Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Marie's eyes narrowed, her anger barely concealed as Daniel revealed how much he knew about her plan. "You have no proof of that. It is your word against mine."

Daniel's gaze remained fixed on Marie, his resolve unyielding. "Proof or no, the truth has a way of revealing itself. I will not let you ruin Isabella's reputation or life because of your petty jealousy."

Marie scoffed, crossing her arms. "Petty jealousy? You flatter yourself, Lord Berkshire."

Daniel stepped closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "Is this really a fight that you wish to start?"

The tension in the room was palpable as Daniel's words hung in the air. Marie's defiance wavered, her confidence crumbling under the weight of his unwavering gaze. Before she could muster a retort, the door opened again, and Lady Anne Montgomery, Marie's mother, entered the room with a serene grace that belied the tension between her daughter and Daniel.

"Lord Berkshire, what a pleasant surprise," Lady Anne said warmly, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"

Daniel turned to her, a polite smile on his face. "Lady Anne, I came to return your daughter's necklace. One that was found in my home."

Lady Ann frowned. "But I thought you had already returned the necklace?"

"This is a different one. They all seem to keep appearing in my home. I do not understand why."

Daniel did not need to explain outright; he was sure that Lady Marie's mother could read between the lines and sense that something untoward was going on. It was up to the Montgomery family what they did with that information.

Lady Anne's face paled slightly, her eyes darting to her daughter with a hint of confusion and concern. "Marie, what is this about? Why would Lord Berkshire find your necklace in his home?"

Marie opened her mouth, but Daniel interjected before she could speak. "Lady Anne, I believe your daughter has been spreading false rumors about someone who had worked in your home previously, but now works in mine. Isabella, accusing her of theft to tarnish her reputation. The necklace was found with the help of my household staff, but it was clear that it was placed there intentionally to frame Isabella."

Lady Anne's gaze hardened as she looked at her daughter. "Marie, is this true? I did not even know that Isabella was no longer working here."

Marie shifted uncomfortably, her defiance cracking under her mother's scrutiny. "Mother, I only did what I thought was necessary. Isabella is just a maid. She should not have caught the eye of someone like Lord Berkshire."

Lady Anne's voice was stern, and her disappointment was evident. "Marie, it is not your place to decide who is worthy of someone's affection, especially through deceitful means. Your actions have caused unnecessary pain and suffering."

Marie's face reddened with a mix of shame and anger. "But, Mother, I was only…"

Lady Anne shook her head, silencing her. "You have done more harm than good. Our reputation is built on honesty and integrity, not on lies and manipulation. You owe Isabella an apology and must make amends for what you have done."

Daniel stepped forward, his expression softening slightly. "Lady Anne, I appreciate your willingness to rectify this situation. Isabella deserves to have her name cleared and to be treated with the respect she deserves."

Lady Anne nodded. "I will ensure that happens, Lord Berkshire. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

As Daniel prepared to leave, Lady Anne turned to her daughter. "Marie, you will come with me. We have much to discuss."

Marie reluctantly followed her mother, casting one last glare at Daniel before leaving the room. The tension slowly dissipated as the door closed behind them.

Daniel felt a sense of relief and accomplishment. He had stood up for Isabella and exposed the truth.

Now, there was only one place for him to go: the orphanage. He needed to share the good news with her.

As the carriage pulled up to the familiar building, Daniel's heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. He stepped out and was immediately greeted by the familiar sounds of children's laughter. The sight of the orphanage, a place filled with warmth and life, brought a bittersweet smile to his face. It was here that Isabella had poured her heart and soul, a place that mirrored her kindness and compassion.

A place where he needed to finally make things right.

Walking through the gates, Daniel saw her in the garden, surrounded by a group of children. She was kneeling down, tying a ribbon in a little girl's hair, her face lit up with joy and laughter. Daniel's heart ached at the sight, the beauty of the moment underscored by the knowledge of all the pain she had endured.

Daniel hesitated. He feared that his presence might shatter this moment of peace. But then one of the children spotted him and let out an excited shout.

