How a man shows he’s in love with his wife proves his true worth.
Lady Avalon Farris
Vicars were always in demand.
Avalon took a sip of tea and sighed. Devan still hadn’t returned from the Garrison home.
“Why does Devan have to attend the Garrisons? Shouldn’t he be in bed by now?” Thane asked as he looked up from the book of chess strategies Devan had given him. The sun was long gone, but the sitting room was cozy from the large fire that blazed in front of them.
“I wish he was home too. But Mr. Garrison needed his grace and support while his wife had the baby. Devan is a loving and giving man who helps others.” Avalon set aside her journal and smiled at her good fortune. She had two men in her life that she loved beyond reason.
Truly, she had everything she’d always wanted. She’d made her own family and friends out of the community and the women she welcomed here. Though she hadn’t had a worthwhile first marriage, she’d found a true and absolute love with Devan.
“I’m thankful you married him, Mother. He’s a good man, and he treats you well. Do you love him?”
“I do, Thane.”
“Will you and Devan have children?” Thane’s green eyes held hers.
“I hope so,” she said. She could imagine Devan holding their child in his arms. “I think he’d make an excellent father.”
“I’d like to have a brother and a sister. Then, I don’t think you would miss me when I go to Eton.” Thane studied the chess set in front of him.
“Trust me, I will miss you always.” She scooted across the sofa and put her arm around him. “Would you mind if I give you a hug?”
“Of course. You’re my mother.”
When she pulled him close, a lightness fell over her, and she laughed. For once in her life, she was thankful she’d married Richard. For without him, she wouldn’t have this marvelous son. “Devan and I were talking the other day about your father, and there’s something I’d like to share with you.”
“Hello,” Devan called softly as he leaned against the doorjamb. The look on his face was almost hesitant. “May I join you or would you prefer to be alone?”
Thane shot off the sofa and went straight to Devan’s side. “Please, join us.” He turned his attention to Avalon. “Do you mind, Mother?”
“I’d like that.” Her heart swelled at the sight of her husband strolling into the room on his own accord. He didn’t even look like he’d been injured.
By then, Devan had come to her side and slowly leaned down for a kiss. “Thank you for letting me be here for this,” he whispered in her ear.
As Devan carefully took the seat beside her, Avalon took a deep breath, praying she’d find the right words that wouldn’t hurt or shock her son. She entwined her fingers with Devan’s. He squeezed hers in return, giving her strength.
“Thane, you already have a brother,” she said as gently as she could.
Her son blinked slowly, then came to sit on the other side of her on the sofa. “You mean Richard Bolen?”
Avalon sat there stunned, unable to respond.
Devan put his arm around her shoulder as if he knew the shock she felt. “How did you discover this?” he asked.
“The Wessex twins told me years ago. They knew of Richard because their father told them. They warned me not to say anything until you brought it up. They thought it might hurt your feelings if I mentioned it.” Thane leaned and kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’d like to meet him. That’s one of the reasons I want to attend Eton.” He patted her hand. “I think it’s good you finally know. I love you, Mother.”
A brick of disbelief landed on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. “Are you … upset?”
“Of course not,” Thane answered. “I’m certain it was painful for you to carry that knowledge for so long without sharing it. I should have told you earlier. I have no fears or worries about meeting him.” Thane grinned at her. “I think we’ll get along famously. He’s an only child, and I’m an only child at least for a while. Brothers bond no matter what their differences. Look at Devan and his brothers.” His attention turned to her husband. “I hope you feel better. May we finish our game tomorrow instead of Latin?”
“I’m turning you into a chess fiend, I see.” Devan laughed. “Perhaps a little Latin first, then we can.”
“Perfect,” Thane announced. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go upstairs and read for a while.”
While Avalon mumbled her good night, Devan’s gaze never left hers.
“He’s known for years and never said a word.” She stared at her husband in astonishment. “I suppose meeting Mary’s son won’t be such a hardship then. He certainly seems ready.”
“He has good judgment, just like his mother.” Careful of his side, Devan slowly knelt on the floor beside her.
She blinked, clearing the daze from her thoughts. “It appears that I’m the only one left in shock.”
“He’ll come to you tomorrow with more questions now that you’ve shared it with him.”
