Epilogue
EPILOGUE
R oderick watched Clarissa across the room of their friends and family, his hand tightly gripping his glass of port. She was standing with her parents, as well as Lady Delacourt, but for once his wife seemed not to be troubled by whatever they were saying. The Lockharts had softened since their confrontation a few weeks ago. Roderick believed that had more to do with their desire to be financially supported than with any real emotion, but as long as they treated his wife well and it was what she wanted, he would let it stand.
“Are you planning on ripping my uncle and aunt to shreds?”
He turned and smiled as George stepped up. “If I said yes, would you call me out to protect the family honor?”
George chuckled. “The only family honor I care about in this room is Clarissa’s. And you seem to be a good guardian of that. It seems from the way you look at her and she at you that your lightning struck after all.”
“It did,” he murmured as his wife met his eyes and a little pink entered her cheeks. Perhaps she was thinking of what he’d been doing to her in their chamber even as their guests arrived. What he intended to do to her again as soon as they departed .
“I’m glad. I might not believe in love, but I certainly am happy to see those I care about find it.” George let out a little sigh.
“You might find it yet,” Roderick suggested as he nudged his friend.
George glanced at him and there was a brief flash of sadness in his stare. “My mother has arranged a marriage. I’ve agreed. It’s time, I think.”
Roderick’s lips parted. “George?—”
“Don’t trouble yourself,” his friend said softly. “I never expected or wanted what you have. And I’ll be happy.”
Roderick wasn’t certain of that, but he had no intention of getting into it with George at this moment. Not when Clarissa had extracted herself from the others and was coming across the room toward him.
George smiled. “I’ll leave you to her and go keep my uncle and aunt busy.”
He left Roderick’s side and stopped as he and Clarissa met in the middle of the big parlor. He kissed her cheek and said something soft to her, something that made her smile up at her cousin. Then she continued to Roderick and when she reached him, all trouble was gone. It was only her.
“May a gentleman take his lady onto the terrace for some air?”
She nodded. “A lady would very much like that.”
They exited onto the terrace and she slipped her arm through his as they walked to the edge and looked out over the pretty gardens, now dormant for the winter about to arrive.
“I think it’s still pretty, even when it’s in waiting,” she said.
He smiled. “I agree. There’s something special about the anticipation of all the beauty and joy and pleasure to come.”
She glanced up at him and her lips tilted in a smile. “Are you talking about the garden or us?”
“The garden, of course,” he said with a laugh. “You will never be in waiting when it comes to me. Though I very much anticipate when we’re alone so I can kiss you.”
She leaned into him, her arms coming around his neck as her gaze went soft and dreamy in the moonlight. “Why don’t you be very inappropriate and kiss me now?”
“Why, Lady Kirkwood,” he said with a chuckle. “Are you certain that would be prop?—”
He didn’t get to finish. Instead she leaned up and kissed him instead. Propriety be damned.