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“Where is he headed?”
“He chose New Orleans to be his new home. Perhaps he might find a wife and settle down with the allowance he will be receiving. But that is in his hands once Long sets him up. We have done what we can to give him a chance at a new life.”
Sophia moved over to the settee, sitting nervously on the very edge. Her palms were moist with her anxiety, and she discreetly wiped them over her skirts as if smoothing wrinkles in the cloth. She was at a loss for words.
“Thank you … for making such an effort. He is an utter rogue, but it is still … difficult. I remember him as a young boy when he was different.”
Richard reached out to take her hand, causing her to flinch in surprise, which he ignored. He gently ran his thumb over her fingers. “It is my pleasure to take care of this on your behalf.”
Sophia sat in silence, enjoying his caress and wondering what came next now that the threat had passed.
Richard cleared his throat. “Sophia … If I may?”
She turned her head to look at him only to find that he appeared to be as nervous as she felt.
“This morning when I told you that I loved you … did you hear me say it?”
Her eyes widened in astonishment. “You love me?” she asked breathlessly.
“Of course! Your sharp tongue saved my life, and your gracious presence gave it meaning. Before our home was invaded last night, I had every intention of talking to you about it … about us.”
“Oh, Richard!” She flung herself into his arms and—damn it—her tears started falling once more. Mayhap she was a weak-minded female, after all? She lifted herself to wipe at the tears. “I am so sorry to be weeping again! I promise this is out of character.”
Richard caught her chin with his fingers to lift her face. “Sophia, I am quite aware that you are a strong woman with her own mind. Hell, these last twenty-four hours have been so fraught with peril and potential loss, I am inclined to join you in your tears!”
Sophia laughed in surprise, batting him across the chest. “Damn you, Richard! Do not make fun of me.”
“I do not! See!” Her ridiculous husband contorted his handsome face as if he was attempting to cry. Sophia giggled so hard that her stomach cramped. She threw her arms around him and pressed her face into the heated skin of his neck, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat and scarcely able to grasp the magnitude of having this man in her life.
“I love you, too,” she whispered. He tensed and then slowly relaxed to press kisses to her hair.
“My love, I am so very happy to hear that,” he rumbled quietly, holding her close to his heart.
EPILOGUE
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Something woke Richard from his sleep. His thoughts foggy, he tried to take stock of his senses. He heard breathing, not from Sophia who lay sleeping to his right, but another presence. He lay still, scarcely daring to breathe and alert the intruder that he was conscious.
“Papa?” Richard’s heart skipped a beat in his chest when his son spoke almost directly into his left ear. He threw a hand over his chest, while he attempted to calm his breathing. The boy had frightened him out of his wits.
“Shhh … Mama is sleeping. I will come with you to talk.” Richard winced when he made to rise and realized he was stark naked beneath the covers. “Ethan, wait for me in my rooms.”
The boy left his side, giving Richard the opportunity to search for his nightshirt. He felt around in the dark and found the garment, pulling it close with relief. However, when he attempted to put it on, he discovered he had merely found Sophia’s discarded night rail and was forced to keep feeling around. The night rail would never fit over his broad shoulders.
Once he dressed, he loped carefully to his adjoining bedchamber to find Ethan sitting on the floor waiting for him. Closing the door gently behind him, he walked over and sank down beside his son.
“What is it, Ethan?”
“I was dreaming about Emma.”
“Your cousin?”
“I miss her. Is she well?”
“I do not know for certain, but I did obtain a grand new farm for your family, so I know Emma is now living in Somerset near Saunton Park. Johnson told me that there are fine gardens.”
Ethan smiled. “Emma likes gardening.”
