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Slowly, Nicholas stroked the back of his gloved hand down the side of her face, a caress that reminded her keenly of the tender, passionate night they’d shared together in the hayloft. She could feel the heat rolling off his body, inviting her to wrap herself around him and find herself once again. He was steady and solid, this man. He’d told her that he wanted her to be his wife and partner, but she knew that there was more to his promise. He’d support her as she learned about the woman she could become when she was no longer beholden to a position.

Delicately, he trailed the tips of his fingers down her right arm until he entwined their hands. She thought he’d kiss the back of her hand, but instead, he flipped it over, pushed back her sleeve, and pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. The intensity of the simple gesture sent a shiver down her spine. How could she give this all up? How could she walk away from this connection with a man who seemed to know her without even needing to speak, yet who seemed content to do nothing but talk if that meant learning every little thing about her?

“Jane Ephram,” he started as he gazed into her eyes, “I love you as words cannot say. I love you with my body, my heart, my mind, my soul. You are my waking thought and my faintest dream. You are my purpose, and I am lost without you.

“I know that you may not believe me now—it’s been such a short time, and I’ve left too many things unsaid—but if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to show you how ardently I love you.”

For all that she’d wanted to cry since she’d banished him from her life, Jane didn’t feel tears the moment the man she loved declared his passion for her. She wanted to sing and dance and laugh. Joy filled her until she was brimming and then spilled out.

There was no way to explain it all, so instead she flung her arms around his neck and poured her answer into her kiss right there in the middle of one of London’s busiest train stations.

She might have noticed the applause and a few whoops of delight that broke out from their little party, but Jane was far too busy to take any heed.

Finally, Nicholas pulled back and framed her face with his hands. “Is that a yes?”

“Of course it’s a yes. I love you.”

He brought her hands to his lips. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to hear you say that.”

“I’m glad, because I plan to say it often.”

His thumb stroked the mound of her hand, and even through the layers of their gloves, it made her shiver. He’d shown her just how much pleasure her body had locked away inside of it, and now she wanted to learn with him.

“I know I don’t have much to offer you,” he said. “You want to travel and go places, but that will have to wait for a while. I’m a poor man.”

“We’ll figure it out together. All I want is to know that you’re mine.”

“I’m so proud that you’ll be my wife,” he said.

“Another wedding!” Elizabeth laughed with delight. “I was beginning to wonder when we’d have another one to celebrate.”

They linked arms as they turned to face family and friends. “May I introduce you to the woman who has consented to be my wife?” Nicholas asked with a grin.

“Oh, we already love her very much,” said Mary. “We expect you to take very good care of her.”

“I promise,” he said with a nod, “although truth be told, you should have seen Jane on the road. I’ve never met a more determined woman, except maybe Effie.”

“I’m just happy that you have such good taste, Nicholas,” said his sister.

“Miss Hollings and Miss Helen,” said Mary brightly, “I’ve just had a rather interesting idea. Do you have a chaperone for your season?”

Helen shook her head. “There had been some talk of hiring a lady to bring us out, but we were waiting until Nicholas returned from his journey with Merlin.”

“Merlin is the horse, remember?” Jane supplied when Mary shot her a look.

“Ah yes. Well, Elizabeth’s friend and former employer Lady Crosby more or less brought me out last year at the ancient age of thirty-two, once Eric and I were married. I’d be delighted if you would allow me to do the same for you.”

There was no mistaking the light in both young ladies’ eyes, but Effie hedged a little as though she wasn’t certain that the offer was a real one. “That’s very kind of you, but all we can really hope for is maybe a month of a modest season, Lady Asten.”

Mary looked to her husband, who spread his hands. “As though I could stop you if I wanted to.”

“Don’t think I don’t know that you’ll corner Lord Hollings about some horse-breeding scheme as soon as my back’s turned,” said Mary with a sniff.

Eric laughed. “Guilty as charged, my dear.”

Mary turned her beaming smile onto the Hollings sisters once again. “Ladies, my home is your home for the season, but we must move quickly if we’re to launch you. If you like, you can move in by the end of the week, and we’ll take Bond Street by storm Monday morning. I’ll write to the palace in the meantime and arrange for your presentation as soon as possible.”

Next to her, Nicholas dropped his head and then looked up at her friends. “I could never give my sisters this. Thank you.”