The kiss was messy, sloppy, both of us smiling too wide to be very effectual. And when we pulled apart, her finger traced the curve of my lips.
“Two thousand percent,” she whispered.
“What?”
“I measure your smiles, count them. This one… it blows all the others away.”
“I should hope so, wife,” I said, resting my forehead against hers.
“I look forward to topping it, husband.”
“Come, little menace.” I swung my arm over her shoulder and guided her into the carriage. “Where should we go on our next adventure?”
“I already told you. Everywhere.”
Epilogue
LEIGHTON HALL—MAY 15, 1824
DAVINA
I still abductedmy husband from time to time—only to ensure he never grew complacent.
The years had been generous, providing us with two daughters to run about the countryside like hellions. They had proven to be the greatest adventure of all.
Kit’s beard may have had a hint of grey to it now, and I had more than a few laugh lines etched on my face. But my love for him had never once caused more pain than joy. And Xander had been right. I wouldn’t give up this life for anything, no matter what tomorrow brought.
It took Kit less than six months to put his estate to rights and sort out Ewan’s inheritance. After which we set off on a grand honeymoon, traipsing across the continent for more than a year with no hint of a plan.
Our adventures remained closer to home these days, with frequent forays north to Scotland to see Xander, Tom, Sorcha, and little Ewan. Or south, to London or Kent to see our friendsand family there. Sometimes, we went west for no reason at all but to explore Wales or Ireland.
My dear husband still did, on occasion, get lost in the piles of documents in his study, particularly when Will sent some contracts for a second look. And thus, an abduction was required.
Today was one of those days.
I’d foregone stockings and boots, the waistcoat too. Instead, I wore only Kit’s shirt and breeches as I beat the dust from my pirate’s hat against my thigh before popping it on my head at a jaunty angle over my unbound hair.
Satisfied with my appearance, I padded down the hall, making a quick detour to snatch a bottle of whiskey from the drawing room before tracing the familiar lines of the darkened hall to his study. I had no need of a candle in this house—nor would I forsake the element of surprise for such a convenience.
The door was cracked, as usual. Kit always left a door open for me and the girls, no matter how busy he was. Peering through the gap, I saw my husband’s dark curls sprawled atop the desk—asleep then.
I crept inside and set the bottle on the desk before rounding it to his side. Gently, I brushed back a dark curl that danced in front of his nose with every breath. Dark eyelashes fluttered for a moment before revealing warm eyes.
“This is an abduction,” I whispered, earning a quarter smile.
Kit rose, groaning as he registered the ache in his frame. Smudges of ink lined his cheek, curved into a boyish grin. “Is it?” he questioned.
“It is.”
“And how long might I expect to be gone? I would not wish for my wife to worry, you see.”
“Not for long, I expect. But she should absolutely worry.”
He raised a brow. “She should?”
“Oh, yes. You’ll never be the same after I return you.”
“In what ways?”
