A Season for Love (Completed)

Chapter 17. 1813

James and Olivia both became bright pink, beaming from ear to ear as they glanced at William. They knew he was right, they couldn't go overboard with their passion just yet. More kisses could be shared that evening at the ball, beneath the mistletoe at midnight. And the passion could be saved for their wedding night. At long last, they had the happiness that was there's forever.

William smiled. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

Olivia giggled, shaking her head and holding up her left hand. "Not at all my brother. Tonight is going to be a most magnificent celebration."

William smiled brightly as he saw the engagement ring and necklace. He moved swiftly forward, taking both of them into his arms and hugging them tightly. "Congratulations to the two of you, I'm so thrilled."

Olivia. "Thank you brother, and I hope that you and Eliza have the same happiness."

William. "Don't worry about me, I know Eliza and I are going to have quite a lovely new year." He gave James a wink.

Olivia's eyes became wide, and a smile of pure joy enveloped her face. "It seems you and I are both going to be newlyweds by next year brother. Father would be so proud."

William. "He certainly would be. No, if the two of you wouldn't mind, I do need some assistance with a few of the beverages for this evening. I need to make sure there are enough bottles of each drink to satisfy everyone."

James and Olivia giggled, rising to their feet and following William down to the cellar where all of the beverages were kept. Entering the room, their eyes scanned row after row of bottles  of wine whiskey port and champagne. They counted each row of bottles to make sure there was enough of everything, and to their satisfaction, there was plenty.  They asked a few of the servants to take some of the bottles upstairs, leaving the rest of them in the cellar to replenish when the time was needed.

***

Several hours later, Olivia was gliding across the dance floor, on the arm of her fiancé. She felt like the happiest young lady in the world, knowing that she was engaged to James Abernathy. The man who loved her, and the man who she loved. She was finally going to receive everything that she desired, everything that was taken away from her.  To complement her new necklace and engagement ring, she was wearing a pale pink off the shoulder silk gown with a sweetheart neckline and white silk gloves. Matching pale pink silk slippers complemented her confection, and her hair was fixed into a side bun with curls.

James was just as exuberant, knowing that Olivia was everything he had wanted.  He was going to be happy, have a wife who loved him as much as he loved her. He felt incredibly lucky to have someone like that in his life, someone who he would never betray or let go of. He made a promise to himself that he would never hurt Olivia like George had hurt her.  For that evening, he was wearing a three-piece black silk suit with black boots and a pale  pink button up shirt and matching cravat.

Olivia smiled at James as they twirled across the dance floor. "I still cannot believe we are engaged. It doesn't seem real to me."

James chuckled, holding her close. "Believe it my darling, because it's very real."

Olivia. "I know it is my darling. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

James brought her tightly against him, and completely oblivious to everyone in the room, brushed his lips softly against hers. "I feel the same way my love, I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. To give you every ounce of pleasure and happiness that you rightfully deserve."

Olivia returned his kiss. "I look forward to giving you all of that myself."

Their eyes and hearts brimming with happiness and love, they continued waltzing across the ballroom. A new chapter of their lives was about to begin, a new adventure that both were ready to experience.  They knew that George and Melinda would never bother them again, and that happiness was completely in their favor.