Page 23 of A Lady's Christmas

“I will marry you, Theo. I love you.” Anything more she might have wanted to say is quashed by his lips and embrace.

The door swings open. “I’m so happy!” Honoria wafts in with her arms outstretched. She pulls Gwen into a hug and then pats Theo’s cheek. “I knew the two of you would find your way.”

Jane stands in the doorway, dabbing the corners of her eyes. That small move is the only sign of emotion from the usually stoic lady of the house. “You can be married from Everton House if you wish, Miss Carter.”

“Thank you.” Gwen had never had women in her life. Now she had a kind of family and knew The Everton Domestic Society would be here for her always.

Taking her hand, Theo leads her to the front window next to the pianoforte. “You have made me very happy. I never really believed you could be mine.”

“Why not?” She touches his cheek, then realizes they have company and lowers her hand.

“I suppose I believed all along that I was not good enough for you, my sweet Gwendolyn.” With that admission, he keeps his eyes cast to the floor.

Touching his cheek again, despite the audience, she says, “I never believed that. I only thought you disliked me.”

Meeting her gaze, he says, “No. I loved you even then, but how could such an angel ever want me after so many years of berating and bullying?”

Heart full of love and grateful she’d never known about her inheritance, Gwen hugs him around the waist. “I’ve always loved you. That’s why I hated you so much.”

Through sobs, Honoria says, “I don’t know how much more of this romance I can take.”

Jane laughs and pats her back.

Unwrapping from the inappropriate hug, they join the group as Lord Everton brings in a bottle of champagne and insists that Robert toast with them.

“It’s perfect, isn’t it?” Gwen takes in the room full of people who care about her.

Theo stares into her eyes. “Yes. Perfect.”