Epilogue
Two Weeks Later
James
How was a gentleman to get time alone with his wife?
James sighed in frustration. This wedding breakfast would soon need to be renamed a wedding luncheon. Who had invited all of these people? He leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he surveyed the room, his gaze landing on his wife.
His wife.
Kate was radiant, her face alight and her smile wide as she conversed with family and friends. He was not going to drag her away when she appeared to be having such a wonderful time.
He felt a gentle hand on his arm and smiled down at his mother. “I am so proud of you, James. Your father would be too, you know.” She placed a soft kiss on his cheek, walking away before he could respond.
He watched her disappear into the crowd, her mention of his father a bittersweet pressure in his chest. He took a slow, steadying breath, letting her words settle before he checked his pocket watch as unobtrusively as possible.
Westmarch approached, his wife on his arm. “Congratulations, James, and may I also say thank you.”
James tilted his head. “For what?”
“For assisting me in winning a wager with my wife,” he said. “She didn’t believe I could save one of my best agents from dismissal and play matchmaker at the same time.” He winked, leaving James in stunned silence. Of all the—
“James,” Hugh said as he clapped a firm grip on his shoulder. “I have a wedding gift for you.”
James lifted an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Hugh grinned. “It is actually from Kate, but since I am playing accomplice, I will take some of the credit. The others helped too.”
William, Alex, and Nicholas were all watching them. Nicholas raised a glass in his direction.
“And what exactly is this gift?” He braced himself. Knowing his friends, it could be anything.
Hugh lowered his voice. “The carriage is loaded, and the driver is waiting at the front entrance to take you on your wedding trip.”
“Truly?” He stole a glance at Kate, who was watching him with a shy smile. “And you are telling me that Kate had a hand in this?”
“It was her idea.”
James had not thought it possible to love his wife more than he did at that moment.
A slow grin spread across his face. “Hugh, please do not misunderstand me, but I am leaving. Would you please tell Kate to make whatever excuse is necessary and meet me in the corridor?”
Hugh laughed. “I will.”
If James went to get her himself, they would never make it away from the crowd of well-wishers. He made directly for the open door, his eyes fixed ahead so he would not be forced to stop and greet anyone.
Two minutes felt like hours, but the light click of slippers finally sounded on the polished floor. “I don’t think you could have given me a better wedding gift,” he said, placing a quick kiss on Kate’s lips.
She laughed softly. “Let’s hurry. Aunt Edith was not far behind me.”
“Come, then!” He captured her hand, and they fled out the door toward the carriage, laughing as they climbed inside. The carriage lurched forward, rumbling down the drive toward the lane, where the open windows caught the fragrance of chestnut blossoms drifting on the early spring breeze.
James drew his arm across Kate’s shoulders, sliding her as close as the carriage bench would allow.
“Finally,” he said, before lowering his head, giving his wife the long, languid kiss that he had been dreaming of all morning.
He pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, relishing having her close.
“Remind me to thank Hugh when we see him next,” he said. “His assistance today almost makes me willing to forgive him for past pranks.”
She leaned back far enough that he could see her smile. “Like your nickname? What was it again?” She tapped her fingertip on her lips, which did nothing to help his concentration.
James groaned. “Please, Kate, I—”
She grinned. “I don’t believe Scattershot is as horrible a name as you think it is.”
“It is not the worst thing I have been called,” he mused. “Nor is it the best.” His tone turned serious, and he reached for her face, framing it in his hands.
“Nothing can compare to hearing you call me James.” He stroked his thumbs over her cheeks. “Kate, I intend to earn the right to hear you call me by my name for the rest of my life,” he said.
She lifted her hand to cradle his cheek, brushing her fingers over his jaw. “James, there is nothing you need to do to earn it. I love you. Without reserve.” She rested her other palm over his heart. “Entirely and forever.”
Her words sank deep, healing something that had long been fractured inside him.
He leaned down to show her exactly how he felt about her declaration when the carriage came to a sudden halt. He caught Kate before she could topple off the bench.
“Why do you suppose we have stopped?” Kate asked. He prayed there was nothing wrong with the carriage. Returning to the estate was the last thing he wanted right now.
A man on horseback appeared at the window, holding out a folded letter. “Forgive me, my lord. An urgent message for you.” James expressed his thanks and the messenger rode off, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.
He broke the seal and scanned the lines once, then again more slowly.
He cleared his throat. “My darling, how would you feel about altering our course?”
She tilted her head. “And where exactly would we be going?”
“To Bristol. On a short mission, but only if you wish.” He waited, giving her the space to decide.
Her teeth grazed her bottom lip, and his thoughts scattered. “I think,” she said with confidence, “that it is time to be bold.”
He could not help the grin that escaped him. There was no other woman who could have matched him so perfectly.
He leaned out the window and gave the driver their new destination. The carriage lurched forward with a jolt, and James fell sideways, stopping just short of Kate’s lap. When their laughter died down, he took Kate’s hand in his.
“Are you certain, Kate? I have given the word, but we have not gone so far that we cannot return to our original plans.” He kissed her palm. “I want this to be your choice as much as mine.”
“I will go anywhere, James, as long as I am at your side.” She squeezed his hand. “I look forward to a life full of adventures. Together.”
James arched an eyebrow, amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“A life of adventure? Then you cannot say I do not deliver.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur.
“Tell me, Lady Brenton, does securing a dangerous assignment on our wedding trip finally qualify as a truly noteworthy feat?”
Kate’s eyes danced with the exact same challenge that had captivated him the moment he first saw her on the landing.
She leaned in close, her breath warm against his lips.
“I suppose it is a fair beginning, my lord. But I shall require a great deal more before I am fully convinced.” She met his lips in a kiss that felt like a promise.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her onto his lap.
She smiled against his mouth, and he breathed her in, his hands tangled in her hair.
His lips found hers again, and he finally understood that every choice he had made, every path he had taken, had always been leading him back where he belonged.
Kate had never been a distraction.
She was his purpose.
And he intended to spend the rest of his life showing her.