Emotions flooded through him and Alex cleared his throat, embarrassed at the tears threatening his composure. The engagement ring burned his chest, and he knew without a doubt that now was the moment. He couldn't wait another second to make Libby his.
Slowly he withdrew the ring and dropped to one knee. Libby's eyes flew to his outstretched hand, letting out a surprised squeak.
Alex chuckled, taking her hand in his free one. "I meant to do this in a much more romantic way. I even prepared a speech to convince you to take me back. We'd take a walk along the beach to where I'd have ‘will you marry me?' spelled out in pennies. That's when I'd drop to one knee and beg you to take a chance on me. But I'm not wasting another second of our lives on uncertainty."
"Alex," she said softly, her eyes bright with happiness.
"I love you, Liberty Joy Claybourne. I don't care if Durham approves of our relationship. In fact, there's a very good chance they won't, because I just told Sara Greene everything and the interview airs tomorrow. Marrying me won't be an easy choice for you. Being a member of the royal family can definitely be demanding, and there will always be people nosing into our lives. But I promise to spend every second of my life making being my wife worth your time. Will you marry me?"
Libby dropped to her knees in front of him and took his face in her hand, igniting fires of desire. "You don't have to make it worth my time," she whispered. "Because getting to spend a lifetime loving you is worth any price. I love you too, Alex. Yes, I'll marry you!"
Alex stared at her, hardly able to believe this was really happening. She nodded happily, and he slipped the ring onto her finger. The dozens of small diamonds glimmered in the flickering candlelight, and the ring sat proudly on her finger like it belonged.
He captured her face in his hands and lowered his lips to hers. She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back. And Alex knew that no matter what the future held, he'd be just fine. Because he'd face it with Libby at his side.
EPILOGUE
Six Months Later
Libby pressed her hands against her stomach, but it did nothing to quell the butterflies taking flight there. She stared at herself in the gilded gold mirror, pleased that the woman looking back at her still looked familiar.
She'd chosen an American designer for her dress, which Nicolette hadn't loved. But the queen also hadn't raised a protest and Libby counted that as progress. The dress was hand-sewn lace and fitted through the bodice, then flowed out in a gentle A-line skirt, reminiscent of the sundresses she so loved.
Nicolette had offered a choice of tiaras from the crown jewels. Libby had chosen a delicate piece with thousands of diamonds that complimented her ring nicely. The veil was cathedral length and edged in fine lace that perfectly complemented her dress. She loved the way it flowed around her shoulders and fell to the ground.
Libby took a deep, shuddering breath. Today, she'd not only become Alex's wife, but she'd become a princess. She wasn't especially excited about that latter title, but the former more than made up for it.
The heavy carved door opened and her mother slipped in. "Oh, Libby," she breathed. "You look beautiful."
Libby blinked back the tears and waved her hands frantically in front of her face. "Don't make me cry."
"I can't believe this day is finally here." Autumn's heels clicked across the marble floor and she took Libby's hands in hers, squeezing gently. "Are you ready?"
Libby smiled, and when she answered, it was with complete honesty. "Yes. I'm ready." Everyone had been shocked at the relatively quick engagement, but Libby and Alex hadn't wanted to wait.
"Let's go get your groom, then," Autumn said.
Libby followed her mother to the front door of the estate. Her father was already at the church, waiting to walk his only child down the aisle. For the past six months, Libby had lived with Connie in Durham, helping with Kenzie as much as possible and spending time with Alex every second that she could. But as tradition dictated, Libby had spent her last night as a single woman with her parents at one of the royal family's country homes.
Money hadn't solved all of her parents' problems, but it had eased the strain on their marriage enough for them to go to counseling and work through the issues they'd spent years suppressing. Their marriage wasn't completely healed, but the progress they'd made was encouraging. Libby had a feeling that in the end, her parents would be okay.
But today wasn't about that. It was about finally starting her life together with Alex. She paused at the door and took a deep breath.
"Last moment of peace before we enter the fray," she joked, looking at her mom. "Are you ready?"
Her mom laughed. "Of course I am, sweetie. The real question is, are you?"
Libby nodded. "Yes. Open the doors."
Reporters hadn't been allowed on the estate's grounds, but she could see a swarm of news vans with names in every language imaginable just outside the gates, and hear the faint buzz of drones overhead. Right this very moment, people around the world were glued to their television screens, watching her every move.
"Don't think about the cameras, or the reporters, or how many people are watching you," Alex had said yesterday before she left for the country estate. "Just think about the happiest man alive waiting at the church, so eager to marry you he can barely follow his mother's instructions to look regal."
Libby lifted her chin and walked confidently toward the car. She wouldn't keep Alex waiting. It didn't matter what the reporters said about her dress choice, or her previous life in Oregon, or her relationship with Alex. All she cared about was being his wife.
"Ready?" the driver asked once they were settled inside the vintage car.
"Absolutely," Libby said.
The drive to the church was surreal. Every street was lined with more rows of people than Libby could see, and she smiled and waved at all of them. The last six months hadn't been easy. Durhams had felt hurt and betrayed by Alex's lies. But together Libby and Alex had worked to regain their trust. Maggie had been with them every step of the way and the entire royal family had supported their efforts.
As upset as Durham had been with Alex, they'd been a thousand times angrier with Isla. She'd come unglued when Alex's interview aired and her meltdown had been caught on camera. While trying to defend herself, Isla had inadvertently let the truth slip out. Her career was effectively dead in the water. Libby couldn't say she was sad that the actress had finally reaped her just rewards.
"This is crazy," Autumn whispered as they waved at the hoards of people. "How is this real life?"
Libby laughed and hugged her mom. "I don't know. But if this is a dream, I hope I never wake up."
The car pulled to a stop in front of the church where Alex had been christened as a baby. It was a beautiful Gothic cathedral steeped in history, with gorgeous stained-glass windows and towering spires. A footman opened the car door. Libby took a deep breath. Once she stepped foot outside this car, her entire life would change.
"Are you okay?" Autumn asked, squeezing Libby's hand.
She nodded, unable to stop smiling. "Absolutely." Then she placed one of her heeled feet outside the car.
The cheers from the crowd were thunderous. Libby's three bridesmaids-Connie, Charlotte, and Emma-swarmed around her, quickly straightening her train and spreading out the veil. Libby stood as still as a statue, unable to stop smiling as they fussed with the fabric.
Alex was inside that church, waiting for her. She couldn't wait to get inside.
Charlotte adjusted the veil, making sure it covered Libby's face properly. A radiant graced her lips.
"Finally," she said. "I thought this day would never come. Men can be such idiots, and sometimes Alex is one of the biggest."
Libby laughed and gave Charlotte a quick hug. She'd grown close to the entire royal family in the six months since their second engagement. Things were still a little frosty between her and Nicolette at times, but even the queen seemed to be coming around.
"I'm glad it's finally here, too," Libby said.
"Alex is so anxious," Emma said, grinning. "I've never seen a man that nervous. I think he's half afraid you'll stand him up."
"Absolutely not." Libby lifted her chin. "There are no cold feet for this bride. I'm ready to be Alex's wife, and I'm ready for everything that brings."
Connie gave Libby a hug, and Charlotte and Emma nodded approvingly.
"Let's get this show on the road then," Connie said. She handed Libby a beautiful bouquet of white lilies and roses. "Time to make you a princess."
Libby laughed, bringing the bouquet close and inhaling deeply. She wanted to remember every moment of today. Then she took her first careful step up the church stairs. Her first step into her new life.