Epilogue

A Little While Later

"WHY DO YOU LOVE me?" Agatha rested her head against Jude's smooth chest.

"Why would you ask me that?"

She shrugged. "You don't think I'm too domineering?"

"No," Jude chuckled. "The only way for a woman to land me as their husband was to be a force to be reckoned with. There was only reckoning with you." His torso shook lightly in mirth. "A softer woman would not have been able to tame me. I need a woman who can challenge me. A woman I can trust on this ship. With my crew. A woman willing to do whatever it takes."

"But," she nibbled on her lip, "I drugged you. Twice."

"That you did. I probably deserved it from some past mistakes." She watched him scratch his jaw. "Though I am wondering at the necessity of the second incident. Was it really the best course of action?"

"I just needed time to think. I needed to hatch a plan, and I couldn't do it with you commandeering the ship, and trying to commandeer me at the same time. "

"I see. So you just wanted me out of the picture for a few minutes?"

"We're on a boat. There aren't many options other than tying you up."

"I think I might have preferred that option." He placed a gentle kiss on her temple.

"You would have broken free, I'm sure."

"Possibly."

They lay in silence for a few minutes while Agatha pondered her life. She never would have imagined ending up here with a husband like Jude. But there were still a few niggling questions in her mind.

"You don't think I've turned into my mother, do you?"

"I can't say for sure, but I will say this. You were raised by the most controlling woman on the planet. Maybe the only way for you to break out of that was to assert control in your own life. Did you tow the line? Did you cross the line? I don't really know. But I guarantee you that it's the only way to have gotten to me. I don't go weak in the knees, darling. But you took me out at the knees and when I looked up into your face, I knew you were the one for me. It took me a while to accept that fact. Though really, what's a day or two? Not long."

"When did you know I was the one for you?"

"That's a good question. There was something about you the night of the masquerade. But then when you lied to me, I wrote you off."

"My mother told me to hide my intelligence."

"I know. That's why I've forgiven the lies." He kissed her jaw and trailed his lips down her neck. "I thought there was no way I could be with you after you wore all the masks. But when I saw the real you, the warrior, the commander, my equal, I knew I needed you."

"And it doesn't bother you that I knew you were a duke and used your honor against you? "

He belted out a laugh. "Aggie, are you trying to make an argument against yourself?"

She rubbed her forehead into his chest. "These are the moments of truth I just need to clear up to know we can live a happy life together. I don't want you thinking the worst of me."

"I'd like to think I've seen the worst and the best. And if I can't love your worst, I don't deserve your best."

His lips warmed a spot on her head as he kissed her through her hair. "I understand why you did it, darling. And I'd like to think I can see the good in people."

"So why can't they all see it in you?"

"Like your uncle?"

"Yes."

"He saw me at my worst. That duel" —he shook his head— "I should have never been a part of. I lost my head one night over a woman and he helped me out of it. But then he held it over my head until he got what he wanted."

"That sounds terrible."

"Everyone does bad things, darling. No one's perfect. Your uncle is a good man, but he used me. I'm just glad it's over now so we can live our lives."

"I'm glad too. You deserve to live a happy life."

"We all do."

"Oh," she slapped his chest playfully, "and I'm so glad we dropped Princess Amalie off at Folkestone. Her last letter just made my heart float to the sky in delight."

"Yes. You were right about that move, too." He squeezed her closer to himself. "See, everything you did was for a purpose. You have all the right intentions, Agatha. Your heart is gold and your spine is steel. I love that about you. "

"I never thought I would meet a man that I could be my true self with."

"I'd accept nothing less than all of you." His hand rubbed up and down her back. "Let's just call a truce on the valerian, shall we?"

"Deal."

"And you'll give me all the experiences I want?"

"Every food you want to taste. Every building you want to see. Every sexual fantasy you want to try. I'm yours to do it with."

"I love you, Jude."

"I love you too, Aggie." He pulled her onto his chest. "Now, let's get started on one of those experiences."

Tumbling around in laughter and rapture, Agatha knew she had found her heart's fullness. Her treasure. Her wild duke.

***

If you haven't read Mary's story, check it out here . You can read all The Good Dukes for free in KU .

Want to laugh out loud with an instalove and an arrogant duke? Read Arthur's story here .

Want a holiday read? Check out Sofie's grumpy beast here .