Page 65 of Persuasions of an Earl's Daughter

August couldn’t keep the smile from his face at this bold, courageous woman. “I risk your reputation too,” he reminded her. “I didn’t want you tied to such a man.”

She shrugged. “I’m a Musgrave. We hardly have a reputation in the first place.”

“And if something happens to me?”

“Nothing will happen to you as long as we’re together. We’ll run together if we have to. I don’t care.”

His heart seemed to expand in his chest when she looked at him as though the whole world hinged on them being together. It felt like it too. The crushing weight of expectation and the fear of the truth no longer pressed down upon his shoulders. With Lilly at his side, he could face down anything. Hell, they’d already survived a kidnapping and a flood.

“If she knows, she could get in trouble too.”

August ground his teeth together, stepped around Lilly and stood over Brown. “Need I remind you, Brown, it’s a horse thief’s word against that of a gentleman.”

“And a lady,” Lilly added coming to his side.

“I’ll tell, I swear it. If you put me in prison, I’ll tell.” The man rolled onto his stomach with a grunt of pain and started to crawl away from them. “Your real father was buried just a few years ago. There’ll be records.”

August set a foot to the edge of his coat, preventing him from going anywhere, and Brown sagged, letting his head drop to the ground. “Damn you both.”

Crouching beside Brown, August leaned in. “If my real father is dead, Brown, there’s no one to corroborate your story. I’m done running.”

He straightened to find Lilly eyeing him with a cocked head. “Do you mean that?”

“I thought you deserved more, Lil.”

She wrapped her arms about him. “I always wanted more,” she mused. “But now I’ve realizedyouare my more.”

August had spent so long running and worrying about what a potential future might hold. So long trying to escape what his father wanted of him. But he’d let his father control him in so many ways and he’d be damned if his future would be shaped by his father’s abuse and lies any longer.

“Think you’re willing to marry a commoner?”

Her smile grew and she shook her head. “No.”

He waited a heartbeat. No. That wasn’t what she was meant to say. She was meant to—

“But I’m willing to marry the man I love.”

All the air seemed to fly from his lungs. “Thank God,” he said against her lips and kissed her gratefully until they were both breathless and laughing.

Epilogue

“Icannot believe it has taken us this long to return to London to see you all!”

Sarah didn’t bother disguising a smug smile as her two eldest nieces embraced and sank onto the sofa together. With a baby on her lap and little one clinging to her legs, Charity had the tired but contented look of a busy mother and would have plenty of advice for Violet who was scarcely showing despite being nearly six months pregnant.

“Aunt Sarah!” Lilly approached and motioned for Sarah to remain as she leaned over and offered a warm embrace.

Sarah put a hand to Lilly’s cheek. “You look sun-kissed.”

“I know, I should have worn a bonnet, but it was too hot in Egypt for bonnets. Half the time I wore a scarf, but it did little to protect my face.”

“It’s a fine look on you.”

“Oh.” Lilly grinned. “Mama has already given me a scolding for it but I’m certain it shall fade quickly enough in this winter weather.”

“And now you are home.” Sarah lifted her brows. “For good?”

“We have seen a lot of the world, but I must admit, I missed England more than I thought I would.” She glanced at her husband who was conversing with Lilly’s father. “We thought to settle in this small village we are rather fond of—Oakfield. There’s a house there with a large paddock for Icarus.”

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