A Scandalous Affair (Completed)

Chapter 12. 1856 

That same night, Nicholas and Amelia were taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the snowy landscape, laughing and talking with one another. They were enjoying one another's company, and closeness, immensely. Their laughter was echoed by the Christmas bells that jingled slightly along the sides of the carriage.
After another 2 miles, Nicholas tapped on the roof of the carriage, silently asking the driver, Watson, to bring the vehicle to a stop. Stepping out of the carriage, he turned and helped Amelia carefully down before swinging her up into his arms and kissing her. He came away, his eyes sparkling as they traveled down her Delicious body that was outlined in a dusty blue velvet gown. "You look magnificent this evening my love."
Amelia became bright pink, but smiled. "Thank you my dear, and you look very ravishing. But you've been so mysterious about this whole carriage ride, I'm dying to know what the occasion is."
Nicholas carefully put her on to her feet before taking her hand and leading her through a patch of pine trees. "You'll get to see your surprise in a moment darling. I know you're going to love it."
After walking about five minutes, Amelia was about to ask what the surprise was, her curiosity completely peaked, when she noticed sparkling fairy lights surrounding them. Her wide eyes traveled around the grove of pine trees that had been decorated with dazzling fairy lights of dusty blue, lavender, gold, pink, and white. Her mouth fell to the floor and she stared at Nicholas with surprise. "What is this?"
Nicholas took her hand. "I thought you would like it. I was wanting this night to be special for us, and I thought a little romantic fairy lights would be perfect."
Amelia. "They are absolutely beautiful."
They held one another tightly for several minutes, watching as snowflakes started falling onto the ground. Their eyes traveled across the fairy lights as they continued to sparkle brilliantly. The moment was indeed perfect.
Nicholas turned to look at Amelia. "There is a reason why I brought you here tonight."
Amelia. "And what is that reason?"
Smiling from ear to ear, Nicholas went down on one knee before her, removing the box from the pocket of his trousers. Taking her left hand into his, he carefully removed the top of the box with his right hand and revealed his mothers ring. "My darling Amelia, over these last two months, you've brought such light and love into my life. You light up every single room that you walk into, and your smile makes my heart fly. You are my sunshine, my moonlight. You make me feel as if I can conquer the world. You see me for who I am as a person and don't judge me on my skin color. You are my everything, and I want you to know that I am going to be here for you through every obstacle life has to throw at us. My sweet and beautiful Amelia, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Amelia was sobbing by this point, tears of joy cascading down her cheeks. She had a feeling Nicholas was going to propose to her, but hadn't realized it was going to be so soon. She smiled radiantly at her fiancé. "Yes, yes I will!"
His own eyes overflowing with tears of happiness, Nicholas carefully slid his mother's ring onto her finger and rose to his feet. He swung her up into his arms, twirling her around, their laughter flowing through the trees. At last, he found someone who loved him despite his skin color. And he adored her regardless of her body shape. He brought his lips down onto hers, kissing her passionately.
Amelia intertwined her arms around his neck, kissing him back with equal passion. Finally, she had love and desire from someone. She was going to be loved and adored by someone. She was no longer going to be ridiculed or criticized by someone for her physical appearance. She was going to be given everything she desired. And the duke of Richmond, her soon to be husband by the beginning of next year, was going to be the lucky gentleman to give her everything. And she, his future Duchess of Richmond, his wife, was going to be the lucky lady to give him everything he desired as well.
Nicholas smiled down at the ring. "It's perfect on you. I hope you like it. "
Amelia. "I love it, it's beautiful. "
Nicolas. "I'm glad you love it, it was my mothers. "
Amelia. "It's even more special to me now. I'm always going to cherish it, just as I'm going to cherish you. "
Nicholas brought his lips to hers for a sweet kiss. "And I am going to cherish you every single day that we are together. "
Exchanging another sweet kiss, they enjoyed the twinkle lights for a few more minutes and then made their way back to the carriage. Climbing inside, they held one another close. Even though they had yet to say those three magical words to one another, they could feel the love pouring from each other's hearts.