Molly-Jane Walter

Chapter Ten

The grandfather clock finally struck ten. Everyone decided they were ready to retire, so Gilbert and I pretended to go to our rooms, heading upstairs with everyone else. Gilbert bid Miss Doyle goodnight, and then came over to me to 'pretend' to bid me goodnight. Once everyone had gone into their rooms and shut the door, Gilbert grabbed my hand and we ran downstairs as quietly as we could and out to the lake. It looked JUST like that night I spent with Gilbert, where we danced under the light of a full moon. I was so excited to be alone and reliving that magical night again. Still holding hands, Gilbert and I run to the gazebo, laughing and smiling. Once inside the gazebo, Gilbert pressed his lips to mine. I was shocked, but it felt so amazing. I wrap my arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist. My heart soared with love and happiness. This was how it felt to be in love, and I felt like my heart would burst! We broke apart, still wrapped in each other's arms. I couldn't help thinking back to what Lillian had said: 'I know he likes you and you like him', HOW Lillian could possibly know that, I had no idea. But I needed to be sure. I just didn't know how to find out the truth. If Gilbert DIDN'T have feelings for me, and I asked him about it or hinted at it, it could ruin the friendship. The thought of not being friends with him absolutely terrified me. Although...he HAD just kissed me...friends didn't kiss like that. "What are you thinking about?" Gilbert asked as he twirled a piece of my hair around his finger. "Ummm..." I hesitate. "Molly, whatever it is, you CAN tell me. I don't want there to be any more secrets between us." Gilbert insisted. I take a deep breath. "Why did you kiss me?" I ask. Gilbert burst out laughing. "What?" I ask, hurt that he was laughing when I was being serious. "Oh, I'm sorry, Molly. I wasn't laughing at you. I just thought it would be obvious as to why I kissed you." I shake my head. Gilbert sighed and faked frustration. "And here I was thinking I was making it obvious." He chuckled once. "Well, what is it?" I ask. "Molly, you really don't know?" Gilbert was shocked. I shake my head again, confirming I had no idea what in the world he was going on about. "I'm in LOVE with you, Molly!" He exclaimed. "You're...in love with...me?" I could barely get the words out for how relieved I felt. Gilbert nodded. "For a very long time. If you don't feel the same way, I completely understand. I just wanted you to know how I felt about you." He admitted. "Gilbert, I DO feel the same way," I exclaim. Gilbert's face lit up. "Then why didn't you say anything?" He questioned. "Because I didn't know you felt this way about me. And besides, governesses do not marry gentlemen." I remind him. He scrunched up his face when I mentioned status. "Molly, you should know by now, that status means nothing to me." I nod. He'd said so many times that he couldn't care less about status.

I lean my head on Gilbert's shoulder as he rested his chin on my head. I sigh, full of happiness. "I love you, Molly. I love you more than life itself." Gilbert whispered tenderly. "I love you too, Gilbert. You're the most important person in my life. You make me so happy." I tell him, leaning up to kiss his cheek. He brushed a few stray hairs from my forehead and leaned down to kiss me again. When he pulled back, he wrapped his arms around me again. Wrapping my arms around his back, I lean my head on his shoulder again and closed my eyes. "I really don't know what I would do without you, Gilbert. You're my angel, and I love you with everything I've got." I say. "My darling, you'll never have to be without me. Ever. I promise you, I'll ALWAYS be here, night and day, I'll never let go of you. I'd give my life for you, Molly. You mean that much to me. I'd do anything for you." He stroked my back tenderly. We sat for a little while watching the fireflies, their light casting a small glow on the grass and trees. I hold Gilbert's hand in mine as we watch the fireflies. "This is by far the second-best night of my entire life," I tell Gilbert. He laughed. "I'm serious. The first best night was dancing with you by the lake, and the second-best night is tonight." I tell him. "Which night is better, then? This night, or the first night?" Gilbert asked quietly, a smile played on his lips. "Oh, that's too hard to compare! I loved dancing with you, but I also love your kisses. Your kindness, how caring you are, I love everything about you, Gilbert, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." I blush. "Well then, I guess there's one question I have to ask you." Gilbert grinned. "And what would that be?" I ask, smiling, my heart beating wildly. Gilbert didn't respond, and before I knew what was happening, he was down on one knee, holding a ring with blue diamonds. They were the exact same shade as my eyes. "Molly-Jane Walter, since the first day I met you, I knew you were the one for me. I've loved you more than I've ever loved anyone. You're my best friend, my one true love, my comfort, my companion and my refuge." Gilbert said as he gazed into my eyes. I cover my mouth with both hands, tears filling my eyes. "Will you go through life at my side, be my constant comfort and my one true angel?" Gilbert asked me tenderly. I was speechless, tears started pouring down my cheeks. "Oh, Gilbert, yes! Yes, yes, yes!" I cry happily. Gilbert laughed and slid the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly. Gilbert stood up, and I kiss him with everything I have. I wrap my arms around his neck as he cupped my face. "Oh, Gilbert," I whisper against his lips. "I love you so, SO much. Words cannot begin to describe how much I love you." I whisper again. He kissed my forehead lightly in response. "Do you like your ring?" Gilbert asked me gently. "Like it? Gilbert, I LOVE it! How did you get the diamonds to be the same colour as my eyes?" I ask, absolutely awed. Gilbert laughed. "My mother happens to know a woman named Marie D'uvanji, her husband owns the jewellery shop in town. Well, Marie owed me a favour when I rescued her little boy who had climbed quite high up in a tree to retrieve a ball a few months ago. So, that day when I told you I'd take you to see the swans, thanks to you sleeping so long, it gave me enough time to take a carriage into town, see Marie, and get your ring." Gilbert explained. "OH!" I gasp. "I told Marie the colour of your eyes, and she pulled out some diamonds in various shades, and I simply picked the ones that looked just like your eyes." Gilbert told me. "When you found me sitting by the lake, I had just gotten back from town, about five minutes or so, so it was perfect timing." Gilbert winked. "Oh, Gilbert Harding! You do have tricks up your sleeve, don't you?" I giggle. "Indeed I do." he laughed. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and I snuggle into him, sighing happily. "Gilbert?" I ask gently. "What is it, my darling?" He smiled. "Where would we be married? And what about our honeymoon? Where would we go?" I ask excitedly. Gilbert laughed. "We can be married anywhere you'd like, and as for the honeymoon, why not travel to Paris, London, Scotland, Ireland, all the places we've dreamed of going?" Gilbert asked and winked. I grin. "I'd like that very much! But don't you have a certain place you want to get married at?" I ask, raising my eyebrows. Gilbert shook his head. "Molly, as long as I'm with you, and marrying you, I don't care WHERE we get married." I giggle, then thought for a moment. "Why don't we get married here?" I ask. "We could get married in the gazebo, and all the guests could be seated in front of the lake. What do you think?" I ask, my voice full of excitement. Gilbert's eyes sparkled. "I love that idea." He whispered and squeezed my hand. "So, soon-to-be Mrs. Harding, would you care to dance?" Gilbert bowed. "I would love to!" I gush, curtsying in return. Just like the first night, Gilbert and I danced around the lake, oh reader, it was SO romantic!