“That we do, lass.”
“Most importantly, my brother sends his regards.”
“The poem said that?”
Breathless, Allie laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. Tristan has finally acquiesced to my demands.”
“Tristan, is it?” Surprise cemented Ethan to the ground.
“My brother’s scrape with death forced us both to realize how much we care for one another. We reconciled, Ethan,” she said, her eyes going suspiciously glassy. “I’m Allie again to him. And he is Tristan to me. I truthfully think that my brother has a good heart. He just needs to remember that fact and recover the boy he once was. It will take some time, I am sure, but I refuse to allow his current behavior to calcify and turn him into our father. Tristan, for his part, is committed to changing, too.”
“That is wonderful.”
“Most importantly, he has granted us his blessing. Though I had already decided to marry you regardless.”
“Are ye stating the truth? This must be a jest.”
“No jest, my love.” She cupped his jaw with her gloved hand.
“But what about your mines? Ye will be giving up—”
“Tristan has agreed to my dowry, Ethan. I give up nothing.”
“But that means . . .”
“We shan’t be paupered. In fact, I would say our prospects appear—”
Ethan caught her words with a kiss.
It was simply too much, too glorious, too longed for—
Her mines, returned. Her heart, in harmony with his own.
Just as they had on that dusty road in Italy, she grasped his head, hungrily kissing him.
But that first kiss had been desperate and punishing, whereas this one . . .
It was a homecoming.
A kiss that spoke of lazy afternoons basking in some sunny grassland while bees buzzed overheard. A kiss that promised wintry nights curled together under a down counterpane, a fire crackling in the hearth.
A kiss that vowed a lifetime of belonging.
Allie pulled back first, but Ethan chased her mouth, nipping at her lips.
“I say! Is that Lady Allegra?!” Uncle Leith’s voice interrupted their embrace.
Ethan turned, his arm still around Allie, to see his uncle step from the carriage.
“ItisLady Allegra.” Uncle Leith blanched and pressed a trembling hand to his forehead. “Ethan, my boy, what have ye done?”
“Fallen in love, Uncle,” Ethan replied with almost frightening happiness.
“Kendall will have your head.”
“Not if I have any say,” Allie chimed in. “My brother has given his blessing, Mr. Leith.”
Uncle Leith darted a gaze from Allie to Ethan and then back to Allie again. “Truly?!”
