Page 63 of The White Governess of Hudson Manor

“Where is he now?” Mr. White suddenly asked.

Rosalie could see the anger in his expression. She knew he wanted to exact his own revenge. His and his wife’s. But that would bring no one any good. Rosalie didn’t want to see that man ever again. That was enough of a reward for her, and enough of a punishment for him.

“Believe me, Mr. White, he is where he belongs,” Edmund assured him. “He and his accomplice, Mr. Goosevelt, will be behind bars for the rest of their days.”

“What will happen to my friends?” Rosalie gasped. “They have nowhere to go. How will they fend for themselves?”

Edmund smiled, as if he knew something no one else did. Something crucial. Rosalie felt overwhelmed by everything that had just happened, but she still knew that her happiness was intricately intertwined with the well-being of those who helped her when she needed help the most.

“I have already sent for them,” Edmund explained, shrugging, as if he had done the most normal thing in the world.

“Sent for them?” Rosalie repeated, bewildered. She couldn’t even possibly begin to comprehend what he had in mind.

“Indeed,” Edmund nodded. “This is a large estate. Our gardener needs a helper. Also, Mrs. Barry, our cook, always needs a pair of helping hands in the kitchen. To be quite honest, I’m certain we can find a place for all of them here. If they wish to remain here, that is.”

“I…” Rosalie gasped at hearing this. “I don’t know what to say.”

The idea of all her friends being taken care of in the same place as her, almost assured her that this couldn’t possibly be reality. It all sounded too good to be true.

She watched Edmund hesitate for a moment, then glancing around at everyone, as if they were all in on a conspiracy, he knelt before her.

“Say you will make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife.”

“My goodness!” Rosalie gasped even louder this time, pressing her hand to her lips.

She hadn’t expected any of this. Finding herself back at Hudson Estate. Meeting her parents. And now… Edmund was asking her to marry him. What a beautiful dream!

Mr. and Mrs. White held each other by the hand, their eyes focused on the young couple before them. The Countess looked on from the sides, her face as gracious and benevolent as always. The girls’ faces beamed with joy, as they interlocked hands. All the most important people were there, to witness this monumental event, the crowning joy of Rosalie’s life.

“I apologize for not having a ring yet,” Edmund explained, gushing at this point, his hand empty, as he asked for hers. “But I didn’t want to wait a second longer, Rosalie. I cannot live without you. Say you will marry me…”

“Yes!” Rosalie exclaimed, not even waiting for him to finish. “Yes!”

“I think not!”

The Countess’ voice split the room like lightning. Her eyes focused on the couple; the displeasure etched on her face. She was shaking her head in disapproval, frowning. Rosalie had never seen her so displeased.

No one dared say a word. Rosalie’s heart sunk all the way down to her heels. She had always thought that the Countess was on her side. Not in her wildest dreams would she believe that the Countess of all people would be the one standing between her and her happiness.

Even Edmund turned to his mother, looking at her incredulously. He was still on his knees, refusing to get up. The Countess didn’t seem to mind any of that. Gracefully, she walked a few steps to Edmund, and took the fingers of her left hand into her right hand. Rosalie couldn’t see what she was doing. Besides, Rosalie was too focused on the woman’s facial expression, which seemed a stern refusal to reveal what was going on underneath the surface.

“You cannot possibly do this,” the Countess repeated, tugging at her left index finger. “Not like this, anyway. Rosalie deserves to wear the ring your dear father had married me with. It belongs in the family. It belongs on her hand.”

Slowly, she took off her engagement ring, offering it to her son. Rosalie gazed on in bewilderment. It had all been too much. She felt light-headed, but one look at Edmund still on his knees, asking for her hand with the most stunning ring Rosalie had ever seen, cleared up her mind and any doubts in her heart instantly.

Edmund smiled, then proceeded to put the ring on Rosalie’s hand with his trembling fingers. The red ruby looked like a drop of blood on Rosalie’s pale skin, and she knew she would never take it off, as long as she lived.

He approached her and caressed her cheek. His face had been the one that had gladdened her dreams for many a month now, and she wanted it to never end. She wanted him to always smile at her with those bright, brown eyes.

“You are my wonder, Rosalie,” he whispered, then pressed his lips gently upon her forehead.

She smiled, her cheeks blushing zealously.

She finally found the wondrous harmony she’d always wanted. People she could love and call her own family. A place she could call her home and be accepted as she was.

The End?