Epilogue
The chatter in the room behind her rose and fell. All of the girls discussed the London Season and the wardrobe requirements for balls, routs, walks in the park, and social visits.
All of the girls… save for Julia, who was perched at the window, watching the sunset. It was a lovely spectacle of color, but the beauty of it was lost on her. It just meant another day of waiting for word from London.
It must be finished, the annulment granted. They had expected Sax and Belmont’s return by now. Had something happened? A delay? Surely not a denial?
As time passed, the whirlwind started up in Julia’s chest again. This time it spun not grief and loss, but unease and anxiety.
She looked up as Havers stepped close. “Miss Julia, do you recall that fine netting we used to create clouds for the stage? Might there be any left?”
Julia blinked, recalling herself to the present. “Oh, yes. I do believe we have extra amongst the props.”
“Would you mind fetching it?” the maid asked. “I thought it would be perfect for the overlay in Miss Charlotte’s new gown.”
Merritt looked over in surprise.
“Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am,” the maid said quickly, “but I am required to help Miss Charlotte in a crucial spot of sewing.”
“Do fetch it for me, Julia dear?” Charlotte asked from across the room. “I plan to wear this gown in your honor—on the opening night of Mr. Linwood’s play.”
“I’ll go with you.” Merritt rose.
“Oh, no, Your Grace,” Havers objected. “A package was delivered for you. The one you have been awaiting. I put it in your office. You’ll want to see to it right away.”
Julia waved a hand. “I’ll go.”
The stars were winking to life as the sunlight faded. Julia paused on the terrace to watch before heading to the stairs. She did not hurry. She felt no urgency for anything, stuck in limbo while she waited for Sax’s return.
But her focus returned as she neared the stage. Was that torchlight flickering? Who was there?
Suddenly, a figure stepped out of the shadows at the bottom.
“Sax!” She breathed his name and stopped on the last step. Even so, he towered above her. “Is it done?”
“It’s done. I’m free. We are free.”
She closed her eyes.
“Deegan’s in the hulks, awaiting transportation. Eva is back with her father. She will likely never marry again.”
“And the papers?”
“Full of the scandal. Luckily, they have decided I sell more broadsheets as a hero than a cuckold.”
She swallowed, afraid to ask.
“Yes. They tried to befoul your name, but despite Deegan’s attempts, you have champions.
Belmont was effusive in your defense. Mr. Linwood refused to hear a word against you and has gone about London, singing your praises, and declaring he will have you celebrated as his muse when the new play opens.
” Sax stepped forward to take her hands.
“So you see, it’s true. It’s happened. Our time has come. ”
“How long?” she asked, gripping him tight. “How long must we wait?”
“Merritt thinks a year would be proper, but Belmont thinks he can likely bargain her down to half that.”
She moved into his arms, running her hands along his shoulders. “Too long,” she whispered. “We’ve waited long enough.”
He drew a deep breath. “I hoped your feelings would match mine. I purchased a special license. We can marry at any time.”
“Tonight,” she said.
He laughed. “Well, not so soon as that. We must convince your sister.” He pulled her closer and she smelled sun and sea, starch and lovely, warm man. “You know I am yours.”
“As I am yours.” She looked up. “This our moment, at last. I want to mark it. Here. Now. Beneath the moon and stars, with the sound of the surf flowing over us.”
“Thank heavens.” He took her hand and led her to the stage.
She froze. It had been transformed.
A great, carved fireplace stood to one side, its fire box filled with flickering candles.
Rich curtains framed a many-paned window hanging suspended in the back.
A thick tapestry lay on the floor before a wooden bed, its base and posts and gorgeous headboard carved with scenes of St. George battling the dragon.
“It’s your medieval bower,” Sax said low. “A befitting place for my lady knight.”
“I cannot believe you did all this!”
“Havers has been my co-conspirator. She’s been directing the work on it while I was away.”
“It’s perfect. You are perfect.” She took a deep breath. “Havers knows what we are about? She’ll keep them all away?”
He nodded.
She summoned her resolve, met his gaze directly. Reaching up, she removed a hairpin, then another.
He went still, watching. When she finished, he laced his fingers in among her locks with a groan. “It’s wild and unruly, just like your soul.”
She laughed, but he was leaning close. His lips brushed hers. His fingers slid down to caress her neck—and she tumbled into sweet, perfect oblivion.
Their tongues tangled. Their breath merged. His mouth moved to caress the soft pulse point at the curve of her neck, then progressed, pressing soft, hot kisses in a ring—no—in a secret necklace that left her feeling claimed, branded, cherished.
She let her own hands roam over his broad shoulders, across his back, over his hips, until she let the softest of touches drift over the swell in his trousers.
Hissing, he thrust into her hand. His gaze turned hot, and his hands were moving over the tops of her breasts. They were tugging down her gown and wrestling the fastenings of her stays. Suddenly, her bodice and undergarments were gone—and she was bare.
Sax groaned deep in the back of his throat and knelt before her, closing his mouth around one hard nipple, dragging his thumb over the other.
She gasped, and reveled in the heated pleasure.
“Fair is fair,” she said at last, fumbling for the buttons on his waistcoat. He helped, and was soon stripped of his shirt too. Moaning, she ran her hands across his hard chest.
“Julia?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she answered. “Yes. I want all of you. Now. Before the world tries to drag you away.”
“Never again,” he vowed. “From this moment, it’s the two of us. Forever.”
Lifting her, he crossed to the bed and laid her gently down. Stretching out beside her, he began to drift his fingers over her. Here. There. Fierce. Tender. Until she was nothing but hunger and need.
“Sax,” she moaned. She tugged on his trouser buttons until his cock sprang free.
Taking her hand, he placed it on him, showed her how to please him—and he settled his own fingers at her wet center.
For several moments, there was only hot, sweet pleasure. Her excitement grew in pace with his until she felt quite savage.
“Sax,” she said again, insistent. And he replaced his fingers with his hard manhood, sliding in easily at first. Slowly.
Too slow. She lifted her hips, asking for more.
He complied. Thrust harder, faster.
Her back arched at the feel of him so deeply possessing her.
Groaning her name, he grabbed her shoulders and bucked harder.
The sensations built, one on top of the other, until he reached a hand between them and touched her slick core again.
And she was gone, lost, her senses only so much wreckage floating on a sea of sensation. Wherever it was, he was with her. Another wreck on the rocks of incredible release. Slowly they drifted back to themselves—and to each other.
Their breathing calmed. He had settled to lie half over her, pressing her into the mattress. She never wanted to move.
His fingers skimmed her shoulder, twirled a lock of her hair. “When I was a boy, I used to dream of growing up and doing a great service.”
“You’ve just done one for me,” she said with a smile.
He laughed. “I wanted nothing more than to be knighted. To be a true knight, and make you my lady.”
“I suppose I will have to settle for being a duchess.” Her eyes sparkled. “But you will always be my knight,” she said softly.
He kissed her. “As you will be mine.”
The End