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And with that, Heath crushes his lips to mine. He kisses me in front of my family. In front of the priest and the scandalized staff of the Gregory household. In front of the whole world.
I wrap my arms around his neck and let my heart sing.
This. This is where I want to be. This is where the world feels right.
In the Duke’s arms. By his side. Promised to no one else but him.
Epilogue
Heath
Ada invites me back to the Belcourt Estate, her family graciously echoing the invitation. As we arrive, a soft sprinkling of snow starts to fall.
Ada glances at me from the passenger seat of my car, reaching over to slide her hand over my thigh. “This isn’t what I expected for Christmas this year.”
I grin. “Me neither.”
I park the car, pausing as I watch the rest of her family filter inside. Ada smiles shyly. And I can’t resist. I have to kiss her. I tangle my fingers into those black locks and take her lips in mine. She tastes like heaven and hope and everything good in the world.
Right there, in the car, after breaking up her wedding and leading the police to the Count’s residence, I vow to never let her go.
It doesn’t matter that we barely know each other. It doesn’t matter that we’ve started a relationship with furtive kisses and stolen passions.
I feel more alive than I have in years. It feels like my brother and parents are smiling down on me, watching me mend the wounds that were inflicted upon me years before. Ada is the healing balm. With soft lips and moans that slip through our kiss, she holds me tight and stitches me back together.
When we pull apart, Ada stares at the Count’s engagement ring on her left hand. Tugging the simple gold band free, she shakes her head. “Wearing that thing felt wrong from the beginning.”
“I should have given you one the day you came to see me,” I say, my voice a low rasp. “When you played my mother’s piano. I should have dropped to my knees and begged you to marry me.”
Patting my chest, I find the little black velvet box containing my mother’s old ring. Before she died, she made me promise to give it to someone. She told me not to let bitterness and anger cloud the rest of my life. She told me to fall in love, and to fall hard.
For the first time, I feel like I’ve fulfilled that vow.
I pull out the box, flipping it open and lifting my eyes to Ada. “I know I’m an idiot for letting you walk away from me. I know I’ve ignored you and kept the truth of my investigation from you. I know you have every right to refuse me, but I’m not afraid to beg. Ada Belcourt, meeting you was like being struck by lightning. You’ve lit up my entire world, and it’s only in the past four weeks that I’ve realized how dark life is without you.”
She stares at the glittering stone, flicking her eyes up to mine. “This is not how I expected tonight to go at all.”
A thin blanket of snow is already covering the vehicle, shielding us from prying eyes. It feels warm and secure in here, like we’re alone in the world. I gulp, tugging the ring free from its velvet box.
“Marry me, Ada.” My hand is shaking. Breath short. Eyes moist.
Everything I have, Ada holds in the palm of her hand. She has my heart, my future, my child. If she refuses me, I know I’ll never recover.
With a thick gulp, Ada nods. “Okay.”
I smile so hard it hurts my cheeks. My chest feels like it’s cracked open. Okay means yes. Okay means she’s mine, now and forever.
As I slip the ring on her finger, she lets out a hiccup and a laugh, shaking her head. “It fits.”
“Meant to be.” My eyes shine with unshed tears as I smile at my future bride. We were destined to find each other. From the moment I first saw her, she was meant to be my wife.
Sliding her hand over my cheek, Ada lets out a sigh. “Merry Christmas, Your Grace.” She grins at the title. “Heath,” she corrects.
“Merry Christmas,” I answer, leaning into her touch. Words stick to my throat, but I want to tell her. I need to tell her. I’m sick of hiding in my mansion, away from the stares and the whispers and the emotions. I’m sick of living my life in fear, focused only on revenge.
Ada has shown me another side of life.
“I love you,” I whisper, placing my palm on her thigh. “I never believed in love at first sight until I saw you. And when I heard you play that piano at the Farcliff Castle, I knew my life would never be the same. You’ve reached into my chest and pulled my heart free of the thorns caging it in. You’ve awoken feelings inside me that I didn’t know were possible.” I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as her fingers stroke my cheek. “And you’re carrying my child. I thought”—I pause, forcing my eyes open—“that I’d never have an heir. I thought my family would die with me. But…”
