Wanted to share a deleted scene from A Knight to Remember with all of you. I'd thought about having Lucy be engaged when she went to England but felt it would have caused her more emotional turmoil and made it that much more difficult for her to fall in love again. She already had trust issues so... Hope you enjoy the deleted scene.
"Are you sure you're both okay with missing the wedding?" Lucy paced through the overgrown garden in back of the cottage. Simon had gone off to 'take care of things'.
Charlotte spoke first. "You're our sister and we want you to be happy."
"Why do I hear a 'but' in that sentence?"
"We keep hearing how perfect Lord Simon Grey is. How mannered. How charming. But Lucy, neither one of us has ever heard you say you love him."
Melinda jumped in. "Do you love him?"
The words seemed to stick in her throat. "I love the idea of him." That pain was back in her stomach. "Of course I do."
"You're the one who sounds uncertain, hon." Melinda, the eldest was using her I'm in charge voice.
"Look you guys, I've dated too many guys who were wrong for me. Remember loudmouth Paul who yelled at the waitstaff? And smarmy Jake who flirted with anything with a pulse?"
"He did more than flirt if I recall," Charlotte chimed in. Her baby sister cleared her throat. "Just because he has nice manners doesn't mean he's the one for you. I love you sis. So if you love him, I'm happy for you."
Melinda snorted. "And if you realize you really only love his sexy accent and decide you don't want to marry him, say the word and we'll be on the next flight to bring you back home."
The pain in her stomach crawled around looking for a way out. She needed a cup of tea and one of those scones with cream and strawberry jam. And maybe a piece of cake. The words came out on a whisper. "I don't know if I believe in love. Maybe love as we wish it would be only exists in romance novels. Maybe love as it really is, is nothing more than liking someone and growing to care for them over the years. A relationship built on mutual respect."
"You'd have been the perfect victorian bride. Marrying for position or money and not worrying about a silly thing like love." Melinda hesitated. "I know Carl isn't perfect, not by a long shot but we have passion and I love him with all my heart and soul. I want the same for you Lucy."
"I know, sis. Love will grow as we get to know each other better." Wouldn't it, Lucy wondered?
Charlotte jumped in. "I think you're trying to convince yourself. Without love what use is living? We only want you to be happy. You have ages to find the right one."
Lucy hung up thinking about her sisters words. They were thrilled to be traveling by private jet. She gave them the number for Simon's mobile and promised to be there to greet them when the flight arrived. She wiped away a tear, grateful for such wonderful if sometimes bossy sisters.
hugs,