Epilogue

F lora and Lennox stole away from their families’ celebration of their reunion. They had returned for the holidays, and already Flora longed to be alone with Lennox in their own home. After the guilt she had suffered when they first arrived, she realized how much her absence had impacted her parents. They showered her with enough love for her to understand they had wanted to provide her with a secure match to guarantee her future. However, after seeing how Lennox loved her, they realized their greed had almost destroyed her chance at finding a happily ever after.

Lennox pressed Flora against the wall in the hidden alcove. “Is it selfish to be excited about our return to Edinburgh next week?”

“No more selfish than I.” Flora tipped her head to the side for Lennox’s kisses along her neck.

“If we leave tomorrow, we can visit my estate near Perth for a few days of peacefulness.”

Flora pulled back. “You have an estate near Perth?”

Lennox offered Flora a sheepish expression. “Well, it belonged to my grandfather and is part of my inheritance.”

Flora’s eyebrows pinched together. “How many other estates did you inherit?”

Lennox winced. “Besides the townhomes in London and Edinburgh, six. Plus a chateau in France.”

“France?” Flora squeaked.

Lennox nodded. He had been neglectful in explaining the depth of his title and holdings since they reunited.

Flora pulled away from Lennox and rushed to their bedchamber. She couldn’t believe he had withheld the information from her. She started tossing her clothes into the chest and filling her valise with the items on the vanity.

Lennox rushed inside and closed the door so their family didn’t hear their argument. “I promise this is the last of my secrets. I planned on telling you as we traveled to Edinburgh. Please do not leave again.”

Flora paused at Lennox’s pleading tone. In her hurry to pack, she had failed to express her excitement at the possibilities before them. He made her dreams of traveling possible. Of course, they couldn’t visit France until they secured Sara’s happiness. However, it wouldn’t stop her from planning for their future.

She dropped the hairbrush back on the vanity and hurried to Lennox’s side. “You silly barbarian. I have no plans to leave again. I only pack so we can depart tomorrow to explore one of your many estates. Though I am a bit disappointed you withheld this information. We could have left sooner.”

Lennox growled. “I warned you about calling me a barbarian.”

“Barbarian,” Flora taunted, backing away.

Lennox’s growl deepened, which only made her husband more attractive. Now only for him to prove what a barbarian he truly was.

“A neanderthal barbarian at that,” Flora baited.

Lennox advanced on Flora, throwing her over his shoulder as he stalked toward the bed. Flora giggled at his actions, finding immense pleasure at what awaited her when Lennox unleashed his barbaric desires upon her. He threw her on the bed and joined her, pulling her underneath him.

“As I said, a barbarian.” Flora sighed into his ravishing kisses.

“Only to your vexing heathen.” Lennox deepened his kisses as he showed Flora exactly how vexing he found her.

It was a love created in the wildness of the Highlands, nurtured by the devotion in their souls. A love that defied the obstacles that forced them apart to appreciate the fragileness of their hearts.

An everlasting love for eternity.

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THE END