Part 42 (1/2)
The doctor had been called after all to examine the body. He'd p.r.o.nounced Gordon dead of an apoplexy. His heart had simply stopped. Word had been sent to Gordon's next of kin and the body moved to Lord Kemp's town house.
Thalia supposed she ought to feel bad about his death, yet her strongest emotion was relief. The long ordeal was over. Gordon was gone and would never plague her or Leo again.
Leo wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her close, kissing her forehead. ”Shall I ring for tea?”
”No. Unless you want some?”
”Brandy, then?”
”Definitely not.”
”It might help you sleep.”
”I'll sleep well.” She caught his skeptical look. ”Really. I will.”
”Very well.” He kissed her again, pausing before adding. ”You know what this means, don't you?”
”What what means?”
”You're free. In the eyes of the law, you're a widow now.”
She sat up, turning to look at him. ”You mean-”
”Yes. We can marry.”
Her heart picked up speed, a sudden, terrible pressure spreading through her chest. ”You're right.”
A short pause fell between them.
”Then why aren't you smiling and throwing your arms around me?” he asked. ”Don't you want to get married?”
”Of course I do. It's just . . .”
”Just?” he coaxed, his eyebrows drawn into a frown. ”Just what?”
”It's only that maybe you don't. Not really. Maybe you're just saying this because you're an honorable man and it's the expected thing to do.”
She drew a quick breath and rushed on before he could reply. ”All the old difficulties remain. I'm still older than you. I cannot give you heirs. And I will never fully escape the taint of having been a divorced woman. It will always be there even after Gordon has long been in his grave. People will always whisper about us and try to bring you shame. Because of me. Maybe you should give yourself some time to make sure you don't have second thoughts.”
A thunderous expression came over Leo's face; he was angry in a way she'd never seen him. ”Thalia Geneva Lennox, I have always held your intelligence in high regard. Now I'm not so sure. After all that we've been through, I thought you understood. Clearly, you need reminding.
”Do you love me?” he said.
”That is beside the-”
He gazed into her eyes, his own a vivid combination of green and gold. ”Do. You. Love. Me?”
Her heart throbbed beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, her throat tight. ”Yes. More than I thought I could ever love anyone.”
”And do you believe I love you?”
As she looked deeper into his eyes, a quiet calm stole through her veins. ”Yes,” she whispered, ”I do.”
”Good.” He gave a satisfied nod. ”Then there is only one more thing to say.”
Before she had any inkling what he meant to do, he slid off the sofa and knelt on one knee before her. He took her hands in his. ”Lady Thalia Lennox, I give you my heart, my happiness and my life without reservation. I have no second thoughts and never will. Say you will be my wife, not just of my heart, but in all ways. In every way. For the rest of our lives together.”
This time she didn't hesitate. Instead, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. ”I'm sorry I was being silly. Yes, my love! Yes, I will be your wife.”
He deepened their kiss and pulled her tight against him, making her blood sizzle and her senses whirl. She laughed suddenly against his lips, overwhelmed by a joy that knew no limits.
Then he was laughing too, deep and exultant and happy.
Climbing to his feet, he bent and swept her off her feet, cradling her high against his strong chest.
And she knew in that moment that everything would be all right, so long as they had each other.
She tugged his head down for another fervent kiss as he strode into the bedroom, then sighed in bliss as they sank into their own private heaven.
Epilogue.
”One final touch and you'll be ready,” Mathilda Cathcart declared one month later as she slid a sapphire hair comb into place in Thalia's sable locks. ”That is your something borrowed-and I do want it back, by the way, since it was a gift from Henry. The diamond and gold shoe buckles from the dowager d.u.c.h.ess are your something old. Your gloves are new and your gown is the blue. You have everything you need for a perfect wedding.”
Thalia arched a brow and smiled. ”I believe a groom is required as well.”
Tilly grinned. ”Well, lucky for you, he's been pacing a hole in one of the duke's best Aubussons this hour past. His brothers are under strict orders not to let him come up here, since he absolutely cannot be allowed to see you before the ceremony.”
”It seems a bit ridiculous considering our living situation.”
”Which is why you spent last night here at Clybourne House. A little separation is good. Builds antic.i.p.ation for the wedding and the night to come. Lord Leopold is going to be bowled over; you're so beautiful.
”Is she not the most beautiful bride, ladies?”
”Exquisite,” Mallory said with a wide smile as all the other ladies a.s.sembled made heartfelt murmurs of agreement.
Mallory had just returned from the upstairs nursery, where she'd been feeding and tucking her infant son into his crib.
She took a seat now among all the other Byron women-Meg, Grace, Claire, Sebastianne, Esme and Ava. Thalia's friend Jane Frost was in attendance as well and would serve as one of Thalia's two matrons of honor-Tilly, of course, being the other.
It was Thalia's second wedding, yet everything felt brand-new, as if she'd never been married. But rather than being nervous, she was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with excitement, because this time was special.
This time she would be taking marriage vows for all the right reasons.