His fingers trailed up her arms and tangled in her hair. She leaned back into his hand as he gently sucked on the small, erratic pulse in her neck. His heart was racing as he heard her sigh. Her hands were clutching at his cravat, lightly tugging him back up to her lips.
“Lydia,” he moaned as he kissed the soft flesh of her neck once more before working his way back up to her mouth. “I could kiss every inch of you for days and not get tired,” he said, admiring how breathless he made her. Archer felt like his throbbing heart was going to burst as she looked up at him with lovelorn eyes.
He fixated on her lips once more; between each kiss, he whispered his undying love for her. He couldn’t stop—he loved her smile, her fiery passion, even the way she argued with him. Archer could have stayed like this forever.
When the crisp, warm sun peeked out from behind the dreary clouds, the door to his bedroom swung open, and Cora, Iris, and Juliet came rushing in.
Juliet tried to grab Iris, but the girl ducked away and flung herself at Lydia and Archer. “I am so sorry. I’m sorry, Auntie!”
Archer groaned with discontent.Too soon, he thought.
“Hush, little one. It’s okay. I am all right.” Lydia pressed a kiss to Iris’ head as Archer adjusted them both so that the weight was not on awkward places.
“You could have died,” Iris wailed.
“But I did not,” Lydia soothed.
“What if you hate me? What if Uncle hates me?”
“We could never hate you, Sunflower.” Archer ruffled his niece’s hair.
“Even if I killed someone?” Iris swallowed.
“If you killed someone, then I assume he was a very bad man. We would still love you.” Lydia grinned at Cora. “But Aunt Cora would be best to talk to about helping you escape justice.”
“I see your little swim has not robbed you of your sense of humor.” She plonked onto the bed beside them, grinning broadly. “Move over—you’ve had Lydia all to yourself for days. Let the rest of us have a turn.”
Archer rolled his eyes but did not move. He refused to let Lydia go. She arched an eyebrow at him, and he shrugged. “There is space enough for all of us.”
“Not for me!” Iris exclaimed. “Auntie Cora is squishing me.”
“That is only because you are so very squishable!” Juliet joined the throng, tickling her shrieking niece.
“I take it the two of you have sorted things out.” Cora’s eyes lingered deliberately on Lydia’s neck, and Archer watched as his wife blushed furiously. “I hope you made him work for it.”
“She did,” Archer assured them.
“Good.” Juliet grinned at them both.
Iris wriggled and then beamed at the adults around her. “And now, we can all be a family forever!”
“We can indeed.” And as his eyes met Lydia’s, he saw a particularly impish smile that set his heart on fire.
The Duke’s heart was finally back home.
Epilogue
Spring gave way to summer, and before long, it was fall. The leaves had changed and fallen on the ground, coating the gardens in warm autumn hues. The cold air nipped at Lydia’s nose and cheeks as she rushed from the carriage to the house, a small box hidden under her muff.
“Your Grace,” Mr. Lyall greeted Lydia at the door as she rushed in to get out of the cold, Landon at her heels. “Lord Nittinghill.”
“Mr. Lyall,” Landon greeted, quickly taking off his greatcoat and handing it over to Mr. Young, who stored it away. “Sister, you seem to have acclimated to your new lifestyle quickly. Before, such mild temperatures wouldn’t have sent you running for cover.”
“You’re one to speak,” Lydia snapped as she rubbed her arms gingerly.
“I have never acclimated to anything,” Landon said with a smirk. “I’m as sensitive to the cold as the day I was born. Can’t stay it in the least.”
“Would you like me to take that, Your Grace?” Mr. Lyall asked, pointing to Lydia’s muff.
