Chapter Twenty
L ily stood beside her brother outside Adrian’s house, her heartbeat pounding within her chest. Please let him be here, she thought silently. Let him be alive. “Do you think Matthew is here?” she asked her brother.
“Even if he is, Adrian will lie about it.” James pounded on the door once again, waiting for a servant to answer.
“It’s long past midnight,” she said. “I doubt they will let us in.”
Her brother stiffened. “Oh, they will. If I have to break a window, we’ll find him.”
In that moment, her heart swelled with love for her brother. Although James and she had not always gotten along, in this moment, she knew she could depend on him. “Thank you.”
At last, a footman answered the door, a disgruntled expression on his face. “Mr. Monroe is not receiving guests at this late hour.”
Before the man could slam the door in their faces, James shoved his way inside and held the door for Lily. “Mr. Monroe has a great deal to answer for. And we will not wait until the morning.”
“Mr. Monroe is sleeping,” the footman said. “I will not disturb him.”
“No matter,” James replied cheerfully. “I have no qualms about disturbing him.”
But a moment later, there came a low growl from one of the rooms, followed by exuberant barking. Lily turned toward the sound and nearly stumbled when a large dog jumped up on her, licking her with joy.
“Sebastian!” she called out. She knelt down, ruffling his ears. Joy filled her at the sight of him, but she also realized why he was here—because of Lord Davonshire.
Sebastian sat back and scratched his ear with his hind legs before he stood and wagged his tail. And she fully intended to use the dog to help her. Lily stripped off one of her stained gloves and knelt down. “Find Matthew, sweet dog. And I will give you as much bacon as your heart desires.”
The word bacon caught the animal’s attention, and he licked his chops, sitting back on his haunches, his tail wagging with delight. The dog sniffed at the carpet, but instead of following a trail inside the house, he returned to the front door.
Lily pulled him further inside, but the dog held little interest in finding Matthew’s trail. Instead, he rolled onto his back, exposing his belly to be rubbed. She tried again, but he only licked her fingers and wagged his tail.
She wanted to groan with frustration. It had been foolish to pin her hopes upon Sebastian when he was not her dog and was not trained, but she had relied too much on the impossible.
So be it. If he could not find Matthew, then they would get the truth out of Adrian.
But a moment later, the dog jerked to his feet and began snarling. The hair stood up on Sebastian’s back, and then he bolted toward the drawing room. Lily followed him, trailed by Matthew. Although the room was dark, she heard a man yelp, “What the devil?”
James took the lamp from the footman and entered the room, revealing the presence of Lord Davonshire. The moment he saw them, he blinked. “Lord Penford and Lady Lily. Isn’t it a bit late for you to come calling?”
“I might say the same for you,” Lily answered. She went to stand by Sebastian, her suspicions alert. “And for a man who claims to have owned Sebastian for years, he doesn’t seem to like you very much just now.”
The earl stiffened and took a step backward. “He’s not very intelligent.”
“I disagree.” And the more she thought of it, the more her suspicions heightened. “I think he only obeyed your commands because you had bacon in your pockets or some other food.”
Davonshire’s expression turned annoyed. It infuriated her to think that he had stooped to something so low.
“He’s never been your dog, has he?” Lily prompted.
“Easy now—” His words cut off when Sebastian snarled at him once more. “All right, no, he wasn’t. But it gave me a reason to see you again. Is that so wrong, that I used him to get close to you?”
His confession infuriated her, for she now knew that Lord Davonshire was only interested in getting close to her dowry. “Yes, it is wrong that you would take my dog away, pretending he was yours. Why would I ever want to see a man like you again?” She had wept over the loss of this furry creature, and she would never allow anyone to take him from her. Her hands curled over Sebastian’s fur, and she vowed, “I am keeping him. You cannot have him back.”
Lord Davonshire shrugged. “He was a nuisance, and you are welcome to him.”
Lily rather wished the dog would relieve himself upon Davonshire’s leg. But she squared her shoulders and demanded, “So why are you here at this late hour, Lord Davonshire?”
He appeared dumbfounded by the question. “Well, I. That is…”
“Because he was helping me bring back my cousin,” came a voice from behind them. Adrian stood, still wearing his dark tailcoat from the ball. “You were there, and you saw the madness that came over him. Matthew was not himself.”
