We turn, following the sound of the music. “And now you can do as you will.”
My eyes widen. Throughout this entire process, Livingston has put up a fight. I don’t know what to say.
“No, I can’t.”
He looks down at me, his hazel eyes searching. “Why not?” he quietly demands.
I stare back at him, imploringly. “Because I have to make a decision.”
I miss him more than I ever anticipated. But the lust was temporary. I still wanted love. I still wanted a future and a family.
The hand on my waist tightens as though he can sense the direction of my thoughts.
“Livingston, please be honest with me. Did you do this?”
Slowly, he shakes his head. “I didn’t.”
“But—”
“Rainey,” he cuts in, his voice quiet. “I didn’t pay the debts.”
If he didn’t pay the debts, then who did? There’s no time to wonder about that. The song begins to draw to a close. While other dancers begin to smile at their partners, and slow their steps. Livingston and I draw closer. His grip on me is so tight there is no way I can break free. He leans in until his cheek is pressed against my temple. He can’t leave. There’s so much I need to say to him.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper for only him to hear.
“I’m so sorry for hurting you,” he says against my ear. “I love you, Raina. I’ve loved you for years. Admired you for your quick aim as a girl with your bow and arrow. Applauded your strength when your daddy died. Recognized your beauty when I came home from France. I loved you all along. I’ve loved you when I didn’t know anything else. If you pick a bachelor today, that’s fine. I can love you from afar again.”
He finishes, and I don’t breathe. I only repeat his words over and over in my head. I didn’t imagine them. In the middle of the ballroom, I briefly rest of my forehead against his chest. I close my eyes and breathe deep.
“Rainey?” Serene says from beside me.
My eyes flash open. I lift my head from his chest. With wide eyes, I stare at him, breaking the hold Livingston has over me.
Before I can say anything, she grabs my hand and pulls me away from him. I feel a sense of panic and stop myself from reaching out to him. Will this be my last time alone with him?
Serene and I weave our way through the heavy crowd, forcing me to face forward. We stop beside the double doors where Étienne stands.
“You look lovely, Rainey,” he says in way of greeting.
“Thank you,” I say hurriedly.
I look around Étienne, in the direction where I left Livingston, but he’s gone. Did he leave? He can’t leave.
“There’s an impressive number of people here,” he mentions casually.
“Mmmhmm,” I reply. Where did Livingston go?
“I saw my brother dance with you.”
At that, I stop searching and stare at the hulking man beside me. Everyone in Charleston is afraid of Étienne. From his no-nonsense approach to business, to the fierce scowl on his face. He isn’t as imposing and fierce as everyone thinks. Growing up, I watched how he protected Nat and, at times, even me. And when he married Serene, you could tell there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.
“Yes, it was kind of him,” I say cordially.
“Nothin’ kind about it. He loves you,” he blurts. “And you love him. And you’ve loved one another for years. That’s irrelevant right now. What you need to ask yourself is, if time took him away from you, what would you do?”
“Time?”
He nods, his eyes sharp and focused as he waits for my answer. It’s a weird question. One that I’ve never considered because it’s impossible. But for the sake of answering, I imagine Livingston being here and gone the next. It would kill me. It would be as painful as losing Miles. But if time took him, and I knew he was out there somewhere, I’d wait for him because there will never be another Livingston Lacroix.
Étienne nods and smiles. “Yes, he’d wait for you, too.”
For several seconds, I stare at Étienne. That’s the most I’ve ever heard him talk.
Serene walks back to us, lightly clapping her hands. “Are you ready?”
There’s no more delaying. Time to decide. “Yes. I’m ready.”
Before she has a chance to get everyone’s attention, I grab her arm and pull her back to me. Urgently, I whisper my decision into her ear.
Serene nods her head in understanding, and when I’m done, she squeezes my arm. “Very well.”
I can feel Étienne’s sharp eyes on me.
Serene nudges Étienne, so he looks around and loudly clears his throat. Immediately, people begin to quiet down. There are shushes and whispers and silence across the ballroom as all eyes turn in our direction.
My heart is beating so fast I think I may faint. My God, please let this end.
Serene smiles at all the guests. “When my lovely friend Miss Rainey Pleasonton expressed interest in finding a suitable husband I was more than happy to help her find the perfect husband. But we had a dilemma because she deserved the very best. However, I think we can all agree that it’s going to take a strong Southern man to stand next to Miss Pleasonton.”
A small ripple of laughter moves across the room. I smile at everyone, and then I spot him in the corner watching.
Livingston.
He didn’t leave after all. With his arms crossed, he watches me with something close to sadness.
Serene looks at me from the corner of her eye before she says, “I’m beyond thrilled to announce that after all the men she spoke and courted with, Miss Pleasonton has chosen Livingston Lacroix.”
There’s a pregnant pause in the room. Everyone in the room looks around.
I hear a guest say, “He was one of the bachelors?” I notice Conrad and Duncan throw up their hands in frustration.
Murmurs grow louder as people talk amongst themselves and search for the man of the hour.
Finally, everybody spots Livingston, and in unison, they part so there’s a small path for him. I take a deep breath and stop myself from walking to him.
Livingston pushes away from the wall. His arms are at his side. I could have hit him with another arrow and stunned him less.
Between Étienne and Serene, I wait to see what his response will be. Livingston can say no. I’m making a bold declaration by choosing someone who was never in the running.
Slowly, he begins to walk toward me. His eyes never leave mine the entire time. I ignore the voices around us and my own fear for what his answer will be.
When he reaches me, he doesn’t wait for me to explain myself. He doesn’t wait for anything. He frames my face between his large hands, and in front of everyone, he kisses me soundly on the lips.
I hear the gasp, and then claps echo in the room.
I don’t care. I don’t care about anything except for this.
Livingston loves me.
I place my hands over his to keep him in place.
Livingston loves me.
He pulls away. “You are forever my queen. The only woman I need. I love you, le savauge.”
I nod, afraid to even speak. “I love you too.”
“I’m still stubborn, and I’ll drive you mad.”
At that, Étienne snorts.