The Pursuit (40 page)

Niki laughed a little. “That must have been a little odd, coming from Henry.”

“I did a good deal of laughing, but he was serious.”

Niki nodded. “Is that why you didn’t want the boys along?”

“Yes.”

“And would you have wanted the day to be today if Henry hadn’t prompted you?”

“I wanted the day to be weeks ago, but I told myself to wait.”

Niki looked up into his eyes. She couldn’t remember a love this deep, not even for Louis, whom she had cared about very much.

“How does a man say what’s in his heart?” Edward asked, his eyes on hers as well. “How does a man explain the mix of joy and uncertainty, the euphoria and fear?”

“I think you just did.”

“Henry said I must get down on one knee.”

Niki started to laugh. “He didn’t!”

“He did. He said it must be special, so when our daughters ask about it, we’ll have the right answer.”

“Henry is a dear,” Niki said, sighing a little.

Edward suddenly cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking the smooth skin on her cheekbones.

“Marry me, Niki. Please say you will. Please become my wife and my partner. Have children with me, and help me to be the man God wants me to be.”

“I would love to marry you, Edward. I would love it more than I can say.”

His hands still holding her gently, he tilted her face just enough to claim her lips with his own.

“I forgot the knee!” Edward suddenly said, and Niki began to giggle. “Quickly,” he took her hand. “We’ve got to find a rock or something for you to sit on. You know Henry will ask.”

By the time Edward found a place for Niki to sit, they were both laughing uncontrollably. And it didn’t help that the large rock Edward found was lumpy and not very comfortable, or that Edward had to kneel in the damp grass in a pair of new pants.

“All right now,” he said, trying to be serious. “I’ve got to do this properly.”

Niki schooled her features and waited, but before Edward could speak, she was lost in his eyes again.

“When did you start to love me, Edward?”

Edward smiled. “I’m not sure. I know it was after you came here, but my memories of you are very mixed. In my mind’s eye, I can still see you dressed as Osborne.”

Niki made a face.

“No, no, I’m serious.” Edward’s gaze warmed. “After I got used to the idea, you began to look a little too good in those pants.”

Niki bit her lip, and for a moment the two looked at each other. Edward took her hand in his and spoke quietly.

“Mrs Bettencourt, will you consent to be my wife?”

“Yes, I will, Mr Steele.”

“When, Niki?” Edward dropped the formality just that fast. “When can we be married?”

“I don’t know, but soon I think.”

“Soon would be nice.”

“Shall we go and tell the boys?”

“Yes, and then the family.”

Edward helped her off the rock and took her hand. They didn’t move swiftly. It was all too wonderful to be rushed. They walked back toward the house to find the boys and tell them immediately, but not before they talked and made plans. It would be a lovely wedding. The boys could stand up with them. And Edward already had his eye on a house—a beautiful house that the four of them would love.

By the time they reached the back door, both felt as if they were floating on air.

Newcomb Park

“Good morning, Henry,” Cassandra greeted her brother in the foyer, going on tiptoe to give him a kiss. “Is Edward about? I have something to show him.”

“He’s at Blackburn Manor this morning.”

Cassandra dimpled. “Do you suppose he’s gained the courage to ask the question?”

“I don’t know,” Henry said with a smile, even though he felt quite confident about Edward’s plans. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

“I guess we will. May I leave this for him?”

“Certainly.” Henry took a folded slip of paper from her. “How are you feeling, by the way?”

“Very well. I’m headed into town to do a little shopping.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, Tate had accounts spread out all about him, and Lizzy is entertaining.”

“Would you like me to go with you?”

Cassandra’s mouth opened in surprised pleasure.

“Why, Henry, that would be lovely.”

Henry smiled. Shopping was not at all his idea of a fun morning, but being with his sister and seeing her delight appealed to him very much.

Leaving word where he was going, Henry took a moment to get his hat and jacket and followed his sister to her coach.

He didn’t think he’d actually shop, but getting out of the house was just what he needed. Maybe Edward would be there with good news by the time he arrived back home. Even as the coach lurched into motion, Henry found himself praying that Edward would have the courage to get the job done.

What if the lady doesn’t accept?

Where this thought had come from Henry didn’t know, but he dismissed it immediately. If there were two people more in love and suited for each other than Edward Steele and Niki Bettencourt, he’d like to meet them.

