Slowly, she pulled away, leaving his arms feeling empty. She stepped back a little, and held out a fist to him.

He frowned, confused as he watched her unclasp her fingers. It was only a second before he recognized the ring that sat in her palm.

Ethan panicked —was she rejecting him? Was she asking for a divorce? Did she not like the ring? Fear bombarded his mind until all he could do was stare at the ring that sat in his palm as the rain tried to drown it. He could tell that Gretchen remained standing before him but he could hardly muster the courage to look at her.

They stood before each other for a while until he gently lifted his gaze to her face. One look at Gretchen and his fear melted away —Ethan didn't know why, but he understood very well what she was asking of him, even if she didn't speak.

Placing one knee after another on the wet grass, he said, “Lady Gretchen Williams, I believe this is my third proposal in one year. However, I did promise to ask everyday if I have to." A smile claimed his face. "Will you, my love, stay married to me and come home with me?"

It was only then, as he knelt before her, that a smile finally settled on Gretchen's face —a smile that filled him with unspeakable joy as he stared at the woman he was certain, he loved.

She stretched out her hand to him, "I will."

Those two words, spoken so simply, sent a wave of joy rippling through his heart, hastening its pace as he slipped the ring back to its rightful place in her finger.

Rising to his feet, Gretchen immediately fell into his arms once more, sending yet another wave of joy through his entire body as her body reconnected with his.

And in that second, he knew that he never wanted to be separated from her, ever again.

Chapter Forty One

Ethan sat beside Juliet in the carriage, his fingers balled into a fist. He kept his gaze straight ahead and while it was somewhat of a long journey to town, he hadn't uttered a single word since they got into the carriage.

They were headed for the courthouse.

Juliet released a tired breath and leaned back in her seat. She was about to lose her daughter and she knew, as she stared at him, that she lost him months ago —she lost him to Gretchen.

It had been five days since the dinner. Five days since she made the announcement of the kiss she shared with Ethan. Five days since she watched him practically race into the rain in search of Gretchen. Five days since she followed the couple into the rain as well. She had been so furious, it hadn't mattered to her that the rain was ruining her perfect dress and hairdo. All that had mattered to Juliet was finishing what she started; ending their marriage.