the room laughed and he missed the reason.
Rosalie simply leaned close and told him.
When the minister asked whether she took Gideon Rook willingly, Rosalie answered loudly enough that every person in the chapel could hear.
“I do.”
Gideon watched her mouth.
Then smiled.
The minister asked Gideon the same question.
Gideon spoke carefully.
“I do.”
His voice was rough.
Uneven.
Perfect.
At the celebration afterward, Merrick approached Rosalie.
He carried a small envelope.
“What is this?”
“Something Father had.”
Rosalie stiffened.
Merrick shook his head.
“Not bad.”
She opened it.
Inside was one last letter from Eleanor.
It had never been mailed.
My darling Rosalie,
If you ever read this, perhaps I failed to leave when I intended.
There is something I desperately want you to understand.
A person may love you and still fail you.
A person may call something protection while taking away your choice.
Never
