Nicholas started moving, forgetting to even thank Pippa. He found the building, climbed the stairs in the back, and knocked on the door at the second-story landing.
He didn’t breathe as he waited for it to open, then exhaled in a rush of relief when he saw Sadie. Her confusion at seeing him at her door gutted him. He knew he needed to talk, to explain, but first he had to wipe away that confusion. He slid a hand to the nape of her neck, rested the other on her waist, and kissed her. Right in the doorway, where anyone walking by could see.
For once, he didn’t erect an instinctive ward around them. He didn’t want to be interrupted, but he wanted to be seen. He wanted everyone—Sadie most of all—to know that he was head over heels for her.
She froze for only a split second before returning his kiss, going up on tiptoe to push closer.
Eventually they had to break apart—or move inside. Nicholas rested his forehead against hers and enfolded her in his arms. “You left.”
“The month was up.”
“You weren’t supposed to go with everyone else. Sadie, you weren’t just my mother’s guest.”
“No, I was the liar hiding among all the ladies.”
“You were—are—exactly the woman I wanted. The one I assumed didn’t exist. The one I plan to spend the rest of my life with.” He lifted his head, needing to look directly into her eyes as he spoke. Needing to see that she believed him. “Sadie, you are everything. When I woke this morning and realized you weren’t there, the day grew dimmer. When I discovered you had left entirely, it turned black. I would rather face down a thousand demons than go a day without you. I want to wake with you in my arms, listen to you tease me over toast and marmalade, find a way to beat you at chess while you use your power. I want to make love to you every night, and plenty of mornings and afternoons, wander through the forest at your side, and watch you brew amazing potions.”
She had frozen, and he knew that his words were a complete shock to her, though he couldn’t understand why. Hadn’t he made himself clear over the past few weeks? His mother’s advice echoed in his mind. What he thought was clear wasn’t enough.
He ran his hands down her arms and took her hands in his. “I love you. I love you so much and think about how much I love you so much, I honestly don’t understand how I haven’t inundated you with that thought. I want to marry you and know that you are my wife, not my baroness, just mine.”
Sadie’s lips parted, but no words came out.
Nicholas decided to fill the silence. If Sadie needed to hear the words, he’d give her all the words. “As much as it pains me to admit it, my mother was absolutely correct. The only reason I didn’t want to marry was that I hadn’t met the right person yet. You are that person. Mother recognized it as soon as she saw us arguing that first night. It took me a little longer, but I’ve knownfor weeks now that I want to marry you. I love you, Sadie. Will you marry me?”
She still didn’t seem to be able to talk.
Nicholas kissed her softly, and pushed a question to the surface of his thoughts in the way he had learned made it most likely Sadie would pick it up.Do you want to marry me, Sadie?
Yes.She moved then, no longer frozen in shock, or whatever it had been, and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake in your arms every morning and tease you over tea. I want to demolish you at chess and act out every fantasy you’ve never dared to share yet. I want to watch you carve charms, go swimming with you, and have a life with you. I love you, Nick.
“Will you marry me, Sadie?” he asked again, their lips still touching.
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Epilogue
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“Remember, dear, witha title comes the opportunity to be eccentric. Society will run rampant with speculation, but all you have to do is raise a brow and people will scurry away rather than ask what your power is when you’ve made it clear you aren’t sharing.”
“I’m not sure I can raise a brow as eloquently as you, Madeleine.”
“Well, you’ll also have Nicky hovering at your side scowling at everyone.”
Sadie grinned. They had only been in Linzen for a day and Nicholas was already begging to go home. He’d skipped his late summer visit to the city using the excuse of getting married, but Madeleine refused to let them stay home during the main social season, too.
Sadie wasn’t particularly excited to socialize among a bunch of people who would look down their noses at her, but she looked forward to dragging Nicholas out of the house to explore the city. Plus, her mother-in-law insisted Linzen was the only place to build up a proper wardrobe for Sadie.
Neither Sadie nor Nicholas had been able to convince Madeleine that the clothes Sadie had suited her needs perfectly. Ballgowns would be wasted in the brewing room. On the other hand, Sadie wasn’t protesting too hard about getting a few newfrocks. Since getting out of the trip had been impossible, she had opted to make the best of it.
While in Linzen, Sadie hoped to make connections and drum up business for her and Pippa’s new shop,Potion Perfect. Madeleine insisted that a baroness living on the edge of a haunted forest, who brewed potions but refused to share what her power was, would garner plenty of interest. If nothing else, curiosity would fund their shop for the next several months.
Also, Sadie looked forward to seeing Jane, Helen, and Beatrice again.
Nicholas trudged down the steps, saw Sadie and Madeleine waiting for him, already bundled up in preparation for stepping into the wintery air, and hurried to pull on his greatcoat. “Let’s get this over with.”
The carriage waited for them right outside the door, and they hurried into the protection from the wind. Madeleine took the forward facing seat, and Sadie sat with Nicholas across from her. He pulled a lap blanket over them both. “Why does winter feel so much worse in Linzen than Marstede?”
