply let the past slip away.”
“Most wise,” Antoine said. “I wish I had your wisdom, Angelique. I think I’ll probably be angry with them for the rest of my days over what they did to you.”
“If they hadn’t done it, you and I might not be here together right now,” Angelique pointed out. “I know it’s a difficult thing tothink about. But you would never have felt any need to save me from my circumstances. You might not have looked twice at me if I hadn’t been in peril.”
“Oh, you are quite mistaken,” Antoine said, smiling softly at her. “I know that’s not true. I would always have noticed you, Angelique.”
Antoine finished his tea, setting down the cup, and Angelique rose automatically to her feet.
“Angelique,” Antoine said gently.
She looked at him.
“What are you doing?”
She closed her eyes. He knew exactly what she was doing, of course—this wasn’t the first time it had happened. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“Don’t apologize. It’s an adjustment. But sit down, please. It’s no longer your responsibility to clean up after tea,” he said. “In this house, you are and will always be a lady. You mustn’t ever feel responsibility for cleaning up after me. That isn’t what I brought you here to do. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Angelique nodded. She eased slowly back into her seat. “It’s a bit embarrassing,” she said softly. “I know that isn’t what I’m supposed to do. I know I need to adjust to my new role in my new life. It’s taking more time than I would have liked it to.”
“It isn’t anything to be embarrassed of,” Antoine said. “Let it take as long as it’s going to take. We have all the time in the world—the rest of our lives. You don’t need to worry about that. I know what you’ve been through, Angelique. I know that even though your freedom is a good thing, it’s going to be a difficult thing to adjust to. And that’s all right.”
“Thank you,” Angelique said. “You really have been so caring and compassionate throughout all of this, Antoine.”
“It’s because I’m so in love with you,” Antoine said. “You mean everything to me, Angelique. Everything. And… well, I wanted to speak with you about our future.”
“Our future?”
“Yes, I think it’s time,” Antoine said, his eyes bright and focused on hers. Taking both her hands in his, he continued.
“I’ve known for a long time that I wished to marry you. I want you to be my wife, and I want to spend the rest of my life doingall I can to make you happy. Will you let me? Will you marry me, Angelique?”
“It’s all I’ve wanted too,” Angelique admitted, her smile growing. “I know I’ll love you for the rest of my life. I just didn’t expect that you would ask me so soon.”
“I can’t wait any longer,” he said. “I know it’s soon. I know that it hasn’t been that long since you gained freedom from your aunt and uncle. And if you don’t feel ready, I’m happy to wait until you do. Just know I’m never going to change my mind about this. And I’m quite ready now.”
“I feel just the same,” she told him. “I love you, Antoine. Yes, of course I’ll marry you. You mean the world to me, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds.”
This time, as Antoine got to his feet, he pulled her up with him, his heart singing. He took her in his arms, and as he did, he felt a certainty that he would never let her go. For the rest of their lives, they would belong to one another.
He had never been so happy in all his life.
