Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
‘I was on my way to Paris to find you and bring you home so that we may be together.’
Her sleepy, heavy eyes widen. ‘What?’
‘I solved our problems, Taya. All of them. I have saved the business, our families’ names and framed a most undesirable man for your crimes so that you may remain in London and be with me.’
She looks a little taken aback.
‘Anything for you, Taya. Anything.’
Her smile is small but hesitant, her lip a little wobbly. ‘I …’ She coughs, winces, and I wince at her pain too. ‘Is it very sore?’ I ask, wishing I could get rid of her pain as I have got rid of our problems.
‘It aches. Everywhere aches.’ She breathes out and settles, closing her eyes again, already tired. ‘I want to spend all of my energy on love, Frank, not hate.’ Her eyes clench closed.
‘Then love me,’ I whisper, silently begging her. ‘Because I truly, deeply love you, Taya.’ I say, and it feels so good. ‘Open your eyes, for me, my lady,’ I whisper. ‘So I may look into your beautiful green eyes when I tell you again.’ She swallows and slowly peels her eyes open. I swear it, I fall deeper still. ‘I have loved you from the moment I saw you.’
‘You have?’
‘I’m certain of it,’ I lean up and give her a little kiss on the lips, soft and brief. ‘Can forgive me for being such a fool?’
‘Can you forgive me?’
‘I already did.’
‘What of my brother?’ she asks, worry finding her. ‘He will never allow it.’
‘Let me handle your brother.’
‘Oh? Are you sure that is wise, Frank? You––’ I kiss her again, silencing her. ‘All right,’ she says around my mouth. ‘If you insist.’
‘I do.’ And I shall be insisting on a many more things, too, just as soon as she is back to full health. ‘Now, as much as it pains me, I must leave you for just a moment.’ There is no time like the present. ‘I will be back with the doctor.’
She nods and settles, and I reluctantly leave her to do what I must do, for I will not settle until I have seen to business.
I open the door and find Lady Wisteria with Eliza, and both shoot worried eyes my way. ‘She is awake,’ I say, and they both deflate, hands on their chests. ‘Where will I find His Grace?’
‘His study,’ Lady Wisteria says quietly, reaching for Eliza’s hand, her lips straight, worried but hopeful. I nod, clear my throat, and take the stairs, my chin high, my resolve unwavering. ‘Be gentle with him, for he is riddled with guilt,’ she calls.
I do not answer. I knock the door and enter without waiting for instruction, and I find him by the fire in his chair, a glass of Scotch in his hand. He looks at me and stands, his face worried, while mine remains eternally impassive.
‘You will do the right thing,’ I say quietly, and he exhales heavily, taking the mantelpiece for support.
Then he nods. ‘I will always be in your debt, Melrose.’
‘No need,’ I say, offering my hand. He looks at it for a moment, considering it, before he takes it and shakes, only very lightly. ‘The care of your sister is now in my hands, Your Grace.’
‘Of course.’
‘And I will marry her just as soon as she can walk down the aisle.’
He breathes in, clearly struggling. But he nods.
‘And she will be working with me at the newspaper.’
He laughs under his breath. ‘Whatever you want, Melrose.’
I nod, drop his hand and turn, leaving to return to my love.
And I will never leave her again.
Epilogue
I feel a nudge in my side, and I look to see Johnny watching me, his eyes reassuring. Of course, he’s only recently done this himself. Was he as consumed by nerves as I am? ‘I am all right,’ I say, swallowing hard and fixing my new jacket, a black velvet piece with gold buttons and trim. The smartest of the smart. Nothing but the best for my lady.
‘I beg to differ,’ he muses.
‘Your forehead is wet,’ Sampson says on a light laugh. ‘Are you regretting this?’
I swing a filthy look his way. ‘I know it might disappoint you both, but no, I am not regretting this.’ I am merely nervous with anticipation to see her. It is the end of the season, and this, our wedding, is the final occasion, the talk of the town.
My closest family stand behind me, and back in Belmore Square, the residents are waiting to congratulate us and drink all the champagne that Mama has stocked the drawing room with. Regrettably, we will be forced to join the celebrations, as Taya is not yet well enough to travel for our bridal tour. For that reason, her brother suggested we postpone the nuptials until next season. I cannot repeat what I replied while Sampson belly laughed, and Lady Wisteria smiled. The short, profanity-absent version is, basically, never.