I put my palms about his waist, snuggled in his Bay Rum, and tried not to notice the ferrous scent on his sleeve. “It was you or him. You did what you had to do. Your father never begrudged you anything. He definitely wanted you to live.”
“I did want Nickie dead for what he’d done to you, but everyone who hurt you—”
I kissed him. I didn’t want Wycliff to say more. No more power to the nightmares. “It’s done. No one is going to hurt us anymore. That’s my revenge—to live with love, your love and mine.”
He led me to the grand stairs. We flopped down, shoulder to shoulder, on the bottom step. “We need furniture, my dear.”
I leaned into him more, and we sat there perfectly in tune, he with me, me with him. “I like it simple. Less things to bump into. More places for Chris to run.”
Taking both my hands in his, he wove our fingers together. “I’m grateful, Ruth. I’m so grateful you’re strong.”
He tried to kiss my cheek, but I didn’t want a furry dimple. I kissed him on the lips.
Our love made us strong. For this, I was forever grateful.
He tugged me into a tighter embrace. “We need to go retrieve my son from Fournier, Lady Wycliff.”
“Not before a proper wedding. Everyone thinks I’m married to a dead man. You must make me a proper wife again.”
“Well, I have a proper license. I will find a proper minister. How soon do you think your mother will have a proper cake made?”
“Since I didn’t come home last night, I’m sure it’s baking right now. Tomorrow morning for sure. I’ll send a note.”
“You do that, Ruth.”
Wycliff knelt before me and took from his pocket a ring. It was entwined in gold, not silver like our first. This had a shiny diamond, the strongest gem. “Ruth Croome Wilky, marry me again. Love me as I have always loved you. You make my heart warm with comfort, red with desire. I’m made perfect in your love.”
“I love you, too, Adoniram, my Lord Wycliff. I like your name.”
“Someone should. Might as well be you.”
I kissed him before he kissed me, warming to the silk of his face. My arms wrapped about him, and we sank against the steps.
“Ruth, I need a nap. I didn’t get much sleep last night. A real nap with my best pillow.” His grin was wicked, my wicked Wycliff.
Before I could blink, I was up in his arms. I caught my spectacles before they fell. I laughed hard and yawned and then placed my hands gently about his neck.
The front entry doors flew open.
My heart stopped.
But the blur was small and had a trail of portmanteaus.
“Brother…I’m home.”
“Cicely?” With a groan, Wycliff lowered me to my feet.
He ran and embraced the young woman. “You scamp.”
As I came to his side, Wycliff spun the lithe young woman.
He set her down. “Sister, where have you been? How could you make me so crazed?”
“France, silly. I was with a large party of friends. We traveled for a wedding. It was so exciting. Brother, why are you looking at me like this? You are angry? Did I forget to leave you a note?”
She put her hands to her golden rosy cheeks. “I hope I haven’t made you fret?”
Wycliff rubbed his brow. “Just a little, Cicely.”
