Epilogue

EPILOGUE

WHERE A LOVING COUPLE BECOME GRANDPARENTS

One year later…

P ippa Macauley turned in her husband’s arms, finding the tiny nook she’d been nestling in for years. She pressed her ear to his heart, as sated and content as any woman could be.

Thankfully, it had been so long that she couldn’t recall a life without him. The man she’d fought for—and won. She pressed a kiss to the spot he loved just beneath his collarbone. “Quit worrying, darling. Bella will be fine. She’s strong. A true Macauley.”

“ Ah , Pip, I’m not ready to be a grandfather.” Xander sighed and tucked her close. “What if something happens?”

Pippa tilted his chin until his eyes met hers. Silver flames, like her daughter’s. “None of that. If her husband hears you, he’ll be set for Bedlam. Have you taken a look at Nigel lately? I fear the poor boy’s going to pass out and slump across the dinner table. His cheeks are the color of chalk, and I think he’s lost weight. While Bella is losing patience . Did you know, he wanted to escort her to the modiste yesterday? He hired one of Leighton’s footmen, an expert horseman and guard, to drive her carriage down Bond.”

Xander’s shoulders slumped in relief. “I knew the lad was going to make the ideal husband. He’s too old for her, of course, and has a stronger attachment than even I did to the Devil’s Lair, which requires an accepting wife. But other than that, he is damn-near perfect. More like me than anyone she could have chosen. Brilliant, innit?”

“Xander Macauley,” Pippa said and gently slapped his chest. “You’ve joined him in lunacy if you think this overprotective business is what our daughter needs.”

“Do you recall how I was when you were expecting Kit? I’ve never felt such astounding joy on top of such blinding fear. The only comparison is when I thought I’d lost you.” He shuddered. “I can’t go through that again, not at this age.”

Pippa smothered a laugh into his flushed skin. “You were never in danger of losing me. I had you in my sights for years before I finally decided enough was enough. I suspect Bella was the same. Oh, if you men would only do what we tell you from the start, how easy would life be?”

“Frightening, my girls,” her husband whispered, his words lost in her tousled hair. They were alone in the house since Tate was spending the night at the Duke of Leighton’s with one of his sons. So, they’d made good use of their time. In the parlor, then the bed.

She liked being able to cry out as loudly as she liked, as often as she liked.

Pippa danced her fingers down his ribs to his waist.

Xander threw his arm over his eyes. “Stop it, luv. I can’t go another round without at least an hour’s sleep. And food. Sustenance would be lovely. Are you trying to starve me? That your plan?”

Pippa elbowed to a half sit. “What if I bring cheese and a loaf of that lovely oat bread we got on the way home. Apples. Wine. I think we even have almonds.” She grinned, imagining a night with her husband without children interfering. There was always the chance of a kitten climbing on the bed, but she would make sure to lock the door.

Lifting his arm, he peeked from beneath it. The slashes of gray in his hair glinted in the gas lamp’s glow, a most magnificent thing when they’d showed up. “Fine. But I get to pick the position this time. ”

Pippa leaned in to kiss him, amazed after all this time at the rush of love that hit her. “I let you pick the last.”

He grunted and pillowed his arms beneath his head. “Hardly. I wanted to stay in the parlor, remember?”

Pippa crawled from the bed and stooped to grab his shirt from the floor. She wrestled her arms in the sleeves, thrilled when he sat a little higher to catch the show. “We rolled off the settee. I’m going to have a bruise the size of a melon on my bum.”

Xander reached for her, both of them laughing when she danced out of reach.

When she got to the door, she glanced back to find his hot gaze focused on her. “I love you, Xander Macauley.”

He laid his hand over his heart. “Little Darlington, I love you more.”

Blinded by happiness, Pippa nearly tripped over a kitten on her way to the kitchen.

But it was worth the risk.

Because her darling husband let her pick the position.

The End