Epilogue

Three Months Later

R eturning to London had not been something that Philippa had ever wanted to do. But Devon had insisted. And now, as she waited in the house he had let for them, he was dealing with her little problem. He had decided that it had hung over her head long enough. And all she had was idle time to worry about it. The new governess, a very recent graduate of the Darrow School, was getting on famously with Elizabeth. The staff that had come with the house were efficient, well trained, and needed no direction from her at all. She had nothing to distract herself from the worry of what might be happening.

She was so consumed with that worry, pacing back and forth across the carpet in their bedchamber, that she didn't even hear the door open. When she turned and saw Devon standing there, she let out a squeak of alarm. "I didn't hear you! You move like a cat."

"You were rather lost in thought," he remarked. "And quite pensive."

"What happened?"

"Lady Felton has decided that her son's behavior was quite inappropriate and that any injury he sustained had been brought on entirely by his own behavior and through no fault of yours."

Philippa shook her head. "What did you have to promise her in trade for that change of heart?"

"Only to keep her secret... that they've been losing young female servants by the score and cannot keep their house fully staffed. Mostly because her son is a wet behind the ears Lothario who does not understand the meaning of the word no . You no longer have to fear them or any sort of reprisal."

Philippa sank down onto the chaise at the foot of their bed. The relief she felt was intense, but not as overwhelming as her gratitude. "I am so thankful."

"It was nothing."

She looked up then, tears in her eyes. "No. Well, yes. I am grateful you took the initiative to fix this issue, but I'm more grateful to God, or fate, or whatever it was that brought me to you. Before, I was only existing. Working. Living day by day with no thought or hope for the future. Now... every day with you is a joy. And this last dark cloud has been cleared away because you cared enough to make this effort on my behalf."

"Cared? Is that what this is?"

Philippa said nothing. What could she say? She knew the state of her own feelings. But he'd never spoken of love. And she didn't wish to press the issue and spoil what they had.

"I love you, Philippa. I love you more than I ever believed possible."

The breath rushed out of her. "Oh, Devon. I love you too. So very much. I think from the moment of our very first kiss."

"Well, I have you beaten on that front. I think, even though I was too foolish to admit that I loved from the very night we met."

"Then come to bed and let me make it up to you."

That was an invitation she would never have to issue twice.

The End