Her eyes widened with comprehension and hope. Her gaze dropped to the pearl nestled in her palm. “Do you suppose this could be the other pearl, from Cleopatra’s other earring?”

“I strongly suspect that it is.”

She breathed out a long, slow breath. “Dear God. If it was worth that much then, how much do you suppose this pearl is worth now?”

“Not nearly as much as your life, Meredith.”

“But you yourself said it must be worth thousands of pounds. If it was Cleopatra’s, I’m guessing that is a conservative estimate. To consider destroying something so rare and valuable-”

He silenced her by touching his fingers to her lips. “You are more rare and valuable than anything. Come. It’s time to end this curse.” Taking her hand, he led her to the decanters, where he poured a goblet of red wine.

Feeling as if she were in a daze, Meredith watched him crush the gem into the crystal. Dear God, that gem was priceless, and he’d crushed it without a thought in his bid to save her.

“Philip… what if you’re wrong?”

For an answer, he drank from the goblet, then handed it to her. “Drink.”

She did as he bade, swallowing the remaining liquid. Then they stood in silence, watching each other. A minute passed. Meredith’s heart pounded with trepidation as they waited for a sign, a clue that the curse was broken.

Another tension-fraught minute passed. Nothing. Her trepidation escalated to panic. Philip’s eyes reflected the same worry and concern she knew he saw in hers. Dear God, drinking the crushed pearl had accomplished nothing save destroying a priceless gem. The hope that had bloomed in her heart slowly extinguished, leaving despair and heartbreak in its wake.

But suddenly she experienced an odd sensation in her head. Her eyes widened.

“What is it?” Philip asked, his anxious gaze searching her face.

“My headache,” she whispered. “It’s gone.”

A noise from the desk caught their attention, and they turned in unison. Meredith grasped Philip’s hand, her amazement turning to stunned shock as the Stone of Tears appeared to tremble upon the desktop. Then, as if pushed by an invisible hand, the stone fell from the desk, hitting the parquet floor with a thud, breaking into hundreds of pieces, which then slowly crumbled until nothing save a pile of sand remained.

Her gaze flew to Philip’s. “Dear God, did you see that?” she asked, unable to fathom what she’d just witnessed, afraid to hope that that handful of sand meant what she prayed it meant.

“I did. And except for you, it falls into the category of ‘the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.’ ” A slow smile curved his lips and he drew her against him. “My darling Meredith, it means that we have broken the curse-literally and figuratively. We’re free.”

Relief weakened her knees. “It’s truly over?”

“Yes. As for everything else, it’s just beginning.” He cupped her face in his hands, and his smile faded. “Bloody hell, you have no idea how frantic I was. How sick inside. How utterly terrified.”

“No more so than I, I assure you.”

“As much as I hate what Edward did, part of me understands the desperation that drove him. If anything had happened to you, it would have driven me mad.”

Anxious to erase the tension in his eyes, she smiled. “Well, thanks to you, I am fine. Luckily you had one of your moments of brilliance-at a very convenient time.”

“That moment of brilliance was inspired by you.”

“Quite the well-suited pair, are we not?”

I was not the one who needed convincing of that.” He lowered his head and kissed her with long, slow, deep perfection, until her knees turned to porridge and she sagged against him. He left her lips and trailed hot kisses along her jaw and down her throat.

“This is the second time you saved my life, you know,” she murmured, tilting her head to give him better access. “Surely that deserves some sort of reward.”

“And don’t think for one moment that I won’t collect.”

He straightened, and she smiled at the sight of his fogged-up spectacles. Sliding them off his nose, he asked, “You know how you frequently comment on my lamentable lack of propriety?”

“I prefer to call it giving discreet hints.”

“I’m certain you do. However, I suggest you brace yourself, my dear, for the instant I get you into my bedchamber, you are going to see a shocking lack of propriety.”

Anticipation tingled down her spine. “Heavens. No doubt I should swoon at such a statement. Luckily I am not prone to the vapors.”

Raw emotion blazed from his eyes. “I’m greatly relieved to hear it.” After dropping one quick kiss onto her lips, he stalked to his desk, where he scribbled off a quick note.

“To Andrew and Bakari, letting them know the quest has ended,” he explained. Striding back to her, he dipped his knees, then swung her up into his arms. Before she could do more than gasp, he exited the room and strode down the corridor into the foyer, where they were greeted by James, who, bless him, didn’t turn an eyelash at the sight of Philip carrying her-again.

Philip handed the footman the note and said, “See that it is delivered to Mr. Stanton at the British Museum immediately, James.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And then see to it that I am not disturbed.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With that, Philip took the stairs two at a time, while Meredith clung to his neck, flames firing her skin. “You truly are incorrigible,” she whispered.

“So you are fond of telling me.” He entered his bedchamber, kicking the door closed with his boot, then locking it. He then strode to the bed and gently laid her upon the counterpane, following her down, covering her with his body. “Are you ready for me to show you exactly how incorrigible?”

Reaching up, she sifted her fingers through his disheveled hair, absorbing the delicious feel of his weight pressing her into the mattress. Smiling up into his beautiful brown eyes, she said, “My darling Philip, that falls into the category of ‘absolutely yes. ’”

Epilogue

Looking at his reflection in the cheval glass, Philip tugged his dark blue cutaway jacket into place, proudly noting that not one wrinkle marred his wedding attire. Had only four days passed since he and Meredith had broken the curse? Yes, but waiting even that long to make her his wife had felt like an eternity. Thank God he’d procured a special license to end his suffering.

A knock sounded on his bedchamber door, and he called, “Come in.” Expecting Bakari, he hoped with the news that Meredith had arrived for the ceremony which was scheduled to begin in twenty minutes, he was surprised to see his father enter the room. As his father approached him, Philip was pleased to note his healthy coloring.

“Bakari was about to come to inform you that your bride has arrived, but I offered to bring the message, as I need to talk to you.”

Anticipation filled Philip. Your bride has arrived. Which meant that in less than an hour’s time she would be his wife. The future stretched before them like a sparkling, jewel-encrusted sea.

“I’m glad you’re here, Father, as I would like to talk to you as well.” With his marriage only moments away, he was hopeful they could make their peace with each other and enjoy whatever remaining time they had left before Father’s health failed. He indicated the wing chairs flanking the fireplace. “Shall we sit?”

“I prefer to stand.”

“All right. I’m glad you’re feeling up to it. Indeed, you’re looking very well. Except for the sling supporting your arm, you’re the picture of health.”

A flush crept up Father’s neck. “Er, yes. And that is precisely what I’m here to discuss.” He cleared his throat. “I am, in fact, exactly that.”

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