Page 99 of An Inkpot and a Dowry for the Marchioness

He shifted and went down on one knee before her as her hand fluttered to cover her gasp, her other hand tried to calm her pounding heart as she looked at his hopeful features.

“Claire, I have loved you for so many years,” he told her solemnly. “I have never known a more enchanting soul, one that is a match to my own in every way. You have captured me and taught my foolish, immature heart what love truly is.”

As Claire looked at him, her eyes swimming with joyful tears, the sun chose that very moment to rise over the horizon, sending its first rays to light up the beautiful diamond in the ring the Duke held out to her.

It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen—a delicate gold band with a fine, marquis-cut diamond in the center, surrounded by numerous other smaller diamonds that were no less as remarkable as their queen.

“Claire Rowley, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked her. “I swear that I will hold you for all the years to come, never forsaking you or turning from my vows. If you will have me,” he choked, “I shall spend the rest of my life ensuring you will be the happiest lady in the world.”

Tears spilled from her eyes as she laughingly wrapped her arms around him, pressing her lips to his cheek. “Yes, yes,yes!” she declared. “A hundred, thousand timesyes!”

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her temple. “You make me the happiest man alive, my darling Claire.”

As he slipped the ring onto her finger, the sun rose higher, bathing them in the soft glow of morning light.

However, for Claire, there was no sight more beautiful than the eyes of her beloved, shining back at her.

At that moment, she felt that fairy tales do come true and she had truly found her own happy ending.

The End?