Until a month ago, Jeremy's thoughts had been free of Vivian and her beauty, and he had no intention of marrying her. Yes, he was dazzled by the fire of her hair, her white skin, her witchy green eyes, and her bright, most beautiful smile, but his mind wouldn't let him think about her. Besides, content with his bachelor life and his amusements in the Lair, the young man didn't even think of marrying at all. "Why should I marry so young, if I am soon to inherit all my sullen father's fortune?" – he thought, and preferred to give his younger years to alcohol, friends and girls who he knew were not trying to pull him into the bondage of marriage, namely prostitutes and residents of London's brothels. But the morning he had picked up Miss Cowell in one of the noisy squares, sick and tired, and the day he had spent with her, so pale, haggard, but still angelic, had made his heart and soul inflame with passion and love for her. He brought Vivian to his father's house, even though the latter was clearly displeased and even against it. Jeremy was ready to tear his strong heart out of his chest and offer it to the poor girl in place of her weak one. She charmed him with her illness, with her helplessness, as a fragile flower suddenly charms a knight long since calloused in body and soul. He fell at her feet. He desired her. When she asked him to take her to the Saltons', Jeremy was surprised at her request, for he thought it his duty to notify the Cranfords that Vivian was in his house, but she insisted, and Jeremy had no choice but to fulfil her wish…
– Smile, my dear," Vivian whispered in her husband's ear, breaking him out of his memories. – And what made you think so much?
– Oh, my love, I am only remembering the day when my heart was set on fire with love for you," he whispered to her, and his eyes, shining with happiness, confirmed his words. – Do you remember that misty cold morning when you were lost and I found you and took you to my home?
– That morning… My dear, I couldn't forget it even if I wanted to," Vivian answered quietly with some irony in her voice, remembering how her aunt had thrown her out on the street.
But she had only learnt that it was Jeremy who had found her on the street, taken her in and taken care of her, when three weeks ago he had come so unexpectedly to the Salton house and, after spending a couple of hours with her and Charlotte in the garden, had suddenly asked Charlotte to leave him and her friend alone. When Miss Salton left the drawing-room with a broad but uncomprehending smile, Jeremy got down on one knee before Vivian and, without wasting time on a long monologue, confessed his love for her and asked her to be his wife.
– That morning I didn't know that my life would change so drastically! – Jeremy laughed softly. – I wish your cousin had been at our wedding. He's my best friend, you know.
– You're the one who insisted on the wedding happening so soon! – Vivian reminded him with a laugh. – So soon that my family could not have travelled from Casterbridge in time to attend!
– Forgive me, my love, I was so eager to possess you that I could not wait. But, as you asked, I have sent your family five thousand pounds sterling, and I think they should be pleased with it," Jeremy whispered, running his fingers along his wife's neck.
