Epilogue

One year later…

Victoria sat at her desk and finished writing the last entry. It was a memoir of sorts. One that she intended to publish. She'd gotten the idea for it on her wedding trip, and had been slowly writing it for the past year. They had not gone to Scotland as he had suggested. Instead, they had gone back to the manor and he'd asked Blake for permission to marry her. They'd done everything properly after that. They planned a wedding and had the banns read. Which was a good thing. Considering that Lilah had snared the viscount and they had married by special license. That had sent everyone into a frenzy. She'd liked waiting for her wedding and having it separate from the house party.

"Hello, love," David greeted her. "Is that the book?"

She grinned. "It is." She handed it to him. "Would you like to read it?"

"Are you asking for my advice?" He arched a brow.

"You are the expert rogue." Her lips twitched as she fought a smile. "You might want to add something."

He flipped open the book. The title page read. "A Wallflower's Guide to Becoming a Rogue."

"So far," he said. "It's thrilling. I cannot wait to read the rest. Starting with these rogue lessons promised on the pages." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. "They're quite important."

"Lessons usually are." She fell in love with him a little bit more every day. "My favorite was the lesson on seduction."

"Mine too, love," he said. "Mine too." He set the book on her desk and pulled her into his arms. "We should explore that a bit more. I would not want to neglect your education." He lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the sitting room. There was only one place he would take her now.

"I so adore your lessons," she said breathlessly. "But it is the middle of the day."

"That's never stopped us before." He grinned. "Why would it now?"

Her laughter echoed around them. Sometimes she wondered if he could read her mind, but then again, they both always seemed to desire each other. So much so, she had something else to tell him. When they reached their bedchamber, he set her down and pushed the door closed with his foot. "Now where were we," he asked.

"You were going to kiss me," she told him.

"Oh, yes," he said in a husky tone. "I wouldn't want to skip that part." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He was her weakness, and her strength.

"Darling," she said as she pulled away from him. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He trailed kisses over her neck.

"There's something I need to tell you." She hadn't been certain before that morning.

"You want me to kiss you again?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. "But first…" She lifted his hand and pressed it to her stomach.

His gaze flew to hers and his grin widened. Then he lifted her up and twirled her around the room with excitement.

"Stop," she said as she laughed. "You're making me dizzy." His happiness was enthralling.

"I'm sorry," he said and set her down. He kissed her gently and then lifted his head to meet her gaze. "I adore you and I cannot wait to meet our child. I've never been happier than this past year we've been together. The best thing that ever happened to me was winning your heart."

Victoria cupped his cheek. "I'll love you forever." Her heart burst with all the love she felt for this man. "I promise. I'm yours."

He kissed her again and they became lost in each other, as they always did. The rest of the world fell away, and it was just the two of them.