“No, love.I told you that I wrote to Carver as soon as I inherited the title and advised him I wanted them removed.I was serious about it and the tone of my letter conveyed it.I could say that I was thinking of you at the time, but you weren’t even deigning to speak to me yet.”
“Then why, Alex?They would have fawned over you.You could have taken any liberties and they would have adored you.”
“Thoselibertiesdestroyed my family.My uncles and cousins were gamblers, drunks, and debauchers.My father was probably the same when it came to gambling and drinking.The only difference is that he might have loved my mother and stayed true to her.But he was too weak to challenge my grandfather.So, what good did it do them?They lived in misery, all because my father would not stand up for his love.”
She kissed him.“I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“It’s all right.”He entered the bedchamber and settled her on their bed.“Best we speak our minds, get it all out in the open, and then never bring it up again.”
She regarded him earnestly.“I never will, Alex.I see how much these memories hurt you.”
“But I’ll heal because you are with me.Don’t fret, Tulip.I am content and I know my life with you will be a happy one.”
She smiled.“That is remarkably optimistic of you.”
He nodded.“I have everything I ever wished for and more.And just to be clear, I did not wish to inherit the title.What I wished for wasyou.One night with Tulip, is what I wanted, and then you let me kiss you in Lady Fullerton’s garden.In that moment, I knew my wish would come true.”
She arched an eyebrow.“That’s all you wanted?One night?”
He chuckled.“At the time, I could not even get you to talk to me.So, yes.I thought one night might be enough to have you notice me.”
“Imarriedyou.That’s a bit more than a little notice, I would say.”
“Yes, but your marrying me was no assurance we would ever live under the same roof.It all happened so fast, I wasn’t certain you would go through with the marriage.Or if you did, that you would want anything to do with me afterward.So, I was still making wishes about you.Grant me one night with Tulip.Then grant me another night with Tulip.Then another.Then a lifetime.”
“Seems all your wishes have been answered.You are well and truly stuck with me.”
He chuckled.“It may be equally said thatyouare truly stuck withme.”
“Or blessed to have you,” she said with heartfelt sincerity.“You weren’t the only one making wishes.After that night in Lady Fullerton’s garden, I hoped for the same.One night with Alex.Then another.Then a lifetime.”
“You’ll have it, Tulip.”He kissed her gently.“Rest now, love.”
He stretched out beside her and took her into his arms, holding her in his embrace until she fell asleep.
He could have slipped out of bed once she was lost in slumber, for the hour was still early.But he was exactly where he wished to be, and that was holding Tulip in his arms.
The night fell softly.
The sky turned dark and a full moon shone with silvery brightness.
Stars twinkled overhead.
Tulip’s body was warm and curled against his.
He’d almost lost her today.
But by the grace of heaven, she was safe in his arms.
Yes, this was the best night ever.
And the next ten thousand nights would be even better.
EPILOGUE
Thornwycke Hall
Somerset, England
