“Do you yield?” Antony demanded.
Wallace was still looking at me, even as he shook his head. “Never.”
My chest expanded, and the air was rushing out of my lungs at even a faster rate. I didn’t know what I hoped for—did I wish Antony to kill him, to make me a widow in word and deed, or did I want him to spare Wallace’s life? My mind spun with the implications of each until I thought I would beill.
“I told you to stay in the house, Cecily.” Antony never took his eyes off the duke, even as he spoke to me. His words and the firmness they carried gave me the guidance I needed, and without a word, I tore my eyes from the pair of them and turned and went into the house.
Once the door was closed behind me, I sunk to the floor. How I longed to weep, but all I felt was empty. I wanted nothing more than to have Antony’s arms around me, his gentle reassurances being whispered in my ear. It felt like hours had passed before I heard the sound of his boots approaching the door.
I leapt to my feet and threw the door open, taking in his wearied expression moments before I threw my arms around him. “You’re hurt,” I whispered, even as I clung to him.
“Cecily,” his voice was heavy with admonishment. “You shouldn’t open the door when you don’t know what waits for you on the other side.”
“Oh, but I knew,” I assured him, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. It was lined with both sweat and dust, but I didn’t care.
“You couldn’t have,” he chided.
“Yes, I could. I saw… I knew…”
“You knew?”
“That you would do… what you must.”
“Yes.” He sighed heavily. “That I did. Wallace won’t trouble us again, you needn’t worry.”
I squeezed him tighter as I began to cry.
“Shh, sweeting. What is it, my precious dove? Do you cry for him?”
“No,” I sobbed, burying my face in his chest. “It’s only that I was so frightened. Forgive me, I never doubted you, but—”
“I know, darling. I know. But don’t cry anymore, please. The children are safe?”
“I put George to bed but I doubt John was able to sleep.”
“I suppose not. I’ll have to see to the body before morning. And Cecily? I don’t want you looking out the door, either. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
He held me at arm’s length and eyed me sternly. “I mean it. And as for your little excursion outside later, after Ispecifically—”
“Please, Antony,” I whimpered piteously. “Can’t you punish me tomorrow?”
He eyed me for a long moment, the fierce expression on his face making my bottom tingle in anticipation. At last, he nodded and his features softened as he leaned down to kiss me on the mouth. “Yes, this once I shall wait. But expect to be a very sore and repentant wife tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
Antony bent his head and kissed me again, longer this time, on the mouth. “I look forward to doing that many, many more times tonight.”
I nodded my agreement, even as more tears streaked down my cheeks.
“Don’t cry, love. All is right now.”
“We’ll have to see to that wound,” I reminded him, sniffling. “But first, you should go to John. You can’t imagine how worried he’s been.”
Antony gave me another squeeze. “Yes, let’s go see to our sons.”
Though I was still shaking, I was beginning to recover with Antony by my side. It helped, knowing that in time Wallace and the life I left behind would be nothing more than a distant memory. While at one time it had been unthinkable, I could now say with certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
