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An arm flung across Lucas’s chest before a leg kicked him in the side. He jerked awake, ready to protect Abigail, when he realized she was the one who had caused him harm. Still deep asleep, Abigail muttered incoherent words before wrapping her arms around a pillow and settling once again. Lucas chuckled, realizing the lifetime he would have to endure her restlessness.
He leaned over and trailed kisses along her neck. “Abigail, love. You must awaken soon.”
Abigail moaned. “Mmm.”
His mouth moved lower, lingering between her shoulder blades. “Or we can spend the entire day hidden away where no one can find us.”
Abigail rolled over. “Are you trying to involve my good name in a scandal, Lord Gray?”
Lucas stilled until he saw the teasing glint in Abigail’s eyes. “Never, my love.”
Abigail shrugged. “That is a shame. My entry into society this year has been quite a bore since Selina and I are friends. I am treated no different than I was last season.”
He brushed her hair from her eyes. “That is because everyone accepts you as my father’s ward and my entire family will not stand for you to become a victim of the ton. They stand in defense of any untoward action.”
She arched her brow. “And how do you stand?”
“As a proud gentleman who has won the honor of your love.”
She cupped his cheek. “Was it too difficult?”
He sighed. “No. It is a simple act because of the love I hold for you.”
Abigail frowned. “Then why all the deceit? Why did you keep me at arm’s length after Selina wed Duncan? You still refused to accept the bond between us.”
Lucas pressed his forehead against Abigail’s. “I was a fool. I thought I had to follow the structures society demanded for the peers of the ton, even after witnessing each of my cousins defy those very structures to find happiness. I still refused to acknowledge I could define my own life. My father never allowed another soul to rule his actions. But yet I did.”
“Do you still?”
Lucas cupped Abigail’s cheek. “No. I stopped when I started writing to you as Lord Ross. I never expected our correspondence to last as long as it did. But with each letter, we drew closer and the feelings it invoked had me acting foolish once again.”
“You had me accepting a position in your imaginary household.”
Lucas winced. “I planned to confess before we left for London. However, by then, my father started with his game and my cousins got involved too. It caused a disaster I didn’t know how to recover from. The confession I planned got fumbled with my disastrous marriage proposal. Can you ever forgive me for the heartache I have caused you this past year?”
Abigail pressed a kiss against Lucas’s lips. “There is nothing to forgive. Both of us needed to grow before we could have our time together. I lived these past few years believing I never belonged, when your family had welcomed me since my first day at Colebourne Manor. I always kept myself separate because I tried to live by those same rules of society you yourself lived by. When all along, I only needed to be myself.”
Lucas brushed her hair behind her ear. “And have you discovered yourself?”
“Yes, and I have you to thank for my transformation. You helped to free me from my doubts and become who I wish to be.”
“And who do you wish to be?” Lucas whispered.
“A lady who may speak her mind, dress to please herself, and befriend anyone she wishes to. But most of all, love the gentleman who has held her heart for longer than she can remember. Do you suppose the gentleman would approve of my wishes?” A hopeful expression lit her face.
“I have faith he approves wholeheartedly because you have held his heart for longer than he ever realized. Even when he thought he would never have a chance with you because of the circumstances out of his control. Do you suppose the lady would approve of my wishes?”
Abigail smiled. “And what might those wishes be?”
Lucas bent to whisper in her ear. “A lifetime of loving him every day. Passionate nights spent in his bed. And children for his father to spoil.”
Abigail nodded, with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, she will approve.”
“Excellent,” Lucas murmured. Before he could kiss Abigail, someone pounded on the door. “Go away,” he yelled.
The pounding continued. “Lord Gray, we must leave. It has grown past the hour for your return. I am sorry I fell asleep.”
“Damn,” Lucas muttered. He peered out the window and saw the gray sky fading away into the soft light of the day. He rose to his feet, helping Abigail to rise. “Ready the carriage. We shall be ready soon.” Lucas brushed his lips across Abigail’s. “I am sorry, love. We must hurry.”
He rushed to dress and helped Abigail back into her nightgown, wrapping her coat tightly around her. “The next time you wear this, it will be in our bedchamber and upon our bed.”
Abigail lifted one shoulder. “Perhaps I might tempt you elsewhere with it.”
She winked as she sauntered toward the door, her hips swaying in a seductive swing. She already tempted him and they hadn’t even parted yet.
Lucas caught her and pulled her back against him. “As long as no one else catches a sight of your wanton display, then you may tempt me anywhere or anytime.”
He tilted her head back and ravished her lips one last time before they departed. He groaned as he pulled away. His body ached for Abigail again. He hurried them to the carriage and ordered the coachman to make the return with haste.
Abigail snuggled into his arms and they held hands and whispered soft words of affection during the ride. Once they arrived back at his aunt and uncle’s home, he noticed Duncan striding back and forth, looking at his pocket watch. His cousin wrenched the door open and whistled. Duncan grabbed Abigail from the carriage and soon Selina appeared at the door with a blanket. She rushed outside to wrap it around Abigail. Then, Duncan threw Abigail over his shoulder, muttering about an inconsiderate Englishman who seduced innocent misses.
Abigail’s giggles floated back to him. She held her head up and blew Lucas a kiss. Lucas stood on the stoop of the carriage and grabbed at the imaginary kiss within his reach, then pressed it against his heart.
The kiss of a new beginning.