Page 75 of Bargaining for the Barrister
His eyes softened. “Like I’ve never loved before. For the first time, I have something that I rightfully possess—this love is mine, and it’s sacred.”
“Oh, Paul.” She stepped closer, emotion flooding her senses.
“I thought I was unlucky, but I can see now that the difficulties I’ve faced in this life have made me work harder and be better. I might not be worthy of you, but I cannot deny God’s hand in this. I’ve never been so hopeful for my future. Please, give me this chance. I know it’ll mean sacrifices—and I will still have battles with the past from time to time—but together, I believe we can weather them.”
“I will fight those battles with you.” She swallowed back the moisture in her throat. Hadn’t she cried enough today?
He rested his forehead on hers and pressed his eyes shut. “Is that a yes?”
She rocked up on her toes and kissed him. He was quick to close his hands around her arms and hold her in place. He moaned and eagerly kissed her back. Abruptly, he pushed her away. “You’d better just tell me straight. I don’t want any misunderstanding.”
She laughed. “I love you too, Paul. I want to be your wife.”
He grinned. “I’m likely not the man you thought you bargained for, but I promise you that no matter how hard I work, you shall always have an affectionate husband.”
“I’ve heard about barristers traveling for the assizes,” Louisa said. She pushed back her worry about the time they’d have together. “But I am no aristocrat. I am well acquainted with a working father and brother. I shall manage in your absence.”
Paul rested his hand on her neck and rubbed his thumb across her skin. “You wouldn’t have to if you travel with me.” He stole a quick kiss, letting his face linger near hers.
“I would like that.” Their breath mingled as one, stirring her with hope. “What about the Rebels? Will they support your decision?”
“All they really want is for me to be happy. And, believe it or not, you’ve won them all over already.”
“I hope to be their friend too. Anyone who is important to you is important to me.” She stared into his eyes. “And what do you want?”
His hands cradled her as if she were his greatest treasure. “I already told you. All I want is you. I’ll prove myself in a different way than what I’ve always done before, by filling my heart with so much love that there isn’t room for hate or pride or destructive memories. You, darling, will be an intricate part of that plan.” He kissed her nose. “You and those smiles.”
Louisa’s heart soared with a lightness she’d not even experienced before her parents’ death. God had taken life from her and given it back with an added gift of love. His plan was hard and wonderful, but it was undoubtedly the best. She kissed Paul again, knowing he needed it as much as she did. He returned her kiss with a fervency that felt like he was making up for a lifetime of not enough physical affection. When she finally pulled back to catch her breath, she laughed. “Now I shall be happy too. Really, truly, sincerely happy.”
Suddenly the door to the music room burst open. Louisa released Paul and curled her arms to her chest. Paul reacted the opposite way and only clung tighter to her waist. Lady Kellen, Mrs. Sheldon, Logan, and Ian all spilled into the room, almost as one. Their expressions were filled with guilt and surprise.
“Were you listening at the door?” Paul gave them all a dry look.
Ian pointed at his mother. “She practically made me do it.”
Lady Kellen waved off her son’s defensive remark. “We had to be sure you were working things out. After all, a matchmaker’s business is never done until the wedding is over.”
“Rest assured your business is finished here.” Paul turned to face Louisa. “I think a few more minutes alone are all that are needed to set the date.”
Logan began to argue, but Mrs. Sheldon’s squeals of excitement drowned out his protests.
Louisa grinned at her soon-to-be husband. She had searched for him and found him and planned to hold on forever.
Epilogue
Paul hadn’t expected to beginhis wedding trip at the Dome, surrounded by the Rebels. He didn’t know the reason for the last-minute meeting, but it had better be good.
Lisette and Jemma flanked his wife on the sofa. His wife. The words flooded him with happiness. However, being parted from her side did not. An inch or so of space was not enough to separate him on the sofa from a dozing Tom and from Miles, who was reading his prayer book on the opposite side. Ian slumped comfortably in the throne on the end. What Paul wouldn’t give to switch Lisette or Jemma places.
“Someone had better begin this meeting soon,” Paul grumbled, staring pointedly at Ian.
Ian gave him a lazy smile. “What’s the rush, my friend? We could use a rest after the filling wedding breakfast your mother provided.”
Paul scowled. He wouldn’t have stopped at the Dome at all if it hadn’t been for Louisa’s insistence that he owed it to his friends. He opened his mouth to object when Ian held up a hand to silence him.
“I can see you won’t rest until you are boxed in a carriage with your wife. Very well.” Ian clapped several times, rousing Tom from his slumber and gathering the attention of the others. “First and foremost, I believe Miles deserves congratulations on delivering a most moving wedding ceremony sermon.”
“Hear, hear!” Lisette cheered, her soft voice only marginally louder than normal.
