The Lady of My Choosing Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen 

With All My Heart

    Edward was standing in his room, staring at absolutely nothing in particular. He had had just about enough of this dreadful suspense. And there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. Now the slipper was gone... perhaps that would bring relief in some strange sort of way. At least he wouldn't have to look at it every day... to be reminded of his tragic loss.

    All at once, John burst into the room, breathless, Caroline close behind him. He whirled to look at them in surprise. Caroline was smiling as if she was thrilled about something although she looked about ready to faint with exertion, and John was leaning against the wall, gasping for breath.

    "We've found her... sir... She's... she's in the... meadow... Hurry!"

    "You've what? What did you say?" Edward refused to believe his own ears. He wouldn't dare to get his hopes up...

    "We've found her!" John repeated, loudly. "Well? Come on!" he grabbed Edward's arm and pulled him out the door. Edward had no choice but to follow, his heart pounding frantically. Could it possibly be?

    They had reached the stables. John practically pushed Edward onto his horse, then pointed in the direction of the meadow.

    "She's there... really, she is... Princess Incognita! Go, hurry, before she disappears again!"

    Somehow recovering his wits, Edward spurred his horse frantically on, galloping through the gates and on toward the meadow. John stood still by the stables, watching his friend ride off. Caroline came up behind him and slipped her hand in his.

    "I understand now," she smiled. "I believe that we made another's dream come true."

    "God be praised," John answered, feeling mightily relieved. "I'm so glad... so glad. In just one day... all has finally been made right."

oOo

    She had been surprised to find her glass slipper laying there on the ground. How had it gotten there? Perhaps she hadn't dropped it at the foot of the palace steps, as she thought she had, but here in the meadow. As she picked it up and held it, glittering, in the sunlight, she smiled at the memory of when he danced with her. The melody echoed through her mind as she clutched the slipper and whirled through the meadow, dreaming of that beautiful night.

Though that lovely night was only a fantasy,

Though I know that night was all there will ever be,

Dancing in his arms forever,

My heart will never be free...

Dreaming of the night he danced with me.

    The sound of hoofbeats caused her to turn, startled. A single rider was galloping towards her and, instinctively, she realized who it was. In a moment, he had reached her side. Dismounting, he took her in his arms, and all at once, she realized that her distant dream had suddenly come true.

    He kissed her and she smiled up at him with tears in her eyes. To think that her dream could possibly become reality! It was impossible and yet... it was true. She still could not find the words to say for what could possibly be said? He put his arm around her and they walked together in silence, so supremely happy that neither wanted to spoil the beautiful moment by speaking.

    "Why did you disappear at the ball?" he asked finally and she hesitated. How could she answer? Should she confide in him or...

    "I couldn't stay..." she said simply. "After midnight."

    "But why?" he smiled as he shook his head in confusion. "And why didn't you tell me who you were? Did you know how I've been searching for you ever since?"

    "I... didn't realize..." she faltered. "You see... I'm really just... a servant girl..." she stopped and choked back suddenly on her tears. Her secret was out and now he knew what she really was. Would he scorn her, cast her aside, leave her because she wasn't the princess that he thought she was? Why would a prince who could have the choice of any royal maiden he wanted choose her... a servant girl whom nobody loved? She bowed her head in effort to hide her tears but her shoulders were shaking with sobs. Her dream was dying... she had been foolish to think even for a moment that such a beautiful thing could become reality.

    But he did not reject her. He simply pulled her close to him and kissed her again. She buried her face in his shoulder and wept, not knowing if it was tears of joy or sorrow... she was simply overwhelmed. And since her father had died, never had she felt such comfort, such protection, such strength as she did with his arms around her.

    "But I love you, Darling." he whispered. "It doesn't matter to me what you are."

    "Do you really mean that?" she looked up at him, timidly.

    "With all my heart."    

    No words could have made her happier. Her whole world seemed spinning with the wonder of it all. She felt as if she would burst with pure joy.

    "Besides," he added, smiling. "You will be a princess soon anyway."

    Hand in hand, they wandered through the meadows all that day and through the night. As the evening shadows fell, she told him her story. She talked of her father and mother and of their deaths and the shadow that had fallen on her life with their passing. She spoke of the heartless cruelty of her stepmother and stepsisters. She even told him how she had seen him at her father's funeral and how she had watched him secretly ever since. And finally, she told him of the magic that had brought her to the ball that night.

    In turn he told her how he had been nearly forced into one political alliance after another. How he had determined he would only marry the one he loved. And how after the ball he had searched all throughout the country and far beyond to find her, how he had nearly given up in despair.

    And there, under the shining light of the moon and the stars, with the soft wind blowing quietly through the trees, he asked her to marry him.