Most Ardently

by Gabe Cole Novoa

Lydia and Kitty would enjoy the scandal at least.

“I won’t deny that my desire to make you happy was the strongest of my motivating forces. I thought only of you.”

I admire you, Oliver Bennet. Your spirit, your wit, your open honesty—I have thought of nothing else since we first met.” Tears blurred Oliver’s vision, spilling hot over his cheeks and cooling in the rain. “Darcy—” “I love you, Oliver,” Darcy said. “Most ardently.”

It was everything he’d dared not to dream. But it was real, and nothing and no one could take that away from him.