Millie woke tothe unfamiliar sounds of the sea. As the morning-lit room came into relief, everything that had happened the night before rushed back, too. Willard was dead. She was with Neville.
She took a deep breath.
She was safe.
She and Neville were married…And they loved each other. She turned to find him already awake, watching her with a tenderness so soft and open, her heart ached.
“Good morning, wife.”
“Good morning, husband.” She tested the word and then smiled with pleasure. “How late have we slept?”
“Long enough to receive an answer to the messages I sent to Harbury House and to my mother. Everyone knows we’re safe. My mother is arranging for John to come to London. He’s been cleared of all charges—officially. Eltenham saw to it before we left last night.”
“Does he mean to stay with us?”
“Do you mind?”
“Of course not! Oh, Neville. I’m so glad for you—for him.”
“I’m glad you don’t mind. But from something my mother said, I believe he’ll be wanting to set himself up in a profession before long.”
“Temperence?”
“Thetendreis real. And, apparently, abiding.”
“Even though she came very close to being his Deliliah.” She snuggled up against his side. “How delightful.”
“Delightful?”
“Proof one doesn’t need perfect to be happily settled.”
His gaze traveled over her, warm and appreciative even in her borrowed nightgown. “You’re perfect.”
She felt her cheeks heat. “Go on,” she scoffed.
“You are! You rode thirty-seven miles, dressed as a footman, armed yourself, and marched straight into danger to save me.”
“Were you frightened when you were bound?”
“Terrified.”
“Of dying?”
“More so of never seeing you again. Of your thinking I’d abandoned you by choice.”
She pressed closer. “I knew you hadn’t. I knew you’d been taken. Because you promised to come back. And I’ve learned that when you give your word, you keep it.”
“Always. On that, you may depend.” He kissed her hair.
“So I’m fully forgiven for placing myself in danger?”
“Yes. But, you know, I’m meant to be the one doing the rescuing.” His smile was self-deprecating. “My pride may never recover.”
“A little humility will do you good,” she teased.
He laughed—a real laugh, full and free—and pulled her back down into his arms.
Epilogue