“That was the goal.” Not only had the curtains and the bedclothes been changed, the furniture had been re-arranged, and new wall coverings hung in both rooms. Reaching out to take Oliver’s hand, she asked, “What do you think?”
In answer, he leaned down and kissed her, long and slow. When they finally broke apart, he asked, “Does this mean you do not wantto spend the rest of your life snuggled together in my childhood bedchamber?”
Hearing the subtle humor in his tone, Kitty let out a huff of amusement. “That doesn’t sound so bad.” Her tone then sobered. “But it is time for you to take your rightful place.”
In a sudden movement, Oliver slipped his arm under her knees and lifted her against his chest. “Our rightful place.” He adjusted slightly so that she was more secure. “I am the master of Blackthorne Park, but you are the mistress. And this is our home.”
With no words to describe her feelings, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
“What has you smiling so?” Oliver asked, bringing Kitty back to the present, where they stood in each other’s arms on a picturesque hillside.
She stepped back and took her husband’s hand. “You.”
Oliver raised a brow as though he did not quite believe her. But instead of pressing, he asked, “Shall we return to the house?”
“Our house,” she corrected him. He was doing better at thinking of himself as the master of the estate, but Kitty always took pains to remind him whenever she could.
“I love you,” Oliver whispered moments before brushing his soft lips across hers.
After returning his caress, she murmured, “And I love you,” before kissing him more fully.
A few minutes later, Oliver lifted her back into her saddle. As soon as she was situated, Kitty kneed Miranda into action and called back, “race you home.” Within moments, Oliver had scrambled onto his own horse and wasclose on her heels.
They raced across the fields and past where the workmen were digging footings for the new dower house. When she came within sight of their house, Kitty couldn’t help but grin. Blackthorne Park truly was home. Not because it was grand, or the family was related to a title. But because she shared it with a man who had seen behind her mask and trusted her enough to lower his own. And they both cherished what they’d found.
