On the stage, the heavy curtain dropped for a brief second to change the scenery. When it rose again, the setting had completely changed.

The painted wooden backdrop now showed a small, highly peaceful country cottage. It had a painted thatched roof and bright painted flowers growing near the wooden front door. The stage crew had lowered a large, painted orange sun in the background to simulate a beautiful evening.

The actress playing Miss Clara was lounging comfortably on a wooden bench outside the cottage. She was looking at the painted sunset, looking completely happy and entirely at peace with the world. She let out a long, dramatic sigh that carried across the quiet theater.

"Oh, to leave the crowded, noisy ballrooms of London completely behind!" Miss Clara spoke softly to the audience, clasping her hands together. "To live simply in a small cottage, with only the sweet singing birds for company, and a true love by my side. All the gold in the world cannot buy this perfect, quiet peace."

Delaney smiled softly as she listened to the actress’s words. She spoke quietly to Rowan, her hazel eyes still glued firmly to the stage.

"I also had a secret dream exactly like this," Delaney whispered softly, leaning her head slightly closer to his shoulder.

Rowan turned his head, watching her beautiful, calm profile in the dim theater light. He stroked the back of her gloved hand with his thumb.

"A dream about a cottage?" Rowan asked quietly.

"Yes," Delaney nodded slowly. She squeezed his hand back tightly.

"During the dark, terrible days at the Kingsley estate," Delaney explained quietly, sharing the deepest, most secret hopes she had hidden in her heart for twenty years. "I carefully planned exactly how I would finally escape my uncle’s cruelty. My grand plan was to first travel to London and completely clear my father’s name of the false treason charges. Then, I planned to buy my hand back from Lord Hawksley. I wanted to set myself free from the two greedy men."

Rowan listened completely silently. He could hear the quiet pain of her past in her soft voice.

"And then," Delaney continued softly, a small, hopeful light entering her eyes. "I planned to take my remaining savings and run far, far away from London. I wanted to leave England entirely. I wanted to go to Italy, or France, or Germany... or maybe even cold Russia. Anywhere my uncle Cole, Lord Hawksley and even Lucas could never find me."

She looked back at the painted cottage and the fake orange sunset on the stage.

"I wanted to buy a small, quiet cottage just like that one," Delaney whispered. "I would buy some simple pets, maybe a small dog and some chickens to feed every morning. And I would just settle there quietly, completely alone, till I die. I would never have to be afraid of people in power ever again."

She turned her head slowly and looked directly into his eyes. She offered a small, slightly self-deprecating smile.

"Unbelievable, right?" Delaney said softly, shaking her head. "A poor orphan secretly planning to run away to Russia."

Rowan did not smile. He did not think it was unbelievable or silly at all. He saw the incredible, fierce strength it took for her to simply survive those terrible years with any hope left in her heart. He saw the brave warrior she truly was.

Rowan held her gloved hand very firmly. He squeezed it tightly, conveying all his respect and love.

"Very believable," Rowan replied softly. His voice was completely serious and full of absolute devotion. "You are one of the strongest, bravest woman I have ever known in my entire life, Delaney. If you had gone to Russia, you would have survived. You would have built a beautiful, peaceful life there."

On the stage, the actor playing Andrew suddenly ran out from behind the painted cottage. He was holding a small bunch of fake wildflowers. He threw himself onto the ground before Miss Clara.

"I have returned to you, my love!" Andrew shouted passionately. "I have sold my mule and bought a small plot of land! I would walk to the very ends of the earth for you, Clara! I would cross oceans and fight terrible beasts just to see you smile!"

Rowan watched the actor for a brief second. Then, he looked back at Delaney. He lifted her gloved hand slightly in the dark box and pressed a very warm, lingering kiss to her knuckles.

"The actor speaks the absolute truth," Rowan whispered against her glove. "Because I would do exactly the same. I would walk to the ends of the earth for you."

He lowered her hand, resting it back on his thigh, keeping his fingers laced tightly with hers.

