“Hash agreed,” Emalyn said. “He will manage everything elsh. Philip has grown Kennet beyond the management of one man.”
Michael reached for Clara’s hand, and this time she let him take it. “Please forgive me. I was a fool, but one no longer.”
“Yet to be seen,” Clara muttered.
Emalyn cackled. “He ish a man, my child.”
Michael sent a sour look toward his mother, then rose up on one knee again. “When I saw you on that hill—”
“Say that word again and I swear I will slap you.”
He grinned. “I knew how wrong I had been. I want you. In my life and in my bed.”
“Dear God,” muttered Honora. “We are all going to hell.”
Michael folded both hands over hers. “Marry me.”
Clara looked at her mother, who gave a long sigh. Then a nod. “I will deal with your brother.”
Looking down at Michael, Clara realized all the tension had left her body. She felt light. And free. And loved.
“Yes.”
“Exshellent!” Emalyn almost crowed. “Now we will have tea and talk about Chrishmash. Get up, Michael, before you put a dent in the carpet.”
Epilogue
Tuesday, 3 January 1826
Ashton Park, near the River Kennet
Half-past nine in the morning
Lady Clara Ashtonstirred, the pungent aroma of coffee piercing the fog of sleep. Her shoulder felt icy, so she pulled the covers higher and snuggled deeper into the bed. But the covers lifted to a rush of cold air, and she shivered. “Please,” she whimpered.
A far superior warmth pressed against her back. “Please what?” Michael whispered in her ear. He kissed her temple and ran a hand along her thigh.
“I do not want to get up yet.”
“I brought coffee.”
She wriggled against him. “I’m cold.”
His hand moved up and circled her waist. “You feel quite warm to me.”
“Because you are hotter than Copper after a run.” She rolled to face him. “Why are you so warm?”
He brushed a kiss across her lips. “Because I have been in the kitchen. Getting you coffee.”
“Why did you leave me?” Clara stroked his cheeks, her fingertips lingering on the two-day stubble on his jaw.
“Because you were wiggling in your dreams, and it made me want to take you again. And I did not think either of us was up for that.”
She kissed his chin. “Are you sore?”
“Are you not? The last two days have been... active.”
She grinned and put her arms round him, tucking her head beneath his chin. “Regrets?”
