“If necessary, I will confess how we have already shared a bed,” he stated with a smile. He caught her hand and tugged her into a loose embrace. “I have upon multiple occasions, I am ashamed to admit, endeavored to reason against the reasons I love you. I cannot, however, continue my litany, for the pain of your absence in my life would be too great to endure. In that manner, my love is selfish; I cannot breathe without you, Freya.”
He kissed her quite thoroughly then, both of them ignoring their multiple cuts and bruises from today’s battle for their lives.
When they came up for air, Aaran chuckled. “I admit, my girl, there will be times when I will appreciate your silence, but this is not one of them. I have asked you to marry me. To spend your life with me. To be the mother of my children. I would not mind a response on your beautiful lips as to your choice.”
A heartbeat later, she was in his arms again. “Yes. Yes. I could not wish for anything more wonderful. I love you, Aaran Graham.”
“Lord and LadyCunningham, my lords,” Thompson’s butler announced at midday on Saturday. Aaran, Benjamin, and Duncan rose to greet the pair.
“Good day, my lord. My lady,” Duncan said politely when the Cunninghams entered the room. “On behalf of my son, welcome to Thom Manor.”
“Where is my daughter?” Cunningham demanded.
The slight shift of Duncan’s shoulders was the only indication of His Lordship’s irritation. Aaran’s father said in even tones, “I believe Lady Freya is abovestairs with her Aunt Turner and several of my sons’ wives. Mr. Boone, would you ask Lady Freya to join us?”
“My sister also,” Lady Cunningham said with a lift of her chin in a small act of defiance, which gave Aaran a bit of hope.
“Yes, my lady,” Mr. Boone repeated dutifully. “Anything else, my lord?” the butler directed his question to Lord Duncan.
“We will ring when refreshments are necessary,” Duncan instructed.
As the butler retreated, Thompson took the lead. “Come have a seat nearer to the fire, my lord. My lady. It is a cold day.” Once the Cunninghams were settled, Thompson said, “I will leave you to speak to Duncan and Graham, and I will see that all is settled for your comfort when you finish. My butler will be close if you have a need of anything.” With that, Thompson bowed and exited.
An awkward silence fell upon the room before Duncan said, “Graham has proposed to Lady Freya and has been accepted.”
“I still hold the say in this matter,” Cunningham hissed, “and I have yet to offer my permission.”
Before more could be argued, Lady Freya rushed into the room, followed closely by Mrs. Turner. Surprisingly, Lady Cunningham rose quickly to open her arms to her daughter, and Aaran knew a bit of hope for his and Freya’s future.
“Oh, my dear girl,” Lady Cunningham cooed, as she inspected the bruises on Freya’s forehead and cheek. “I have been so worried since learning of the attack on your person. Are you well, my child?”
“She is, as you see, a bit bruised,” Freya’s Aunt Turner answered for her niece, “but our girl is so brave. So very like our mother, she is. I am so proud of her.”
Lady Cunningham also hugged her sister, but she kept hold of Freya’s hand, turning back to her daughter for another look upon her. “Freya does resemble our dear mother in so many ways. Thank you, Felicity, for reminding me she is part Drummond.”
“That is enough!” Cunningham ordered with a bit of venom in his tone, but, thankfully, Mrs. Turner ignored him.
Instead, the woman said, “Come, Freya. Let us hear your father’s complaints. We know he likely has many nonsensical ones regarding the possibility of your marrying the man you affect and who affects you in return.” She seated Freya beside her on a nearby settee.
“Yes,” Lady Cunningham said in a tone Aaran had not expected, as she eyed her husband in a manner no one in the room, except for possibly Mrs. Turner, had expected, for Lady Cunningham, like her husband, was known as a stickler for decorum. “I wish also to hear your reasons, my lord, as to why you are not happy to place your youngest daughter at the side of one of the United Kingdom’s most wealthy earls. Please explain why you would want her to be a mere baronetess when she could be a countess.”
Cunningham came to his feet. “I am not required to explain myself to you, madam.”
“Then to whom should you explain your reasons?” Lady Cunningham challenged. “I am your wife, sir. We have lived under the same roof for more than twenty years. I have tolerated your berating me for not presenting you an heir. I have nearly lost my life upon two occasions in an effort to please you. However, I shall not permit you to make Freya’s life miserable.Did you not listen to Mr. Hartley’s explanation of what occurred here in Kent?”
“I do not understand you, my lady,” Cunningham declared with a deep frown.
“Then listen carefully, for I intend to say it only one time. You have created this feud with the Grahams because the previous Lord Graham produced two sons. One with Miss Bellton and one with Lady Eímear Boyde. You think I do not realize you wanted to marry Miss Bellton. You despise all the Grahams for foiling your plans. You thought the current Lord Graham should not be Earl Graham, that he should have been your son. You despise Lord Duncan for assisting the current Lord Graham in claiming the earldom.”
“Maeve,” Cunningham said quietly. “It was not that way.”
“Was it not?” his wife challenged. “Do you not think it ironic that the man of whom you have disapproved all your days has won our daughter’s heart? That he can become part of your family? While the woman you have desired for more years than I care to name is the one who meant to kill our dear Freya, as well as her own son. Are you as deranged as the woman upon whom you once placed your hopes?”
The room was eerily quiet. Aaran looked to Freya, but she was studying her fingers, as was her aunt. A quick glance to Duncan said His Lordship wished to shout for joy.
Lord Cunningham appeared to wish to swallow his own tongue, but he said, “Do you wish to marry Lord Graham, Child?”
Freya sent Aaran a surprised look before she said, “I have given Lord Graham both my assent and my heart, Papa.”
