Owen reached out and pulled her hand into his. “Why, my love?”
“Because it’s so clear to me how desperately I wanted to be someone else. I think I’ve wanted that my whole life. My brother and sister always seemed so much more than I was.”
He squeezed her hand. “On the contrary, dear Alex, you’re one who is concerned about charities and children and doing good things that make a difference in the world. You’ve always been perfect, just the way you are.”
“Owen, promise me we’ll always be happy. Promise me we’ll always be in love. I tend to worry that—”
“Ah, ah, ah.” He swung her arm with his. “Someone quite wise once told me that in life, some things are more important than worry.”
Alexandra smiled at him. “That someone was quite wise, indeed.”
“Yes.” He squeezed her fingers again. “She was.”
A mischievous look sparkled in Alex’s eyes. “I have one final lesson for you, my lord. That’s why I asked you to meet me here, in the ballroom.”
He laughed out loud, and the sound echoed across the large empty room. “I see. What is it?”
“Your final lesson.”
He arched a brow. “What’s that?”
“How to be a good husband, of course.”
His face turned serious. “I’m not certain I know how, Alex. But I promise you, I will spend the rest of my days trying.”
“You’ll learn. We’ll learn. Together. That’s the lesson, for both of us. We simply must do the best we can and help each other.”
He handed her the journal and then picked her up and twirled her in his arms. “Yes, my love. I agree.”
When he set her back down, Alex said, “Mother and Father have already told me they approve of the match and I need no longer wait for Lavinia to marry first.”
Owen slid a hand into his pocket. “That’s excellent because my father came to visit me yesterday and informed me that he respected the hell out of me for standing up to him. I have his blessing and approval. Apparently, your father spoke with him as well and told him he approved of our match.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “So you won’t lose your allowance by choosing me?”
“No, but if I did, rest assured, I’d still choose you a thousand times.”
“I’d choose you, too, Owen.”
He pulled her back into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “So, how do we begin?”
Tears welled in Alex’s eyes. “I do believe you may begin by formally asking me to marry you now.”
“By all means.” Owen fell to one knee and took her free hand in his. “Lady Alexandra Hobbs, I think you’re the most perfect lady in the entire kingdom. You’re beautiful, intelligent, witty, and kind. I don’t pretend to deserve you, but I would be thankful for you for the rest of my life if you would do me the honor of becoming my bride. Will you marry me?”
Alex leaned down and stroked his cheek, her fingers pausing at his dimple. “Yes, my lord. I’ve been waiting for three years to say yes to you.”
The door to the ballroom opened then, and Cass and Julian strolled in arm in arm. Alex glanced up guiltily from Owen, who was still on his knee.
“How is the newly engaged couple?” Cass called. “I’m not assuming too much by seeing you on bended knee, am I, Owen? I mean, I do hope that’s what you’re about … the business of a proposal.”
Owen leaped to his feet and pulled Alex close to him, his arm around her waist. “Yes, that’s exactly what I was about—and thankfully, the lady has agreed to become my wife regardless of being interrupted by my overly curious sister.”
Cass and Julian made their way over to them, and Cass elbowed her brother in the ribs. “Why, I’d hardly be doing my duty as a chaperone if I allowed you two to stay in here all afternoon alone together. Besides, I want to talk about the wedding.” Cass nearly clapped her hands. “I’m so excited. We have two weddings to plan. First Daphne’s, then yours.”
Before Alex could answer, the door to the ballroom cracked against the far wall and Lucy Hunt came rushing through it, pulling off her bonnet. “There you are. I’ve been searching the house for you. Oh, dears, you’ll never guess. I just came from Lady Hargrove’s tea, where I heard the most shocking news.”
“What is it?” Alex and Cass asked simultaneously.
Lucy came hurtling over to stand next to them, plucking off her gloves and then pressing a hand against her coiffure to tame her dark curls. “It seems Lady Sarah Highgate has run off!”
“Run off?” Alex gasped. “She and Lord Branford have gone to Gretna Green?”