He wanted her to taste his love, to feel the weight of it against her. He kissed her like she was the most precious thing in the world, like she was the shore and he was a drowning man.
He felt her kiss him back just as fiercely. Something thundered between them and he could not tell if it was his heart or hers. He did not care.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathing heavily, clinging to one another as though each feared that a gust of wind might draw them into the sky.
“I love you, Harriet,” he murmured, pressing his lips to her forehead.
“I love you too, Theodore.” Harriet shifted to glance over her shoulder. “Though you should probably let me go. I expect Phoebe is wondering where we are.”
Theodore pulled Harriet even closer to him, feeling her face bury itself in his chest. “Oh, Duchess, I am afraid that will not be possible.”
She pushed against him, though he could tell she was not really trying to escape. “Oh?”
“Did you not listen to a word I said?” He grinned as he tilted her chin up towards him with one finger. “I have learned my lesson; I will never let you go again.”
And as Harriet’s eyes widened, he kissed her again. His Duchess was finally home.
EPILOGUE
“And then we saw a badger set!” Phoebe exclaimed, eyes full of delight, her fork halfway to her mouth.
Harriet sat across from Phoebe with Theodore sitting at the head of the table between them. Every so often, she felt his knee brush against her leg, and she smiled.
The distraction had made her nearly upset her wine goblet more than once, though Theodore seemed to find the whole thing amusing.
As soon as Harriet had walked into the dining room with him for dinner, Phoebe had launched herself at her. Harriet had hugged the little girl back, and then Theodore had scooped them both in his arms and swung them.
This had resulted in a smashed vase, but no one seemed to mind. Phoebe’s delight at Harriet’s return had manifested into a stream of chatter.
Harriet steadied Phoebe’s fork before she sent peas flying everywhere with her excitement. She could feel Theodore watching her, but she managed to keep from looking at him.
“If you are not careful, your uncle will end up wearing your dinner,” Harriet teased as she motioned for Phoebe to actually eat her mouthful of food.
Phoebe gave Harriet a sheepish smile and ate her fork full of peas. Harriet could tell she was chewing as quickly as she could, eager to tell her the rest of the story.
She caught Theodore’s eye, and saw his smile broaden. “Perhaps we should take your aunt to see it for herself.”
Phoebe nodded excitedly, and for a moment, Harriet worried that she might accidentally choke. Her stomach tightened, but Phoebe seemed not to notice as she swallowed her food and said, “I can introduce you to Socks and Mr. Big.”
“And just who are they?” Harriet asked, leaning over the table and wiping a spot of gravy off Phoebe’s cheek.
“Socks is my puppy. I called her that because she has three white paws and one brown one. She has brothers and sisters, but Uncle said I can only keep one.” Phoebe gave Harriet a sidelong look. “But that was before you came home, and I think maybe you should have a puppy too.”
Harriet laughed. “I think one puppy is more than enough. They are rather a lot of work.”
Harriet caught Theodore’s eye and gave him a look that clearly said, “I told you she would fall in love with them all.” He grinned back and spread his hands in front of him in a helpless motion, but the way his eyes danced in the candlelight spread gooseflesh across her body.
“But maybe she will be lonely,” Phoebe insisted, drawing Harriet’s attention back to her.
“She will have you. And me, and your uncle and all the servants,” Harriet pointed out, helping herself to one of the bread rolls.
Phoebe sighed, but her smile only broadened. “All right. But you still need to meet Mr. Big. He is my pony.”
“And you have named him Mr. Big because?” Harriet saw Phoebe exchange a look with Theodore and giggle.
“Phoebe has learned about irony,” Theodore explained. “Mr. Big is a rather small pony, which makes him perfect for her.”
“It’s funny because he’s small. And so am I.” Phoebe giggled and looked so proud of herself that Harriet felt her own smile broaden in return.
