Unexpected: Forever His (Book 1)

Chapter 41: Answers and Questions

I smiled again and watched the beauty in the silky fabric of my dress as he held my hand in his and guided me in our music-less dance. I was close enough to hear the beating of his heart and I sighed. "I believe if I have to leave here one more time without the promise of your hand in marriage, I will have to just change my mind and spend the night."

A giggle escaped my lips and I quickly brought my free hand up and covered my mouth. He stopped our movement and lifted his hand underneath my chin and lifted it up. "This is the way he should want you to be. Free." I looked into his eyes and sighed. "Eli, he has my best interests in mind...,"

He laughed. "Ahh, my Katybug. If he had your best interests in mind, why is he taking so long to give me your hand. He sees that I am not going to give up. Every weekend I come here. I would come every night if I could just to make certain I am the only suitor he will consider."

I smiled and glanced bashfully away. I wouldn't tell him there was no point in another suitor. My heart only desired one. "He sees you, Eli. He just..."

"I do not need you to speak for me, Katherine."

At my father's voice, I immediately put an arm's distance between Eli and I. "Smart. Elegant. I've trained her well. She will make a fine wife. Don't you think, Mr. Garrington?"

I glanced up at the man in front of me as I waited for his response. "If I didn't think so, Duke Ramey, I wouldn't be so adamantly courting her." He glanced back at me before he stepped towards my father and held out his hand. "May I have a word with you?"

My father nodded and they walked in the direction of the garden. I smoothed the fabric down on my dress and turned around. As soon as I did, Mrs. Cotton, my handmaiden came and wrapped a shawl around my shoulders. Her soft giggling touched my ears and I smiled back towards her. "If Mr. Ramey is smart, he would marry you off to that boy. I've never seen anyone more dedicated to courting one woman than Mr. Garrington." She stepped around me. "Handsome young man, he is. You'll be well off." She smiled half-heartedly. "Your mother would have approved."

I nodded.

Just then my father cleared his throat from behind me and I turned around. "Katherine."

I stepped closer. "Yes, father." I noticed that Eli was standing a step behind my father to the side. His emotions were blank, so I looked back towards my father.

He cleared his throat again and turned slightly so that he could see Eli as well. "It seems that Mr. Garrington, here, has quite possibly finally convinced me that giving him your hand in marriage is a good choice." I glanced back up at Eli and just barely concealed the grin that dared to make its way onto my face. "What do you say to this, Katy?"

I looked up at my father bewildered. "You're asking me, father?" He only responded with a nod. "I think..." I looked back up at Eli. "That I would like to be his wife."

My father nodded and grasped my hand in his only to pull me forward and place it into Eli's. "I've been watching you two. The truth is I have waited this long to give you my daughter's hand because I have wanted to ensure where your intentions rested. Now I know. After a year. I know. For years to come. Throughout this life, and the next, your souls will hinge on this moment. The moment that your souls chose each other."

I looked closer at Eli than I had ever allowed myself to look and I knew what my father had said was true. This man's possession over me stemmed further than wedding vows. He owned me for eternity and I would always be his to command.