Chapter 14

Fourteen

T he drawing room was quiet save for the gentle crackling of the fire and the faint chiming of the grandfather clock in the corner. Grant stood unmoving before the frost-kissed windows, his dark silhouette framed by the morning light. In his hand, he held a delicate sapphire ring, its facets catching the warm glow of the fire. The ring, an heirloom passed down through generations of Ravenscroft, felt heavier than it should, as if infused with the weight of his intentions.

Breathe, he reminded himself, his chest tightening.

The soft creak of the door drew his attention, and Grant turned just as Charlotte entered. She hesitated in the doorway, her hair catching the light like spun silk. The vivid green of her gown made her look every bit the vision that had haunted his thoughts since they separated last night.

“Grant,” she said softly, the warmth of her voice tinged with curiosity. “Your summons was... unexpected, especially on Christmas morning.”

Her lips quirked into a small smile, her gaze sweeping the room. Holly and ivy adorned the mantle, their red berries gleaming in the firelight. Mistletoe hung subtly from a corner, its placement not accidental.

He inclined his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “Charlotte, I appreciate your indulgence.”

Her brows knit slightly, her curiosity deepening. She stepped further into the room, the rustle of her skirts faint against the plush carpet. “You sound as though you carry a heavy burden. Is something amiss?”

His gaze softened, his usual steely composure giving way to something rawer, more vulnerable. He stepped toward her, the ring glinting in his hand. “Nothing is amiss, my lady. Quite the opposite. I wished to speak with you privately, away from prying eyes.”

Charlotte’s breath hitched as she noted the intensity in his expression. Her pulse quickened, though whether from anticipation or apprehension, she could not tell. “And what is it you wish to discuss?”

Grant’s heart thundered, though he maintained his calm exterior. “Charlotte,” he began, his voice low, “you have been a force of change in my life. From the moment we met, you’ve defied my expectations, challenged my assumptions, and awakened parts of myself I thought long buried.”

Charlotte blinked, taken aback by the openness of his words. Her chest tightened with a mix of hope and disbelief. “Grant...”

He took another step closer, the sapphire ring cradled in his palm. “I was a man content with duty, with the rigid structure of my life. But you—” He paused, his gaze meeting hers, unguarded for the first time. “You’ve reminded me of what it means to feel. To hope. To want something beyond what is required of me.”

Charlotte’s breath caught, her mind spinning. How had they come to this moment? From adversaries to confidants, and now... what?

Grant’s voice softened, each word deliberate. “This ring belonged to my grandmother, a woman as strong-willed as you are. She always said it symbolized resilience, love, and the enduring strength of family.”

He extended the ring toward her, its sapphire glowing like a drop of captured sky. “Today, I wish to pass it to you, Charlotte. Not as an heirloom, but as a promise. A promise of a future built not on vengeance or regret, but on trust and partnership.”

Charlotte stared at the ring, her vision blurring with unshed tears. The enormity of his words—and the gesture—left her momentarily speechless. She reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed against the cool metal.

“Grant,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I... I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you will allow me the chance to prove myself worthy of you,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Say you’ll let us begin anew, free from the shadows of our past. Marry me, Charlotte.”

Her heart swelled, a tidal wave of emotions crashing over her. She thought of all they had endured—the anger, the misunderstandings, the fragile trust that had blossomed between them.

Her fingers curled around the ring, its comforting weight grounding her. “Grant,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute, “I accept your promise. I will marry you. And I have something for you as well.”

Grant’s breath hitched. “Your do?”

Charlotte smiled through her tears, reaching into her pocket to retrieve a small package wrapped in silk. “I had not planned to give this to you today, but it feels right.” She held the package out to him, her gaze steady despite the rapid beat of her heart.

Grant accepted the gift, his strong hands carefully unwrapping the silk. His eyes widened as he revealed a small, intricately crafted silver pin in the shape of two intertwined ravens. Their wings spread in a gesture of unity and flight.

“Charlotte,” he breathed, his normally commanding voice hushed with awe. “This is remarkable.”

“It is the only thing of value I managed to save,” Charlotte explained, her words tumbling out in a rush. “I believe it represents us—two individuals bound by shared trials, but moving forward together. Stronger because of it.”

Grant’s fingers brushed over the delicate design, his throat tightening. “It’s perfect,” he murmured, his gaze lifting to meet hers. “I will cherish it always.”

The vulnerability in his expression undid her, and Charlotte found herself stepping closer. “Grant,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve given me something I thought I’d lost forever—hope. And for that, I am forever grateful.”

Grant’s hand reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek. “And you have given me a second chance at happiness, Charlotte. Something I never thought possible.”

The air between them crackled with unspoken emotion, the world narrowing to just the two of them. Slowly, reverently, Grant leaned down, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that spoke of forgiveness, devotion, and the promise of a shared future.

As they parted, breathless and full of quiet wonder, Charlotte rested her forehead against his. “Merry Christmas, Grant,” she murmured, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Merry Christmas, Charlotte,” he replied, his voice filled with unshakable certainty. “The first of many.”

Hand in hand, they turned to face the door, the world beyond shimmering with the magic of a new beginning. Together, they stepped into the corridor, ready to forge a future built on love and trust.