Chapter 24 - THE PROPOSAL THAT WASN’T AN ALLIANCE
Three years after ballroom, Julian took Nora to Maine.
Helena had dreamed restoration studio there.
Nora knew proposal possible because Julian became suspiciously bad at casual.
He booked small inn, not private estate.
On cliff walk he did not kneel immediately.
He said:
“I need ask something before ring.”
Nora laughed.
“Terrifying.”
“I don’t want you to marry Hawthorne.”
“I don’t want you to marry mother’s story.”
“I don’t want to marry you because you saved me.”
“You didn’t.”
Nora looked.
“You did too much therapy.”
“Yes.”
He continued:
“I want you because I like mornings with you.”
“Because you argue with my financial adviser.”
“Because you leave cabinet doors open.”
“Because you tell me when I’m turning control into care.”
“Because I trust you to leave if I become someone you cannot live with.”
Her eyes filled.
“That last is romantic?”
“For us.”
She laughed.
Then he knelt.
No Helena ring.
New ring chosen together? Maybe he proposes with simple antique emerald? Could echo but not copy. He held plain platinum ring with small emerald and diamond.
Nora:
“You used emerald.”
“Yes.”
“Too much?”
“A little.”
He smiled.
“Will you marry me?”
She said:
“Yes.”
Then:
“With prenup.”
Julian laughed.
“Absolutely.”
She:
“Independent lawyers.”
“Yes.”
“Separate inheritance.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t put my scholarship under Hawthorne.”
“Yes.”
“Stop saying yes before hearing.”
He laughed harder.
She kissed him.
Engagement not corporate alliance.
No Prescott merger.
No father negotiation.
Choice.
Camille sent congratulations:
Please don’t serve champagne near Nora.
Nora laughed despite.
Elias:
Too soon.
Camille:
Three years.
Humor.
Grant received letter through prison mail.
He replied:
I hope you build something freer than we did.
Nora read.
“Do you want him at wedding?”
Julian thought.
“If released by then.”
“Maybe.”
“Not because forgiveness complete.”
May you like
Good.
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