“Now, lass,” Ewan started.
“You stay out of it,” Avery snapped. “You’ve had your say. This is between me and Bash now.”
“And Noah.” Bash’s gaze flicked to his briefly. “Are you going to jump in here?”
Noah loved watching the strength behind her fragile façade. “Not a chance.”
“You’ll have to deal with me,” Avery fired back.
It was subtle but Noah watched Bash take a half-step back. “It had already been done, Avery. And with you married…”
“Go on…say it. With me married, you’d be free of the responsibility. The match was convenient for you. Did you think about me at all?”
Bash’s jaw turned to granite. “Of course I did. Noah is perfect for you. He’s kind and considerate while still being strong.”
Avery started in surprise as she looked at him, her gaze softening considerably. “He is. You’re right.” Then she drew in a breath. “Which is why—”
“Wait,” Noah said. “I’ve changed my mind. I am getting involved in this conversation.”
“About damn time,” Ewan grumbled.
Noah ignored the man, holding out his hand to Bash. “Do you have the contract? Avery should see it.”
Bash reached into his pocket. “Of course I do.”
He handed it to Noah who unfolded it. “Avery, on this paper, I promised to care for your needs, and use the club’s profits to create a dowry for you that you could assign to our children as you saw fit to ensure their futures were secure.”
She gasped, her hands coming to her chest to cover her heart. “Really? You were going to make certain our children could be independent? Even our daughters?”
“That’s right,” he answered. “I meant everything I said to you while we travelled here. Everyone should have the opportunity to manage their own destiny. But I didn’t count on falling in love with you.”
Her lips trembled as they pressed together.
He heard Isabella gasp behind them.
“If you’re in love,” Bash started, but Noah held out his hand for his friend to stop.
He drew in a deep breath. “I am. And that’s why I have to do this.”
And then he took the contract in his hand and tore it in half. Then he ripped it again. And again.
Avery’s eyes had grown wide. He reached for her hand, placing the ripped bits in her open palm. “The choice is yours.”
Chapter Fifteen
Avery’s gasp filled the room or perhaps that was just her own ears. Had he really just done that?
She’d been about to accept his proposal.
She stared down at the bits of paper in her hand, tears misting her eyes. “You tore it up.”
It was a ridiculous thing to say. Everyone was aware.
“I did,” he answered.
Bash cleared his throat, stepping forward. His voice boomed over the room. “It’s irrelevant—”
“Hush,” Isabella lifted her hand, gesturing for him to be quiet. “Now is not the time.”
Bash snapped his mouth shut despite the glare he cast at Noah.
But Avery only had eyes for Noah. Because not only did he love her, but he’d given her a great gift. The power to make her own future.
She took the bits of contract and tossed them into the air. They fluttered up and then began to fall all about them. “You understood all along,” she said as she reached for his hands.
“I did.” He cleared his throat. “Know that I will always care for you and I will always provide for your needs. No matter what your future holds, I’ll be here for you.”
She pulled him closer and then lifted on tiptoe, placing a soft kiss on his lips. “I know. That’s why I chose you.”
For a moment his eyes clouded with confusion but then they cleared. “You chose me?”
She nodded. No man would ever be better for her. “I accept your proposal. I want to be your wife.”
His brows rose and for a moment he just stared at her but then he lifted her, spinning her through the air.
And when his lips found hers, she melted into the kiss.
Bash let out a long sigh. “Thank the lord.” He grimaced at Isabella. “Please tell me our first child will be a boy. Girls would be the death of me.”
“I don’t know Bash. I come from a family of all women.” Isabella laughed as she hugged her husband.
Ewan snorted. “Why fall in love and get married? It looks like a plague to me.”
But Avery didn’t bother to respond to any of them. She was too busy enjoying the feel of Noah’s arms. The way he held her tight made her feel both cherished and powerful.
He’d made all her dreams come true.
“I love you,” she whispered close to his ear.
“I love you too, Avery.” He lightly set her down. “When do you wish to wed? I’m sure Ewan will agree to chaperone while we post the banns and—”
While that was all lovely, in this moment, waiting weeks sounded dreadful. “I don’t want to wait that long.”
“Fine with me,” Ewan grunted. “I don’t want to spend a month with the world’s prickliest ward.”
“Any ideas then?” Noah asked. “We’re a ways from London in terms of getting a special license.”
Ewan chuckled. “I’ve got a ship in the harbor. We can marry at sea. As both her closest male relatives are here, the match will stand.”
Married at sea? How marvelous. “I’m going to need a new dress. I can’t get married in mourning weeds.”
He chuckled. “I think that can be arranged.”
Isabella clapped. “How fun this is going to be.”
Fun was one of many words Avery herself wished to use.
Meaningful.
Wonderful.
Fulfilling.
Perfect.
The next morning the small group set off just before the sun rose. In the end, they’d found a gown for Avery, a pale pink that reminded her of spring flowers in bloom. She felt lighter just for wearing it. This was her new beginning, the light after the dark.
They’d packed a wedding breakfast to take on the boat. Ewan, Bash, and Isabella joined them, to act as witnesses and the captain had agreed to officiate. As Avery stood on the deck, the sun shone bright orange on the horizon and she