“Because that woman tried to stab me,” Lily insisted. “The woman you hired from India.” Rage was seething within her, and James tried to hold her back. “I never thought you would take matters that far. How could you do such a thing?”
Adrian’s expression was smug, and she wanted to strike out at him.
But James intervened, still keeping a firm grip on her waist. “Where is Matthew now?”
“Where he belongs,” Adrian said. “I rode with his footmen, and we delivered him to Bethlem Hospital.”
Lily was aghast at the idea. “Why on earth would you do such a thing?” Her mind was spinning with horror. How could it even be possible?
But then, in a moment of clarity, she understood. If Matthew were locked away in an asylum, the property would fall into Adrian’s hands. He would have complete command of Arnsbury and its wealth.
“You are despicable. And what’s more, you—”
Before she could say another word, her brother stood and took her by the hand. “Thank you, gentlemen. We bid you a good night.”
She wanted to protest, but James sent her a sharp look to be silent. For that reason, Lily allowed him to lead her from the drawing room. Her brother was up to something, and she didn’t know what it was. She had to trust that he knew how to help Matthew.
Sebastian happily trailed them, sniffing the carpet along the way. James continued to lead her outside, but Lily could not believe any of Adrian’s claims. When they were outside and alone, she asked her brother, “Do you think he actually took Matthew to Bethlem Hospital?” She had heard terrible rumors about what had been done to the criminally insane patients.
“No,” James answered. “For one, they would never accept a new patient at this hour, unless the police were involved. Adrian is trying to throw us off.”
“Then where—” Her words broke off when Sebastian began sniffing the ground. His nose locked upon the scent and he trotted toward the rear of the house, by the mews.
She started to hurry, afraid that the dog had only caught a wrong trail. But she held hope that he was close to finding Matthew.
Sebastian sniffed a path toward the stables and then whined at the doorway. Lily unlatched it, and the dog bolted forward…only for him to stop near the entrance and gobble up what appeared to be a fallen piece of meat.
She let out a sigh of dismay. “I can’t believe it. For a moment, I wanted to believe that he had tracked Matthew this far.” Frustrated, she reached for Sebastian and guided him back outside. There was only the soft nicker of horses in the stable, and certainly nothing else was visible in the darkness.
“Let’s go home, Lily,” her brother urged. “It’s late, and Matthew isn’t here. I’ll reach out to our friends, and we will see what can be done. And if he is in Bethlem Hospital, by some chance, I will get him out.”
With reluctance, she closed the door behind them and followed her brother back to the carriage.
They had left.
Matthew groaned in the darkness, struggling to call out to her. “Lily,” he rasped. But his voice was hardly above a whisper. She would never hear him.
He didn’t know how much blood he’d lost, but it felt as his heartbeat were slowing down. Weariness overtook him, and he tried to call out twice more. The earthen floor was damp and cold beneath his face. It struck him as ironic that he had escaped torture in India at Nisha’s hands, only to be killed by her in the end.
His skin had turned to ice, and he was trembling hard. Matthew thought he was hallucinating now, for the world kept flickering in and out of his consciousness. There was a whining sound, and he thought he heard voices again. Or perhaps he was dying from loss of blood.
A tongue rasped against his face, and he blinked, only to see Sebastian beside him. He couldn’t quite grasp how it had happened, but the dog continued to lick him.
“Matthew!” Lily’s voice called out. “Dear God, James, we have to get him out of here.”
It was her voice that jolted him back. In the darkness, he tried to glimpse her face, but he could only see shadows. He moved his lips, trying to speak Lily’s name, but no words would come out.
It was already too late, he knew. He was shaking badly, his voice locked in silence. He couldn’t tell her how glad he was to see her, even if it was for the last time. How beautiful she was or how much he adored her.
She was openly weeping for him, but it would do no good now.
It was the middle of the night when James carried an unconscious Matthew to the house of Dr. Fraser and his wife, Lady Falsham. Lily pounded on the door, her worries heightening with every moment. So much blood. She hadn’t known he’d been that badly wounded, but she had bound the wound tightly, trying to stop the bleeding. Her heart froze with the fear that he might not survive this ordeal.
She kept pounding and calling out for the footman. When one eventually opened the door, he suppressed a yawn. But once he realized what had happened, the servant sprang into action. “Oh dear. Lord Penford, Lady Lily, do bring him inside. I will awaken the doctor.”
