Proposal
They were out on one of their afternoon walks a few months later when Stephen pulled Caoimhne aside while still keeping an eye on his niece. He couldn't hold back anymore. It was time he told her how he felt and asked her to make him an honest man.
"Sir, what about Labhaoise?" she asked.
"She'll be fine. She knows these grounds like the back of her hand. I just need to speak with you," he answered emotional.
"Sir, what's the matter?"
"Caoimhne, when I was younger I fell desperately in love and when it ended I was lost broken. I decided to shut myself away from the world until I met you. Since I met you I've only had one coherent thought and it's you. Caoimhne, you've made me a better man and taught me true happiness. A happiness I've never known before..."
She could see where he was going and even though it was all her dreams come true she had to stop him. She was his governess. In the end she'd only make him unhappy. "But sir I'm the governess, you mustn't."
"I must. The words are choking me. I can't hold them back any longer. You've made me feel again."
"I'm the wrong person."
"No, you are the right person. My heart is yours if you'll only take it. I feel like our hearts are connected by a small thread tied underneath both. If it breaks I feel like I will break forever..." He took her hands into her own and added, "Caoimhne, please make me even happier by agreeing to be my wife."
She drew her hands away and answered, "Sir, I'll only make you unhappy. It isn't proper. I'm your governess."
"Caoimhne, you know me well enough now to know I don't care for propriety. I'm talking about love. Love me, Caoimhne, my Irish jewel."
"I do. I love you so much I'm scared I'll only make you unhappy and fail you."
"Caoimhne, you could never fail me and you make me happier than I ever thought possible. Agree to be my wife and make me the happiest man in Ireland."
"Yes, yes, I'll be your wife."
"Stephen, my bride...Call me Stephen."
"Stephen," she smiled up at him.
Labhaoise suddenly stopped and saw them smiling and gazing into each other's eyes. She beamed knowing they'd finally admitted their feelings. Caoimhne took her hands away from Stephen's and smoothed down her dress.
"Did she agree to marry you, Uncle Stephen?" she asked.
He nodded beaming. "Yes, Caoimhne is going to be my wife."
She beamed and hugged them both. "I knew it, I knew it. You're a perfect match."