“And I ran through Hyde Park naked this morning. Although, to be fair, it was very early when no one was around, so I’m not sure the gossip rags will ever know about that one.”
Fiona’s whole body began to shake, and she realized just how long she’d been so tense. She put her fingers to his lips before he could confess to another outrageous act.
“Your Grace,” she whispered, “are yetryingto start a scandal?”
He cradled her face in both of his hands, his lips just inches from hers, his gaze fixed on her. “I would start a thousand of them, if that’s what it took to show you that I don’t care what they think. I don’t care if I’m their perfect duke. I don’t care if you’re their perfect duchess, because you’re perfect for me. As you are. As my wife. That’s all that matters.”
She swayed toward him, the relief making her giddy. “Even if I never throw a dinner party?”
He smiled and nodded, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Even if.”
She put a hand to his chest and through all the layers of fabric, she could still feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat. “Even if I continue working?” she whispered.
He put a hand over hers, pressing it to him. “You wouldn’t be happy if you stopped, and I want you to be happy.”
She bit her lip, hesitating for an anxious second. “Even if my being incredibly unconventional and not a little bit scandalous impacts your siblings’ prospects?”
Edward’s smile dimmed; a brief flash of pain crossed his face. “I used to want Charlotte to make a good match,” he said heavily, “with a well-esteemed gentleman who could provide for her every want. Now, I hope that she finds a love like I have. I don’t believe a man who’s worthy of that love could find fault with an intelligent, passionate, strong woman like you.”
Fiona’s throat went tight, so she nodded, unable to respond.
He took both her hands in his. “I didn’t do this properly before, though I had every opportunity.” Edward dropped onto one knee and Fi’s heart rate quickened. “Fiona Agnes Stirling, formerly McTavish, will you let me love you with all of my heart, forever?”
“Yes,” she whispered, the single word all she could manage.
Edward stood and gathered her in his arms, pressing his lips against hers in a kiss she felt to her toes. He wrapped his arms around her hips and lifted her off the ground as she held his face in her hands and kissed him back. Thoroughly. With every bit of relief, joy, and hope inside her.
When he finally let her go, once her feet were firmly on the ground, she took his hand. “I have something to show you.”
She led him down the stairs and through the empty halls to the dining room, where she took a deep breath before pushing open the door. The meal, at least the first few courses, was laid out on the table. She gestured to it, somewhat half-heartedly given it was cold and there was only a single lamp lit in the room, so a third of the table was cast in shadow.
It was tempting to just say “Surprise!” and leave it there. But she wanted to tell him what had been haunting her for weeks.
“I am sorry. I am so sorry. I should have been honest. I should have come to you for help instead of deceiving you. I tried to do it all on my own because I dunnae ken how to trust people. But that isn’t fair, because you’ve been there every time I’ve needed you. You earned my trust and yet I still withheld it, and that was a stupid, stubborn, unkind thing to do.”
He brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. “Fi—”
“Nae. You cannae say that it is all right, because it’s not. You cannae say that it’s forgiven because I haven’t earned that. But I will. I will earn your forgiveness. I will be better.”
He pressed his lips together. She could see how badly he wanted to smooth it all over with a few words but he didn’t. She had asked him not to and he respected that by responding simply with, “Thank you.”
She smiled, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. “I asked for help, you know. I let Amelia teach me everything she knows about food and floristry.”
“You did?” He put his hands on her hips and guided her to the sideboard, where purple hyacinth and geraniums were arranged in a vase. “What does this mean, then? I don’t think I’ve ever seen this combination of flowers before.”
Fiona snorted. “This meansidiot. Funnily enough, it was the first thing Amelia showed me. The hyacinths mean ‘I’m sorry.’”
Edward laughed, a deep belly laugh that reverberated around the room and sent Fiona into an exhausted, delirious fit of giggles. They tried to compose themselves, but every time one of them managed to constrain their laughter, they’d take one look at the other and then start all over again.
“Oh,” Fi said, holding her stomach. “It hurts.”
Edward straightened, having bent over the sideboard in his hysteria. The moment their gazes met, he pressed his lips together and swallowed hard, shaking his head slightly. “I can’t look at you.” He turned away from her and she heard him draw in deep breaths. He crossed to the table. “Is this edible?” he asked in a strained voice.
“I planned it; I didnaecookit.” She tried to ignore his snort and pulled out a chair for him. “Here. Sit. Let me.” By the time she’d finished piling his plate with food, she managed to find her composure.
“Don’t get too attached to this,” she said as she set the plate in front of him. “I’ll plan a meal when it matters, but most of my days will be spent working.” She said the words lightly, but her breath caught in her chest as she waited for his response.
He grinned, reached up, and tugged her into his lap. “That’s perfectly fine. In the morning, I’ll show you the plans I’ve drawn up for your lab.”