The footman led them over to a smaller room off the parlor, which had been set up for patients. “Put Lord Arnsbury there, upon the bed.” He rang for other servants, and when they arrived, he gave orders for hot water, bandages, and supplies the doctor would need.
Within a few minutes, Dr. Fraser strode into the room, rubbing at his eyes. “Penford, Lady Lily,” he greeted them absently.
But the moment he spied Matthew’s bloody shirt, his demeanor transformed. “Now what’s happened to you, lad?” he murmured, pulling back the shirt to examine Matthew. Without looking up, he said to James, “I need more light. Hold the lamp so I can have a look at his wound. Lady Lily, fetch me that basin of water and bring some linen so I can clean it.”
Her hands were shaking so badly, she nearly spilled the water, but she hurried to obey. Inwardly, she voiced a thousand prayers, hoping that Matthew would live. The doctor’s face remained grave as he cut away her makeshift bandage to examine the jagged wound.
“It hasn’t struck a vital organ,” Dr. Fraser said, “but the amount of blood he’s lost is disturbing. His heart is struggling to beat.”
A cry sounded from the doorway, and Juliette entered the room. She was wearing a nightgown and wrapper, and she moved to kneel beside Matthew. “How did this happen?”
James explained hurriedly, but her brother’s voice held a quiet tone of fear. “He’s been bleeding for three hours.”
Dr. Fraser examined the wound closely. “It looks as if he tried to bind his ribs before you did, Lily. Or perhaps he lay upon his side, and that put pressure upon it. But I wouldna be lying if I did no’ say ’tis a miracle he’s still breathing.”
“Save him, Paul,” Juliette pleaded. “He cannot die.” Tears slid down her cheeks, and Lily reached out to take her hand, sharing in her grief. But she had fallen into such numbness, she could scarcely breathe.
Dr. Fraser cleaned the wound and began treating it. It bothered Lily to see Matthew lying so motionless, and it appeared that he was already dead. Her heart refused to accept the thought. She murmured a litany of prayers all throughout the doctor’s ministrations, until Matthew’s wounds were bandaged.
“I dare not give him laudanum,” he admitted. “It would stop his heart.” Eyeing the women, he added, “The most you can do now is pray.”
“I will stay with him,” Lily promised. “And if anything happens, I will send for you.”
“I will join you,” Juliette started to say, but the doctor guided her back.
“Give them a moment alone first,” he said.
A terror lanced Lily’s heart when she understood why. He believed she needed a chance to say goodbye to Matthew before he died. Dear God, no.
One by one, they left her alone with him. Matthew’s pallor was so gray, she feared the worst. He had battled death in India once before, but she didn’t know if he could overcome this.
“I am here, Matthew,” she said gently. She slid her fingertips over his face, but he did not react at all. She wished for any response at all, even if he spoke to her the way he first had when he’d returned from India.
“I suppose I should have brought Beast with me,” she offered. “Or even Sebastian. He did help us find you, you know. We had given up, but he kept pulling me back and whining until we opened the doors and searched again.” A tear rolled down her cheek, but she didn’t bother to brush it away. “I told Lord Davonshire that I’m keeping Sebastian.”
Lily kept talking, telling him stories about the dog. She poured out her heart, never ceasing as she begged him to fight for each breath. And when she could hardly talk about anything else, she laid her cheek against his chest and held his hand. It shattered her that she could do nothing to ease his suffering.
She had loved this man for so long, and they had battled the demons of his past together. He had survived those moments of darkness, only to come out stronger. And somehow, he knew her more deeply than anyone else.
“I need you to get well,” she whispered. “So I can marry you.” His hand was terribly cold, so cold, she didn’t know if he had heard anything she’d said. Tears slid down her cheeks, and she squeezed his palm. “I love you, Matthew.” She brought his hand to her mouth and repeated, “I love you.”
She needed him by her side, for they belonged together. The thought of losing him was a dagger in her own heart.
Lily leaned down and brushed her mouth against his. Though he didn’t kiss her back, she could only hope that he had heard her words.
It was then that she felt the slight pressure of his palm squeezing hers. And it gave her a faint trace of hope.
Six months later
Matthew stood while his valet adjusted his cravat, brushing away any visible lint from his tailcoat. His best friend, James, stood on the far end, a slight smirk on his face. “Monroe will enjoy his new home, I imagine. I personally think you should have shot him. Accidentally, of course. Or perhaps sent him to India to endure what you did.”
