Page 87 of A Necessary Wife

Amelia looked panicked. “When we are apart, you’ll recover your senses.”

“Will you do the same? Truly? Can you turn off your heart at will?” He cupped her face and smiled. “I know I never could. And I do not want to imagine doing so ever again. I love you, Amelia Westfall, with my whole heart and my soul. Unburdened by past regret and filled with hope for the future with you. My place is now and irrevocably by your side, striving to make all your dreams come true. A family, a home, a garden, and a child of ours. Or dozens if you desire more. We cannot have the life we dream of if we are not beside each other.”

Amelia’s breath shuddered out of her.

He bent his lips to her ear. “You mended my heart, and claimed it for your own.”

He waited patiently, knowing they had been heading for this moment all along. Surrendering to love a second time wasn’t ever going to be easy, but it was what he wanted now. What they needed to be truly happy. This was no mistake.

It was meant to be.

This was love.

He had done everything wrong, but there was not a damn thing he would change about that or the woman he held. He had chosen a good woman to become his wife, his duchess one day, to become his friend and lover. To learn all his secrets and dreams and be the recipient of hers.

They matched in every way that mattered.

Amelia slumped a little, and her body finally pressed against his. He raised an arm around her shoulders and pulled her even closer. She sobbed, and he didn’t mind the emotions pulling at his heart anymore.

“Don’t cry, my love,” he said, pressing his lips to her brow. “There is nothing to fear. I love you, and I’m never letting you go. I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth declaring my undying love if you try, even if you’d rather to move to your cottage so you can garden to your heart’s content.”

She laughed. “I tried so hard not to love you, but how can I not when you offer everything I want and more.”

Tears filled his eyes. He was undone. He was loved. He kissed her brow again and again, tightened his grip on her, joyously smitten.

Love a second time was precious. “We’re going home tomorrow, my love. I want to take you to your garden, and we’ll stay there for Christmas, too.”

She looked up at him quickly, wiping away her tears and then his. “What about the duke? Your family and the estate? He might never approve of me.”

Milo put his fingers over her lips gently. “I approve of you, and that is all that matters. We need a place to be alone so we can fall even deeper into this love.” He moved his fingers to brush the moisture clinging to her lashes. “Besides, I’m keen to hear you play the harp, naked perhaps—if I can persuade you to be so bold.”

Amelia blushed and laughed softly. “Will you always make love to me in scandalous places?”

He thought a moment, then smirked. “Yes, I do believe I will. There are carriages, under the full moon in your garden, against a wall. Anywhere and any way you’ll have me, darling.”

“That sounds wonderful. Having you all to myself,” Amelia said, as she wrapped her arms about his neck before she drew him down for a heated kiss that was in danger of going on forever.

Milo could only hope so.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

After a while in Milo’s arms, Amelia became aware of people clearing their throats nearby.

They turned together and discovered the duke, Lucy and Adam standing on the terrace steps. The duke bent down to whisper to the children and they fled inside.

The duke came out to join them, scowling. “Finally, you stop,” Stapleton complained.

Amelia turned her face into Milo’s chest, embarrassed by her behavior, and whispered, “What do we do?”

“Allow me,” he said, then turned Amelia to face his father and put an arm about her waist. He held her firmly to his side, and she squirmed as he tickled her. Even if this was what she’d wanted all along, her husband’s love and proof of it for anyone to see was a little overwhelming.

“Father, we’re headed to Devon tomorrow, whether you approve of our marriage or not,” Milo stated.

The duke raised a brow. “Now that, I am pleased to here. About time you admitted to loving each other, too,” His Grace answered with a smirk. “This nonsense about a marriage of convenience sat ill on my heart.”

“We noticed,” Milo said, scowling.

“The rest will sort itself out in the years to come, I expect. Welcome to the family, Amelia. The duchy will be in good hands when Gillian and I are gone, if you truly love my son enough to have put up with his foolishness.”