Cassandra took that moment to say something about stopping for tea, and Henry’s attention was drawn to her.

Maybe I have met them,
Henry said to himself, thinking about all three of his sisters and the fine men they’d married.

With a deep sigh of contentment, Henry made himself more comfortable in the seat and settled back to enjoy the ride and his sister’s company, thinking that God’s blessings never ceased to amaze him.

Epilogue

Billings Park

Niki Steele’s breathing became labored. She thrashed against the images in her mind, panic and fear filling her. She was terrified and helpless, desperate to do something but unable to think or act.

“Niki.” Edward’s voice came to her, his hand coming to rest on her waist. “Wake up, Niki.”

With a start, Niki came out of the dream. She panted in fear, even as Edward’s arms came around her.

“It’s all right. It was just a dream.”

“The boys,” she said, hugging her husband tightly. “I dreamed that she came. They cried for me. They were so little.”

Edward held her until her breathing was normal again. Only then did he let go of her to light the lantern. They both squinted against the light as they tried to see each other.

“Do you want me to go and check on them?”

“No,” Niki shook her head. “I know it was just a dream.”

“It might be like this for a time, Niki, but I still think we did the right thing.”

Niki nodded, remembering along with Edward the way they’d recently gone to Patrice Bettencourt’s deathbed and taken the children with them.

Niki had been so certain Patrice would repent after years of letters and threats. Niki envisioned that when Patrice saw how big the boys were, she would see how much she’d given up and be sorry, but it hadn’t happened that way.

With eyes and words only for Richard and Christopher, Patrice had told the boys how selfish their mother had been and how ashamed their father would have been of her. It had not gone well, but the boys held no bitterness toward their grandmother, and because she’d left her entire estate to them, they’d enjoyed the freedom of seeing portraits of their father and gaining a glimpse into his life.

“Maybe I should go check on them,” Niki said, having second thoughts.

Edward chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” she asked, still rather groggy.

“They’re 17, Niki, and larger than I am. Even if Patrice were still alive, neither one of them would sit still for an abduction.”

Niki was forced to agree, even as her mind went to their other five children. Michelle was almost ten; young Edward was nine; the younger twins, Jocelyn and Sunny, were six; and Emmaline was two. Patrice had never even asked about Richard and Christopher’s half siblings. She had had eyes only for them, and selfish eyes they were, wanting things her way or not at all.

“Can you sleep now?” Edward interrupted her thoughts.

“I think so.”

“It must be after midnight, which means the wedding is today, and a long day it will be.”

Niki smiled as she remembered. Penny Jennings, Marianne’s stepdaughter, was marrying Jeffrey Hurst, Pastor and Judith’s oldest.

Jeffrey had been abroad for several years, being mentored by a friend of his father’s. When he’d come home, he was surprised to find Penny Jennings quite grown up and as beautiful as she had been as a child. There were several years between them, but no one seemed to notice. Jeffrey found himself unable to think about much else, and Penny welcomed his interest.

They had courted for the better part of a year, nearly everyone waiting in anticipation for Jeffrey to ask for her hand, and finally the day had come. Penny didn’t seem to have any problem with the wait, even as she watched both of her older brothers get married, as well as cousins Frank, Walt, and Emma Palmer. Two of Jeffrey’s siblings, Jane and Margaret, were also wed. Some married young people from the church family, and others found their spouses from other districts.

This day, however, the pastor’s son and a longtime member of the community were going to be married, and it was going to be something of a celebration. Family members had already started to gather, and knowing how full Thornton Hall and Blackburn Manor were, Niki fell asleep thinking about all who would come.

Thornton Hall

“Are you just coming to bed?” Jennings asked of his wife when the moonlight from the window allowed him to watch her slip into their room.

“No, but I was restless and didn’t want to wake you.”

Marianne climbed into bed, but Jennings could tell she was not ready to go back to sleep.

“You’re going to be exhausted in the morning.”

“You’re probably right, but I’m not sure I can help myself. I don’t know why I’m so excited. The boys got married with little fuss, but with Penny I’m falling apart.”

“It might be the difference between sons and daughters.”

“Maybe so,” Marianne said, a yawn accompanying these words.

Jennings remained quiet, thinking she might be headed back to sleep, and sure enough, her breathing evened out after a short time.

It was, however, too late for Jennings. His own little Penny, his oldest daughter, was getting married in a matter of hours. At the moment sleep was miles away.