“Someday we shall have an entire library at your disposal.”
“It is not entirely necessary while I have a circulating library nearby, but I would never be opposed to being surrounded by books.”
Tristan leaned closer. “I will never be opposed to the expression on your face when you look at books.”
Caroline let out a surprised laugh. “You wretch. However will I repay you?”
“My love is not transactional.” He looked up, narrowing his eyes as though contemplating the matter. “But I will never refuse a quiet moment with you alone.”
“Is that not what we have right now?”
He shot a meaningful look toward their family. “No. We are decidedly not alone right now.”
Caroline’s smile widened. “I will properly thank you the next time we are, Tristan.”
His chest grew tight with anticipation at the mention. Her attention returned to the books as she opened the cover of the first volume and ran her fingers lovingly over the title page.
Tristan could not wait to make Caroline his bride and share a life with her. He settled into the moment and felt as though everything hadcome about all right in the end, after all.
Epilogue
SIX YEARS LATER
Caroline narrowed her eyes and surveyed the drawing room. It had been redone last year, with her mother-in-law’s blessing of course, in a pale forget-me-not blue with ivory curtains. The chairs were upholstered in a similar blue, the settee in a darker shade, and the Aubusson carpet brought all the colors together, with golden yellow and dusty pink.
It was a haven for Caroline, her favorite place to read…or to hunt for small children.
“If we are going to have time to walk through the park, we really ought to be tying our bonnets on now.” Caroline sang the words, searching the room for two pairs of small feet hiding behind curtains or bundled beneath chairs. She had heard her daughters enter this room, so she knew she was close.
“In fact, Papa will not be able to walk with usat allunless we leave right now.”
“No!” a muffled little voice shouted. “I want Papa to walk with us.”
Caroline spun to face the opposite direction. Ah! Just there, tucked behind the door, she could see movement. She crept toward them. “He will need to leave soon for the park if he is to return in time for his meeting.”
“Meeting!” the little voice said in outrage. Five-year-old Anna never liked anything that took her papa from the house.
“Yes.” Caroline was nearly there. “He must meet Uncle James and Harry Plumstead before dinner.”
There was quiet whispering between the girls, supplying Caroline enough time to swing the door away from the wall, her arms out, ready to tickle.
“Found you!” she called, diving for her girls and tickling them with one hand each. A peal of giggles erupted from the corner of the room, echoing from the wall and filling the room.
“No, Mama!” Charlotte called. At three years old, her small voice was so sweet and pure. “All finished!”
“You want me to be finished?” Caroline asked, sitting back on her heels and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But you have been found and must pay the forfeit!”
She dove for them again as two strong arms came around her and lifted her from the floor.
“I will save you girls,” Tristan called, swinging Caroline from their grasp and knocking the wind from her. She fought a smile, pushing at his arms. He started for her side, tickling her softly until she could not cease laughing. She turned to face him, breaking contact long enough to make him stop inthe only way that worked for her without fail. She kissed him.
Tristan’s arm came around her, pulling her tightly against him, and he kissed her back.
“No, Mummy!” Anna said. “None ofthat.We must leave for the parknow.”
Tristan grinned down at her, leaving another long kiss on her lips before releasing her. He faced his daughters. “Who permitted you to go to the park?”
They giggled. “Mama, of course.”
