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Their bodies writhed and twisted together on the small window seat, each angling for the most pleasurable position until Alec managed to press Lottie’s back against the window frame. Then he tore his mouth from hers.
“I shouldn’t let you forgive me so easily, Lottie,” he panted, “but dammit, I’m such a fool when it comes to you.”
Lottie raised an eyebrow. “Respecting my ability to make decisions doesn’t make you a fool, Alec. It makes you mypartner.”
He groaned as he sank heavily between her thighs. “I can happily live with that.” He caught her lips in another deep kiss. Waves of aching need rolled through her until it felt as if her entire body was made of fire. She began to hike her skirts up in rough, jerky movements, determined to sate this impossible hunger. But the movement seemed to wrench Alec from their cloud of lust. He pulled back, his eyes as hot as coals. “No. We can’t do this now,” he gasped. “Mrs. Houston is waiting back at the house.”
Lottie could hear the slight note of hesitation in his voice. She ran her fingers through the front of his hair and Alec stretched into her palm, like a cat begging to be scratched. “But then we might not have another chance to be alone together.”
Then he arched a brow. His gaze was so sharp, so intense, that Lottie felt it in her bones. “Now that you’ve accepted me, you think I haveanyintention of not marrying you as soon as possible?” His incredulousness sent a delightful shiver through her. “I’ve wanted this too much for too long.”
Lottie grinned. “Yes, my thoughts exactly.”
Alec let out a chuckle and threw up his hands in resignation. “Fine, I’ll respect your decision. But may I suggest we move to the camp bed at least?”
“I defer to your excellent judgment in such matters, seeing as your knowledge supersedes my own.”
Alec gave her an amused look as he pulled her to her feet. “Perhaps.” Then he wrapped a hand around her waist and drew her close. “But I suspect it will always feel like the first time with you,” he whispered against her ear, his voice both rough and warm.
“I’m beginning to think your father might not have been the only poet in the family,” she said as she moved them toward the ancient camp bed.
Alec smiled softly as he kneaded the nape of her neck with his warm fingers, weakening her knees even more. “I just needed to find my muse.”
Her eyes prickled at the potent mix of burning desire and endearing fondness swelling within her. “And I’m so happy you did.” She sat down and pulled Alec’s mouth toward hers once again.
And this time he offered no resistance.
Epilogue
Three months later
A village near Pistoia, Italy
Alec looked up from his book and shielded his eyes against the bright Tuscan sunshine. The better to see his wife as she stepped out onto the terrace, having just bid goodbye to Signore Ernesto for the day.
After their lengthy reconciliation in the fairy cottage, Mrs. Houston had insisted that they all travel to London immediately. “I know you’re both angry with Sir Alfred, and rightfully so, but give him the chance to make amends,” she urged. “You won’t regret it.”
The old man had been quite overwhelmed by their appearance the next morning, but his eyes had taken on an unexpected shimmer at the sight of Mrs. Houston. Even Alec found himself moved watching as Sir Alfred reached for his lover’s hand in their presence, then whispered private words that brought tears to the formidable woman’s eyes.
Then she straightened and gestured to Alec and Lottie. “The children have something to tell you.”
Sir Alfred turned to them, a knowing little smile on his face. “And I’d like to hear it.”
Lottie, who had been as still as stone the moment they entered the room, suddenly burst out in a surprised laugh and went to him. Sir Alfred hugged her close for many minutes, murmuring words of regret. Then he shook Alec’s hand and simply said, “Take care of our girl.”
A few days later they were married in the back garden of the South Kensington town house in front of Sir Alfred, Mrs. Houston, and Rafe. Alec formally resigned from Crown service, and he spent the following month mostly in Sir Alfred’s company, where together they worked to heal from the pain of their shared past until he suffered another, more debilitating apoplexy. Lottie, Alec, and Mrs. Houston were by his bedside when he took his last breaths, and the tears they spilled for their former guardian were genuine.
But the enigmatic man still had one more surprise left. Though most of his fortune was left to Lottie, he provided a generous settlement to Mrs. Houston, and also to Alec. His will had been updated only once—when Alec had first become his ward. Neither could fully make sense of his motives. Sir Alfred remained a puzzle until the very end. But they already had plans for his money, beginning with the founding of a Venetian orphanage and a large donation to a London-based charity that provided aid to women and children.
After the last paper was signed and filed, they headed back to Venice. Signore Cardinelli had finally crossed the wrong official and was promptly arrested, so Alec felt comfortable resuming his teaching post in the fall. But first came a lengthy stop in the village. For where else would Lottie learn to paint her sunset?
“Will you tell Marta to make custard tarts for tea?” Alec asked as Lottie approached. “I’ve another craving.”
“Again?That will be the third batch in as many weeks.” Her lips curved as she came beside his chair. “You’re in danger of becoming predictable, Professor.”
“I might as well, now that I’m a properly married man.” He grinned and reached for her hand. Alec still felt that spark every time they touched. He would never take it for granted.
“Well, I’m afraid it will have to wait for tomorrow,” Lottie said. “She’s left for the day.”