"But I am incredibly, completely selfish," Rowan whispered, a small, genuine smile finally returning to his handsome lips. "Because I am so incredibly glad you stayed here in England with me instead. I am glad you did not go to Russia."

Delaney smiled warmly. She leaned her head gently against his broad, solid shoulder, completely ignoring if someone would have spotted them. She watched the rest of the play feeling completely loved, and perfectly happy.

Two hours later, the play finally reached its grand conclusion. Miss Clara accepted Andrew’s proposal, they shared a kiss, and the red velvet curtain fell swiftly to the floor.

The audience erupted into loud, thunderous, happy applause. Aunt Renee clapped her hands enthusiastically, cheering loudly for the performers.

"That was absolutely marvelous!" Aunt Renee declared happily, turning to Rowan and Delaney.

Rowan and Delaney quickly unlinked their hands. Rowan stood up quickly from his chair.

"I am glad you enjoyed it, Madame," Rowan smiled politely.

He reached out and carefully helped the two women with their warm evening cloaks, ensuring the fabric covered their shoulders to protect them from the cold. As he draped Delaney’s cloak over her, he let his hands rest gently on her shoulders for a brief, comforting second.

They left the private box and walked slowly down the carpeted stairs. They joined the large, chattering crowd of gentry moving slowly toward the main exit of the theater. The air in the lobby was filled with excited discussions about the actors and the funny jokes.

As they reached the cool, dark evening air of the cobblestone street, Rowan turned and stopped them near the line of waiting carriages. A cold wind swept past them, rustling Delaney’s dark blue skirts.

Rowan did not immediately signal for the driver.

He looked directly at Delaney. His expression slowly turned slightly more formal and completely, entirely serious.

"Lady Kingsley," Rowan spoke clearly. He ensured his deep voice was loud enough for Aunt Renee to hear as well, maintaining perfect societal protocol.

Delaney looked up at him, her hazel eyes bright in the lantern light. "Yes, Your Grace?"

"The London Season is rapidly approaching," Rowan announced smoothly, folding his hands politely behind his back. "And my family is officially hosting the grand opening ball at Hamilton House next week."

Delaney remembered the Hamilton ball perfectly. It had been the most highly anticipated, talked-about event in all of London high society.

She remembered the dark days when Lord Farrington had tried to cruelly weaponize the ball for his selfish reasons. Then, the terrible carriage accident that had happened, putting the ball on hold indefinitely while Delaney stayed by Rowan’s side to nurse him back to health.

Now, the trial was over, the villains were dead, and the grand ball was finally moving forward.

"Would you do me the great, absolute honors of attending the Hamilton Season’s Ball?" Rowan asked her formally, offering a slight, respectful bow of his head.

He stepped just a little bit closer to her. He lowered his voice slightly so the surrounding crowds and the busy groomsmen could not hear his next romantic words.

"Because," Rowan smiled warmly, "I would love nothing more than to stand in the very center of my grand ballroom, hold your hand, and officially announce to the entire world the news of our formal betrothal."

Delaney felt a massive, overwhelming rush of happy excitement hit her chest. Her heart fluttered wildly, beating a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

She stood frozen for a second, fully absorbing the weight of his beautiful words.

Just a few short months ago, she would have attended that grand ball as a hidden matchmaker. She would have been watching the dancing from the high balconies or an unnoticeable corner while the wealthy lords and ladies drank champagne.

Now, everything was completely, entirely different.

Now, she would be attending the grand Hamilton ball as an honored, highly respected guest. She would arrive in her own private carriage. She would wear the absolute finest silk. She would walk proudly through the wide front doors as Lady Delaney Kingsley, a true, wealthy lady of the Ton.

And most importantly, she would leave the ball as the officially betrothed, highly protected future Duchess of Ford.

Delaney smiled. She looked at the man who had saved her, and the man she had saved in return.

"Of course, Your Grace," Delaney replied smoothly. She offered him a perfect, elegant curtsy right there on the cobblestone street. "I would not miss it for the entire world."