I felt his mouth curve into a smile the same moment mine did.
“What game did Lady Tottenham intend for us to play?” Alexander asked, pulling back just enough to look in my eyes.
“She has always only cared about the kissing part of her games. I think she will be content.”
He laughed, pressing a kiss to my forehead, then my nose, and cheek, all in quick succession. “The real question is whether or not she has locked the door behind us.”
My eyes widened. I followed him toward the door, testing the handle. It turned. A flood of relief washed over me. I felt Alexander’s hand on my waist as I faced the door. He turned me swiftly toward him, a playful smile on his face as he leaned his other hand against the door, trapping me. I was still rather shy, but my boldness surprised me. I rose on my toes to kiss his grinning lips again. His smile was as delicious as I’d hoped.
I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but I experienced every sensation all over again. We laughed between each touch of our lips, until we both became lost in the kiss entirely. My giddiness spun me in circles until I nearly lost my balance. Alexander pressed me against the door, keeping me steady as we kissed and kissed. I wasn’t aware of the time that had passed, only that tonight, a locked door would have been far too dangerous.
I took hold of the doorknob, turning it with a click. Alexander pulled back, and I slid around him, laughing. “We should return to our rooms,” I said in a breathless voice. My happiness alone could have carried me there weightlessly, but before I knew what was happening, Alexander had scooped me up into his arms.
I clung to his neck as he opened the door, my laughter verging on uncontrollable. As soon as we were in the corridor, I lowered my voice to a whisper. “You don’t have to carry me,” I protested, even though I adored every second of it.
He smiled. “I plan to make a habit of this.”
My head whirled with dreams of living at Birch House with him. I could hardly wait to invite Henrietta here to show her how my life had changed. Marrying Alexander was unexpected, but it didn’t scare me. My dreams had never felt more secure. He wasn’t going to run away or change his mind or keep me waiting. He valued me and my heart and my time more than anyone ever had.
I tried to imagine the years of laughter and difficulties and adventures ahead of us, but it was all blurred by my happiness. I didn’t need to look ahead to things that were unwritten. I had this moment. I had him.
There couldn’t be a greater prize.
CHAPTER 32
EPILOGUE
December 14th, 1818
It has come to my attention that there is a fortune hunter in our midst.All you dowry-bearing debutantes would do well to guard your reticules as carefully as your hearts in the presence of Mr. Miles Holland. He is the brother of the recently famed Alexander Holland, whose agreeable nature has won the hand of Lady Daventry, granting him a share of Birch House and her future fortune. I find it a suitable victory for a man who has been discredited by his brother all his life.
What is this disputatious history between theHolland brothers?Mr. Miles Holland left a scullery maid with child before leaving for London several years ago, paying her a small sum to blame his younger brother for the wrongdoing. The truth, however, has now been brought to light. After receiving a much larger sum from the heiress of Birch House, the anonymous maid has confirmed these accusations against Miles to his family, friends, and parish.
We must conclude that Mr. Miles Holland is not only afortune hunter, but he is much worse than that. He is a liar, and a rake. Be warned, my dear reader.His charming smiles have been known to capture even the most clever of ladies. He may boast of his riches, but he hasn’t a sixpence to scratch with.
On a related, though much more pleasant subject, Lady Daventry and Mr. Alexander Holland were married last month. After their wedding trip in Brighton, they have settled at Birch House with the still vibrant Lady Tottenham, who is sure to persist much longer than her physician’s estimations. I have heard she is quite pleased with her choice of heiress, and her subsequent choice of a husband.
Even with my critical eye, I have yet to find anything lacking in Mr. and Mrs. Holland’s happily-ever-after.
