He took his time brushing back my hair and then cradling my face in his hands. And when his thumbs caressed my cheeks, a warm sensation shivered down my spine that made me ache for more.
Clutching the lapels of his coat, I rose onto the tips of my toes, willing him to kiss me. Only a breath remained between our lips now, but he did not move to close the space.
“Hannah,” he whispered in a low voice. “As I wrote in my letter, I do not know what will become of Summerhaven. Of me. But I promised myself that if I was ever given another opportunity, I would not hesitate to ask you to be mine. You once said you could be happy being a poor man’s wife. Is that still true?”
I chose my next words carefully, so there would be no room for misunderstanding. “As long as that man isyou, Damon Jennings, nothing could make me happier.”
“Then marry me, Hannah. Promise me that I will not have to endure another day without you by my side.”
“Yes, I promise. For richer or poorer, I am yours.”
And then ever so slowly, he lowered his lips to meet mine in a kiss.
Epilogue
One year later
Sunlight filtered through the windowof the morning room, and a fire crackled in the hearth. I loved this time of day, when everything was so fresh and bright and new. I openedTheMorning Postand was just about to read when Damon walked into the room.
He wore a redingote and had a crop in hand.
“How was your morning ride, husband?”
“Ares was in a mood today.” He strode into the room and over to the sofa where I sat.
“He is probably anxious for his colt to be born,” I said.
“In that case, I understand completely.” With a soft smile, Damon sat beside me and placed a gentle hand on my swollen abdomen. The baby kicked against the light pressure, and Damon’s smile grew.
I laid my hand atop his. “We need to decide on a name.”
“Or perhapsnames,” he said. Damon was convinced we were having twins due to the incessant motion of my stomach. I had thought him mad at first, but every day, my stomach seemed to expand, and I wondered if he wasn’t correct.
“Twins.” I sighed. “Can you imagine?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “And I cannot wait.”
I bit my lip. I was already anxious to bring one child into the world, let alone two.
“If it is a boy, I should like to name him Zeus,” Damon said.
I laughed. “You may name Ares’s colt Zeus if you would like, but not our baby.”
“Hmm,” was all he said. “If it is a girl, what about Anne, after your mother?”
Tears pricked my eyes, and I nodded. I wished Mama were here with me at this happy time, but I could not ask for a better companion and example than Lady Winfield, and I was glad she was close.
After Lord Winfield passed last winter, and right after our nuptials, Lady Winfield moved into the dowager house on the northwest side of the estate. Damon and I had tried to convince her to keep her rooms in the manor, but she said newlyweds needed privacy. Thankfully, she was near, and we saw her almost daily.
Papa, too, visited often, for which I was glad. And also Amelia—who had decided to be the very best aunt our baby would ever have, though I didn’t think she had much competition in Georgiana, who did not have much interest in babies or children.
The only person I hadn’t seen much of was Ollie. He’d returned to London to live in his set of rented rooms at Albany directly after my marriage to Damon, and when he returned to visit his mother, Amelia took up much of his time. They both claimed only friendship, but I could not help wondering if it was more. Soon, he would move to Winterset Grange. I hoped the change would give him purpose and passion and provide him a new beginning.
Caldwell appeared at the morning room door. “Lord and Lady Winfield—”
“Lord Jennings, please,” Damon corrected. He refused to make use of the Winfield title since his father’s passing. I wasn’t sure whether his decision was due to grudge or grief, but I would not press him. He would take up the title when he was ready, or he wouldn’t. It made no difference to me.
“Of course, my lord. Forgive me. Mr. Tobine has arrived to discuss painting your portrait. He is waiting for you in the gallery.”