“I hold more power over him this way,” Matthew answered. “I bought up his promissory notes, his mortgaged estate, and I command his entire fortune. And I think America will be a better home for him.”
“An ocean between you is a good start.”
“And he has nothing to return to. If he dares to set foot back in England, he will face criminal charges.”
“I still say you were too forgiving.” James picked up his top hat and opened the door. “But then, it is rather torturous for a man of Adrian’s upbringing to live on the frontier. He may not survive.”
“It’s in his hands now.” Matthew followed James out of the bedroom and toward the stairs. A sense of anticipation thrummed within him, of the moment when he would see his bride walking toward him in her mother’s walled garden. He had fought his way back from death’s embrace for her sake, and Lily had come to see him every day over the past few months, until he was fully healed.
There were no longer any nightmares to torture him. Nisha’s death had been ruled an accident, and he had found his own peace, knowing that justice had been given by Fate. The rumors his cousin had tried to spread about Matthew’s birthright had died down, thanks to the efforts of his friends and Sarah Carlisle. The scandal of Adrian’s crimes had cast a greater shadow over all that he had said, and no one believed his stories now.
It felt as if his life had been returned to him, only now, there was a very different kind of torment—waiting to marry the woman he loved. Lily had wanted to wait until their wedding night to make love again, and every kiss sharpened the yearning. Matthew longed to wake up beside her, to see her hazel eyes shining with joy before he took her in his arms.
And this day, he hoped to give Lily the wedding of her dreams.
Outside, the sun was shining, and he and James made their way outside Penford toward the walled garden where he intended to marry Lily. The door leading to the garden was open, and he entered the space where the wedding guests awaited them.
Dark pink roses climbed along the brick wall, while a stately willow hung beside a clear pool of water. In the shade, blue hydrangea bushes were in bloom, the deep color vivid against the green leaves. Dozens of chairs were set up in rows, and the guests smiled as he walked past them. James returned to the door to await his sister.
Matthew took his place near the minister, waiting for his bride. He was eager to see Lily, feeling so grateful that this day had come at last.
When she appeared in the doorway of the garden, it stole his very breath to see her. Her ivory gown rested at her shoulders, covered in seed pearls that beaded across the neckline and over the cap sleeves. The gown clung to her slender waist, and yards of white fabric cascaded behind her. A lace veil covered her face and draped down her back. She walked with her hand upon her brother’s arm, and her beauty transfixed him.
Behind her trotted Sebastian. The black dog was wearing a knotted cravat around his throat, and Matthew smiled at the sight of the animal. Even more startling was the sight of his young cat, Beast, trailing behind the dog. The cat evoked a laugh from several guests, before he scampered up the willow tree, in search of a bird.
The dog took his place behind Lily, lying down in the grass while James lifted back his sister’s veil. Matthew tucked Lily’s gloved palm into his arm and saw that her eyes were gleaming with unshed tears. In low voice, he murmured, “I hope those are tears of joy, Lily.”
She lifted shining eyes to his. “They are, indeed.”
The wedding was beautiful, and Lily did shed a few tears of happiness when Matthew kissed her at the end of the ceremony. The wedding guests applauded and stood. James held Evangeline’s hand in his and smiled. Her mother beamed and in her arms, she held her first granddaughter. Baby Lavender had been born only a week ago and was asleep in Iris’s arms. Rose and Iain stood with her, and as soon as Lily drew near, Rose stood from her chair to embrace her sister.
“It was a perfect wedding, Lily.”
“It was. And I could not be happier.”
She hugged her sister tightly, and Rose glanced back at her infant daughter. “Oh, I don’t know. There may come a time when you find someone who brings even more happiness to your life.” Her husband leaned in to kiss her cheek, and at the sight of their baby, Lily felt the tug of envy. One day , she thought.
Sebastian got up from the ground and trotted beside her while they accepted congratulations from the guests. Within the garden, they celebrated among family and friends, enjoying a wide variety of food and confections. At the far end of the garden, Lily spied an older man and woman seated together. She leaned in closer to Matthew and whispered, “Is that who I think it is?”
He brushed a kiss against her temple. “It is. Sarah Carlisle has a suitor. Lord Eversleigh has been widowed for three years now, and most of his children are grown. Except for his nine-year-old son, that is. There is a rumor that he may ask her to marry him.” The white-bearded gentleman had a distinguished air about him, and he offered Miss Carlisle a glass of lemonade. The older woman smiled and blushed, but there was no doubt that she was flattered by the attention.
