“But it was so—I did so much!” Bridget exclaimed. “And I know it sounds silly, but I was beside myself with worry about you. I thought you might not want me anymore, even though I was trying so hard to be worthy of you.”
Then, his lips pressed against hers. All Bridget’s thoughts came to an abrupt halt, as he kissed her gently but persistently. He tasted of brandy and coffee. Bridget tentatively kissed him back.
Then, it was as if all her fears and anxieties over the past few days fell away. She curled her fingers in his hair and drew him close. Lewis grasped her upper arms and held her tightly, as if he feared that she might disappear. Bridget kissed him, surrendering to all the longing and passion that had been building in her for so very long. His cologne tingled in her nose, the scent so wonderfully familiar that it made her pulse quicken.It was as if the world had stopped turning, and it was only Bridget and her husband, together once more.
When Lewis pulled back, Bridget followed him for just a heartbeat. Her husband stared at her, his breath coming as quickly and raggedly as her own. She affected him! A sense of victory washed over her.
“You are a good woman,” Lewis said. “And a good wife. I am so sorry that I ever let you think otherwise.”
“And I am sorry for the mistakes that I made,” Bridget said. “And for all my schemes. I wish that I had never tried to ruin our marriage.”
Lewis shook his head. “No. I like that you tried to ruin the marriage. My grandmother said that everyone needs a challenge, and you challenge me, Bridget. In the best way.”
Bridget’s face warmed. Did she really deserve a man like this, who cared so deeply for her? It seemed miraculous that she had found him so unexpectedly.
“I love you,” Lewis said. “So very much. My only regret is that I did not realize it sooner, or I might have spent all that time loving you.”
“There is no time like the present,” Bridget said. “You have the rest of your life to love me.”
He raised a hand and gently tucked a wayward curl behind Bridget’s ear. Her heart fluttered madly, and she leaned into his touch. “I do,” he said. “And I will not waste another moment. I will never take you for granted again, my dearest.”
She curled her hand over his. “I believe you.”
Lewis drew her in for another kiss, this time gentle and sweet, and Bridget felt like a flower opening to the sun after a month of rainy days. Her husband had returned to her, and he loved her.
Everything in the world was simply perfect.
Lewis pressed his lips against her cheek. “So,” he murmured, his breath hot against her skin. “When do I get to take you home, my beloved wife?”
Bridget laughed. Her mind conjured delicious images of being in bed with Lewis.
“Whenever you like.”
He tilted his head back and smirked, infuriating and handsome all at once. “What if I want you now?” Lewis murmured.
Bridget grinned. “You may have me. I will need to say farewell to my siblings first.”
“Of course.”
Bridget untangled herself from him, smiling brightly as she climbed to her feet. “Just a moment,” she said.
Lewis stretched over the sofa and smiled coyly. “Take your time.”
She nearly skipped from the room. Once Bridget was in the corridor, she pressed herself against the wall and smiled. Lewis had returned to her, and he loved her! An indescribable joy swept over her, and her face hurt from smiling so much.
She hurried upstairs, nearly breathless by the time she reached Gerard’s study. Her brother-in-law and Elias sat near the fire together, talking and looking over some text together, but seeing her, both men fell silent.
“Bridget?” Elias asked, rising to his feet.
“I am going home,” Bridget said. “My husband has come for me. I will return in the morning to help with Dorothy.”
“Or the day after tomorrow,” Elias offered. “You deserve rest, too.”
That might be true, but Bridget had no desire to go home and rest. Fortunately, she suspected that her husband was also not inclined to rest.
“The day after tomorrow,” Bridget said.
She had the impulse to stay and talk longer. That would be polite. However, Bridget found that she could wait no longer. Bridget hurried downstairs and into the drawing room. Her husband’s eyes gleamed, and he languidly stood. “Shall we?”
