“I’mgladit happened.” He said the words and he meant them all the way down to his core. All his anger, all his pain, it faded with that acceptance. “I wouldn’t change it. We are all where we are meant to be and that couldn’t have happened without that night in the cottage between you and Simon.”
She drew in a ragged breath. “Does that mean you forgive us? Forgivehim?”
He nodded, and it was so very true in that moment. A peace filled him, filled every fiber of his being, filled every space in his mind and the universe felt clear. Without the betrayal that had cut him so deeply, he would have married Meg. They would have been miserable. He never would have roamed London aimlessly, he never would have been directed toward Lydia, he never would have found Adelaide.
His life would have been cold and empty and miserable. And now he had a future in front of him. One that was clear and powerful and filled with…love.
He loved Adelaide. He loved her with a power he hadn’t known he could possess. And it was terrifying and wonderful and perfect and thrilling all at once. It made him understand everything Simon had done because the idea of someone taking her, someone keeping her from him, made his mind race and his hands shake.
“Youarehere.”
Graham got to his feet and turned as Simon entered the room. His friend with the mischievous air to him, with the kindness that permeated everything he did, with the light that had always made the darkness in Graham just a little easier to bear, stared at him. There was pain on his face, but also hope.
Graham said nothing, he just came around the settee, crossed the room to him in three long strides. Simon stiffened, his expression uncertain, but when Graham grabbed his arm and tugged him in for an embrace, Simon’s arms folded around him. They stood that way for a moment, then Graham backed away, smiling as Meg stepped up with tears in her eyes.
“I’ll leave you two,” she said, squeezing Graham’s hand before she leaned up to kiss Simon’s cheek gently. The couple’s eyes met, and a world of love and understanding passed between them. He recognized it now, as he hadn’t before because he’d never felt love like that before. Now he did. And he understood everything so much better.
She left, and Simon leaned back to shut the door. “I can’t believe you’re here,” he said. “Sit. She gave you tea, didn’t she? Meg and her tea. Would you like something stronger?”
Graham chuckled. “No, I’m fine.”
“Imight need something stronger,” Simon muttered as he went to the sideboard and splashed some scotch into a glass. “Finley said you were here and I thought—”
“He was drunk? That was Meg’s reaction too.”
“Well, we are often of a mind,” Simon said with a shrug.
“You are that,” Graham said. “I just never understood it. If I had, I would have stepped aside long before that night in the cottage.”
Simon flinched as he slowly took the place across from Graham where Meg had last sat. “You were right the last time you talked to me. You were right when you said that I should have done something. It wasn’t your responsibility.”
“The last time I talked to you, I was very drunk,” Graham said with a shake of his head as he thought of a bleary afternoon at White’s when he’d tried to force Simon to fight him. “And I was cruel.”
“No, you were honest,” Simon said. “Which is more than I gave you. But your words that day drove me back to Meg. Drove me to fight for what I wanted, even if I refused to fight you. And you saved us, Graham. I’ll never be able to repay that debt. Nor will I be able to apologize enough for my bungling of the matter. I destroyed our friendship, not just that night when Meg and I were trapped together, but for years before that. Because I couldn’t look you in the eye and tell you what I wanted.”
“Desperation can drive a man to do things he wouldn’t normally,” Graham said. “And love. I…I understand that more now.”
Simon wrinkled his brow. “Are you saying you’re in love?”
Graham took a deep breath. “Yes,” he admitted, then ran a hand through his hair. “Christ, that’s the first time I’ve said it out loud.”
Simon laughed. “Am I correct to guess it is with Lady Adelaide?”
Graham’s eyes went wide. “And how do you know that?”
“Meg and Emma are close, remember,” Simon said with a shrug. “And Adelaide doesn’t think much of Meg. Sinceeveryoneadores my wife, her reticence made it obvious that Adelaide liked you and was taking your side on the matter.”
“Well, her hesitations about Meg will change once she realizes I’ve forgiven you,” Graham said with a smile as he thought of his warrior Adelaide, always on his side. “She’s protective of me.”
“She is.” Simon leaned forward. “Do you truly forgive me?”
Graham nodded. “Yes.”
“And are you planning on marrying this woman who has tempted you to love?” Simon pressed, his tone much lighter now. It was like old times, in fact. Old times when Simon had been the one he could say certain things to. Things that needed gentleness or finesse or lightness.
“I am,” Graham said slowly. “We made the agreement earlier today, though I haven’t yet told her my feelings.”
Simon wrinkled his brow. “No? Why?”
