Caroline sat alone in the library but, for once, she was not reading. She did not even have a book in her lap. She sat with her head bowed, her lips moving, though no sound came out, for she was praying. In the past few months, she had found comfort only when spending time with the Lord. Without Him, she knew she would never have lived since that terrible night.
All was silent except for the ticking of the clock. There was no light in the room except for the sunlight filtering in through the windows and the garden doors. She felt a measure of peace in all that solitude and quietness, in spite of the fact that, before long, her acceptance of the Earl of Rambouillet's proposal would be sent speeding on its way towards the bordering country.
All at once, the doors flew open and John burst into the room, startling her. For a moment, she was seriously alarmed for never before had she seen such a look on his face. She rose quickly but he just stood there, staring at her.
"John!" she cried softly, motioning him back. "Please! Remember… remember…" she stopped, brokenly. He said nothing but moved towards her and knelt at her feet, taking her hand in both of his. Frightened that someone would enter the room and find them there, Caroline didn't know how to act.
"What is it, John?" she whispered, tears in her eyes. He looked up at her and she was startled to see that he looked… joyful. Triumphant.
"Caroline!" he cried. "Darling! I… I don't even know what to say…"
"Please, John! We shouldn't be together at all. If the queen finds out…"
"It doesn't matter if the queen finds out!" he was almost laughing, he seemed so happy but she was so afraid.
"Tell me, John!"
"Caroline… my lady Caroline… the prince… Edward… has knighted me." he paused and Caroline gasped, her eyes growing wide.
"What did you say?"
"Edward has knighted me." he repeated. After all the months, nay, the years of heartbreak and loneliness and sorrow… the hopelessness… the crumbled dreams… Caroline could scarcely believe his words. Trembling, she sank to her knees beside him. The whole room was spinning dizzily around her… she could feel his arms around her… and he was laughing.
"Well, Caroline, how can I propose properly if you insist on kneeling as well? I'm afraid that's not how it's done!"
"You really mean it, don't you?" Caroline gasped, burying her face in his shoulder. "Tell me I'm not dreaming… tell me I'm not dreaming!"
"You're not dreaming."
For an instant, Caroline was aware of the breach of protocol they were committing as they knelt there on the library floor, laughing and crying. But she didn't care. She wouldn't care if the king himself walked in.
Which he most certainly did.
And what is worse, he was followed by Queen Elinor and her attendants.
"I say!" he cried in amazement. "This is highly irregular! May I ask what on earth is going on in here?"
Caroline felt the blood rushing into her cheeks as John quickly stood and helped her to her feet. On encountering Queen Elinor's angry gaze, she felt again that old fear. If it hadn't been for John still holding her hand tightly, she felt certain she would have faltered beneath that gaze.
"Caroline, I have given express instructions!" said she, icily. "Do you realize what this means?"
Caroline searched wildly for the words to say but John answered for her.
"Forgive me, your Majesty, I'm afraid I should have spoken to you first…"
"And what say do you have in this matter?" she interrupted, sharply.
"Much, I believe, your Majesty. You see, his Royal Highness has just made me a knight of the order of Saint David and therefore, set me at liberty to ask the Lady Caroline to become my wife." Caroline drew in her breath sharply and it was then that John remembered that he had not actually asked her yet. "That is," he continued, "If I may have your blessing."
"Indeed!" the king cried enthusiastically. "There's an interesting turn of events for you, my dear!" he turned to the queen.
"That" returned that worthy lady, "Is what comes from falling in love. Well then, Caroline, I'm afraid I can no longer forbid you. I suppose congratulations are in order?"
"I…" Caroline began, glancing nervously at John.
"Not yet, I'm afraid, your Majesty," John laughed. "I hadn't quite gotten around to asking her. You see, we…"
"Well, get on with it, then, get on with it!" the king urged. "Let's put an end to this matter and that will be one less young person to worry about."
From where they stood behind the queen, Lady Allison and Lady Susan exchanged glances, both trying to suppress their laughter. Caroline blushed in discomfort. She knew that within the hour the entire household would have heard the story from the chancellors down to the kitchen maids. But John had turned to her again.
"I'm afraid I shall have to start over." he knelt again, not caring for the others in the room. Why should he care who knew it? He could have told the whole world, for the Lady Caroline would be his at last.
"Lady Caroline... my Lady Caroline... I've loved you from the moment I first met you and nothing would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Though the Lady Allison and the Lady Susan both insisted afterward that Caroline hesitated, they were much mistaken. She only paused a moment, to take in those beautiful words... the words she thought she would never hear from John. She was smiling at him, tears of joy trickling down her cheeks.
"Yes, John. Of course I will!"
Happy ending? Perhaps, but don't go away! We are not done with this thing yet!
Oh, by the way, goodbye until Monday. I'm going on a weekend trip... and yes, I do enjoy keeping you in suspense. Leave lots of feedback! Please? =P
Lol, I think since writing this book... I made myself fall in love with John. =P Now when I watch movie clips, I'm more excited to see him than Edward... (meaning, of course, that the first time I watched it, I had a crush on Edward...)