Julia stilled and pressed her forehead against his. Henry flipped them over once more and set a bruising pace as he chased his own release.
His ardor caused her to arch her back, nearly lifting her off the bed. She loved this wild side of him. She opened her mouth to cry out in pleasure but was silenced by his maddening kisses. Another orgasm hit her as he let out a crude curse, his body going rigid.
They remained connected, both of them breathing heavily. Henry lavished her face and neck with slow, sweet kisses.
Rolling onto his side, he wrapped her securely in his arms and his lips pressed against her forehead causing heat to spread through her. Julia rested one hand on his chest, enjoying the feel of the fine golden strands beneath her fingertips.
This was heaven.
“When will you tell St. Clara? I should go with you in case he doesn’t take it well.” Henry’s breath tickled her forehead.
She kissed his chest. “I’ll tell him in the morning. There is no need to go with me.” She sat up and looked down at Henry. “Henry, St. Clara and I are just friends.”
He tilted his head to the side, his brow crinkled in confusion. He looked so much like the boyish marquess she met years ago. “The engagement was a fake?”
She laid back down beside him, loving the feeling of being in his arms. “We made an arrangement. I needed someone to make the ton forget I was ever connected to you, and he needs to marry by August. He’s really like a brother to me.”
Henry huffed in indignation. “I don’t know any brother that would marry his actual sister.”
“He needed me. St. Clara and Pippa have been my only friends other than Livie.” She looked up at him pleadingly. “I would like for the both of you to try to get along for my sake.
Henry thought over her words and shrugged his shoulders. “Fine, for you.” He pulled her down to him until their lips were a hair’s breadth away.
“That’s all that I ask, Lord Heartford,” she teased him.
He pressed his lips to hers in a brief but passionate kiss. “I love you, and I never want to separate from you again. Marry me, Julia. I’m nothing without you.”
“Oh, Henry!” She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his neck as she cried. Although she couldn’t say the words yet, love bloomed inside her. She couldn’t help the large smile that graced her face.
Lifting her head, she kissed him fiercely, feeling free and happy for the first time in a long time.
“Is that a yes?” he asked as one of his hands ghosted up her spine.
“Absolutely.” She kissed him again, wanting to stay in bed with him forever, but she knew she couldn’t stay much longer.
They stayed in each other’s arms, every minute precious to Julia. Her fingers twirled in the thin golden hairs on his chest. This was what the rest of her life would be like.
“What are you smiling about?” He looked down at her and kissed the tip of her nose.
“Us.” The word was simple. The thought of them happy like they were in that moment for the rest of their lives caused an infectious giggle to burst through her.
He kissed her laughing lips before pulling away slightly to look seriously at her. “Tell me everything I missed.”
Her face fell instantly. She didn’t want to think about that time in her life. But she knew for them to go forward, they must go back.
She met his gaze, feeling his hold tighten around her. He knew exactly what she needed.
“What do you want to know?” She felt stronger just being in his arms.
“Everything. How did you come to live with Karrington? When did you start painting?” He rattled off the questions eagerly, causing her to laugh at him.
“First, the entire family came to help Livie with Emily, and we all stayed until Teddy was born. Aunt Len and Uncle Hempstead went to the Continent with Mother Di and Mr. Prescott, while I stayed with Livie.” She wrapped a naked leg around his, her cheeks up in a permanent position. “It felt good to be needed and to have a purpose again. I was so…” She trailed off, feeling a lone tear fall down her cheek.
The brief hint of sadness did nothing to diminish the overwhelming happiness of reuniting with Henry.
Henry caught it with the pad of his thumb and pressed it to his lips. “I’m sorry,” he whispered and bent to press his forehead against hers. “After the fire, I was so weak and lost. My only thought was my own grief and pain. I’m so sorry I was so selfish. I’ll spend the rest of my life making up the time we lost.”
She slipped her arms around his neck. His confession and apology soothed her even more than their heated conversation in the hall. She knew he was in pain then, but she never comprehended the depth of it.
