Part 38 (2/2)
”When we went to Lady Lovett's garden party last summer, I said I was looking forward to it.” He shook his head in a mournful manner. ”I lied.”
She bit back a smile.
”When I said you could spend vast amounts of money in a frivolous manner and I would not say a word ...” He cringed. ”It wasn't a lie at the time. Now, however ...”
She arched a brow. ”About nothing of importance then?”
”Well, vast amounts of money ...”
She choked back a laugh.
He met her gaze firmly. ”I lied to you when I let you think I could live without you. That was a lie of omission.”
He was within a step of her now.
”I deceived you when I led you to believe that I didn't take what I did, when I didn't trust you, as a serious sin. Or perhaps that was another lie of omission. I'm not sure and it's of no importance now. But I do regret my behavior and I am deeply sorry. I wouldn't hurt you for anything in the world.”
”Why did you send me those notes? Why did you pretend to be Sir at the masquerade?”
”Because I am a fool,” he said firmly. ”Because I find it hard to believe someone like you would choose someone like me over someone like Sir.”
She studied him for a long moment. ”Do you know what is saving you, saving us really, aside from the fact that I came entirely too close to losing you tonight?”
”My devastating charm and complete and utter honesty?” he said hopefully.
”Not entirely.” She considered him for a moment. ”For one thing, I have been little better than you in regards to our respective pasts.”
”There is that,” he murmured. Her eyes narrowed and he remembered his resolve to keep his mouth closed.
”For another ...” She drew a deep breath. ”I know you, Adrian Hadley-Att.w.a.ter. I may not have known all your secrets, but I know the kind of man you are.” There was a slight tremble in her voice. At the same moment he realized his cause was won, he vowed never to hear that tremble because of him again. ”And I know that I want to end my days with my hand in yours.”
”Then you forgive me?” He pulled her into his arms.
”For all of it?” She gazed up at him. ”Not quite yet.” She smiled in a wicked manner. ”But I will allow you to continue to make it up to me. For the rest of your life, I think.”
”I should like nothing better.”
”No more lies,” she said firmly. ”From either of us.”
”Agreed.” He grimaced. ”However, you should know I am considering returning to the department. On a strictly occasional basis,” he added quickly. ”Probably as nothing more than an advisor.”
”Occasionally, you say?”
”No more than that.”
”That does sound like fun.” She cast him a brilliant smile. ”Working together again, you and I.”
”You and I?” Caution sounded in his voice.
”I have no intention of permitting you to do so without me.” She smiled in a smug manner. ”You need me, Sir.”
”I believe I always have.” He stared down at her. ”And I know I always will.” He pulled her closer against him. ”I couldn't live a single day without you, Evie. For the rest of my life I want your hand in mine.”
”Oh my.” She gazed into his eyes suspiciously. ”Which one of you is speaking now?”
He raised a brow in a suggestive manner. ”Which one would you like?”
She laughed. ”It scarcely matters. Both of you are mine.”
”Forever.” He lowered his lips to hers, and it struck him once again that life was indeed made up of endings and beginnings. And he realized as well that for the rest of his days he would face each ending, every beginning, and all in between with the hand of the woman he loved held firmly in his. ”But admit it, my love.” He brushed his lips across hers. ”You like the idea of an adventurous husband.”
”Only if it's you, darling. Only if it's you.”
end.
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