Chapter 23

M arina's breath caught in her chest as she stopped and looked up, making her sister and mother halt at her side.

"What is the matter, dearest? Are you feeling unwell?" Her mother looked at her with a frown.

"No, it is nothing." She shook her head quickly and looked at her feet, trying her best not to cry.

What does all of this mean ?

She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself as feelings of confusion overtook her mind. Was he trying to win her back? She could not understand why he had not come to see her, but suddenly seemed to be eager to have her back home.

"What is that building?" Prudence asked with a frown.

"I am not certain, dear, it looks like a greenhouse of sorts. Or possibly even a tea garden?" Lady Prudence turned to Marina with the question.

The large structure that seemed big enough to house a few horses, loomed in the distance. A strong wooden frame had been covered by netting that seemed to have been taken from a shipyard.

Lifting her head high, Marina began to walk toward the structure where the duke and Adam were waiting. "I do not know, but I would like to get this afternoon over and done with."

Making their way toward the men, the three women reached the structure as Aaron and Adam bowed.

"Welcome, ladies." Adam greeted them in afriendly tone while Aaron kept his eyes fixed on Marina.

Now that they were closer, Marina could tell that the structure, while still being unfinished, had been crafted with the finest wood. Thick logs made up the corner supports, while thinner logs and planks finished the frame.

"It is not finished yet, but I hope that you will like it," Aaron spoke directly to Marina, stepping aside as he opened the flap that sealed the entrance.

"Isn't this exciting, Mama?" Prudence squealed in excitement and rushed in, pulling their mother along with her.

Adam smiled triumphantly and followed suit, as Marina lifted the hem of her black dress and stepped inside. Her breath was once again stilled as she marveled at the interior of the building.

Small bushes had been planted along the perimeter, boasting various berries and even roses. In the left corner, stood a potted Olive tree with branches that reached the high ceiling that presumably was meant to be finished with glass. She could not believe how beautiful it all looked even though it was far from done.

"Like I said, it is not finished, but I hope that you like it," Aaron whispered behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

Heat filtered from his fingers, reaching her skin despite the thick fabric of her dress. Her eyes fluttered shut and her lips parted when he leaned a little closer, breathing on the scent of her hair as his breath tickled her ear.

"Marina, come and see the table!" Prudence interrupted the moment, squealing once again with delight.

Opening her eyes in shock, Marina realized that she had forgotten herself. Hastening forward, she moved away from Aaron without looking back.

"Isn't it just beautiful?" Her mother asked with a bright smile when Marina made her way to the back of the structure beyond the entryway that had previously hidden things from view.

Marina's chest began to rise and fall with labored breaths when she spotted the white, wicker table and chairs that were big enough to host them all. A smaller table to the side boasted stands of cakes and small sandwiches along with a pot of tea and cups. She almost felt as if she were going to faint as she made her way over and sat, slumping into her seat with effort.

"Please have a seat everyone." Aaron gestured for them all to gather around the table before taking a seat opposite Marina.

Adam sat beside Prudence, stiffening slightly when Isolde came in to serve them all tea. She refused to look at Aaron as she greeted Marina with a curtsy before pouring the tea and serving it.

What does all of this mean?

Marina's heart swelled with confusion as she struggled to understand what the gesture meant. Deep in her heart, she knew why Aaron had done, it. She had told him she wanted it very soon after they had met. Yet he had pushed her away, sent her to live with her mother and sister.

Marina's mother thanked the maid and took her tea, looking increasingly delighted. "Come now, Your Grace, you must tell us what this place is and why you built it. It is simply marvelous!"

Looking up, Marina met his gaze, her heart pounding as she waited for the answer.

"It is a menagerie, Lady Wallace. I built it for Marina. She told me that she wanted one for all of her pets." He held her gaze as the corner of his mouth tugged into a smile.

Gasps of surprise and shock filled the air and even Isolde paused at the news, looking at Marina for her reaction.

"That is quite a grand gesture." Lady Wallace exclaimed and placed her cup on the table.

"Have you ever heard of anything as romantic as that?" Prudence practically melted in her chair as she gave Adam a dreamy look, sighing heavily as she leaned her chin on her hand.

Everything seemed to happen all at once as Marina struggled to catch her breath.

"It is a grand gesture, a very grand one indeed. True love will always prevail." Isolde said tearfully, looking from Prudence to Adam before placing the pot back on the table and turning to leave.

Everyone frowned as Adam jumped to his feet, spilling everyone's tea over the rim of their cups as he bumped the table. Jumping forward, he gripped Isolde's hand and held her back.

"Isolde wait! This can't go on for any longer!" Adam yelled, pulling her closer.

Marina looked around the table in confusion, noting the frown on Aaron's face.

"What is going on here?" Aaron asked.

Swallowing hard before tearing his eyes away from her maid, Adam turned to his brother. "There is something that I need to tell you, something that I have been keeping a secret for far too long."

"Adam don't… you can't give everything up for me," Isolde whispered tearfully.

"Adam? She is addressing him by name?" Prudence looked at her mother in confusion.

Sensing that something was about to happen, their mother silenced her and reached for her youngest daughter's hand.