Curious by the keen interest in his gaze, she asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Perfect now.” Devan cupped her cheek. “I’m pleased to announce that Mrs. Garrison delivered a healthy baby boy. Both mother and baby are doing well. I wish I could say the same for Mr. Garrison. He fainted at the news.” He took her hands in his. “The food basket you sent was much appreciated.”
“It’s the least I can do to help support my husband and his parish.”
He chuckled. “The reason I’m late is that I stopped by the Rowleys’ after the baby was delivered. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are happy with Penelope’s betrothal to Edward Grant. They’ve sent word to her parents. I saw Edward there. He’d just come from London. Through Mary’s connections, Harrison, Lord Renford’s death has already been ruled justified.”
“Thank God. I’m relieved,” she said.
“As am I.” He studied their clasped hands, then cleared his throat. When he finally looked at her, his eyes were brimming with tears. “Before I arrived, I heard part of your earlier conversation with Thane.”
“I meant every word.” Seeing such emotion on his face made her own tears fall. “You’re a wonderful man, and I’m blessed to have you as my husband. You’re excellent with Thane, and I can just imagine how you’d be with our baby.”
He wiped away her tear, and she did the same for him. At the tenderness of his touch, she smiled, and another tear fell.
“I love you, Avalon.” He pressed his lips against hers. “I think I have since the first day you walked into my study so determined.”
“When I tried to run you out of the village?”
He laughed and nodded. “Indeed. I saw how passionate you were that day, and I wanted that in my life. I wanted you.” He played with her fingers, then brought her hand to his mouth, where he kissed her wedding ring. “I owe you everything, including an apology.”
Her unruly tears threatened to run amok. She inhaled to stop their descent. “Why?”
“Because I should have never lied about my experiences or made you think I was someone other than who I am.” His earnest gaze locked with hers. “For only with you can I be the man I’m destined to be. A God-fearing man who will work every day I’m given on this earth to show you how much I love and care for you.” He reached into his coat, then withdrew a box and gave it to her.
With trembling fingers, she opened it to discover a round gold locket engraved with the initials A and D entwined on the outside.
“Open it.”
She pressed the latch. Her breath caught as her fingers skated over their miniature portraits that had been painted inside facing each other. A small gold chain stretched between the two portraits, connecting their hearts.
Her eyes flew to his. “It’s beautiful.”
“I had it made in London and planned to give it to you at the vicarage before … we went to London to find Sophia and Penelope.”
She pressed her fingers against her lips. “If I’d lost you, I’d never have forgiven myself for asking you to go with me.”
“I will always … always be with you through the brightest days and the darkest hours.” He took the locket from her and clasped it around her neck.
“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll wear it every day.”
He turned and captured his lips with hers. Their gentle kiss turned into a troth of their commitment to each another. Through hardship and joy, they would traverse life together.
With reluctance, he broke the kiss, then cupped her head with his hands. “The end of the Song of Solomon is about faithfulness and being one with your spouse. To me, we’re one, and I find absolute strength and salvation in that. You’ll forever have my love, my passion, and all that I am. No matter how old or wrinkled we are, I will only see you as my heart’s desire. It’s my promise to you forever.”
She rested her forehead against his. “Everything I am, I give to you, including my heart. You made me believe in myself. You’ve helped me find my own worth. Because of that, I can love you freely and without hesitation.”
“I’m devoted to you,” he whispered.
“And I to you,” she answered.
Devan reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “This is for you also.”
She smiled, then glanced at the paper. It was a note made out to her in the amount of twenty thousand pounds. “Why are you giving me this? I thought this was the whole purpose of marrying an heiress.”
He shrugged. “I want you to have it. Besides, it was never about the money. It was about the heiress.”
Her brows drew together.
He sighed. “For a warlock, I thought you would have figured it out. I don’t care about the money. I care about the heiress. I married the one I wanted.” He stood, then took her into his arms. When his lips pressed hers, their kiss, one of awe and admiration, soon ignited into something deeper and everlasting.
It was love.
He smiled, and the affection in his eyes told her that she’d found what was truly a miracle—his love for her was never ending. He was a man who would love her without judgment.
She dashed away another tear that had fallen. “You, sir, need to rest.”
“Truly?” He lifted one brow in challenge. “My warlock looks into my heart where I bare all my wants and desires, then she tells me to go to bed?”
“Why are you pouting?” she teased. “I planned on undressing you.”
Carefully, he took her hand in his and led her to the door. “I should never have doubted you. You are magical. You know the exact thing to say so I’ll follow your commands.”