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He would of course know better than anyone how hard it was to overcome it.
“It took several weeks to wean me off it,” she said. “I won’t pretend it was pleasant.”
The first few weeks had been hellish. John, Bathsheba, and Mrs. Johnson had nursed her through the worst of it, with one of them always by her side.
“I imagine it also took some time to get your strength back, after so many traumas.”
“The better part of a year, I’m afraid.”
He cupped her chin, making her look at him. “You suffered two devastating losses, Samantha. Even without the addiction, it likely would have taken you months to recover. Again, you are entirely blameless.”
She grimaced. “John and Bathsheba said that, too. Still, I felt terribly weak and stupid for allowing myself to become so dependent.”
“That’s nonsense,” he replied. “It took incredible courage to get off the damn stuff. I’ve known men—strong men—who couldn’t overcome it. What you did was absolutely heroic.”
She eyed him. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
He gave her a stern look. “Have I ever lied to you?”
She waggled a hand. “A few lies of omission.”
“Och, lass.”
“No,” she admitted. “You never have lied to me.”
“Then listen well, Samantha Kendrick. You have no cause to feel ashamed. In fact, you should feel nothing but pride. In the space of one year, you overcame a series of tragedies that could have destroyed you or practically anyone else. Instead, you fought back—you literally fought back. You’re a true heroine, my love. Trust me when I say I’m utterly humbled by you.”
She had to rub her nose. “Drat, you’re going to make me cry. But thank you. It’s very sweet of you to say such nice things.”
“They’re the truth, Samantha, and I’ll keep on telling the truth until you believe it. All right?”
She smiled at his rather stern expression. “Yes.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Good. Now, I think we’ve had enough activity for one afternoon. You need a nice cup of tea and a rest before dinner.”
When he started to get up, Samantha hooked a hand in his waistcoat and pulled him back down with a thump.
“You’re not going anywhere, Dr. Kendrick.”
He frowned. “Samantha, do you want to lie on the floor? It’s not very comfortable.”
She slipped her hands around his neck. “What I want is for you to make love to me.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Now?”
“Of course now, you ninny. Why do you think I told you that awful story in the first place? No secrets between us, remember? Well, that was the last secret.”
Heat instantly flared in his gaze. But a moment later, caution mingled with it. “Are you certain?”
Samantha had never been more certain in her life. She’d married an incredible man, one who would always protect her heart. And she was ready to give that heart to him, just as he’d given his heart to her.
She craned up and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I am absolutely certain.”
A sensual smile curled up the edges of his wonderful mouth. Just thinking about how that mouth would feel on her body made her toes curl with anticipation.
“Then might I suggest we retire to the bedroom?” he replied in a husky tone.
She shook her head. “Too far. The floor will do just fine.”