"Lord Berkshire!" the child exclaimed, and in an instant, all the children were rushing toward him, their faces beaming with excitement. Daniel knelt to greet them, his heart swelling with affection.

As the children clustered around him, Isabella looked up, her eyes widening in surprise. She quickly stood, brushing off her skirts, her expression unreadable as she approached.

"Daniel," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and caution.

"Isabella," he replied, rising to his feet. He took a deep breath, the weight of his words heavy on his tongue. "Can we talk?"

Isabella nodded, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension in her eyes. "Of course, Daniel. Let us step inside."

They walked toward the orphanage, leaving the children to play. Inside, the familiar warmth of the place enveloped them, and Daniel felt a sense of calm wash over him. They found a quiet corner in one of the sitting rooms, away from the bustling activity of the orphanage.

"Isabella," Daniel began, his voice gentle yet firm. "I confronted Lady Marie and her mother today. I returned the necklace that was planted to frame you, and Lady Anne has promised to clear your name."

Isabella's eyes widened with surprise and relief. "You did that for me?"

"Of course I did." He hung his head low. "I have a lot I wish to say to you. To start, I came to apologize. For everything. For doubting you, for not trusting you. It was wrong of me, and I cannot begin to express how sorry I am."

Isabella's eyes softened, and she reached out to touch his hand. "Daniel, I understand why you doubted me. The circumstances were against us, and it is not easy to go against what seems to be evidence. But your actions today have shown me that you do believe in me."

Daniel looked up, meeting her gaze. "I should have believed you from the start. You have always been honest and kind. I let my own fears and the influence of others cloud my judgment."

Isabella squeezed his hand gently. "What matters now is that the truth is out, and my name will be cleared. You stood up for me when it mattered most. That means everything to me."

"No, I was still wrong," Daniel said firmly, shaking his head. "I was wrong to doubt you. Lady Marie...she was the one behind everything. The necklace, the rumors...it was all her doing. I have returned the necklace to her again , and made it clear that is to be the last time. I should have believed you, trusted in your innocence. I let my own insecurities cloud my judgment." He took a step closer, his voice earnest.

"But more than that, I need you to know that my feelings for you are real. They have always been real. And I cannot bear the thought of losing you."

Isabella looked away, a deep sigh escaping her. "Daniel, it is not just about the necklace or the rumors. It is about the differences between us and the world we live in. You are a lord, and I...I am just a woman who grew up in an orphanage. The time apart has made me realize just how foolish we were to think that we could overcome all of that."

Daniel's heart ached at Isabella's words, but he remained steadfast. "Isabella, your background does not matter to me. What matters is who you are—the kindness, the strength, the love you have shown to everyone around you. That is what I love and admire."

Isabella shook her head, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "It is not that simple, Daniel. Society will not accept us. They will judge us, and it will be a constant battle."

Daniel took her hands in his, his gaze unwavering. "Then let them judge. Let them gossip and spread their rumors. I do not care about their opinions. All I care about is you. Together, we can face whatever challenges come our way."

Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "You are willing to give up everything for me?"

Daniel nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely. You are worth more to me than any title or societal expectation. I love you, Isabella, and I want to be with you, no matter what it takes."

Isabella's lips turned up into a warm smile. "Oh, Daniel, I love you too. But I am scared. Scared of what this might mean for both of us."

Daniel pulled her into a gentle embrace, his voice a soothing whisper. "It is okay to be scared. But we will face that fear together. We will build a life that is ours, not defined by others. Please, give us a chance."

Isabella leaned into his embrace. "Alright, Daniel. Let us face this together. I trust you, and I want to build a future with you."

Daniel smiled, relief and joy flooding his heart. "Thank you, Isabella. You have made me the happiest man. But I am worried that I cannot give you everything you need…"

He did not seem to even need to mention children. Isabella already knew what he meant.

Isabella pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. "Daniel, these children here...they feel like my own. They are my family, and I love them dearly. That will never change. I am willing to accept whatever comes our way, as long as we are together."

Daniel felt a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for her. "Thank you, Isabella. Your love and compassion are remarkable. I want to do something to show you how much I care."

