Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,86

make some.”

She paused to drag in a deep breath. As she exhaled, she continued.

“Stephen Dunham, if you would ask me to be your wife, I would have you know that it is with great pleasure that I will marry you. In sickness and in health, for better for worse, to grow old together, and loving you still, even in death.”

“Judith…”

“Let me finish. I know you are afraid, and you wish to protect me. I know you believe this illness will claim your life someday. Well, I do not believe it. If it hasn’t claimed you in three years, I do not think it likely that it ever will.”

“We don’t know that. We cannot be cert…”

She stopped him short again. “We cannot be certain it will kill you, either. Even if it does, Stephen, I would rather cherish a few days with you than live a lifetime knowing that I never loved you, not the way I want to.”

His eyes filled with tears, making her wonder as he shook his head.

“You do not know what you ask for.”

“Oh, but I do … I very much do! You only need ask, Stephen, and my answer will be yes. You see, a wise woman once told me that to live without love is to not live at all. Tomorrow is not promised for either of us. I would rather live for today. For this moment, now.”

For a long moment, silence reigned. Tremors racked through her as she awaited his response, but she tried to hide it.

She had taken a leap of faith. Her moment of decision had come, and she had found courage. Nevertheless, she feared if he rejected her again, she would lose that bravery.

She had worn her heart on her sleeve. There was nothing more she could do.

The longer she waited, the more her heart began to fragment. Finally, she decided to take her words back, rising up to leave him.

That was when he broke the spell.

“Your Aunt Tia was right. You two are alike in so many ways,” he said, a bright smile suddenly lighting his face.

“We are kindred spirits,” she replied, giving in to the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. Where he was concerned, she was helpless.

“That you are indeed.” He paused to search her eyes again. “Oh Judith … how did I live all these years without you? How did I manage to fool myself into thinking I could send you away and continue to live as I was? I would sooner die from missing you than from this illness.”

He sunk to one knee then, and, as he did so, she gasped.

“I am an honest man, Judith. At the very least, I try to be. So, believe me when I say that I could never think myself worthy of all the wonder you have brought to my life. Thank you for teaching me to laugh again. Thank you for filling Dunham with light and warmth. Thank you for making my heart feel what it is to love again. You said I only need ask. Well, I am now asking. Call me selfish, call me inconsiderate, but I find I cannot let you go. Not again. Marry me, Judith. Even if a day is all we have together, I would rather spend it as your husband, loving and being loved by you.”

Tears rushed to Judith’s eyes again, and she felt her spirits soar as her heart grew full.

She had never heard words lovelier and so beautifully said. Stephen had just declared his love and asked her to marry him.

It was a dream come true.

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “Yes, I will marry you!”

No more words were needed. His arms came around her and he pulled her in, capturing her lips in a soul-touching kiss that held promises of forever.

***

In the days that followed that evening, the entire Dunham household was visibly full of cheer.

Stephen and Judith had broken the news once they returned to the house, and the staff had been as pleased as they were surprised.

They had shared their heartfelt wishes and preparations for the wedding had already commenced.

They both wanted to have the ceremony as soon as possible. Although Judith believed that Stephen was going to live a long, healthy life, he was taking his time to accept that.

Nevertheless, neither of them wanted to waste any more precious time not being married to each other.

Quickly, Judith sent word to Aunt Tia and to her parents informing them of recent events and her wish to return