“My dear husband. Regis. I know that this marriage is probably not what you imagined for yourself but I have to let you know how thankful I am for it. Not only have you given me beautiful children and helped shield me from the gossip mongers of the world, you have also given me a true best friend, and if I’m honest with myself a true love of my life. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to feel this way and yet I find myself supremely in love with you. I will be forever grateful for meeting you, for being able to live this life of ours and this is a small token from me to you. I had the cufflinks custom made so that while you’re on land with us your still near the sea and when you’re away you can still always remember the wife that loves you.”
Wordless, he stared at the cufflinks.
But Regis Manningtree had never been wordless for very long. He ran his thumb over the cufflinks, curious about the texture of the minuscule delicate design in relief.
Unimaginable luxury, frankly. It was strange to think how at home he could be in this castle, receiving such gifts from his wife for nothing more than the fact that she’d thought of him. He hadn’t married her for that immense wealth, though it certainly had not hurt. He’d married her for her name, for her agreeable nature–to protect her, as she’d said, from gossip mongers, and to give himself a path upwards.
He’d planned out quite a bit of his life. But she was–
“You are correct,” he said, finally. “Indeed this marriage is not what I had imagined for myself. I had not imagined quite so many children, and I had not imagined a family that would be so content, so accepting, of my love for my work, the time that I spend away from home. I had not imagined you and I would ever love each other. Appreciate each other’s company, certainly. I was glad, to consider the thought of growing old with you. But this–”
He couldn’t help but smile, hidden as it was behind his hands folded in front of his face.
“–Believe me, I do not need a reminder to think of you always when I am at sea.” He stood up, and moved around his desk, to press a kiss to her cheek. “I love them, Miranda–and indeed, I love you, as well.”
