Daniel caught his arm and spun him back, wrenching his arm surely out of the socket by the way the pig howled.
That wasn’t good enough. I stepped forward and slapped the manhard. “That was for the Widow’s Ball.” I slapped him again. “That’s for anything I forgot. Don’t even think of coming after my husband again, or I’ll have each boat sunk.”
Daniel tossed Willingham to the floor. “She’ll do it. You have no idea what she’s capable of. Me either, and I love it.”
Rubbing his elbow, his face, Willingham scrambled to rise. “They’re both crazy, Mr. Mosey. Stop them.”
The solicitor bowed and held the door. “There’s nothing to do. I drew up the original contract. It’s ironclad.”
“Like ironwood with sweet lignum vitae. Don’t get any ideas, Mr. Willingham, you have a number of personal debts amassed. You’d hate a swarthy benefactor to call them and have you locked away in debtor’s prison. I hear rat-infested King’s Bench on Borough High Street has room for new inmates. You wouldn’t mind being locked away until you could pay?”
Now Willingham paled, whiter than snow. Knowing that my husband could have him imprisoned on a whim—maybe he’d have nightmares fearing for the moment when he no longer had control.
With his half smile showing, Daniel took my arm. “Good day, Mr. Mosey.”
Soldiers in tow, he escorted me to our carriage. Soon, we were on our way, and I took the opportunity to jump into his arms. “Thank you,” I said with kisses. “Hope is confirmed to be mine.”
“Technically, she was all along, but confirmation that she’s born free may give you comfort.”
“Hope was birthed of my flesh, and Phoebe Dunn and I were sisters-in-law. We had to be good friends.”
He nodded, but a cloud seemed to swallow his face, dulling his pretty eyes. “Number three? Three, Jemina.”
“At least you know I love you, Daniel. I don’t remember Philip at all. Still don’t know if I loved Cecil. I’m done looking. No one, no family has been looking for me. I don’t need to search anymore. Who or what I was is done. I’m Hope’s mother again and your wife. That’s enough.”
“Are you sure, Jemina?”
“Yes, we are enough.”
His arms tightened about me as he nuzzled my neck. “It’s because opposites attract. Me, a handsome reserved barrister, you, my lovely, volatile lady. Well, not quite opposites, but so right.”
“And so good together.” I turned my face to his. “Should’ve asked Willingham my baby’s name.”
“The less the St. Maurs or any naysayers know about how we live, the better. Our daughter is named Hope. She’s wonderful. So is her mother, my wife.”
“I don’t remember Phoebe. I wish I did. I’d like to honor her and Philip Monroe.”
“We shall, by raising Hope to be extraordinary.”
I buried myself in his chest, my sobs drizzling his cravat. “I’m sorry, Daniel.”
“Phoebe led me to you, I suppose.” He put his chin atop my brow. His beard felt so good. “With the sinking of theMinerva, I was lost, then I was found in Hope’s glances, then yours. Her birthday is the day I claimed her. That’s the day our family was born. You were just a little late in joining our party.”
Kissing Daniel, slow and easy, I tasted my tears. They were happy ones, mostly happy ones. And I was content with the secrets shared between me and my beloved barrister.
EPILOGUE
October 18, 1814
Finchely Hall
Iheld Patience’s head over the basin. She’d come to Finchely for Hope’s celebration but spent the morning in Daniel’s study on all fours.
Max hopped about running to the hall and back, but he had no use for people with nausea.
Patience took four long breaths. “I’m sorry, Jemina. I can’t believe this. And this is your daughter’s special day.”
I brushed at her falling chignon. “You can’t believe that you are with child?”
