As if he had read her thoughts, he reached out, taking hold of her hand and raising it to his cheek.
“I am so sorry, my love. I am sorry I deceived you, but more than that, I am sorry I never spoke the words in my heart.” Aidan drew a deep breath, gazing up at her in adoration. “You captured me from the moment you recited the verse of Manilius. I knew I had found the other half of my soul, the woman who would endlessly challenge me. Whom I would cherish for the rest of my days. It was impossible to walk away which is why I kissed you in themoonlight. I love you, Gwen Abbott, with every bit of my soul.”
Tears streamed, dripping off her chin to run down her neck, but Gwen ignored them. “How can I know that is true?”
Aidan stared pensively back up at her, biting his lip. “What if I told you a secret? An embarrassing secret that a man would only tell his beloved wife …” He hesitated. “And perhaps a very close friend.”
Gwen used her palms to wipe her cheeks, and nodded, intrigued to hear what he might tell her. Would she finally learn something tangible about her moonlight visitor?
Aidan rose up, peering over his shoulder before leaning down to whisper in her ear. “You are the only woman I have ever lain with, Gwen. The only one who ever tempted me to such heights of passion.”
Gwen gasped, pulling back to gaze up into his face. “Is that true?”
Aidan peered about again, as if afraid of being overheard. “It is.”
“You mean the other night when we …”
Her husband’s brows shot up, and he swiftly raised a finger to press her lips shut. “Shh … and yes.”
Gwen savored the feeling of his naked finger against her mouth while she thought about his confession. Slowly, a warmth began to spread through her body, sending shivers down her arms and legs. Even her head felt giddy. Pulling his hand away, she leaned in and whispered into his ear. “I was your first?”
He bobbed his head, murmuring close to tickle her hair with his warm breath. “I left that afternoon to receive lessons on what to do. I … did not want to disappoint you.”
It was not the sort of secret a man wished to share, especially not with a lover. Gwen threw her arms around hisneck, awed to be trusted with such private information. “Oh, Aidan. I love you, too!”
His lips found hers in the glow of the lantern above them, and as before, Gwen found herself being deeply kissed, as if she had brought a mythological lover to life with wishes made upon a magic moon.
Behind her, the sound of the terrace doors opening barely registered as she tangled tongues with Aidan and accepted him into her heart until, finally, they both raised their heads to look to the doors.
Gwen was taken aback to find much of Aidan’s family gathered there. The duke and duchess stood arm in arm at the back. Lily and Filminster stood at the front, with Lily’s elfish face beaming in the light of the white paper lantern. The earl and countess watched from the door, while Aidan’s parents respectively stared down at their hands, presumably embarrassed to see their son engaged in a passionate embrace.
Slowly, they each raised their arms toward her as if they wanted to hug. “Welcome to the family, Gwen Abbott!” Lily cried.
Aidan coaxed her forward to meet their guests, and one by one they embraced her, tugging her close to buss her on the cheek and welcome her in their own words. Even the duke, who tended to be more reserved than the others, drew her into a quick hug with a thick, muscled arm. “Welcome, Gwen. My apologies for any deception, but the duchess and I will make it up to you, I swear it. We are proud to have you join us.”
Gwen was overcome by incredible warmth. Outside of her own family, she had never experienced such emotion, and from such important members of society. Soon she was openly weeping again.
Lord Moreland handed her a handkerchief to dab herface. “I am so relieved to learn your father’s true plans, young lady. I look forward to a successful future with Frederick Smythe.”
Gwen nodded, using the square to blow her nose as she finally admitted her father had been correct—Aidan was the right man.
Her stomach growled in loud agreement, and Gwen’s eyes widened in horror. Papa had come up behind her to give her a quick hug, and chuckled. “I think it is time to eat, everyone. I am afraid my daughter has been expecting her supper for some time, but I instructed the maid not to bring it to her.”
Lily grabbed her by the hand, yanking her toward the open door. “I am hungry, too! I have not eaten since breakfast, and that was at eight in the morning. Annabel and the duke like to rise early, so I am acquiring the habit, too, but it takes getting used to—such long periods between meals.”
Gwen giggled, clasping the hand of her loquacious sister-in-law as they walked in together. How much fun it would be to form a connection with each of Aidan’s family. Her brother, Gareth, would enjoy getting to know them and their children. Little Ethan was a delight and had mastered the game of chess far beyond his years. He and Gareth would enjoy many fierce battles in the future, was her prediction.
Glancing back, she found Aidan right behind her. “Are you going to tell me why you thought my father murdered a man?”
He grimaced. “I suppose if I must.”
Gwen thought about it for a second, and decided then and there that it was time to stop retreating. It was time to learn how to stand up for herself and demand her place in this world. This was the perfect place to begin.
“You must.” She was proud of the firmness in her voice.
CHAPTER 18
“Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.”
