“Well, I believe we might be interrupting something,” Farnsworth said from behind her, laughter in his voice.
Langdon lifted his head and winked at her before he straightened. “Yes, you are.”
Henderson entered after Farnsworth, his dark hair pulled back to expose his scar. The big man approached, his black greatcoat rustling with his movements. “Stanton would like to see you. He has questions about Idle and Randell.”
“I am sure he does.” Langdon frowned, the softness disappearing from his face. He dropped his arm but kept his hand on the small of her back. “Idle made a fool out of all of us.”
Henderson nodded and offered Elizabeth an unexpected bow. “I just have to say, you were bloody brilliant yesterday. Seen nothing like it from a lady. Climbing a cliff. Remarkable.” The grin he offered transformed his face into a mask of overt masculinity. A giggle escaped at his broad smile, and she slapped her hand to her mouth. She chanced a glance at Langdon to gauge his reaction.
“She could have broken her neck.” He rolled his eyes, which made her want to laugh even more.
Henderson merely shrugged. “But she didn’t. Did she?”
“No, I did not.” Although there were several times she thought it was the end. If it wasn’t for Langdon, she could very well be dead. She owed him much more than she could ever repay.
Elizabeth had one last hurdle to pass; her interview with Stanton. With Langdon by her side, she could sail through any storm.
Epilogue
“My dearest Elizabeth, the illustrious Countess Langdon, might I have the pleasure of this dance?” Langdon bowed to Elizabeth on the dance floor in the ballroom at Sanderson Keep. The strains of a waltz floated around them, the soft light of the candles glittering off his golden hair.
“My dearest Simon, Viscount Langdon, you know my thoughts on dancing,” she said, offering him a mischievous grin. Love flooded her heart and she walked on a cloud of contentment. She laid her palm on the back of his hand. He’d forgone gloves, but she didn’t mind. She liked his rebellious nature.
“I know your thoughts in general, but I swore I changed your mind.” He placed his hand on her waist and clasped the other. The heat of his powerful frame pulled her in, and she stepped closer than was proper. Hazel eyes met hers as he brought her into the movement of the dance. “Should I pelt you with compliments?”
She lifted her head, her smile growing. This giving man was her husband; the man she would spend the rest of her days with. The man she loved with all her heart. “I think it is my turn to compliment you.”
“Having you on my arm is compliment enough,” he said with a roguish leer. He twirled her around another couple who were attending their wedding ball.
“That is a compliment about me, not you,” she said, head tilted back to gaze upon his familiar face. How had she ever thought him plain? His jawline was strong, as was his character. She loved everything about him, the good and the bad.
“Well, you are the best part of me, my love.” He brought their combined hands under her chin and leaned in to press his mouth to hers. Scandalous to be sure, but she would defy the critics if it meant more of his kisses. Luckily, all those attending were friends of the family, thus they were amused by their display of affection.
“Don’t try to distract me with your sweet words.” Since her confession, the wounds of distrust between them had healed. When he asked her to marry him, she had no qualms about saying yes. The thought of living without him was unfathomable. “You, my dearest husband, are a loaf of bread. Golden and crusty on the outside, but soft and warm on the inside.”
“You are comparing me to a loaf of bread?”
“I am. If you think about it, it is a great compliment.” He was her everything, and she couldn’t wait to start her life with him. They had married that morning, after months of hammering out the details of the smuggler’s ring. Randell had lost his source of income but had faced no consequences other than monetary for his actions. It still irked Elizabeth to no end, but it was her wedding day, and she had no wish to think about the man. “You are loved by almost everyone, and you are toasted every day at breakfast.”
“When you put it like that, it is indeed a compliment. However, what if I get stale and moldy? Will you still love me then, or toss me into the pigs’ slop?” His hand on her waist flexed, drawing her closer until her hips brushed his. She didn’t complain. Any opportunity to touch him was magic. They hadn’t much time alone between wedding plans and meetings with Stanton and the home office. Idle was sent to a penal colony in Australia to atone for his crimes. Fitting justice given his role in the blackmail scheme.
“I will keep you in my pantry until you’re withered and old, and whether or not you turn green.” It was hard to keep a straight face when uttering those ridiculous words. Love had made her silly and sentimental. To be carefree for the first time in her life was liberating.
Langdon’s rich laughter rang out, drawing the attention of the couples around them. “Thank you, my dearest wife. I will hold you to that promise and the other promise you made to me.”
