“I can only hope you feel the same about me,” Daffin continued.
“I do.” She nodded, cradling the ring box to her chest. “I will marry you. I don’t care about your past. I’m only sorry you had to go through all of that. But if you hadn’t I wouldn’t have you here to love, to be my husband.”
Daffin pulled her into his arms. “I don’t deserve you, Regina, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy.”
“I will be, Daffin. As long as I’m with you.” She gave him a tearful smile.
He returned her smile. “Will you be happy married to a Bow Street Runner?”
“I’ll be nothing but proud.” She cupped his face between her mittened hands. “I don’t want you to stop being a runner. I don’t think I’ll ever stop worrying about you, but someone needs to chase down the bad people out there, people like the Duchess of Portland and Quinton Knowles. You’re a gifted investigator, Daffin. The streets of London need you.”
Daffin picked her up and spun her in his arms. “I love you, Regina Haversham, with all my heart.”
“And I love you, Daffin Oakleaf, with all of mine.”
He set her down and they strolled back toward Grimaldi’s town house, arm in arm.
Daffin gave a sudden laugh. “You know what?” he asked, kicking his boots through the fresh snow.
“What?” Regina leaned down to roll a ball of snow between her mittens.
“For the first time since I was a child, I’m actually looking forward to Christmas next year.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” She tossed the snowball away, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Because I adore Christmas and every Christmas from now on will be even better because we’re together. Now kiss me.”
