“Mm?”
“Thank you,” Sebastian said simply, sincerely.
Nicholas held his gaze. Something bright and warm flickered in his eyes before he masked it with composure.
“Think nothing of it,” he said lightly—but Sebastian could see the truth.
Nicholas slipped out. The door clicked shut.
Sebastian rose—pain lancing through his leg—and crossed the space to Evelyn. He drew her into his arms.
She melted against him with a soft, broken sound, and he held her fiercely, his hand sliding into her hair, his body sheltering hers as though he could shield her from the world.
“Evelyn,” he murmured into her hair.
Her scent—familiar, beloved—sent a shiver of longing through him. Even battered and exhausted, he felt that spark, that desperate need to keep her near, to be hers entirely.
“Sebastian,” she whispered. She leaned back to look up at him. “You need a physician.”
“No,” he said at once—too quickly, perhaps, but true. “I will manage.”
He stroked her hair, cupping her cheek. “And you? Are you hurt?”
“No,” she murmured. “Just tired.” She shivered, and he tightened his hold.
“It is shock,” he said gently. “Come—we must get you home.”
“Tell me…” she began softly as he took her hand and guided her toward the door, “how did you—?”
“There will be time to explain everything later,” he said gently, cutting her off.
He paused, his voice low. “Right now, all that matters is that you are safe.”
She looked up at him then—truly looked—and something in her gaze made his breath hitch. A question, a trembling hope, a disbelief that struck him to the core.
A breath passed.
Another.
The world stilled around them.
“I love you,” he said simply, as though it were the only truth left in him. “I love you, Evelyn,” he repeated, his voice rough with emotion.
“Sebastian...” she breathed in amazement. She gazed up at him, her hand resting lightly on his cheek in a way that made him draw in a breath. “I love you too. I love you so much.”
For a heartbeat, he simply stared—astonished, reverent, undone.
And then he bent to her, pressing his lips to hers.
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him in a way that made fire race through his body even as his soul soared.
He stepped back gently, his arm around her to support her, and they walked out of the room.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Evelyn leaned against Sebastian in the coach. It was a small coach, and the darkness outside the windows made it seem even smaller; a tiny, warm space in which only they existed. She nestled against him and rested her head on his chest. She was so tired.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She clung to him, relief and joy and wonder making her grip strong, holding him tight to her as if she could mould her body to his and never part from him. He smelled wonderful—like leather and spice, like him. She breathed in the scent like she was breathing in the scent of perfume, and nestled closer against his chest.
