"Thank you, Fletcher," Anne replied, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "That will be all for now."
Breakfast was a casual affair at Brentwood Hall, with guests appearing as they pleased between eight and ten. Anne found the dining room relatively empty when she arrived, with only a few early risers present.
David was not among them, which simultaneously disappointed and relieved her. She managed a light meal of toast and tea, exchanging pleasant conversation with an elderly countess while inwardly counting the minutes.
At half past nine, she excused herself and made her way toward the garden terrace.
The morning was perfect, warm sunshine tempered by a gentle breeze, the gardens fragrant with late summer blooms. Anne followed the familiar path to the rose garden where she had first encountered David upon his arrival at Brentwood Hall.
The symmetry seemed appropriate somehow.
He was already there, standing beside a marble bench, his tall figure silhouetted against the verdant hedge behind him. When he turned and saw her, his expression brightened perceptibly.
"Lady Anne," he greeted, moving forward to meet her. "You look beautiful this morning."
"Thank you, Your Grace," she replied, suddenly shy under his admiring gaze. "It's a lovely day for a walk."
"Indeed," he agreed, offering his arm. "Shall we?"
They strolled in companionable silence for a time, following the winding paths through immaculately tended gardens. Anne sensed David gathering his thoughts and did not press him, content to wait until he was ready to speak.
Eventually, they reached a secluded alcove furnished with a stone bench overlooking a small ornamental pond. David guided her to the bench and, once she was seated, took a position beside her, maintaining a proper distance while still conveying intimacy.
"I've rehearsed this conversation a dozen times," he began with uncharacteristic hesitation. "Yet now I find myself struggling for words."
Anne's heart quickened.
"Sometimes the simplest words are best," she suggested softly.
David smiled at that.
"Wise counsel, as always."
He took a deep breath.
"Very well then, simple words. Anne Hobart, from the moment I first truly saw you, not merely observed, but saw, I have admired you deeply."
Anne remained silent, scarcely breathing as he continued.
"Your grace in adversity, your kindness to those around you, your quiet strength, these qualities captivated me long before recent events brought us into closer acquaintance. What began as admiration has grown into something far more profound."
He shifted slightly to face her more directly.
"I had resigned myself to admiring you from afar, believing you destined for another. When circumstances changed, I permitted myself to hope, cautiously at first, then with increasing conviction as our friendship deepened."
"David," Anne whispered, using his given name without hesitation.
He reached for her hand, enclosing it gently between both of his.
"I love you, Anne, wholly, completely, irrevocably. I cannot imagine a future without you by my side."
The simple declaration, delivered with such earnest emotion, brought tears to Anne's eyes.
"Oh, David," she managed, her voice trembling.
Concern clouded his features.
"Forgive me if I've spoken too boldly or presumed."
"No," she interrupted quickly. "No, you have presumed nothing that is not true."
She gathered her courage and continued.
"My heart is yours, David. I believe it has been from the moment you first called upon me after... after everything happened. You saw me at my lowest point, yet treated me with such dignity and respect."
Relief and joy transformed his expression.
"Then you would consider, that is..."
He paused, composing himself with visible effort.
"Lady Anne Hobart, would you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?"
Though she had anticipated the question, hearing it spoken aloud still took her breath away.
"Yes," she answered without hesitation. "Yes, with all my heart."
David's composure finally broke, his reserved demeanor giving way to unrestrained happiness. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a fervent kiss to her knuckles.
"You have made me the happiest of men."
"And I the happiest of women," she replied, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy.
For a moment, they simply gazed at each other, savoring the profound shift in their relationship.
Then, with characteristic thoughtfulness, David said, "I should speak with your father as soon as possible. Perhaps we might return to London earlier than planned."
"Yes," Anne agreed. "Though I confess, I'm reluctant to leave this place. It will forever hold a special place in my memory now."
"As it will in mine," David assured her. "But we have a lifetime of memories to create together, my love. This is merely the beginning."
The endearment, spoken so naturally, warmed her heart.
"A lifetime," she echoed, marveling at how completely her prospects had transformed in a matter of months.
They remained in their secluded alcove for some time, speaking of practical matters, when to announce their engagement, where they would live, how soon they might marry, and more personal ones, sharing hopes and dreams long held private.
The conversation flowed with remarkable ease, evidence of the solid foundation of friendship upon which their deeper feelings had been built.
Eventually, the chiming of a distant clock reminded them of the passing time.
"We should return to the house," David suggested reluctantly. "Your absence will soon be noted."
"As will yours," Anne replied with a smile. "Though I suspect Lady Caroline might approve of our disappearance."
David chuckled.
"I'm quite certain she would. I believe she's been orchestrating opportunities for us to be alone since the moment we arrived."
"A most accomplished matchmaker," Anne agreed as they rose from the bench.
They walked back toward Brentwood Hall hand in hand, no longer concerned with maintaining the formal distance propriety usually demanded. Their new understanding created a private world between them, one that would soon enough be shared with others, but for now remained beautifully, preciously their own.
As the main house came into view, Anne spotted Marie walking alone along a parallel path. Her sister looked up, noticed their clasped hands, and paused, uncertainty evident in her posture.
Anne made a swift decision.
"Wait here a moment," she requested, gently disengaging her hand from David's.
He followed her gaze, understanding immediately.
"Of course. Take whatever time you need."