The weeks passed, and Jolene spent time with Alastair during family affairs, as well as dining out and walks in the park. She learned more about him each passing day. After taking the time to turn her attention toward him wholeheartedly, Jolene discovered that she greatly enjoyed his company.
To her surprise, he showed himself to be civically informed and outspoken, with aspirations for politics that she admired. He possessed deep convictions about social injustice and hoped someday to run for office in his district. Frankly, she thought he could go all the way to Prime Minister if he put his mind to it.
As Robert and Grace’s nuptials neared, so did the agonizing decision about what to do about Vienna. The lease on her own estate would expire, and the thought of going home brought mixed emotions. A part of her wanted to return to the roots that she knew and the memory of her stepfather, who left her with a title and more money than she needed. However, her real family was here, in England, with her mother and Robert. Philippe did not seem to mind, and she wondered if he would consider purchasing a home nearby rather than returning to Austria.
“You look absolutely beautiful,” Suzette commented.
Jolene brought her wandering thoughts back. She reached forward and straightened the corner of Grace’s veil so it would lay smoothly.
Grace’s mother smiled approvingly. Jolene stood silently watching the bride examine herself in the mirror for her last fitting. The women decided to make a day of it with lunch, shopping, and trying on the dress all rolled into one busy afternoon. Poor Grace looked exhausted but like an angel.
Her Paris seamstress, recommended by her mother, had done an outstanding job. The beautiful white dress of brocade satin and lace fit perfectly, outlining Grace’s petite frame. With no further adjustments to be made, Grace begged for a reprieve.
“Two more days and I’ll be married,” she heaved a weary sigh. “I need to sleep, or I will swoon from exhaustion at the altar.”
“You do look exhausted,” Jolene agreed, “But you have a glow about you nonetheless. I’m so happy that you and Robert found one another.”
“Oh, Jolene, if it weren’t for you encouraging me to keep hoping, this would never have come about. We both are thankful for your matchmaking abilities.”
“Well, I for one am delighted that Robert found such a wonderful woman,” Suzette gushed. “You have the right temperament and gumption to keep him on the straight and narrow.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that.” Grace giggled. “I have him wrapped around my little finger, but adoringly, of course.” She wiggled the appendage before everyone.
Grace’s mother had a few more words with the seamstress, thanking her for a job well done. When she finished, Suzette and Mrs. Whitefield went to the parlor together to chat, leaving Jolene and Grace alone.
“You make a beautiful bride,” Jolene repeated.
“You will too someday. I’m sure of it.”
Jolene, speechless, returned a blank stare.
“How are you and Alastair getting along?” Grace asked hopefully.
“Fine, I think. I’ve been considering returning along with Father to Austria after you wed.”
“Oh, dear,” Grace moaned. “Please don’t leave us.”
“Well, you and Robert will be off on a two-month honeymoon holiday,” Jolene protested. “There is nothing to keep me here unless…”
“Unless Alastair asks for your hand in marriage?” Grace grinned mischievously. “If he did, would you accept?”
“Now, how am I supposed to answer that question? If I say no, I’ll hurt your feelings, and if I say yes, you’ll run and tell him, won’t you?”
Grace turned and looked at herself in the mirror, puffing her hairdo a bit after taking off the veil. Her faced looked wickedly mischievous.
“Do you know something I don’t?” Jolene pressed.
“I know nothing,” she said, wiping the smile off her face.
Jolene rolled her eyes. “Well, I would be surprised because your brother has been less than affectionate with me. I have never received anything more than a mere peck, and I know it is because of my affair. He despises me for it.”
Grace spun around. “Really?” she drawled. “It sounds like Robert.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, frankly, I think he was so afraid of receiving a broken nose from Alastair, he didn’t make any advances. I practically had to beg him for a passionate kiss.”
Jolene’s eye widened. “Well, that is shocking.”
“Maybe that is what is wrong with Alastair. Robert has threatened him to such an extent that he isn’t making any advances either.”
“Well, I never actually pictured Alastair doing such a thing anyway,” Jolene declared. “However, the way he spoke to me once on the subject of passion, it did make me wonder.”
