“If you swear to me.”
“Of course.”
“Then, of course!”
He grinned. And then they kissed each other. Not a swift mash of teeth and tongues. Not even a refined press of lips. He came to her with a slow caress of acceptance and exploration. But most of all, he came to her with love, and she returned it. That made this moment more than the sensation of their mouths against each other. It was more than the holding of each other’s arms. It was a feeling that swelled between them, magnifying with every second they touched. And it kept happening long after their mouths parted.
“There is more that I have to do here,” he said. “I need to help the constable see that everything is done properly so that no one can challenge it.”
She nodded, though she had no idea what he meant. She trusted him to handle this and so much more. What a relief to trust the man she loved to do things the proper way.
“Come to me as soon as you can,” she whispered.
“Nothing could keep me away.”
And then they held each other’s gaze for a moment longer.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you,” she echoed. “And it will be enough,” she said firmly. “Loving you will be more than enough for the rest of my life.”
Epilogue
Seven months later…
Their wedding occurredin by special license on the first day of the new year. Diana didn’t care if the whole world knew she was newly wed, but Lucas was ever careful with her reputation. She was still in half-mourning, and several people would talk if the speed of their wedding was known. She didn’t care, but he did.
So, they compromised and had a private ceremony at the Adelphi chapel in the Strand while both their families bore witness. The announcement of their nuptials would not come until next Season, but for now, they could live as man and wife in his London home. And that suited Diana just fine.
The breakfast was lovely. If nothing else, Lucas’s mother knew how to hire an excellent chef. But when Diana smiled at her family—the new and the old—she realized that her sister Gwen seemed to be deep in the doldrums.
After the last course was served, Diana could stand it no longer. With a whispered apology to her new husband, she left her seat to crouch down beside her normally unflappable sister.
“Have I made a hash of the greenery?” Diana asked by way of greeting. Her sister was mad for botany and would happily expound on care of one plant or another. But in this case, Gwen merely blinked at the collection of pinecones and branches that graced the table.
“How can anyone make a hash of an evergreen?” Gwen asked. “Their branches are so symmetrical, even I could make a decent table arrangement.”
“I am relieved that it’s not the decorations that have you so glum.” She nudged her sister with her shoulder. “So, what is it? Don’t you like Lucas?”
“What? Of course, I like him,” Gwen said.
“Then what makes you scowl at my wedding?”
“I’m not scowling! I’m happy for you.” Gwen grinned at her in such an obviously forced display that Diana burst out laughing. No one, not even her very proper sister, could dampen her mood this morning.
“Out with it,” Diana finally commanded. “What are you thinking that has made you unhappy?”
It took a moment for the words to come out. She could tell that Gwen was trying hard to phrase it correctly, but that never worked with her sister. Gwen was a bluestocking through and through, and she simply didn’t act or speak like a typical society woman. Diana thought that was a good thing, but even so, she was unprepared for her sister’s question.
“Are you getting married so you can have children?”
“What? No!” Though she had to admit, she couldn’t wait to have Lucas’s babies. What she wouldn’t give to be pregnant right now! Or at least very soon.
“Oh. That’s good then,” Gwen said as her expression turned thoughtful. “I thought you might be.”
Which, coming from her sister, meant something else much more astounding. Gwen only asked questions when she was thinking about a thing.
“Do you want children?” Diana asked her sister. Gwen had spent the last twelve seasons avoiding anything having to do with the marriage mart. The idea that she was contemplating children was shocking indeed.
