Of love and deceit

Chapter Thirty-One

Edward dismounted his horse with a deep sigh, his boots crunching against the gravel as he walked toward the grand entrance of Heartland. The estate, once a beacon of familiarity, seemed to have transformed in his absence. The stone façade, though unchanged, felt distant and foreign, almost as if it were a stranger welcoming him back.

The groom took the reins, leading the horse away with ease. Edward looked around, his gaze sweeping over the manicured gardens and the imposing façade. He inhaled deeply, the scent of the blooming roses mingling with the crispness of the autumn air. The sight of his home, after two long months away, was both a balm and a torment to his weary soul.

Mr. Jones, the butler, appeared in the doorway, his eyes widening in surprise and joy.

"Good day, Your Grace," he stammered, clearly taken aback. "Welcome home."

Edward, with a weary but genuine smile, handed over his riding cloak and hat. "It's indeed a splendid day, Mr. Jones."

The butler's astonished expression remained as Edward clapped him on the shoulder, his gesture reassuring. He made his way into the drawing room, the familiar surroundings providing little comfort against the storm of emotions brewing within him.

The sound of a pianoforte floated through the house, delicate and wistful. It was a tune he recognized immediately-Jane's melody. The familiar strains wrapped around him, stirring memories and emotions he had buried deep. As he entered the drawing room, the soft notes of the pianoforte abruptly ceased, replaced by gasps and hurried movements.

The maids, who had been busy in their duties, turned towards the door, their faces reflecting a mixture of shock and curiosity.

"Your Grace!" They curtsied, their voices a flurry of surprised exclamations.

Edward barely registered their presence as his eyes sought the one person who mattered most. Jane, poised at the pianoforte, turned slowly, her hands faltering on the keys. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the sight of Edward. Time seemed to stretch and warp, the room blurring into insignificance as their gazes locked. The air felt thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

Mrs. Anne, who had been seated nearby, rushed towards Edward, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Edward! You're home!" She cried out, her arms enveloping him in a tight embrace. "Thank heavens! We've missed you so much!"

Edward's arms closed around her.

"It's good to see you, Mrs. Anne," he said, his voice choking with emotion.

As she released him, Edward's gaze moved to Jane. The room gradually emptied of its inhabitants, leaving the couple in a cocoon of silence. The scent of roses and cinnamon-a fragrance so deeply entwined with Jane-enveloped him, pulling him back to the present. He took a moment to drink in her appearance, her blue eyes shimmering with a mix of hope and fear. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves, catching the light in a way that seemed almost ethereal.

"Edward," Jane whispered, her voice trembling. Her heart raced, each beat echoing the joy and trepidation that gripped her. Edward's eyes, usually so guarded, were now open and vulnerable.

"I am so sorry," Jane's voice cracked as she struggled to keep her composure.

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she reached to wipe it away. But Edward's hand was already there, his touch gentle and reassuring.

"Shh," Edward murmured, his finger brushing her lips tenderly. "It wasn't your fault."

His hand caressed her cheek, his touch both soothing and electrifying.

"It was never your fault," he repeated softly, as if trying to convince himself as much as her.

Jane's eyes were locked on his, her heart a tumult of emotions. She had dreamed of this moment, but now that it was here, it felt almost surreal.

"I was so blinded by my past," Edward confessed, his voice breaking with raw honesty. "The pain from my father's neglect consumed me. I built walls around my heart, shutting out the very thing I needed the most-love. I was wrong, Jane. I was wrong to push you away, to not see the treasure that was right in front of me. I'm sorry for the hurt I caused. I forgive you for reading my diary. How could I not, when I've always loved you?"

His words were a heartfelt confession, each one weighted with the burden of regret and yearning.

"I could never stop thinking about you," he continued, his gaze never leaving hers. "You were perfect in every way-how you fit so seamlessly into my arms, how your lips feel against mine, how your hair turns golden in the sunlight. Your scent, roses and cinnamon, became my sanctuary. I had forgotten what it felt like to be home, to be truly happy."

He lifted a lock of her hair, his touch soft as he held it between his fingers. "You are my home, Jane. You are my joy."

He gently took her hands in his, his lips brushing each finger with tenderness. "I love you, Jane. Always and forever."

Tears welled up in Jane's eyes, the floodgates opening as her heart swelled with love.

"I love you too, Edward," she whispered, her voice a blend of relief and adoration. "I have always loved you."

Her hands cupped his face, her fingers tangling in his hair as she spoke softly, "And I will always love you."

Their lips met in a kiss that was both tender and fierce, an outpouring of all the love and longing they had kept bottled inside. Edward's kiss was a blend of passion, a testament to the depth of his feelings. Their bodies pressed together, the kiss deepening, each touch and caress a promise of a shared future. When they finally broke apart, Edward's gaze fell upon Jane's slightly rounded abdomen.

"You're pregnant!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of joy and disbelief.

"Yes," Jane confirmed, her smile radiant despite the tears streaming down her face. "I'm three weeks along. I didn't know how to tell you."

Edward's face lit up with pure elation.

"Oh, Jane!" He pulled her into an embrace, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you more than you could ever imagine."

"I love you too, Edward," Jane replied, her smile a beacon of hope and love.

He captured her lips once more, his arms encircling her as he carried her to their bedchamber. The weight of their past, the struggles and heartaches, seemed to dissolve in the intimacy of their embrace. As the first light of dawn began to filter through the curtains, Jane and Edward lay entwined, their bodies pressed close and their hearts full. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions, but in the quiet aftermath, they found completeness in each other's presence.

The chapter of their lives that had once seemed filled with uncertainties and sorrow now opened to a new beginning. With the promise of a shared future and the hope of new joys, they embraced the journey ahead, their love stronger and more deep than ever before.

*Sniffles
Oh my, this chapter left me all teary eyed
Don't you just love a great and happy reunion
I'm glad it ended happily for them
You could say they got a "happily ever after"
I can't believe this book is almost coming to an end. I'm gonna miss Edward and Jane.
I loved writing about them both.

Okay lovelies, enough of my rant😅
Do leave a ⭐ if you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to comment.

*Wipes happy tears