Grace’s brows rose. “Oh, he’s a good man all right, but don’t let that fool you. When he and Robert were in university together, he partook of the fruit too, if you get my drift.” Grace reached forward and grabbed Jolene by the arm. “Here is what I think you should do. You make the first move. Just kiss him if that’s what is standing between you. See if the spark is there.”
“That dangerous spark,” Jolene said, chiding herself. “I don’t wish to get burned.”
Grace laughed. “Maybe that’s exactly what you and Alastair need to move things along.”
“You need to kiss her passionately,” Grace admonished Alastair. “Otherwise, how will she know if there is a flicker of sexual attraction between the two of you? You’re acting as bad as Robert did.”
“As Robert did?” His brow furrowed like a concerned father.
“It was your fault for threatening the poor man,” she bemoaned. “I practically had to throw myself at him to give me a decent kiss. Thankfully, once we’re married, I get all of him.” She gave Alastair a sisterly poke with her index finger. “So why haven’t you taken Jolene in your arms and swept her off her feet?”
“Ouch,” he complained, rubbing his arm where she jabbed him. “I’m afraid she will think I’m trying to take advantage of her,” he replied, frowning over the lingering pain. “What if she finds it insulting?”
Graced roared with laughter. “Insulting?”
“Well, after what happened, wouldn’t a woman think that I was trying to take advantage of prior weaknesses? I do not wish to disrespect her by making her believe I’m no better than that dastardly fake viscount.”
“Alastair Whitefield, do you love her or not?” She raised her voice loud enough for the servants to hear her bellow.
“Shush,” he whispered, glancing about embarrassed. “Of course I do.” He raked his hand through his hair in frustration. “I may come across as the gentlemanly debonair male, but I assure you that a terrible ache persists underneath my pounding heart. If I don’t marry her, I’ll surely go mad.”
“Oh, dear, you have it bad,” Grace said, grinning in delight. “I have it on good authority that she is only waiting for you to make a move. If you don’t share with her the deep need in her heart, she will never reciprocate.”
“Well, maybe tonight I will.”
“Make it quick, because she is planning to return to Vienna with Philippe after the wedding.”
“Oh, God, no,” he cried.
“So you better sweep her off her feet and show her the passion of your heart. The two of you might discover it to be an arousing occurrence.” She giggled shamelessly.
“Good Lord, Grace. Robert has turned you into a little hussy.” He balked.
“I know,” she replied wistfully. “I do so love it.”
Alastair waited in the Holland parlor, pacing back and forth in worry. His sister drove him to the brink of insanity at times with all her talk about taking the initiative. When Jolene stepped through the threshold, finding him alone and ready to take her for dinner, something in Alastair’s soul broke free.
Like a magnet to its attraction, his feet propelled him forward with such speed that he could barely sense what transpired. He swooped down on Jolene like a soaring eagle, scooping her up into his arms and planting a kiss on her mouth that parted her lips with his tongue. He lost control, throwing all convention of good manners to the wind.
She tasted sublime, and to his utter surprise, she moaned and fell into his arms like a helpless female begging for more. He did not care who saw them. The world disappeared into a faraway place. All that mattered was Jolene and her lips that kissed him fervently in return. If it had not been for footsteps that he heard clicking across the tiled floor outside the door, he would have continued unabashed for hours.
When he pulled away, Jolene's eyes watered with tears. Over her shoulder, he saw the butler pass by and knew then he had to seize the moment before someone else interrupted him. He dropped to one knee and grasped her hand tightly.
“Marry me, my darling Jolene. I ardently love you so deeply that I often feel I will die without you at my side. You are the air that fills my lungs, the blood that courses through my veins, the beating of my heart, and all else that makes me a man. Marry me.”
Jolene’s face appeared void of emotion even though her eyes continued to water. He felt her hand tremble as he squeezed it, realizing he must be crushing her fingers. When he loosened his grip, he looked at her once again, feeling as if he were pleading for his life. Would she have him?
“Oh, Alastair,” she began but then paused.