Adam glanced back at Isolde and pulled her to his side before turning back to Aaron. "No, I can't hide it any longer. I do not care who knows. I have been in love with this woman for a very long time."

"But she is a maid!" Prudence jumped to her feet, rushing from the table as she began to sob.

"I will go after her." Lady Wallace stood, gesturing for Marina to stay.

Sitting back in utter exasperation, Marina looked at Isolde who seemed to be pleading with her to understand. The girl's eyes were filled with tears, while her lips trembled.

"Go on," Aaron said calmly, taking Marina off guard.

Clearing his throat, Adam continued. "The reason that I could not marry Marina is because I have been in love with Isolde. I thought if I married someone else, I could move in with my life, but I soon heard that Isolde would become her maid, I could not bear the thought of seeing her tend to my wife every day when she was the one who truly held my heart. And when Marina invited me to stay, I realized that I would never be able to love another woman for as long as I live." He turned to Isolde now, taking both of her hands in his.

"Adam, I can't accept this. You will be a social pariah and lose everything if we are together!" More tears streamed down her cheeks as Isolde's voice trembled. "You would be a fool to want me. I am not worthy of you, Adam, I am just a maid…"

"Then I will be a fool for the rest of my life, as long as you are by my side." He brushed her cheek with the back of her knuckles before leaning in for a gentle kiss.

Isolde sighed softly before wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning into the embrace.

Aaron seemed to give them a moment, before clearing his throat. "Is that what you truly want?" he looked at Adam when he finally broke away from the kiss.

Giving Isolde a loving look, he pulled her close to his side with his arm around her waist. "It is, I do not care if you cast me off. I want to marry Isolde."

Nodding in understanding, Aaron stood. "Then you have my blessing. I do not know why you thought that I would not understand when I have been a social pariah for the past decade. You may marry whomever you choose, and I will not be casting you off."

Isolde's face filled with disbelief as she sucked in a sharp breath.

"Did you hear that? We have his blessing!" Adam's voice was filled with disbelief as he kissed her again.

Pulling away, Isolde looked him in the eyes. "I can't believe this is happening. I have dreamed of marrying you for so long, but I never thought for a second that it would come true." Tears of joy now filled her eyes as she leaned her head against his and shut her eyes.

Lifting his hand to her cheek, Adam spoke softly. "I think we need a moment alone, what do you say?"

Nodding with a laugh of disbelief, Isolde allowed herself to be dragged from the structure.

Marina had almost forgotten about her own troubles as she suddenly recalled why she was there. "I am happy for Adam. I think that Isolde will be good for him," she spoke softly, not wanting to meet his gaze.

"I am glad, I never suspected a thing, but I can see that he truly loves her." Aaron smiled at her, making her heart ache with the same confusing questions.

A brief moment of silence passed between them before she stood. "Well, I had better go and see how Prudence is doing. She had her heart set on Adam falling in love with her when she made her debut."

"Marina please wait, there is something that I need to say to you." Aaron stood along with her, reaching for her hand.

Pulling back, Marina withdrew her hand. "Aaron, please, I do not wish to do this. Things are well enough as they are."

"They are not," he said more forcefully and came around the table.

"Yes, they are!" The well of emotions that had been building in her chest finally exploded.

"Not before you listen to what I have to say." Coming forward and taking her face in his hands, Aaron gently forced her to look at him. "I love you, Marina. I know that I hurt you, but I am trying to make you see that I was wrong."

Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at him.

He looked to the side in anger at first before meeting her gaze once again. "I was wrong, as hard as it is for me to say, I was wrong, and I love you. I have loved you with every fiber of my being since that day in the chapel. You have consumed my thoughts day and night, and I can no longer ignore it."

"But you…" her voice was broken and frail when she felt herself being overcome by emotions.

"No, no buts. I refuse to let you leave until you hear what I have to say. If you do not love me in return, I will let you go, but I am given to believe that you do love me, no matter how little I deserve that love."

"Aaron I…" Her words trailed off when he shook his head.

"There is more that I must say. Not only do I love you, but I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you. I built this little menagerie with my bare hands, hoping that you would see just how much I want to build our lives together. I want our children to grow up knowing that they were made out of love. This menagerie may just be a small one, but I will build you thousands more if that is what you want."

Hot tears flowed down her cheeks as all the pain and resentment she had been feeling, slowed from her body. "Oh, Aaron..." Her words were silenced by a searing kiss as he dipped his head, devouring her mouth like a man starved.

The kiss lasted for what felt like a lifetime until they drew apart for a breath.

"Will you forgive me?" He whispered while looking into her eyes.

"How could I not when you built me a menagerie with your own hands?" She felt so overcome by emotions that she could barely breathe.

He loves me.

Pulling her back into his arms, Aaron kissed her again before pulling back. "I think everyone else is otherwise occupied right now. Can we please go upstairs and take off that ridiculous black dress? Or do you feel as if there are still things that you need to mourn?" He searched her eyes for an answer.

"I would like that very much." She smiled for the first time in weeks and allowed herself to be led from the menagerie where she was certain that love would bloom forever.