The Fairest Beauty

“I will marry you, Sophie. I will find a way.” He stroked her hair, then her back. “Please forgive me for wanting you for myself —”

 

“Oh, Gabe, thank you for not giving me over to Valten. I love you, and I can’t imagine feeling the same way about him. Please don’t ever leave me.” She squeezed him tighter, pressing her cheek against his good shoulder. Why did the pressure in her chest feel so intense, even painful? This love was wonderful and frightening at the same time. She’d never felt so vulnerable, never laid her heart bare this way, and it was exhilarating.

 

“I won’t give you over to Valten. I’m just not that good.” He pulled away and she saw the tender smile on his lips. He stroked her cheek with his fingers, sending tingles of pleasure through her. “I am selfish, but you make me want to be a better man. You make me want to be married, to have children, and to be responsible for your well-being and theirs. I want to make you happy.”

 

He bent and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “But we must wait a little while,” he said, his warm breath caressing her forehead. “I have to work things out so that I don’t disgrace you.”

 

“Do you think your family will forgive us?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Won’t Valten be angry with you?”

 

“Let Valten save his own damsel in distress. I’m sure there are other maidens he can fall in love with.”

 

“What about Brittola?” She felt a pang of pity for the girl who had lost Gabe and didn’t even know it yet. “Won’t she be heartbroken?”

 

The smile disappeared from his face. “She couldn’t have loved me much. She rarely wrote to me, and we had hardly spent any time together. Now stop worrying. All will be well.”

 

He tucked her head under his chin and squeezed her tight. She could have remained there all night.

 

But Bartel had only promised them a short time. He would be back at any moment.

 

“What will you do now?”

 

“I have to leave in a day or two, to try to work some things out.”

 

“Can I go with you?”

 

He sighed, then pulled away and pressed his palm against her cheek. “It will be best if you stay here with the Seven. They will take care of you and keep you safe.”

 

“Why can’t I go? Please take me.” How could she bear to watch him leave?

 

“I need to do this alone. Besides, it isn’t proper for us to be traveling alone together.”

 

“You will be safe, won’t you?”

 

“Of course. But I may not be able to be back before my father, or at least his men, come looking for you.” He began to pull away from her slowly, as if reluctant to let her go. “If they insist on you going with them, go ahead and go, and I will follow you to Hagenheim Castle as soon as I can.”

 

“You will make me face your family … alone?”

 

He gently squeezed her shoulder. “You are a brave girl. My family is not frightening. They will love you, just as I do.”

 

Facing his family alone would not be as difficult as other things she’d done in life. After facing the wrath of Duchess Ermengard, she could surely face Gabe’s family.

 

“He’s coming.” He kissed her hand just as Bartel came through the kitchen door.

 

“I trust you have admitted the truth between you.” Bartel still had the somber look on his face, as though he was admonishing criminals.

 

“Yes, we have.” Gabe stood but kept his hold on her hand.

 

“Sophie?” Bartel pinned her with a serious stare, eyebrows raised in question.

 

“Gabe and I are going to be married.” Sophie glanced up at Gabe. The look that passed between her and Gabe made her blush. Poor Bartel, having to see them like this. She felt a little sorry for him, for anyone in the world who wasn’t as happy as she was, and she figured that was everyone.

 

Gabe headed for the stairs, still holding her hand, and they walked up together. Surprisingly, Bartel didn’t follow them, and they were able to share a kiss before Gabe whispered, “Good night, Sophie.”

 

“Good night, Gabe.”

 

The next two days, Bartel didn’t watch them as closely as he had previously. Gabe was grateful for every minute with her. His shoulder was healing, and it was almost time for him to leave. His time was running out, as his father — and maybe even Valten — would be coming for Sophie as soon as Walther told them where they were.

 

The Seven had left Sophie and Gabe to clean up the breakfast dishes while they went about their various jobs. As he stood beside her at the sink, smelling the flowery soap she used, the memories of their first kiss washed over him. She had been so sweet and warm and … he had better keep his mind on the dishes.

 

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