Unable to wait, she hurried down the grand steps of the mansion, not for the first time wishing there weren’t so many. By time she reached the bottom, the first coach was coming to a halt and her breath was making small clouds in the cold air.
She ran to the second coach.
Just as it came to a halt, the door opened and Anthony jumped out. “Lissa.”
She ran into his arms, tears in her eyes that he was back, even not knowing the outcome. To hold him again meant more to her than breathing.
“Lissa, all is fine. Everything is fixed.” He lifted her face and wiped at her tears. “Are these tears of happiness?”
She tried to speak but had to swallow hard to get her voice to work. “No. They are tears of relief…and love.” Her heart skidded to a halt. She wasn’t sure what he would think.
His smile widened. “Here I already thought I couldn’t be happier, and yet you make me more so.Je’taime aussi. With all of my heart.”
She shivered with happiness and kissed him, showing him how full her heart was now that she had him back.
A male clearing his throat had them separating, and she blushed to find the Duke of Roxburgh looking at them, his brows raised in question.
Anthony addressed his father. “We were just celebrating that Lissa loves me.”
“I would think you would be celebrating that we weren’t all thrown in prison and that Leighhall will be on his way to Australia soon, his estates forfeited to the Crown.”
“Father, that’s an excellent point.”
Lissa had been so worried about Anthony, she’d forgotten all about the plot. “Is the king still alive?”
His Grace nodded. “He is. The regent was aware of Leighhall’s fascination with weapons and his ideas for killing the king, but he simply replied to Leighhall as a pastime. He didn’t expect anyone to learn of it and was quite furious.”
“At least, that’s what he stated.” Anthony rolled his eyes, clearly not believing any of it. “And now he’ll be able to take all his weapons back. That’s why Leighhall hid them. They were gifts from the regent.”
“So was the king actually in danger?” Had they really traveled so far, so fast, for no reason?
“No, according to the regent.” Lord Roxburgh exchanged a look with his son before continuing. “However, it is unclear if the king would have remained so. We were delayed because the regent insisted on sending men to bring Leighhall to him. They found the viscount taking his anger out on a woman in his dressing room. Fortunately, they interrupted in time and shewas still alive.” He looked at his son thoughtfully, and his gaze softened. “I’m glad you escaped when you did.”
A hard shiver raced through her at the thought of how easily she and Anthony could have become two of the viscount’s victims.
“Hear, hear.” Lord Harewood strode up with Dory on his arm.
Lissa stared at her friend, who not only appeared blissfully happy, but even more beautiful in her maroon pelisse that matched her hair perfectly. “You went with them?” Lissa gestured toward Lord Harewood.
“Of course not. My husband wouldn’t allow me in the same town as that man. It makes me shiver thinking about how I was at a house party with him. Though it is odd that a thought can make me shiver when it’s such a beautiful autumn day, even if a bit cold. It’s fascinating that despite the warmth of the sun, it is still so cold, yet in the summer, the sun does add warmth. I’m sure Ellie could explain such an odd circumstance. Though I can’t imagine—”
“Dory,” Lord Harewood interrupted his wife, a smile on his face.
She laughed before grasping his arm. “I was rambling again, wasn’t I?” She turned her gaze back on them. “I’m so thankful that all of us are out of harm’s way and have nothing else to worry over.”
“I agree.” Lord Harewood held his hand out to Anthony. “Thank you for your assistance in this matter. If I had known how dangerous it would become, I assure you that I wouldn’t have hired you.”
Anthony shook the man’s hand. “If that had been the circumstance, then we would all have to look over our shoulders for the rest of our lives. No, it was fortunate that you did.”
“I suppose you’re correct.” Lord Harewood turned to Dory. “Shall we go in and celebrate?”
At Dory’s nod, they walked toward the house.
“Hired?” His Grace frowned. “Tell me you did not accept payment for your investigation.”
Anthony shrugged. “I had to. It makes these lords more comfortable, and the work is usually much less dangerous than when I was with the Bow Street Runners.”
His father’s eyes rounded before he shook his head. “I don’t want to hear anymore.” Turning about, albeit awkwardly, the man started for the house, his wooden leg making his walk more that of a sailor than a duke.
