Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL WITHOUT A BARGAIN
Two years later, William proposed.
Not at a gala.
Not in front of my father.
Not as part of a business arrangement.
He proposed in the greenhouse.
The old olive tree stood behind us.
Sunlight streamed through the glass.
My mother sat nearby, smiling.
William looked nervous.
I almost laughed.
The most feared man in New York.
Nervous.
He took my hands.
“Clare.”
“Yes?”
“When I first met you, I asked you to marry me before I knew anything about you.”
I smiled.
“You were very arrogant.”
He laughed.
“I was.”
He swallowed.
“And you said no.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
William smiled.
“That was the first honest answer anyone had given me in a long time.”
My eyes filled.
He continued.
“I don't want your inheritance.”
“I don't want your family's name.”
“I don't want a wife who agrees with everything I say.”
He took a breath.
“I want you.”
“Your kindness.”
“Your courage.”
“Your stubbornness.”
“And the way you see beauty in things everyone else overlooks.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
William lowered himself onto one knee.
“Clare Aldrich, will you marry me?”
I looked at him.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
His eyes filled.
“Really?”
I laughed.
“Yes, William.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger.
Then stood.
I kissed him.
May you like
And for the first time, marriage didn't feel like a prison.
It felt like a choice.