“I am glad for her,” Lily said. She had to give the woman credit—Miss Carlisle had dispelled so many rumors around London, claiming that she had no doubt Matthew was Charlotte’s legitimate son. Now that Adrian was gone, the talk had died down, and their lives had returned to normal.
From behind them, Lily heard a woman call out, “Matthew.” They turned, and Juliette Fraser embraced him, a warm smile on her face. “I am overjoyed for both of you.”
Matthew kissed her cheek, and Lily saw the similarity in their features. Lady Falsham had made a difficult decision to give up her son, but it was one that had brought him a better life and future. “Thank you, Juliette.” He winked at her, and then they circled around to speak with each of their guests.
As their wedding celebration continued on through the afternoon and evening, Lily grew aware of her husband’s eagerness to leave. At last, he drew her knuckles to his lips. “I am taking you away now. I don’t care what the customs are.” His eyes grew hungry and heated. “I’ve waited long enough.”
“Shall I send Hattie to prepare our room?”
He shook his head. “If you think I’m going to spend our wedding night in your brother’s house, you are quite mistaken.”
She didn’t understand what he meant by that. “Then where will we go?”
“You’ll see.” He took her around to bid farewell to each of the guests, and Lily’s curiosity was intrigued. He had spoken nothing of this before. The dog trotted behind her, and she wondered whether to leave him. But then, Matthew bent near one of the trees and scooped up Beast, making it clear that both animals would come along.
After they departed the garden, she saw a black coach waiting for them. Matthew helped her inside, using both hands to tuck her voluminous gown inside. He placed Beast on the opposite seat.
“What about Sebastian?” she asked.
“He is coming with us, don’t worry.” He signaled for the dog to jump up, and Sebastian rested his head against her knee. After Matthew closed the door, she laughed at how much space was taken up by the wedding dress and the dog.
“I’m nearly drowning in silk,” she laughed. “But I do love this gown.”
“It suits you,” he said. “And I could not have asked for a more beautiful bride.” He knocked on the ceiling of the coach, ordering the coachman to drive on, and then he leaned in to kiss her, nudging Sebastian aside. The dog claimed the opposite seat, lying across the entire width of the coach. The cat hissed at him and then claimed his own space.
Lily clung to Matthew, welcoming the embrace of the man she loved. He rested both hands on either side of her, and she ran her hands through his dark hair, bringing him as close as she could.
Abruptly, he switched their positions, taking her seat and pulling her onto his lap. The gown was twisted beneath her, and she struggled to free herself. Matthew helped, until she straddled him. Beneath her thighs, she felt the heated length of him, and he continued to kiss her until she grew molten with need.
“Thank God, we’ve only a short drive,” he said. “Else I might take you right here in this coach.” He gripped her waist, and she shuddered at the shocking sensation of his erection pressed against her core. The image of riding him was a scalding vision that tempted her.
“Another day,” she murmured. With a wicked smile, she added, “Promise me.”
He kissed her hard, and agreed, “Any day that you wish, Lily.”
He was right, that the drive was indeed short, only a few miles away. When the coach pulled to a stop, she asked, “Where are we?”
“It’s my wedding gift to you,” he said. He opened the door and led her outside. The dog hopped down and trailed them, followed by the cat.
Lily walked along the gravel pathway and ahead lay a small brick house. Candles were lit in the windows, and they were a welcome sight.
“It’s too small for now,” Matthew apologized, “but we will add the rooms we need. I bought up the surrounding land, so we can make the house as large as you wish.”
“Is this ours?” she breathed. Emotion bundled up in her so tightly, she could hardly breathe.
“I knew you wanted a home near your mother, since she has been so ill. This is close enough that you can see her as often as you like.” He drew her palm to his lips. “You could even build a house for her behind this one, if you want to bring her to live here.”
Lily threw herself into Matthew’s arms, feeling as if he’d just handed her the moon. She had been so worried about Iris, but now this gave her a means of taking care of her. “I love you, Matthew. Thank you for this.”
He kissed her again and then lifted her into his arms. She yelped, laughing as he handed her yards and yards of silk. “You’ll have to hold this while I carry you over the threshold. That is the tradition, isn’t it?”
