Page 167 of The Wallflower Takes All

“I love your impossible household. I love Lady Viva and every outrageous guest she has ever rescued. I love Freddie, despite his criminal tendencies. I love the way you laugh in the midst of catastrophe and somehow persuade everyone else to laugh with you.”

He smiled.

“I love you enough to spend the rest of my life balancing ledgers after your mother has unbalanced them.”

A watery laugh escaped her.

“I cannot imagine a morning without you. I cannot imagine coming home and not finding you there. I cannot imagine any future that is not ours.”

He lowered himself onto one knee.

“Poppy Montfort.” His voice caught. “I have nothing grand to offer except myself. My work. My steadfastness. My whole heart. I will never ask you to become someone else for me. I ask only that you choose me.”

Silence held the room.

“Will you marry me?”

For one suspended heartbeat, she simply looked at him.

Then she smiled.

“Oh, Gabriel.”

She sank to her knees before him instead. “You foolish, wonderful man.” She cupped his face in both hands. “Yes.”

Her forehead rested against his. “I choose you.”

He closed his eyes.

It was the only answer he had ever wanted.

Then he kissed her.

From the hall came Lady Viva’s voice. “Darling, if you are accepting a proposal in there, please do so loudly enough for your mother to enjoy it.”

Freddie barked.

Poppy laughed against Gabriel’s mouth. “We have been discovered.”

“I believe we were discovered before I entered the room.”

“That is possible.” She drew back, breathless and flushed. “Caldermere will be here soon.”

“Yes.”

“I must answer him myself.”

Gabriel nodded. “I know.”

“I want you nearby.”

“I will be.”

They left the library together hand-in-hand.

Lady Viva stood in the hall with Freddie in her arms, the strip of green fabric hanging from his mouth like a trophy. Gabriel’s father had arrived while Gabriel was in the study and stood near the stairs, hat in hand, eyes bright with unmistakable affection.

“Well?” Lady Viva demanded.