Felicity squealed with delight, drawing the attention of the others. He laughed heartily as she wiggled her feet in excitement.
“Is that a yes?” he asked.
The question sobered her quickly. Her smile evaporated, and she grew very still.
“Your Grace,” she said with stern formality, “you have not asked me a question for me to say ‘yes’ to.”
He smiled wider then mirrored her seriousness, clearing his throat dramatically.
“I shall have to remedy that at once.” He slipped off the settee to the floor onto one knee in front of her. “Miss Felicity Kent, you make me happier than I could have ever imagined being. In a time when I was surrounded by darkness, you have been the light. Her Majesty could not have been more right in selecting you as the Diamond of the Season, and not just because you are simply beautiful. While you outshine everyone in any room you walk into, you are more than your beauty. You are precious. I promise to spend the rest of my life cherishing you like the rare gem you are. Will you do me the greatest honor of being my Duchess?”
She wiped away the tear from her cheek and leaned in close. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Felicity pressed her forehead against his before she whispered the easiest ‘yes’ of her life.
In an instant, Benjamin’s arms wrapped around her waist, and he stood, spinning her around in circles as her mother, sister, and future mother-in-law wiped away their own tears.
“I cannot tell you how happy you have made me,” he murmured in her ear before setting her down.
“This is the most wonderful news!” her mother squealed, pulling Felicity into a tight hug. “I cannot wait to plan the wedding!”
“Me too! It is just what I needed to do while in town for the season,” Hope chimed in, stretching on her toes to plant a kiss on Benjamin’s cheek.
“Do I get to be the maid of honor?” Delilah asked excitedly.
Felicity laughed, soaking in the merriment. Her heart soared every time she looked at Benjamin. He was a future she was greatly looking forward to.
“We have a ball to return to,” her mother said after a few more minutes of congratulations, “but you both must come for tea tomorrow. We will sign the marriage contract and discuss the details of the wedding then.”
Getting the Dowager’s agreement, her mother tugged Delilah out of the room and back towards the ball. Afterall, there were three more Kent daughters in need of a husband.
“I will give you two a moment while I fetch my cloak,” Hope announced. “Meet me by the door, please, Benjamin. And do not make me come looking for you.”
Benjamin chuckled at his mother’s unsubtle threat while Felicity blushed. When the door closed, leaving them alone for the first time, he moved closer, wrapping his arms around her once more. He smelled of cedar and leather; he smelled like home. Neither of them let go of the other for a long moment as they relished their comforting closeness.
“My mother will make good on her words. I cannot keep her waiting.”
Felicity nodded against his chest, squeezing him before letting go and taking a step back. With the settee pressed against the backs of her legs, there was little room for her to move. His face was only inches away from hers.
“I love you,” she said, softly, unable to keep the words from pouring out of her as she stared into his rich, dark eyes.
“Say it again,” he said as he leaned closer, forcing her to tilt her head up to see him.
“I love you.”
“Again.”
He was so close now she shut her eyes as she murmured the words against his lips.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
And then his lips pressed against hers, and nothing else mattered.
EPILOGUE
My love,
We are only a week away from becoming man and wife. After months of waiting, I find I am eager for our wedding. Some days, it still does not feel real that you have agreed to marry me. I hope I spend the rest of my life remembering how fortunate I am that you said “yes.”