Rescued By A Viscount(74)
“Why did you not tell your brother, Claire? Did you think it would make you weak in his eyes?” Claire tried to look away from the grey eyes before her, but Simon held her chin. “You are not weak, Claire. You are strong. What you have just done shows that. To heal the divide in your family, there must only be the truth now.”
She didn’t respond. Was he right? Should she have told Mathew and even her mother?
“You are no longer alone, love. I am here, but so are your family if you reach out to them.”
Looking up at him, Claire knew she had to tell him how much she loved him.
“I’m sorry, sister, for your loneliness. I would have stayed awake with you, had you given me the chance.” Mathew’s words were softly spoken, yet Claire heard them. “You are my sister, Claire, and I have loved you since the day you were born. To my lasting shame, I did not know you were unaware of that fact until now.”
“And I, Mathew, love you also.”
Claire could see the pride in Simon’s eyes as she and Mathew told each other what they should have many years ago. So much emotion rolled around inside her, she had to tell Simon how she felt about him right now, because he was correct; she could no longer hide herself behind the façade that had been Claire Belmont.
“Simon, I’m about to tell you something because I want you to know it, not because I expect you to act on it.”
He wrapped one hand around her waist and pulled her slowly closer.
“My brother and nephew are in the room,” Claire whispered.
“And are absorbed in each other. However, you had better be quick, as I fear Louis’s absorption will stop with the end of your brother’s toffee.”
“These last few days, Simon, I’ve come to realize something.” Claire felt the words suddenly stick in her throat.
“Just say the words, Claire.”
“What words?”
“The words.”
Her eyes held his for long seconds. “I don’t know how it happened, Simon.”
“How what happened?” He knew, she could tell by the twinkle in his eyes, but he was not about to make it easy on her.
“We’ve known each other for so long, and sometimes we could not even tolerate each other’s company.”
“In fairness, it was always you who could not tolerate my company,” he said.
“I was insufferable, Simon. I’m sorry.” Claire realized she had treated him badly over the years, and he deserved an apology from her.
“For the love of god, woman, will you just tell me.”
“Tell you what?” Claire said, trying to keep her expression innocent and give him back a bit of what he had given her.
“Claire.”
“I love you, Simon, so very much,” she said in a rush. “But I will not hold–”
His lips were hard on hers as he stopped her words, and Claire resisted for a second before melting against him. “I love you, too, Claire Belmont, forever and always. Now tell me you will be my wife.”
“I’ll be your wife, my love, as soon as we can arrange it.”
“Tomorrow,” he whispered. “I want to wake with you in my arms every morning from that day forth.”
Claire gave him that soft smile she had seen Eva give Daniel. The smile that spoke of love and hidden secrets only she and Simon would share for the rest of their lives.
EPILOGUE
“I cannot believe you coerced my butler into your household, Claire.”
Laughing, Claire hugged her brother, who returned the gesture freely. “Plimley loves me, Mathew. What can I add to that except the better Belmont won?”
“And I love you, too, sister.”
Standing on her toes, Claire kissed his cheek loudly. “And I you, brother.”
Releasing him, she walked around the room slowly, making her way to Simon.
A fire blazed in the hearth as outside snow blanketed the ground. This was their first Christmas as husband and wife, surrounded by their family and friends. They were all here. Daniel and Eva had brought Daniel’s grandmother who for the most part was behaving herself. Claire’s mother and brother were here, as were Simon’s aunt and uncle. Louis lay on the floor beside the fire, pulling faces at Georgia, who gurgled back at him. He was a different boy from the solemn one of a few months ago. He laughed and chattered now, and was loved by all who met him. But it was Simon and Claire he turned to when hurt or upset. He was their boy, and Claire knew he would be a wonderful older brother to their children when the time came.
Marriage was a revelation to Claire. Simon wasn’t a passive husband. He liked to talk to her, know what she was reading or thinking, and involve her in his day. He laughed loudly, sang off key, kissed and hugged her continuously, no matter where they were, and never since the day he’d declared his love to her had she doubted him. He was quite simply the most wonderful man she had ever known, and his love had changed her. She was now demonstrative. She, too, sang off key and danced with him in the dining parlor or garden if the mood struck. Just looking at him made something inside her go soft, and the feeling of belonging body and soul to another being filled her with joy. She’d existed before he came into her life; now she lived.