Page 52 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

He simply shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter now. I lived through it. But instead of doing those things I thought I would miss out on had I died, I’ve fallen back into the same old life I had before. Even knowing it could all be over in the blink of an eye, hasn’t forced me to experience all of those things I would miss. I don’t know if I could be any more ungrateful.”

She placed her palm against his cheek.

“That’s the thing with living, isn’t it? That you have time to try things again and again.”

“I imagine so. Mayhap with you here, I’ll be more inclined to live.”

“Well, I have enjoyed living in your bed, but I grow tired and I’m afraid to fall asleep here for we could be found out.”

“Would that be so bad?” he asked quietly.

She turned to look at him but he only looked away. For a man who had barely escaped the Season without being shackled to a wife, this surprised her.

“Neither of us should be forced into a marriage simply because we chose to live.”

He nodded. “You’re right,” he said, though he didn’t look as if he actually agreed. Before she could question him further, he smiled. “Very well. I will see you to your room.”

She tied the sash at her waist and shook her head.

“It’s clear I know the way. I managed to find your room on my own, I’ll find my way back easy enough.”

“It’s the polite thing to do. Just because I’m a Scot doesn’t mean I’m a barbarian. Despite what you young ladies are taught.” He winked and moved for the door.

“Perhaps, but if we’re found wandering the halls at this late hour together there would be questions. If I’m found alone, I can easily say I had trouble sleeping and went to the library for a book to read.” Was this the first time he’d ever had to sneak around in the middle of the night?

She and her brothers had done it far too often as they played pranks on one another. It was not uncommon to have slipped into one of her brother’s rooms only to find it empty because they were out doing the same thing to her or a different brother.

God bless her parents. Whyever had they had so many children?

“I believe I should only like one child, so I might keep track of them easier,” she blurted without thinking.

His eyes went wide and he shook his head. “I took precautions so there will be no children.”

“I don’t mean with you. I meant when I marry, next Season.” The Season would be over by the time her family arrived and her uncle paid for what he’d done. She would need to wait until next year for the chance to find a suitable man to wed. But at least she would now know what awaited her in her marriage bed. Thanks to this man.

She stood on tiptoe to place a kiss on the edge of his mouth.

“Thank you,” she said.

“I believe I should be thanking you. It was an extravagant gift you bestowed upon me this evening. I hope you don’t come to regret the loss.”

“I don’t feel as if I’ve lost anything. In fact, I feel I have gained so much in the last hours. I’m grateful, Reese. And no matter who I marry next year, I will always think back on this night with you with great fondness.”

With that she kissed him once more and hurried down the hall to her room.

As she crawled into her bed, she felt pleasantly sore in the majority of her body. She was ready to drift away and dream of the husband she would have one day.

But like before, she couldn’t quite fall asleep. For all of her thoughts of a husband were filled with visions of Reese. She imagined it was because she’d just been with him and she didn’t have another face to put in his place at the moment.

But as she considered, she found envisioning Reese as her husband was not so bad at all. In fact, it was rather perfect.