“We’ll take it from here, Strathmoor,” Richmond said, running in with Edward. “Landon, help me haul this garbage out and hand him off to the magistrate and the runners.
Julian turned and helped Serafina up.
“We’ll talk soon, young lady,” Richmond said. Then he gave her a wink. Landon grinned and gave her a salute as they dragged the baron out of the room.
“Are you all right, my love?” Julian said, gently caressing her face.
She nodded, but tears streamed down her face. “Please get Willow, he hurt her. She’s in that corner.”
Julian turned and approached the small dog, whose chest was rapidly rising and falling.
Carefully, he picked up the small dog and handed her to Serafina. The pup opened her eyes and licked Serafina’s face. “You’re the bravest dog in the whole wide world.”
“She is,” Julian said, giving a quick kiss to the pup’s pert nose. “But you are the bravest woman I’ve ever met. I love you, Serafina.”
“I love you too,” she said in a raspy voice, her throat raw from the baron’s attempt to strangle her.
“I know we must get Willow back home so Mr. Hanson can examine her. And we need to fetch a doctor to tend to your wounds.”
“What about your wounds?” Serafina said, her hand caressing his face.
He shrugged and grinned. “I’ll manage.”
“I’m sure, but I insist that you at least let the duchesses bandage you up. They must be beside themselves with worry.”
“I’ll do anything you ask me.” He grinned. “As long as you agree to become my duchess. I cannot imagine being a duke without having you by my side. You are everything I need…and everything I could ever want.”
“Oh, Julian. From the moment you first kissed me, I knew I’d never find anyone who makes me feel as cherished as you do. Yes, I’ll marry you…but on one condition.”
“You…you have a condition?” he asked, in his thick brogue as he placed soft kisses along her cheek.
“I do,” she said, breathlessly. “Do you want to hear what it is?”
His forehead touched hers. “Tell me.”
“That I can open another tearoom near Strathmoor Castle.”
“I’ll have to work that out with your uncle, but I think it can be arranged,” Julian said, with a chuckle, covering her lips with his.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER~ DECEMBER 22, 1819 ~BATH, ENGLAND
“Darling, wasn’t it nice of my aunts to help us with the Lavender and Cream Tearoom on the first anniversary of its opening? We’ve been busy all day,” Serafina said as she approached the corner table where her husband was touching up a sketch of the GDs smiling and serving happy customers. “Oh, I love it! It will be a marvelous gift for the GDs.”
“I hope so. Their help is giving you the rest you need—otherwise, this would be too much in your condition, darling,” he said.
“They are in their element, though,” she said, smiling as she watched her aunts bustling about the busy tearoom.
“What do you have there, my love?” he asked as she set down a plate with a flaky pastry in the shape of a ring.
“I’ve brought you a treat,” she said, sitting beside him.
“Hmm…the treat I want might shock the patrons,” he growled as he kissed the side of her neck.
She giggled. “Not that you rogue. I’ll save that for tonight.” She picked up a fork and broke off a piece, holding it up to his mouth. “You simply must taste this! Shamefully, I sampled one in the kitchen already. I couldn’t resist. It was delicious.” She was rambling again, but it was hard not to when she was so excited. They had returned to Bath to visit the family for Christmas and help with the first anniversary celebration of the tearoom.
“Delicious.” He grinned, slipping his arm around her waist. “But you’re even more delicious.” He bent to kiss her neck.
