He stepped closer, eliminating the distance between the two of them, fearing that she would pull back.
She didn’t. She lingered, still staring into his eyes.
He brought his fingertips up to caress her cheek, marveling at the fact that she was here with him, that she hadn’t run away. It seemed almost too good to be true. Even now, he knew, things were not fixed between the two of them. Even now, there was every possibility she might leave. And yet he wanted to believe that they could be together. That she could forgive him and they could leave the past in the past.
“What happens the next time you want something and it gets in the way of us?” she murmured. “I can’t spend my life fighting for your attention, Levi.”
“You won’t have to. I know now that I never should have prioritized anything over you. It was never about the ball. It was about taking care of my wife. You told me what you needed, and I should have listened to you. I promise you, for the rest of our lives, for as long as you stay with me, I will always listen to you when you tell me what you need. But please, don’t leave me now. Give me another chance to love you the way you deserve to be loved, and I’ll make sure you don’t regret it.”
He took her hands in his and pulled her close. Her body was warm and soft against his, and he was viscerally reminded of the night they had slept in one another’s arms. He felt sure, suddenly, that there would be many more such nights. If she would only stay with him, he would make certain of it.
He cupped her chin in one hand. Her eyes closed.
And as he bent to kiss her, he was filled with a sweeping sense of relief, so powerful that it was as if he was emerging from being underwater and finally taking a long-needed breath.
Thank God. Thank God, I haven’t lost her.
EPILOGUE
“Caroline, there’s someone very important I’d like you to meet. This is my mother, Mrs. Frances Richards. Mother, this is Caroline.”
“Your Grace.” Levi’s mother smiled and offered a curtsy. “It’s so good to be spending time with you at last. You must thank your sister for me, for her generous offer to include me in this party.”
“Nonsense, Mrs. Richards,” Caroline said with a smile. “Arabella always feels that when it comes to parties, you can’t have too many guests. I know she’s thrilled that you’ll be in attendance at this one. And the rest of my family and all our friends will be thrilled to meet you as well.”
“Including Modesty?” Levi teased her.
Caroline laughed. “Fortunately, Modesty will not be in attendance! I hear she’s finally courting some gentleman from France, and I wish her every happiness.”
“Do you?” Levi raised an eyebrow.
“The happier she is, the less likely she is to stick her nose into other people’s affairs,” Caroline said. “So yes, I hope she marries and is very happy with her life, and that she never speaks to me again. I truly can’t think of anything I would like more.”
“Who is this Modesty?” Mrs. Richards asked as the group approached the front door of the home Arabella and William shared. “A friend of yours?”
“That’s one way to describe it, but I wouldn’t say that,” Caroline said. “I would say…an acquaintance. And not one who likes me very much. I’ll be more than happy to be finished with her presence in my life.”
“Oh, Ihavemissed the drama and intrigue of society,” Mrs. Richards sighed wistfully.
“Have you, Mother?” Levi grinned. “I seem to recall you having a bit of a complaint about the drama and intrigue when it was our family that was being spoken about.”
“Yes, well, you seem to have put an end to that very successfully,” Mrs. Richards said primly. “When was the last time anyone heard a word from Charles?”
“He’s in Ireland now, apparently,” Levi said. “And good riddance to him, I must say. I’ll be all too happy to never see his faceagain. But enough about Charles—let’s enjoy ourselves today.” He knocked at the door.
It was Arabella who opened it and flung herself into Caroline’s arms. “You’re here! Oh, I’ve been so excited for everyone to arrive—and this must be your mother-in-law,” she added, catching sight of Mrs. Richards. “Our parents are in the sitting room enjoying a bit of shade and tea, if you would like to join them. The children are in the garden running around, and William is setting up a game of pall mall for those who would like to play.” She looked expectantly from Caroline to Levi.
“I’d happily join in that enterprise,” Levi said with a smile. “Though I hope everyone enjoys losing!”
The sisters laughed. “Come into the back,” Arabella encouraged. “Everyone is there.”
They were indeed. As they emerged into the yard, Caroline saw friends and family—the Duke and Duchess of Loxburgh, Seth and Lavinia; the Duke and Duchess of Harbeck, Allan and Edwina; the Duke and Duchess of Stormwell; James and Victoria, her own younger sister; Levi’s friend Gregory. Arabella’s husband, William, was setting up the wickets for the game. She and Levi made their way over to the group to greet everyone.
“We have to be careful,” Arabella warned. “His Grace the Duke of Mowbray has just been letting me know that he’s a real danger in a game of pall mall.”
“Ha,” Gregory snorted. “A danger if you’re worried about getting hit with the mallet, maybe. I wouldn’t worry about him winning the game. My friend has no aim to speak of.”
“I’d watch your mouth if you don’t want to be my rival in this match,” Levi said, but he was grinning. “I might not be a perfect player, but I could block any of your shots with considerable ease.”
