In spite of the cold weather, Hannah couldn’t help but want to be outside in the falling snow. It was quite magical, and she didn’t want to miss a minute of it. Besides, it was getting rather warm in the house with so many crowded into the drawing room now. But she’d not complain—it was quite generous of the duchess to open her home to them on Christmas Eve.
Hannah wrapped her arms around herself as she stepped onto the terrace and looked up into the waning moon and falling snow. She closed her eyes and let the cold flakes trickle onto her face and all the joy and gratitude of the season wash over her.
“I thought I’d find you here,” came a deep voice as a pair of strong arms snaked about her waist.
She giggled. “I was hoping you would come looking for me. Isn’t it romantic?”
“The most romantic,” he replied, turning her around to face him.
She looked up into his eyes, so warm and full of love—love just for her. “I love you, Dr. Alcott,” she said.
“And I love you, Mrs. Alcott.”
Hannah beamed. Oh, how wonderful not to be Lady Beeston anymore!
“But I do have one question that I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he went on.
“Oh?”
“What in the world were you planning to do with all those women?”
Hannah laughed. “Oh, we had quite the elaborate plan, actually. It involved lots of rope and a ship bound for Jamaica.”
Graham threw back his head. “I’m quite sorry you never got to see it through.”
“I’m not,” Hannah replied, and she meant it. “Then he might still be alive, and I’d always be looking over my shoulder. I will owe a great debt to Miss Delaney for as long as I live.”
“I’m just glad no one went to Newgate.”
“Aren’t we all?”
Graham leaned down and captured Hannah’s lips in a searing kiss. “Do you think we could sneak away early?”
Hannah grinned at him as parts of her began to heat. “It is our wedding night, after all. I can’t imagine anyone would fault us.”
“Well, then,” he scooped her into his arms. “Let us make our escape.”
Hannah giggled all the way through the garden and as they made their way around the front of the house to where the coaches awaited their owners. As they climbed aboard Graham’s carriage, there was a bit of excitement at the front door. Hannah didn’t recognize the young man standing there, but apparently, his presence was most welcome.
“Take us home, John!” Graham called, and then he climbed in and away they went.