He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I want to take over the orphanage, to invest in it and ensure the children have a better life. I want to provide them with everything they need and also give you and Eileen some relief. You have both worked tirelessly for these children. It is time you received some help."

Isabella's eyes widened with astonishment and gratitude. "Daniel, that is incredibly generous. But are you sure? It is a significant responsibility."

Daniel nodded firmly. "I am sure. It is a way to give back, to support you, and to honor the love you have shown to these children. Together, we can make this place even better and provide a brighter future for everyone here. We can give these children the sort of life we would want to give our own. As if they are already our own."

Tears of happiness filled Isabella's eyes as she embraced him tightly. "Thank you, Daniel. You have no idea what this means to me and to the children. We will make this place a home filled with love and hope."

Daniel gently pulled away from the embrace, looking deeply into Isabella's eyes. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Taking a deep breath, he knelt down on one knee, holding the box out to her. He knew that the moment had finally come.

"Isabella," he began, his voice filled with emotion. "From the moment I met you, my life has been brighter and more meaningful. Your kindness, your strength, your unwavering love for these children and for me have shown me what truly matters in this world. I cannot imagine my life without you by my side."

He opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled in the light. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me and build a life together, filled with love, hope, and a shared commitment to making the world a better place?"

Isabella gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at the ring, then back at Daniel.. Before she could respond, they heard a muffled giggle followed by a series of excited whispers. Daniel and Isabella turned to see the group of children peeking around the corner, their faces alight with anticipation.

"Say yes, Miss Isabella!" one of the older boys called out, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Please say yes!" another child echoed, clapping her hands together.

Isabella's tears of joy turned to laughter as she looked back at Daniel. The children's encouragement and enthusiasm filled the room with warmth and love. Eileen, who had been standing nearby, smiled broadly, her eyes also brimming with happy tears.

"Well," Isabella said, her voice trembling with happiness, "how can I say no with all these wonderful children cheering us on?"

Daniel chuckled, his heart swelling with affection for Isabella and the children who had become their family. "So, what do you say?" he asked softly, his eyes locked onto hers.

Isabella nodded, her smile radiant. "Yes, Daniel. Yes, I will marry you."

Daniel rose, gently cupping her face. "Together, we can give love to the children here, at the orphanage. We can give them a home, a family. And we can create a life together, regardless of what society says. All I want is to be with you."

Isabella glanced at Eileen, who gave her a warm, approving nod. "You have always been like a daughter to me," Eileen said, her voice thick with emotion. "And I think Daniel is right. Together, you two can do something truly wonderful here."

Isabella turned back to Daniel, tears streaming down her cheeks. With a tremulous smile, she whispered, "Yes. Yes, I will marry you."

A cheer went up from the children, their joy palpable. Daniel pulled Isabella into his arms, holding her tightly as the world seemed to fade away. In that moment, surrounded by the laughter and love of the children, they knew they had found their true home in each other.

As they pulled apart, Daniel looked into Isabella's eyes, his voice soft and full of promise. "We shall make a life here, together. And we will make sure no child ever feels unloved or unwanted."

Isabella nodded. "Yes, we will. That sounds perfect."

Daniel held Isabella close, his heart overwhelmed with love and happiness. The children surrounded them, their cheers and laughter creating a joyful symphony that echoed through the orphanage. As he looked into Isabella's eyes, he felt a profound sense of gratitude and relief that everything had worked out in the end.

Together, they had faced their fears and uncertainties, and now they stood on the brink of a new life filled with promise and hope. In that moment, Daniel knew that he had found his true home not in the grand estates or the titles he bore, but in the warmth and love of Isabella and the children who had become their family.

With a smile that reflected the joy in his heart, Daniel leaned in and kissed Isabella tenderly. "I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "More than words can ever say."

Isabella's eyes sparkled with tears of happiness as she whispered back, "And I love you, Daniel. Always."

As they stood there, surrounded by the children and the promise of a bright future, Daniel knew that he had everything he had ever wanted. His heart overflowed with a deep and abiding happiness, knowing that they would face whatever challenges came their way together, their love and commitment to each other unwavering.