Page 107 of Forget Me Not

She smiled. “That is a question I believe you should ask him. It is your belief that he is unhappy and dissatisfied and, therefore, will abandon you again, not necessarily physically this time, that lies at the heart of your hesitancy.”

Her mother-in-law was correct, of course. Julia spent a lot of time pondering and worrying over questions: When was he leaving? How long would he be gone? Why didn’t he tell her or invite her to join him? Why were some of his promises proving difficult to keep? But those questions were, if she was fully honest, just distractions from the more important question she was afraid to have answered. Difficult, but necessary.

“I hope that youwillthink of me as a mother and that you will ask me all the things you would ask your dear mother were she still with us. I have loved you as family from the moment you were born. And I always will.” She squeezed Julia’s hands. “Now, go find that upended husband of yours and summon the courage to ask the question that has become a wall between you.”

Julia took a fortifying breath. “I will.” She didn’t even pause to change her clothing. Her nightdress and shawl would have to be good enough.

Lucas proved to be in the first room she checked—his bedchamber. He was pacing.

“Lucas?”

His head snapped up on the instant, and his eyes seemed to drink in the sight of her. “Julia. Did you see my flowers?”

“I did. Thank you.”

“I hope I didn’t wake you, sneaking in to place them there.”

She shook her head. “May I ask you a question?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

She crossed to him, stopping near enough to look in his eyes. “I know you didn’t choose this marriage, neither of us did, but”—she took a fortifying breath—“are you happy being married to me? Are you glad that our parents arranged this match?”

A slow, utterly contented smile spread over his beloved face. “Marrying you is the very best thing that has ever happened to me, Julia. I am beyond happy. My only source of worry is whether or notyouare happy.”

He’d been grappling with the same uncertainty she had been. It was past time they both had the answers they needed.

“Some of the happiest moments I’ve had in years were at Brier Hill these past weeks,” she said.

“Mine as well.” He slipped an arm around her waist, slowly and hesitantly, clearly allowing her the opportunity to object. She had no intention of doing any such thing. “Sometimes I feel as if my life has been building up to this, as if I’ve been half living while fate pieced together my bestreasonfor living.”

“And when something matters enough, you do whatever is necessary to make that something—or someone—part of your life.” What had felt like a blow now felt like a reassuring promise.

“It’s why I’m here, Julia. It’s why I went to Farland Meadows so often this past week. It’s why I would have followed you all over this kingdom if I had to.”

“Because I matter to you?”

He brushed a kiss over her forehead. “More than all the world.”

Peace like she hadn’t known in recent memory washed over her with the gentleness of a light evening rain. “And you love me the way a husband ought to love his wife?”

“My precious Julia, I love you more than any husband has ever loved his wife.”

She breathed for what felt like the first time in the eight years since he’d left her behind in this lonely corner of the world.

With that welcome and needed breath came a lightness of heart. “Then why in heaven’s name haven’t you been kissing me far more than you have been?”

“I will gladly rectify that oversight.” Lucas slipped his other arm around her waist and pulled her up flush with him.

She set her hand on his chest. “I have it on good authority that you will likely continue making a mull of things and that I should be patient with you because you can’t help yourself, on account of your being an idiot.”

“Ah. One can always count on the Gents.”

Julia smiled. “And your mother told me that you love me, that as your mother, she knows you well enough to be certain of it.”

“I do love you, my Julia,” he said. “I will love you with every year, every day, every breath I have.”

“And we can build a lifetogether?” She leaned closer, her other hand sliding up his arm.

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