“So, it is.” Thankfully, a servant opened the door for them, smiling as Matthew carried her inside. An older woman greeted them, introducing herself as Mrs. Ferns, the housekeeper. “Your rooms are all prepared, my lord.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ferns. And we’ve a few other guests we’ve brought with us.” He nodded toward the dog and cat.
“The cat can stay, but not the dog,” the housekeeper groaned. “He should stay outside. I’ll have no muddy paws here.”
“Sebastian stays with my wife,” Matthew answered. And with reluctance, the housekeeper let the dog inside, muttering to herself about wiping his paws.
He continued walking toward the stairs, and Lily gripped him harder. “Don’t drop me,” she warned. “Perhaps I should walk.”
“Do you think I would ever let you go?” he murmured against her lips. Then he continued up the stairs and into the narrow hallway. “This house isn’t nearly big enough. But it was all I could find near Penford.”
“As you said, we can change it as much as you like.”
At last, he lowered her to stand in front of their bedchamber. Matthew opened the door, and inside, she saw a four poster bed with the coverlet drawn back. Beast followed them inside and hopped onto the bed, curling up into a ball. A warm fire burned in the hearth, and within another moment, the dog trotted inside and flopped down in front of the fireplace.
Matthew picked up Beast and set him down by the dog. The young cat sniffed at the dog’s nose and then sprawled out next to him. Then he turned back to her. “Will they bother you?”
“Not at all.” She smiled at him. “Now help me out of this gown.”
He took his time unbuttoning her, pressing his mouth against her back as he revealed each inch. Shivers erupted over her skin and at last, the gown lay pooled upon the carpet. He helped her remove her corset and petticoats, revealing layer by layer, until she stood naked before him.
The fire warmed her skin, but her breasts grew taut at the cool air in the bedroom. Matthew leaned in to take a nipple into his mouth, and the heat of his tongue made her gasp. She hurried, trying to undress him while he tormented her. And when he wore only his breeches, he picked her up and laid her down on edge of the bed. She started to move back, but he shocked her when he knelt before her, lifting her legs on his shoulders.
“I want to taste you.” His warm breath warmed the intimate flesh between her legs, and she felt the spiral of anticipation arousing her senses. When he bent and licked between her folds, she let out a cry and gripped the sheets, arching against him. His tongue teased her, finding the nodule of her pleasure until she grew wet. A burgeoning sensation of need heightened, balling up inside her until she was breathing in a harsh rhythm. He replaced his mouth with his fingers, stroking her closer to a release she desperately wanted.
Dimly, she grew aware of Matthew removing the rest of his clothing. She closed her eyes, moaning when he slid two fingers inside her. He caressed her, coated with the essence of her desire, and she felt herself rising higher, aching for her husband.
“Are you ready for me?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, trembling as he increased the rhythmic stroking of his fingers. A shattering white-hot sensation caught her, and then she came apart when his hard length invaded her. Pleasure arced through her, and she sobbed with the devastating release that rolled over her. Matthew continued to plunge and withdraw, and she squeezed his length, surrendering to the pleasure of lovemaking.
“Look at me,” he demanded. She obeyed and saw the fierce desire in his brown eyes. His hands imprisoned her wrists, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “I love you, Lily. And I always will.”
She wrapped her arms around him, “I love you, too.” He laid her back against the bed, kissing her as he continued to thrust within her. She gloried in the pressure of his body moving within hers, clasping his head as he hastened the tempo.
And when at last he found his own pleasure, his body shuddered against hers, and he collapsed atop her. For a moment, their bodies lay joined, and he placed soft kisses against her face. “I’m glad you waited for me, Lily.”
She lifted her mouth to his, kissing him in return. “I would have waited the rest of my life to love you again.”
He lifted her back to the bed, their warm bodies mingled together. And as they lay in the firelight, with their animals asleep on the hearth, Lily touched the gold signet ring on Matthew’s finger. It had rested against her heart for the two years she had waited for this man.
“It was you who brought me back,” he whispered. “On the night you found me in the stable, I nearly died. But your voice kept me alive, along with your love.”
“Probably because I wouldn’t stop talking,” she teased. “But I needed you to know that I was there.”
“I knew,” he said. “And you will continue to be here, at my side.”
There was no doubt of that. They belonged together, and this man filled her with such happiness, she could scarcely breathe.
Lily reached out to trace the handsome line of his face. “Every day, for the rest of our lives.”
And in front of the hearth, there came a low snore, followed by the thumping of a tail.