Page 62 of Healing the Duke's Desires
In that sacred embrace, time seemed to stand still. They were no longer two separate souls; they were one. As they parted, their foreheads gently resting against each other, they exchanged a knowing look, their eyes reflecting the profound echo of emotions they had just professed to each other without a single word being spoken aloud.
In the quiet intensity of that tender moment, Emily’s gaze bore into Alexander’s eyes, brimming with a love that words could barely capture. She spoke with a voice barely above a whisper, yet every syllable carried the weight of her heart.
“Alexander,” she began, her voice soft and filled with emotion, “you don’t know what your words mean to me.” He could listen to her for hours, telling him these same words over and over again. He would never tire of them.
“I am just sorry that I didn’t say all of this sooner,” he told her tenderly, unable to take his hands off of her. He had to keep touching her at all times. Even now, a part of him was afraid that this was all a beautiful dream and she was nothing but a mirage that would disappear the moment he released her from his grasp.
That was why he wanted to tell her everything, to clear his mind, his conscience, his heart. He wanted her to know everything there was to know, so they could start fresh, on a newtabula rasaof their lives together.
“This is all my fault, everything that has happened. If only I had—” he said, but her words interrupted his flow of thoughts.
“No, no.” She shook her head at him. “We are both to blame.”
“I cannot allow you to think that,” he refused to agree. “Your heart has been open for me since the beginning. I was the one who hesitated, and that hesitation has created turmoil for not only you but also your family, and I cannot tell you how sorry I am because of that. Your father was right to think me unfit to be your husband at first.”
“You are the only one I want as my husband, no one else,” she assured him. “I have fallen deeply, madly in love with you. You’ve become the beating of my heart, the very essence of my being.”
“I feel the same way, but I was afraid that admitting this would mean that I was disrespecting Amelia’s memory, that in a way, she would die a second time,” he admitted, but Emily understood exactly how he felt.
“I know.” She smiled tenderly. “I know there will always be a special place in your heart for her, and I do not want to push her out. I would never even think of that. But at the same time, I also know that all we have is the here and now. You and I are here. We love each other, and our hearts belong together.
I wouldn’t want you to change your past even if I had the power to do so. You are the man you are exactly because of your past, and I love you for it. I love how loyal you are, how wonderful, how thoughtful. I wouldn’t want you to change a single thing about you.”
“Your words mean so much to me,” he told her. “She will always be a part of me, my past, but that is where she will remain—in the past. My present, my future… they are with you.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she assured him with a smile that could light up a thousand suns.
Alexander’s smile widened at her words, his eyes reflecting the joy her confession brought. He responded, equally sincere and heartfelt, “Emily, words can’t explain the depths of my love for you. You’ve illuminated my life in a way I never thought possible.”
In that lingering silence, the unspoken love between them sang louder than any words. Alexander gently took Emily’s hand in his own, the touch warm and reassuring, a gesture that carried a promise of love and devotion. Their eyes held each other, and in that unspoken language, they exchanged the vows of their hearts. It was a promise of love, loyalty, and a shared journey that would endure through all the joys and challenges life would bring.
He’d thought he would feel nervous, overwhelmed, but instead, all he could feel was an enormous amount of love as well as relief that the paths of their life journeys had finally merged together after all this tumult.
As the moment shimmered with the promise of forever, Alexander took a deep breath, his heart brimming with love and nervous anticipation. He carefully retrieved a small, elegant velvet box from his pocket, its contents holding a symbol of his deepest affections.
With unwavering sincerity, he lowered himself to one knee before Emily, his eyes never leaving hers, reflecting a love that could move mountains and conquer worlds.
“Emily,” he began, his voice steady and full of emotion. “From the very first moment we met, my heart has been yours, but I was a fool who was unable to recognize what was right in front of me. Today, I stand here with all the love in my soul, and I ask you this: Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
He opened the velvet box, revealing a dazzling ring—a testament to their love and the beautiful future they would share. The gem sparkled, mirroring the sparkle in his eyes, and the promise of a lifetime together.
***
This all felt like a dream come true. As Alexander opened the small velvet box, Emily’s eyes were drawn to the dazzling ring within. Bathed in the soft, ambient light of the room, it sparkled like a radiant star against the dark velvet lining.
The ring was an exquisite masterpiece, a testament to both its craftsmanship and the depth of Alexander’s feelings for her. Nestled in an intricate setting, a brilliant diamond took center stage. Its facets caught the light, sending prismatic reflections dancing across the room.
The diamond was a pure, clear gem, symbolizing the purity and clarity of their love. It seemed to hold the very essence of the love they shared—a love that was brilliant, timeless, and unbreakable. The band itself was a work of art, adorned with delicate filigree. Tiny diamonds decorated the band, like a trail of stardust leading the eye toward the breathtaking centerpiece.
As Emily gazed at the ring, her heart swelled with a mixture of joy and awe. It was not just a ring; it was a promise—a promise of a future filled with love, happiness, and shared dreams. In that moment, she knew that she had found her forever in Alexander’s embrace, and the ring was the symbol of their beautiful journey together.
Tears of joy shimmered in Emily’s eyes, evidence of the love and happiness that flooded her heart. Her soul danced with an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude for the man who had just made her the happiest woman on Earth.
With a fervent nod, she could barely contain her enthusiasm as she whispered, her voice choked with emotion, “Yes, Alexander, I will be your wife. I love you more than words can express.”
He took her into his arms, their lips meeting in a million tender promises of forever. It was a pledge to stand by his side through all the joys and challenges of life, to cherish and love him for all eternity. She extended her hand toward him, and he gently slipped the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. Emily gazed at it lovingly, a brilliant symbol of their love, which now sat upon her finger, marking her as his.
As this enchanting moment unfolded, a smiling face peeked from behind the door, which had been left wide open. Without even being invited, Sarah stepped into the room. Her eyes widened in surprise and delight as she took in the scene before her—a radiant Emily with sparkling eyes, Alexander holding her hand, and the promise of love in the air.
