You Are Loved

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Guy had been musing all day as to when it would be an appropriate time to ask Morgan to marry him, and knew he'd better ask soon as the sun was starting to set. They had spent the day just enjoying each other's company, they had taken a swim in the river which had ended up leading to other physical activities. Guy could tell that Morgan remained slightly distant, even though she tried to hide it. He hoped everything was alright with her, she hadn't been this distant with him since he first met her all those years ago. "Morgan, I have something I want to ask you—"

"Guy there is something I need to tell you—"

They both started at the same time, Morgan blushed and laughed "Well I guess great minds think alike. You go ahead."

Guy gently untangled himself from Morgan and pulled her up, so she was standing in front of him. 'This is it, it's now or never'  he thought to himself as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled the ring box out; making sure to keep it hidden from Morgan's view for just a little bit longer, "Morgan, I have grown to love you over the years, you have helped make me a better man. I can't imagine my life without you. I want to wake up every morning with you in my arms! Will you marry me?" He finished by slipping the ring on her finger.

Morgan took a moment to study the ring, it appeared to be a silver band, or was it white gold? Morgan always had a hard time distinguishing between the two; however, given what she knew about the European Middle Ages it would rule out the white gold. The center cut gemstone was a sizable ruby that was accompanied by two smaller diamonds, but by no means would be considered "small" in her eyes. The diamonds were followed by a repeating pattern of small rubies and diamonds. She knew that the stones would have been imported from different parts of the world, the rubies would have come from Thailand, Myanmar, or other surrounding countries, and the diamonds most likely from Russia.

When Morgan had been in college, she had written a research paper on gemstones and their properties, she wondered if their meanings were the same then as they were now. Rubies had been associated with wealth, but also love and passion; two of her strongest personality traits! The stone was also said to provide its wearer with protection, something that Guy had been worried about the moment it had been revealed he would be replacing Vaisey. Then there was the softer side of the stones meaning; they were also said to help with fertility and reproduction. Morgan knew that she and Guy weren't currently trying to have children, quite the opposite! However, she knew that Guy wanted a legitimate son so the Gisborne line could continue, he already had a least one bastard son, Seth, by an old castle maid. Morgan wondered if she would be able to conceive once they started trying for a family.

Diamonds were another stone that was associated with wealth and power, you didn't see servants walking around with diamond jewelry. Diamonds were also a reminder of faithfulness and commitment, something that was important to both, given each other's past history. Guy and Morgan had learned the hard way that betrayal often came from a friendly face when you least expected it and almost always left scars as permeant reminders.

'Well, I just have the perfect timing for my confessions, don't I? How can I tell him now? It'll ruin his happiness, and he deserves all the happiness in the world. I guess my secret will come with me to the grave.' Morgan thought to herself dejectedly.

Guy was growing anxious, Marian had said that Morgan would want to marry him, but Morgan almost looked disappointed. Had he misjudged their entire relationship, did she not love him as he had thought? Was she rejecting him? "Forgive me, I can see I rushed you and you do not want me. You may keep the gifts and after I escort you home, I promise I will not bother you..." he trailed off.

"Guy you are mistaken! You simply took me by surprise, I never thought in a million years that you would want me as your wife. You can have any woman in the world and yet you choose me, the one who is damaged goods. Guy, I love you with all my heart, of course, I will marry you!" Morgan exclaimed as she pulled Guy up and threw her arms around him, kissing him as she'd never kissed him before. When she pulled away, she looked at him "I hope that reassures you and chases all doubt from your mind!"

"Hmm, I don't know, I might need more convincing" Guy mischievously said, winking at her.