Page 157 of Secluded with the Rogue

Chapter 20

A lexander and Genevieve made their way back toward Carrington Manor, hand in hand. The snow continued to fall gently, but it felt like the world had finally opened up for them, free of the fear and uncertainty that had weighed them down for so long.

But as they neared the entrance of the manor, they were met with a familiar figure standing at the top of the steps—Henry. Genevieve’s brother stood there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Genevieve’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with worry. Henry had been Alexander’s closest friend for years, and she had no idea how he would react to seeing them together like this.

Henry’s gaze flicked between the two of them, lingering on their joined hands, and Genevieve’s heart pounded. She could only hope he would not mind that she was with his best friend. After all, he had always been protective of her, and now, with the emotional history between her and Alexander, she was not sure how he would respond.

As they reached the steps, Henry’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at Alexander. “I saw the two of you,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I saw the kisses. So I assume you have something to say to me, Alexander.”

Genevieve tensed, squeezing Alexander’s hand nervously. She opened her mouth to speak, but Alexander beat her to it, stepping forward with a calm yet determined expression.

“Henry,” he began, his voice firm but sincere. “You are right. I should have come to you first. I had every intention of asking for your father for his blessing as well as you for yours, but… things moved faster than I expected.”

Henry raised an eyebrow, his arms still crossed as he looked between them. “Is that so?”

Alexander nodded, standing tall, his eyes steady as he met Henry’s gaze. “I love your sister, Henry. I have loved her for years. I made mistakes in the past, but I am here to make things right. And I was going to ask you for permission to propose to her tonight, but…” He glanced at Genevieve, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I think we both know this moment is bigger than the formality.”

Genevieve’s heart swelled at his words, her chest tightening with emotion. But before she could respond, Henry’s expression hardened.

“Well, you can forget the formalities now,” Henry said sharply, stepping closer to Alexander. “Because after everything that has happened, you need to do more than just ask for my blessing. You need to propose right now.”

Genevieve’s breath caught, her eyes widening as she glanced at her brother. “Henry?—”

“I saw everything, Genevieve,” Henry interrupted, his gaze still fixed on Alexander. “And if Alexander’s serious about making things right, then he needs to prove it. Right here. Right now.”

Alexander, to his credit, did not flinch under Henry’s intense gaze. Instead, he squared his shoulders and looked directly at Genevieve, his eyes filled with the same love and determination that had brought them together in the first place.

“I was going to propose,” Alexander said softly, taking her other hand in his. “Because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”

Genevieve’s heart fluttered, her throat tightening as she stared up at him. Everything they had been through—the years of separation, the pain, the fear—had led them to this.

Before Alexander could get another word out, Genevieve felt a surge of emotion rise up within her, and without thinking, she blurted out, “Yes.”

Both men froze.

Henry’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Alexander blinked at her, clearly taken aback by her sudden response. For a brief moment, there was silence, the air between them filled with the weight of her words.

Genevieve’s face flushed, but she stood her ground, meeting Alexander’s stunned gaze with a soft smile. “Yes,” she repeated, more firmly this time. “I do not need you to ask. The answer is yes, Alexander. I want to marry you.”

Alexander’s expression shifted, his eyes filling with a mixture of shock, relief, and overwhelming love. He let out a soft, disbelieving laugh, his grip tightening around her hands as if to anchor himself to the moment.

“You… you are sure?” he asked, his voice rough with emotion.

Genevieve nodded, her heart pounding as she smiled up at him. “I have never been more sure of anything.”

A broad grin spread across Alexander’s face, and before she could react, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, his hands cupping her face as he poured all of his love and relief into the kiss.

Henry cleared his throat loudly, causing both of them to pull away, though neither could stop smiling.

“Well, that settles it,” Henry said, his tone softening slightly as he looked at his best friend and his sister. “I shall go and speak to father, but I suppose your first act as duke will be to plan your wedding.”

Genevieve laughed softly, her heart light and full as she leaned into Alexander’s side. “I suppose so.”

Alexander looked down at her, his eyes still bright with disbelief and joy. “You have made me the happiest man in the world, Genevieve.”

She smiled up at him, her heart swelling with love. “I think we have both waited long enough for this.”