Frantically straining to peer along the side, she heard no splash but instead could see Alex gripping the rail, swinging his long legs up, willing hands hauling him over.
A hubbub ensued at the stern, grumbles and cheers alike, and she craned her neck to see over the crowd.
Passengers began sweeping to the sides, and a child was grabbed and hauled into his mother’s skirts. The duke seemed to have no problem cutting a swathe, even without his cane, although a few pained gasps could be heard as he stomped on toes.
And then there he was, stood not five ducal strides from her.
No obstacles between them.
A nudge to her waist. “He’s a fine piece o’ Englishman, to be sure,” Mrs O’Driscoll whispered, before winking and shoving a few more folk aside to give them room.
Fine indeed.
A towering intense duke with a curl dangling over his forehead, a few days’ stubble gracing his chin. Black thread ran through a black waistcoat she hadn’t seen before. Noble, upright, those verdant eyes glittering with passion as they caressed her face.
She saw a man honourable yet haughty, caring yet ruthless.
She saw the complete man she loved most desperately.
“I have been alone for so long, Aideen,” he rasped. “And it has taken time for me to learn. But without you, I am a mere husk. Dry and barren, an unfeeling body without warmth or pleasure.” He shook his head, taking two strides. “I trust you unconditionally, my duchess. With my own life and with yours. We’ve no need of rules between us.”
Moisture stung Aideen’s eyes.
Another purposeful step. “When you entered my life, I finally began to feel joy once more. Lost emotions coursed through me but I fought, Aideen, I fought so hard to subdue them. Yet you shattered my defences, invaded my senses with your care and your touch, and I will fight no longer. I will embrace that joy, hold it close and never let it go. Never letyougo.”
“Oh!” sighed Mrs O’Driscoll, dabbing her cheeks. “How romantic. Mr O’Driscoll just told me I made a fine colcannon.”
Passengers hemmed in for a better view of the love-struck sinister duke.
He took the last two strides, and his calloused hand reached out to stroke her cheek, eyes pained. “When I heard your scream in that warehouse, I wished the earth to swallow me, to never release me, and that kept me silent. The fear. But I never disregarded you, Aideen. I couldn’t as you are entrenched in my heart. I need you, my love. Be at my side always…please.”
“I do not wish to be anywhere else, Alexander,” she whispered.
Warmth lit his serious eyes. “Then let us stride forward together. With everything life has to offer and in whichever direction it takes us.”
“Ahem,” murmured the captain, “that would be Waterford then, if it’s all dandy with the both of you? We’re too far out to turn now, but no matter as ’tis a fine day for a crossing.”
Her duke pulled her into his arms, secure and tight, whilst delighted Irish folk broke into cheers.
“Well, my unquenchable fire? Shall we?”
Aideen smiled, and Alexander lowered his head to kiss his duchess with ruthlessness, sincerity and love.
Epilogue
Three days later. The River Suir, Waterford, Ireland.
“May the curse of Mary Malone and her nine blind illegitimate children chase you so far over the Hills of Damnation that the Lord himself can’t find you with a telescope,” repeated the Duke of Rakecombe, peering up at his wife.
“Very good,” she flattered, so he tugged a lock of hair until she was forced to bend down for a kiss.
The river gurgled its delight while he savoured the taste of early strawberries on his wife’s lips and, as he lay with his head in her lap, he couldn’t think of a better place to be than by this river, kissing his wife and learning curses.
As Rainham had instructed, he’d taken just a sennight to honeymoon with his duchess in Waterford, and not only had he met Aideen’s father but also the infamous Uncle Seamus.
Her father had ranted about weak-willed English maggots, but a half hour in the study alone with him had seen a change of opinion. He was still the Duke of Ruthlessness after all, and love, as Jack had proclaimed, didn’t bring about miracles.
Then the much talked-of Seamus…