He held his breath, fighting the horrible possibility this was an introduction of denial. A lump formed in his throat.
“You are such a unique man.”
Alastair lowered his head afraid of what would come next.
“You are attentive, kind, gracious, and most of all forgiving.”
“But…” he responded as if to help her say the next obvious word.
“There are no doubtful buts, Alastair. You have succeeded in winning my heart, and I would be thrilled to be your wife.”
His head shot upward, and he looked into her eyes. “You would… you will… you mean yes?”
“Yes,” she emphatically confirmed. “Now stand up and give me another one of those luscious kisses.”
He sealed her acceptance with his deepest emotions afraid he would die of ecstasy.
“Uh-hum, excuse me,” came a deep voice. “Shouldn’t you be having dinner and not smooching in the parlor?”
Alastair recognizing Robert’s voice pulled away, looking sheepishly at his friend.
“I said yes,” Jolene announced.
“Yes to what?” Robert glanced over at Alastair smirking as if he knew.
“It appears that your friend will one day be your brother-in-law.”
“Well, heaven help me,” Robert bellowed. “Congratulations, and you didn’t even ask anyone’s permission!”
“Oh, dear,” Alastair said. “I haven’t. Not that your consent matters, mind you.”
“You are in luck. Philippe is having a drink with Father in his study. Why don’t you go take care of that now? While you are gone, I’ll try to talk some sense into my sister,” he joked.
“I’ll be right back.” Alastair spun on his heel and headed out the doorway.
“I only have one thing to ask you.” Robert narrowed his eyes and looked at her somberly. “Do you love him?”
Jolene’s cheeks lifted into a broad smile. “He has done an incredible job of stealing my heart. Yes, I love him very much.”
“What about Vienna? You know he wants a career in politics here, not there.”
“Regardless of whether this proposal had come or not, I had decided to sell the estate and move here.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
Alastair burst into the room out of breath.
“Well, that was fast,” Robert said, looking surprised.
“He wants to speak to you in the study.”
“Did he agree to the marriage?” Jolene pressed anxiously.
“Not yet. He wants to talk to you.”
“Oh, dear, well regardless if I have his blessing or not, I am yours.” After a quick kiss on the cheek, Jolene nearly ran down the hall. She knocked on the study and entered, finding Philippe alone inside.
“Come in,” he invited, looking at her earnestly.
Jolene did so and softly closed the door behind her.
“So, Mr. Whitefield has asked for your hand in marriage,” he said in a flat tone. “I told him my thoughts on the matter probably didn’t matter since you had a mind of your own and would make your decision.”
Jolene knelt down before him and put her hand on his knee. “But I value your blessing, Father. I want you to be happy for me.”
“Do you wish to give up your status in Vienna, your childhood home, and your memories there?”
“Yes.”
“I see,” he replied sadly.
“Do you want to go back?”
“Frankly, I’m not sure what I will do with myself once you are married.”
“Those are decisions that we can make together later on. If I sell the estate in Vienna, then I can speak with Alastair about purchasing a home. There will be plenty of room for all of us,” she heartedly offered.
“I wouldn’t think of it,” Philippe objected. “The two of you should live as husband and wife without me wandering around.”
“Then I will make sure that you have whatever you need,” Jolene assured him. “Does that mean I have your blessing to marry him?”
“Yes, if you truly love him, then you have my blessing. The man is enamored out of his senses with you, so I am sure he will treat you well. That is all that I care about.”
Jolene leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.” She rose to her feet and brushed the wrinkles from her skirt. “I’m off to tell him. Oh, what an exciting time it is. Grace and Robert will wed, and then Alastair and I will set a date. I’m so happy I could squeal!”
Jolene sprinted down the hall and burst into the parlor interrupting Robert and Alastair. “I have his blessing,” she cried.
“Thank goodness.” Alastair pulled her into an embrace and then looked over her shoulder at Robert. “We better get you and Grace at the altar so we can make plans.”
Robert’s face went ashen. “Nervous?” Alastair laughed.
“Who me?” Robert said, scoffing off the inference. “Never.”