“You did tell me once that marriage is for fools.” He almost sounded as nervous as she felt…
Teddy couldn’t recall exactly what she had said to him. That conversation seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened to her, to them, and all she wanted was to move forward.
“I may have said something like that.” She frowned. “I suppose we are both fools then because I do want to be your wife. I didn’t want to marry because it is difficult for me to trust…with reason.”
“Understandable,” he agreed.
Her relationship with her father, and how it had led Lord Eaton to attack her… That would always haunt her. Now though, she could finally let that part of her life go. “My past needs to stay where it belongs. I want to look to the future…with you.” She took a deep breath. “I love you.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I love you too, and I’m so glad you finally agreed to be mine.”
She smiled. “As long as you understand you are mine in return. I will not share you with anyone else.”
After eavesdropping on his conversation with that widow in the garden, she’d been so jealous she couldn’t think straight. She hadn’t wanted to admit that to him before, and probably wouldn’t now. That didn’t mean she couldn’t make her wishes known from the start.
“There’s no other woman for me. You’re in my heart, and I never want to let you go.”
“Good.” She told him. “Now kiss me while we have a chance. My sister isn’t going to leave us alone for long.”
Ezra did as she ordered and placed his lips on hers. It was as magical and everything she wanted from a kiss from the man she adored beyond all reason. Teddy had fallen in love. Something she had vowed never to do, but she was glad she’d broken it. Ezra’s love was worth every risk she had to take…
Epilogue
Four months later…
It was a hot, sunny summer day, and Teddy wanted to find a dark hole and hide in it. Not because she wasn’t happy, she was blissfully so; however, the heat caused her to be so irritable she disliked herself immensely. She didn’t want to force anyone to spend any time in her company it was that bad. Part of her mood was because of Ezra’s absence. He’d had to go to the country to help Sheffield with some matter. Teddy couldn’t recall what. She’d been half listening to him and had only tuned into the conversation when she realized he was leaving her. She’d pouted plenty but he hadn’t been dissuaded. She missed him terribly and hoped he returned soon. He’d already been gone a sennight.
Teddy strolled into the sitting room at Carrolton House, and stopped short when she realized it was already occupied. Amelia sat on the settee gazing out the window that overlooked the garden. She seemed preoccupied with something. Should she interrupt her thoughts? Amelia’s first season hadn’t ended with an engagement. They still attended the occasional tea party or soiree, but for the most part they stayed in. A lot of the ton had retired to their country estate. They had considered doing something similar, but Ezra’s mother was there and none of them wanted to spend any time in the dowager countesses company. Ezra was having the dower house remodeled so he could make his mother live there, but it would take some time for it to be completed. It might even take the entire summer…
Amelia turned her head and met Teddy’s gaze. “You’re not leaving are you?”
Teddy smiled. “I didn’t wish to disturb you.”
“You’re not,” Amelia reassured her. “I was just lost in thought. I wouldn’t mind some company. Should I order tea?”
It was a good time of the day for it, but Teddy didn’t have much of an appetite. “That would be lovely.”
Amelia and Teddy had become fast friends. She was a friendly woman once she opened up to those around her. She’d had one offer of marriage but Ezra had turned the man away. He was a fortune hunter and the worst sort of scoundrel. Amelia was lucky her brother looked out for her and wasn’t the type to marry her off to the first gentleman that expressed an interest.
Amelia pulled the bell to call for a servant. A maid came in a few moments later. She curtsied. “My ladies,” she greeted them. “What may I assist you with?”
“Tea and cakes,” Amelia told her. She patted her stomach. “I’m a bit famished.”
The maid smiled at her. “I’ll see to it right away.” She turned and left the room once again leaving Amelia and Teddy alone.
Teddy sat on the settee next to Amelia. Her light golden brown hair gleamed in the sunlight shining through the window. “Do you wish to go for a stroll later.”
“Perhaps,” Amelia said noncommittally. “If it cools down a little bit. It’s quite hot today.”
“Blisteringly so,” Teddy agreed. She lifted her fan and waved it over her face. “But I’ve heard that walking helps. I personally cannot fathom how…”
Amelia’s lips twitched. “I find I agree with you there. On a hot day I don’t feel like stirring from this room myself.” She lifted her shoulders slightly. “Truthfully, I don’t like socializing.”
Teddy’s heart ached for her. “I understand. It has never been my favorite pastime either.” How could she encourage Amelia to do something she herself hated? “I was determined to have one season and then never attend a ball again.”
“What changed?” Amelia asked. “Never mind. I think I know the answer to that.”
Teddy chuckled. “You probably guessed correctly too.” She sighed. “Ezra changed everything for me. I didn’t really believe I was loveable until he
