Kingsley's Bride

Chapter 29: The Devil's Bargain

Today at the fair, I encountered a gentleman unlike any I have ever seen. He was at the shooting stall, tall and broad-shouldered, with a presence that commanded attention.

His hair was a striking shade of red, the color of embers glowing in the hearth, and it caught the sunlight in a way that made it appear almost aflame.

But it was his eyes that truly captivated me, an arresting green, like the deepest of emeralds, sharp and clear, as though they could see right through to the depths of one's soul.

When he offered to assist me with the rifle, I found myself momentarily lost in those eyes.

'Allow me to help you,' he said in a voice that was both gentle and confident, his accent betraying his foreign origins.

His hands were steady as he guided mine, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had stilled around us.

As we spoke, I could not help but notice the way his red hair caught the breeze, tousling slightly in the wind, giving him an air of carefree charm. There was a warmth in his smile, one that made me feel as though I had known him for far longer than the brief moments we had shared.

It is strange, how quickly one can become enamoured. His every word, every gesture, has lodged itself in my mind, and I find myself eager for the next time our paths might cross.

We conversed at length after that. His name is Nikolai, and he is not of this land. He has come in search of employment, yet there is a quality about him that sets him apart from any gentleman I have ever encountered. It is as though I have known him for an age, though we only just met.

Knowing of his origins I tried not to fall for him, but I couldn't.

I believe I am beginning to develop feelings for him. It is most peculiar, how swiftly this has transpired. But there is a vitality he brings to my life, a lightness I had not realized was missing. He makes me laugh in a way I have not done in years, and when he gazes at me, it is as though the world fades away.

Today, Nikolai confessed his feelings.

It was on a beautiful summer's day that Nikolai proposed to me. He took me to a secluded spot by the river, where the trees formed a canopy overhead, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze.

The water sparkled in the sunlight, and wildflowers bloomed along the riverbank, their colors vibrant and alive. It felt as though we had stepped into a world all our own, far removed from the troubles that plagued us.

Nikolai took my hand and led me to a patch of soft grass, where we sat together, the sound of the river a soothing melody in the background. He looked at me with those captivating green eyes, his expression serious and tender all at once.

'Miss Meredith, I know I am but a foreigner in this land, with little to offer, but my heart belongs to you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?'

In that moment, I felt as though my heart might burst with happiness. I had never been so sure of anything in my life.

I told him yes, that there was nothing in the world I wanted more than to be his. We embraced beneath the trees, and for a brief, shining moment, everything felt perfect.

And, in that moment, I could not hold back my own admission. I told him that I, too, am besotted, that my heart races whenever I think of him.

I couldn't wait to let Scarlett know about all this. I am waiting eagerly for her to come back from Mr. Harry's house.