‘Why? Why is it so impossible?’
‘You know why. You are an earl, and I...I’m a servant. Some things, just cannot be.’
‘They can if you fight for them to be.’ He smiled, bending a little to catch her gaze. Finally he snared those eyes that saw so much, and in which he saw his own soul reflected. ‘You challenged me to build the world I wanted to see, and I intend to. That begins with having a partner by my side whom I love, and respect, and who is, in every way, my match.’
Rebecca opened her mouth, but words were not quickly forthcoming, so Liam forged on, determined to lay himself bare before her one last time.
If she refused him then, so be it. But he would not let her doubts, her fears, society’s expectations, make the decision for her.
‘It will not be easy,’ he warned, admitting that he was not so blind as to think it would be a simple happily-ever-after for them. ‘There will be talk, and scandal, that is for sure—particularly since I intend for Mellors’s trial to be very public indeed. Doors will close, and I doubt we shall ever be invited to the more respectable houses. But I have a title, and a fortune, and what good are they if I cannot do as I please? Besides, I am the Disappeared Earl, so who knows? It might just add to my renown.’
Rebecca let loose a half-sob, half-laugh, and Liam grinned.
‘I can, and will, weather anything so long as you are by my side, helping me build the life I dream of, for us, and for the world. I cannot see a future without you in it. You brought me back to life, Rebecca, with your stubbornness, and heart, and understanding, and relentlessness. Do not abandon me now.’
‘I... Liam, I,’ Rebecca stuttered, suddenly aware of their growing audience, the rest of the staff having slowly made their way over. ‘You don’t know what you’re saying.’
‘Look at me, not them,’ he ordered gruffly. ‘Do you love me?’
‘Oh, God,’ she sighed, the starkness and suddenness of the question flustering her. ‘I, that isn’t important—’
‘Like hell it isn’t. Do you love me—yes or no?’
‘Of course I do,’ she blurted out before she could censor herself. ‘With all my heart.’
‘Good. Because I love you, and that is the only important thing. Now, I know you’ve only just been given your life and freedom back. I know you said you did not see yourself settling, taking a husband, relinquishing your independence. But know I would never ask that. All I ask is that you be free with me. Let us rebuild this place, and build a life, together. However you wish, as my wife, as my companion, as my partner—I care not, so long as you’re with me.’
Fifteen years of running.
From everything. Family, home, love, connection.
And here, before the smouldering remains of Thornhallow Hall, the man she had inadvertently fallen in love with was declaring his love to her.
Everything about this was impossible. And yet, here he was, asking her to share a life, to be his. Offering her the world, a life of love.
Rebecca felt the stares of the staff, and turned to them, expecting to see disapproval, judgement and dismay. Instead, she found them all smiling—all save Mrs Murray, who was crying unmistakable tears of joy. Thomas nodded, and that was all the approval she needed to bless her and Liam’s unholy union.
‘Yes,’ she said, grinning like an overly excited schoolgirl as she leapt up, throwing her arms around his neck. ‘Yes.’
Smiling, Liam grabbed hold of her and twirled her around, raining kisses upon her cheeks, brows and lips. Both were dizzy by the time he finally stopped and set her once again upon the ground, entwining his hand with hers as they turned back to their family.
‘I suppose we should all make our way to Heathfield,’ Liam said. He, too, was unable to stop grinning. ‘We have much to discuss and much to decide.’
The bedraggled yet hopeful band of Thornhallow Hall’s staff nodded in unison, and with candles to light their way, and the horses in tow, they all began the long walk to Heathfield. Not one of them turned back to look at the glowing pile of ash.
Though Liam and Rebecca both said silent farewells to the ghost of Thornhallow Hall—the ghost that did not exist, but which they knew had dwelled there.
By the time they arrived at Heathfield, some two hours later, all their hearts were full of joy and hope as they celebrated a new day, sitting together at Ford’s table.
Epilogue
Thornhallow Estate, four months later
‘If I didn’t love this hat so, I would eat it,’ Spencer said wryly as he joined Liam beneath the shade of the largest of five tents peppered across the hunting lodge’s lawn.
They had been erected to house the Earl and Countess of Thornhallow’s wedding breakfast. Well, more of a village fete than a breakfast, really, but Rebecca had insisted on inviting the whole village.
Liam wasn’t sure if it was the refreshments, curiosity or the fact that the lodge was well away from the ruins of the old house, but most had actually come.
