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Releasing a weary breath, he rolled over on his back, staring up at the canopy. He sought one of her hands and raised it to place a loving kiss there.

“I need to know that you understand. You are free. You are no longer a prisoner. You have choices, and you determine your future.”

She struggled to understand. “You said you would have no one if you could not have me? Do you still feel that way?”

“God knows my heart. I will never love anyone but you. If I cannot have you, I will remain single.”

She sighed, closing her eyes in relief. “You have given me my freedom, and I have chosen you. Do you think that you are the only one capable of loving only one person?”

This time when he pulled her into his arms, his kisses were intense, and they were lost in a world of their own until a soft rapping on the door penetrated William’s passion, bringing him back to reality.

He groaned, pulling back and apologising. “I forgot that I asked Adams to alert me when my horse had been saddled.” Then he smiled adoringly at Elizabeth. “Please tell me all is resolved and we shall be together forever.”

She lifted her head to brush his lips with hers. “It is settled. We shall love each other forever.”

Another series of kisses and another knock on the door ensued before William slid off the bed, straightening his clothes. With regret Elizabeth watched him readying to leave. “Will you be gone all day?”

“I have many tenant problems to settle before I return, but I hope to be home in time to dine. If that is not possible, will you wait up for me?”

She slid off the bed to follow him to the door. “I would not dream of going to bed without a goodnight kiss.”

He opened the door to find Adams waiting patiently and trying to look indifferent. Informing his valet that he would be down shortly, William quickly closed the door and swept her back into his arms. “Nor would I dream of leaving without this.”

Bending her backward, his strong arms were the only thing keeping her from collapsing to the floor. He kissed her thoroughly, leaving her breathless before returning her upright. Still holding her tightly, he held her gaze for a long moment. “Remember, no matter what the future holds, I love you.”

“As I love you.”

With a squeeze of her hands, immediately he was out the door and walking down the hallway. As he reached the top of the grand staircase, her heart called out, Look back at me.2

As if in response, he turned, giving her a dimpled smile. Then he turned and hurried down the stairs, as her heart began a familiar ache.

Rosewood Manor

Morning

“Ana, have you seen my riding crop?”

Evan turned to see his wife watching him as he rifled through his closet. His smile widened. She had hardly let him out of her arms since his return from London last evening, and the gleam in her eyes signified that she was not done with him yet.

“What are you thinking, Mrs. Ingram?”

“I was thinking of waging another assault upon your person, Mr. Ingram,” Georgiana purred, standing now so that her breasts were clearly visible through the thin, peach-coloured satin gown he had purchased for her in London.

Evan groaned, an arousal beginning again. “That gown should be outlawed.”

Georgiana moved to stand in front of him now, sliding her hand along the rigid tent in his breeches. “You purchased the offending item.”

“Oh, it does not offend me—exhausts me perhaps, but it does not offend me.”

“So, are you no longer capable or willing to make love to me day and night for days on end?”

Bringing her roughly to his chest, he murmured into her hair, “Oh, I am quite capable and willing, if that is what you desire, but the estate may go to ruin while I am otherwise occupied.”

“Yes, but to ruin for an excellent reason.”

It was another hour before they left their bed to find Millie and her nurse in the music room, sitting side-by-side on the pianoforte bench. Mrs. Calvert, who had been a gentlewoman before circumstances forced her to enter a life of service, was skilful on the pianoforte and was encouraged by the Ingrams to incorporate music into Millie’s day whenever possible. She was busy creating a simple melody for a poem that Millie seemed to enjoy. Georgiana easily picked up the tune and began to sing the words she knew by heart.

When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,