“We can’t, Neal. We mustn’t. I can’t let you love me.”
“It is too late,” he said. “I already do.”
His words were a knife to her heart. “No, no, the witch will win. I’ve had the dreams, Neal.I’ve had the dreams.”
Neal was in front of her in a thrice. She started to turn away, but he put strong arms around her, holding her fast. “Now, listen to me. Fenella willneverwin. Do you understand? She won’t.”
Thea shook her head. “You are safe only if we are apart. We must not be together.”
“I can’t live without you,” he said. “Do you hear me? I love you, Thea.I love you.” He shouted the words, and his voice rang in the rafters. “I will not run from love.”
“But it will mean your death.” Thea reached up and placed her hands around his neck. He felt so good and solid to her. “I don’t want to lose you, Neal. I am so afraid.”
He hugged her tight. He smelled of the sea air and horses. “Don’t be afraid, my love,” he whispered. “I’m not. Of course, I’ve spent a good portion of my life avoiding love. But having you and the boys has made me realize that living without the family I love is worse than death.” He drew back to look her in the eye. “Thea, none of us knows how much time we have on this earth. Whatever happens, I don’t want to feel as if I’ve wasted the time I’ve had. I need you, Thea. You are my mate, my companion, my love, my wife.”
“But can my love save you?”
“No, it does something better—it makes my life meaningful. Before you, I had nothing. Now, having you in my arms, I know I’m the richest of men.”
She kissed him then. She kissed him with all the love in her being, and he kissed her back.
“Does this mean we are going back with Lyon?” Jonathan’s voice said from the door.
Thea and Neal turned to see Jonathan, Christopher and the horse’s head in the doorway.
Neal looked to Thea. “Does it?” he asked with a smile that said he knew the answer.
“Yes,” Thea said. “Yes, we are.”
It didn’t take long to pack up their few belongings. Thea left a note to the owner of the cottage and shut the door.
Neal, with Jonathan riding in front of him, had ridden into the village in search of a vehicle for them to use for their trip. They managed to locate a coach for hire from a posting inn. It was an ancient conveyance that smelled musty inside. Thea took one whiff and felt violently ill.
“What is the matter?” Neal asked as she hurried around to the back of the cottage.
“She does that from time to time,” she heard Jonathan assure him.
“Every morning,” she heard Christopher chime in. “She doesn’t feel good in her tummy, but then she is all right.”
Thea knew by the time she came from the back of the cottage that Neal had guessed her secret. He took her aside.
“When were you going to tell me?” he said.
She found it hard to meet his eye. She placed ahand on his chest, right over where his heart was. “Soon. I knew I was carrying our baby when I left London.”
“Is that why you left?”
“I left to save you.”
He gathered her close. The wool of his greatcoat was soft against her cheek. “Don’t save me, Thea. I don’t want to be saved.”
“I was saving the baby as well. I’m afraid for him, Neal. What will become of him?”
“He will be like me. He will grow up to be the best man I hope he can be, and to live his life fully.” He pressed a kiss against the top of her head. How she had missed his closeness. “He will manage, Thea.”
A calmness settled over her. An acceptance. Neal was right. Fear was not the answer. Love was. Love, love, love.
Her being was filled with it. She hugged her husband back. He smiled, took her hand and led her to the coach.