Her eyes ached as she opened them. They would be puffy and swollen. She could feel the grit from her leftover tears. And yet, she tilted her head back to look up at him. “I am. How did you know?”
Achingly familiar eyes studied her in concern. Shadows had etched themselves beneath them and stubble the color of a lion’s mane darkened the lower half of his face. “I could feel your breathing change.” He gave her a weak attempt at a smile.
“You came back to me.”
Again, that weak smile. How had his become such a precious face? “I am back. I never should have left.” Gentle fingertips grazed her cheek. “Will you forgive me?”
Lila blinked. “Will you forgive me?”
And then he dropped a kiss on her lips. No demand. No need. Just a kiss of affection and acceptance. “Nothing to forgive.”
“Vincent.” She tested his name on her lips. “I have nothing to forgive of you, either.”
His smile spread wider this time. How could they smile after all that had come to pass? She could smile because she lov—
“I love you, Lila.” His smile settled into simple contentment. “Your father was an evil, horrid man, but I will always have him to thank for forcing me into your life. And now that you are here, I’ll do everything I know to keep you happy. You are a blessing to me. I would marry you a thousand times over if I could. Never doubt my love.” His gaze revealed a hint of hidden savagery. “Never.”
Lila swallowed hard. He was right. Without the damnable man she had called father, she would never have found this.
Him.
Love.
This absoluteknowingthat she was exactly where she was meant to be.
She had discovered her destiny, the man of her body and heart. “I love you, Vincent.” She wound her arms around his neck. They would climb out of this bed today, bathe, eat, and make their plans for the future.
They would bring Arianna here, and they would mourn together and allow the scars of their childhood begin to heal.
They had survived and they had one another. Lila would shower her sister with all the love she deserved. Because despite everything, they had survived.
And life meant nothing without love.
Lila’s heart swelled. She had been given more than her fair share.
Vincent climbed out of their tall bed, walked over to the window, and drew back the curtain.
Sometime in the night, her husband had removed his clothing. Lila licked her lips as she studied the sinewy ridges that made up his beautiful physique.
She’d been given hope and life and love and oh, so much more.
Her eyes trailed up the length of his legs and stopped just below his hips. She licked her lips again.
So very much more.
Epilogue
Unlikely Friends
Lila frownedas she watched Adrianna spin around on the dance floor at her very first ton ball. The gentleman who’d claimed this particular dance seemed far too old for Lila’s little sister. Not quite eight and ten, Adrianna had finally convinced Lila and Vincent that she was more than ready to make her come out to society this spring.
Lila bit her lip. Her little sister looked so very grown up and very, very pretty. Perhaps too pretty.
The music echoed across the gleaming parquet floors and chandeliers sparkled from above. After having been away from London for so long, it was all a little overwhelming.
“She will be fine,” Vincent whispered in her ear. “She has her sister’s beauty but also her wits.” He squeezed her hand. “And if any one of the blokes sniffing around her makes so much as a single misstep, she will have the benefit of her brother-in-law’s fist plowing through their face.” Lila couldn’t help but smile upon hearing that overly protective growl in her husband’s voice.
He made for an excellent, if not somewhat overbearing, older brother to Adrianna.
