Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
After a while in Milo’s arms, Amelia became aware of people clearing their throats nearby.
They turned together and discovered the duke, Lucy and Adam standing on the terrace steps. The duke bent down to whisper to the children and they fled inside.
The duke came out to join them, scowling. “Finally, you stop,” Stapleton complained.
Amelia turned her face into Milo’s chest, embarrassed by her behavior, and whispered, “What do we do?”
“Allow me,” he said, then turned Amelia to face his father and put an arm about her waist. He held her firmly to his side, and she squirmed as he tickled her. Even if this was what she’d wanted all along, her husband’s love and proof of it for anyone to see was a little overwhelming.
“Father, we’re headed to Devon tomorrow, whether you approve of our marriage or not,” Milo stated.
The duke raised a brow. “Now that, I am pleased to here. About time you admitted to loving each other, too,” His Grace answered with a smirk. “This nonsense about a marriage of convenience sat ill on my heart.”
“We noticed,” Milo said, scowling.
“The rest will sort itself out in the years to come, I expect. Welcome to the family, Amelia. The duchy will be in good hands when Gillian and I are gone, if you truly love my son enough to have put up with his foolishness.”
“I do love Chatham,” Amelia promised. “We have many dreams to make come true for each other.”
“Of course, you love my son. You are a woman of sense and good taste,” he said, shocking her with unexpected praise.
“I do apologize for my initial unkind reception to the news of your marriage. As I hoped, he stuck by his decision, though I admit to being vexed with him for taking so long to admit he cared about you. He should have said he felt something much sooner than this. Your marriage will be good for him.”
She gaped at the duke. “I hope so, Your Grace.”
“Excellent. Take care of each other and my grandchildren, and come back to visit when you have time to spare and a few more offspring to show me.”
“We will,” she promised.
The duke inclined his head and backed away.
When they were alone again in the garden, Milo raised her chin until their eyes met. “Darling, could I suggest you use my given name on every possible occasion from now on. Even in front of my father. He does hate formality in the family.”
A soft smile tugged at her lips. “Yes, Milo.”
“Amelia, my love,” he sighed, brushing his fingers across her cheek.
“Milo,” she whispered, and then after a moment added, “darling,” watching for his reaction.
“Dearest Amelia,” he replied. “I love you more than words can say.”
She rose up on her toes so that her lips grazed his ear as her grip around his neck firmed. “Can this be real? Do you really love me?”
“I swear it’s true, and it always will be.” Milo wrapped his arms about her, then on second thought, swept her up into his arms. Amelia barely held on to her posy of flowers as he twirled her about until she became dizzy.
He kept hold of her as he headed toward the manor. “Milo, what are you doing? I can walk.”
“I am correcting another mistake I made. I neglected to carry my bride over the threshold, and I don’t believe anyone will miss us for a while, or if they do, Father will explain.”
Milo carried her back inside the manor, up to their bedchamber, seemingly ready to prove she was indeed loved.
When her feet touched the floor, Milo did not release her immediately. He kissed her and only let go long enough to set her flowers aside. They stripped each other bare, and she could barely contain her anticipation as they crawled onto the bed together, laughing and kissing each other everywhere.
Marriage and Milo were everything she needed in life, and she would never take this second chance for granted. Milo had made her believe in love, and she’d never forget again.