Epilogue

"Are you certain about this?" Siena asked, looking up at Levi.

He set his jaw and nodded. "Absolutely."

They were in the carriage, headed for London – but they were not alone. Siena held their baby, Caroline, in her lap.

She was nearly a year now, and reached out for Levi as she always did when he was nearby.

"Papa!"

"I still do not think it's fair that was her first word," Sienna said, shaking her head.

"You did do most of the work."

"I did." She sighed. "But I must say, you are far more present in her life than most fathers are."

"Sometimes it's hard to believe that she loves me so much."

"Have I not taught you anything? You are far more loveable than you would ever believe."

"Still, I always thought she would be scared of me. Everyone is – except you."

Siena shook her head with a small smile on her face. "Children are born to see the people they love as perfect. That's what you are to her."

"I hope I always will be."

It was a concern lodged deep within him – that someday, she would realize that her father was seen by the world as a monster.

"You will," Siena assured him. "For she knows the man you truly are. The man that I fall more in love with every day."

Levi treasured her words, as he did his wife, who was everything he had never known he had needed. She had become pregnant shortly after they had wed, and he had spent her entire pregnancy by her side, ensuring that she had everything she needed. Even now, he had yet to be apart from her and their daughter since the birth.

"Are you sure about this?" Siena asked once more as the carriage came to a halt.

"Absolutely."

He meant what he said as they pulled into London. He had finally decided to take his seat in the House of Lords – an action that he never would have thought possible before he had met Siena.

They arrived at the townhouse where they were going to make home for the Season. Siena herself had some trepidation, for the only time they had been in the city since she had been caught in the fire was the promised visit to return Fitz's horse and carriage. Levi was determined not to allow any of his own nerves to show, needing to be strong to support her.

They could have stayed at Greystone, of course, but often Parliament finished so late that Siena had feared Levi riding to them at such an hour. They would, however, return when there was a break in sessions.

Thornbury had travelled ahead to prepare the house – and the staff – for them. Levi had particular needs for his injuries, injuries that would never truly go away, while he knew Siena had also asked Thornbury to ensure that the staff was prepared to not allow Levi to feel any judgement.

He loved that she had done so, even if it was unnecessary. He was prepared for whatever was to come.

Thornbury greeted them with the enthusiasm of a man who hadn't seen them in years rather than a couple of weeks. Siena, of course, greeted each staff member by name once she was introduced, all while carrying Caroline on her hip, graciously declining when the nanny, who had accompanied them, offered to take her. Siena was a rather hands-on mother, which Levi loved her for, and it gave her purpose in her day.

By the time they had prepared for bed, he was exhausted, although most of it was from the nerves he was battling within rather than from anything he had actually experienced.

"Well?" Siena said, propping her head upon her hand. "Are you ready?"

"To take my place in the House? I believe so," he said, staring at the beautiful, long column of her neck. "I would prefer not to be here in London, but I also think that I must do as much good as I can in this world, and the best way to do that is to use the power that I have been bestowed. So here we are."

She leaned in and kissed him. "You will be absolutely wonderful."

He could only hope she was right.

When Levi preparedto leave the next evening, Siena was having trouble containing the nervous energy that filled her.

She helped him dress, choosing his clothes and even tying his cravat, but when he stepped away from her toward the carriage, she knew she wouldn't be able to remain at home for hours on end and not know what was happening.

"I'm going with you," she announced, and he placed his hands on her upper arms.

"You cannot. Only titled men may enter the House of Lords."

"I understand that," she said, rolling her eyes. "But I want to come with you for the drive there."

"Why?"

"Why not?" she said with a shrug. "Caroline is sleeping, and I have nothing else to do. Once we have left you there, we will return home."

‘Why am I not convinced?" Levi said, lifting a brow at her, but she knew that he was never able to deny her. "Very well. Hop in."

She clapped her hands together gleefully before ascending into the carriage.

Siena kept her hand on his leg the entire drive across London. She knew that he was nervous, even if he wouldn't show it. Ever the protector, he had tried to hide anytime his fears surfaced, but she could always tell by the twitch of his eye and the clenching of his jaw.

"I'm proud of you," she said, and he lifted a brow.

"For what? I haven't done anything."

"You are here," she said. "That is very brave." She leaned in. "You are not doing this for me, are you? Because you know that I would have been perfectly happy staying home at Greystone."

"I know," he said. "I am not doing it for you. I am doing it because of you. You have shown me what I am capable of, and I know that I can do more."

"What about your entailed estate?" she said. "I know you have had it rebuilt, but do you think that we will ever live there?"

He was silent for a moment, and she knew that old memories were likely coming to the surface.

"What would you think about trying a holiday there and seeing how we liked it? Then we could decide."

"I think that is a wonderful idea."

The carriage pulled up in front of the Palace of Westminster, and Levi leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before holding her close.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Go show them who you are."

He nodded before emerging from the carriage, his shoulders tall and proud as he walked through the ornate, embellished entryway, and Siena's heart picked up speed. It was with reluctance that she asked the carriage to return her home, as it had been so long since she had been without Levi.

But at least it was only for a short time – even if the hours did seem to drag while he was away, as she wished for his return, to know what had occurred and how he had been received.

She had dinner with Eliza, sang Caroline to sleep, and lay in bed reading until he returned home, long into the night.

Siena heard the wheels of the carriage crunching the gravel outside, felt the house shift with the closing of the door, and anticipated her husband's footsteps as he came into the bedroom.

"Levi," she said as he backed into the room quietly, likely trying not to disturb her. "How was it?"

"I can hardly believe you are awake," he said, hurrying to her side. "It's late."

"I couldn't sleep, not knowing of your evening," she said, lifting her hands to his cheeks. "Well?"

He blinked, disbelief covering his face for a moment. "They clapped. Standing."

"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"When I entered," he explained. "They stood and clapped for me. Apparently, they found my war efforts heroic, and with McGregor's trial and punishment, they know I didn't kill my brother. So… they clapped."

She searched his eyes, trying to determine his response.

"What did you think of that?"

He took her hands within his, kneading them gently as he thought about it.

"I was honored, in part, I cannot lie," he said. "Although I was also reminded that they only feel this way now that my name has been cleared. But I am accepted, no matter my visage, so I will welcome their recognition. It is the only way to move on."

"We have a good life, do we not?" she asked softly.

"We do," he said. "No more running."

"No more running," she agreed, and they sealed their vow with a kiss.

THE END