Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lady Amelia, Duchess of Hayesford
I sat at my desk in the drawing room, while Oliver was in a chair near the fireplace. Since seeing Noah this afternoon, I had thought of him nonstop.
A knock sounded, and the butler entered. “Lord Peterson to see you. Are you in?”
Oliver looked at me, lifting one brow in surprise. “He’s here for me or for us?”
“He asked for you, your grace,” the butler said.
My stomach sank, and I nodded to Oliver. “Go to him.”
“Yes, my dear,” Oliver strode out into the hall after the butler.
I tried not to let myself become choked up over being left out. I had brought this on myself. It still stung. The door opened once more, and Oliver returned with Noah. I clenched my fingers on the desk, my heart in my throat. Had he forgiven me, or would we exchange more harsh words? Mother and I surprised him in the park, and while he hadn’t railed at me, he hadn’t been overly friendly either.
“Noah,” I said, my voice tight.
He strode to my side, lifted my hand, and kissed the back of it. “I am sorry, Amelia. I should never have said what I did to you.”
“Oh, Noah.” I jumped from my seat and threw my arms around him. “It is I who am sorry. I wanted to protect you, and it was wrong of me to assume you needed protecting.”
He cupped my jaw and rubbed his thumb along my bottom lip. “You weren’t wrong, Amelia. I erected a wall to block my heart from harm, and now I am ready to tear it down. Oliver, please come over here. I have something to say to both of you.”
My husband joined us, a huge grin on his face. I rested my cheek on Noah’s chest, my arms still around his waist. The happiness I had before returned.
“I spoke to Lady Ellen. She told me everything she told you, Amelia, and more. She also gave me some sage advice. Le’s remember how Sally lived, not how she died.” He placed a lingering kiss on my lips. “I truly am sorry for what I said to you. It wasn’t fair.”
“You were hurt, and you were right,” Oliver said.
While Oliver supported me, he had agreed with Noah on that score. I still didn’t agree one hundred percent, but being right wasn’t important. “I should have told you. If I had it to do all over again, I would have.”
Earnest brown eyes met mine. “We both said and did things we regret. I don’t wish to fight with you, Amelia. You’re my friend, and I am lost without you.” He turned his head to look at Oliver. “And you.”
Oliver grazed his mouth over Noah’s. The sight of the two men kissing seared my blood the way it tended to.
Noah pulled back, earnestness in his gaze. “I want you both to know that I love you. I have for a long time. I simply refused to accept it.”
“This might come as a surprise to you, but I’ve always known that you loved both of us. But loving someone and being in love with them are two different things,” I said. Noah was acareful thinker who used logic to consider every angle before he decided. Love wasn’t logical.
Noah shook his head, kissing me once more. “I love you, and I’minlove with you. Both of you.”
My heart swelled, jubilation bringing tears to my eyes. “Thank you, Noah. It is an honor, one I believe calls for a celebration.”
He stepped back as the light in his gaze dimmed. With a heavy sigh, he produced the diary. My stomach sank.
“I have one more thing I want to do.” He walked to the fireplace, determination in his erect frame. “I think we should burn the diary. There’s no use in keeping this poison around. I would be devastated if the twins saw it and thought the worst of their mother.”
“A wise choice.” I followed him, positive he was making the right decision. Sally’s last words would be forever burned in my memory, but I didn’t wish to pass them on to Sam and John.
“Oliver, would you do the honors?” Noah’s anguished expression had disappeared, and an inner peace shone in his eyes. I wanted him to be at peace, and I was certain Sally would wish that as well.
