Page 83 of A Game with the Rakish Duke
“Come on,” Thomas said gently, putting an arm around her shoulder and gazing down at her tenderly. “I think we should get you home. I do not think you wish to return to the party.”
Catherine shook her head vigorously. “No,” she whispered, shuddering. She had never desired anything less in her life. Everyone would be talking about her—they must have noticed Patrick’s condition and her absence. “I do not want to return to the party.”
Thomas nodded. “I know a way we can vanish without anyone seeing us. Follow me.” He turned to Oliver. “You too, Lord Whitley. I do not suppose you wish to return to the party any more than we do.”
Oliver smiled faintly. “Truer words have never been spoken, Your Grace.”
Catherine laid her head on her husband’s shoulder, letting him guide her through the maze, out the other side. Then he led her down a narrow path, towards a back gate that led into the mews at the side of the townhouse. When they reached the mews, they stopped.
“Thank you again,” Oliver said in a quiet voice. “For all you have done for my sister… and for me.” He looked at Catherine. “Our parents really would be proud of you, Sister. And of your husband.”
Catherine’s eyes filled with tears again. She knew she was extremely emotional in the aftermath of what had justhappened, but she also knew that she was prouder of her brother than she had ever been in her life. He had just stepped up, defending her honor, and he hadn’t been afraid to give Patrick his due punishment. And he had controlled his gambling habit.
He had finally grown into the man she had always known he could be.
She placed a hand on his face, looking at him tenderly. “Thank you, Oliver,” she whispered. “And they would be so proud of you as well.”
As soon as they settled in the carriage, Thomas drew her to him, putting his arm around her tenderly. She shuddered, clinging to him. For a long while, they said nothing, just basking in the feeling of being in each other’s arms again.
Eventually, he drew away a bit, looking down at her, a quizzical look on his face.
“I should have told you,” he said, his face contorting with emotion. “I have beenwantingto tell you, but I lacked the courage…”
“Tell me what?” Catherine stared at him, her heart pounding hard. “What is it you wish to tell me?”
“Can’t you guess?” he whispered. “I love you, Catherine. I love you body and soul. And I will never love anyone but you.”
Catherine gasped, her heart pounding harder. She felt giddy with joy and relief. This was what she had been praying for—that he would tell her he loved her just as much as she loved him.
But she realized now that the actual words had never really been necessary. For he had been showing her how much he loved her in so many different ways, culminating in what had just happened at the party. She just had been too blind to see it, too wrapped up in her own insecurities to truly appreciate what was right in front of her eyes.
She saw it now. It was as if their love was an actual physical presence, sitting between them, surrounded by a bright light.
“Oh,” she gasped. “I love you too! I have been so scared to tell you, in case you laughed at me or pushed me away again.” She reached out, touching his face. “I was so scared, Thomas.”
He gazed at her, his eyes shining with emotion. “My dreams have been answered,” he whispered, drawing her to him again, fervently kissing her hair over and over. “I was so scared, as well. Scared that you could never love me, scared that I would lose you, scared that my love for you would be the ruin of me…”
“I told you,” she whispered back furiously, reaching up to stroke his face. “I told you that you will never lose me. My loyalty, once given, is forever. My love, once given, is forever, as well.” Shepaused. “I am not your mother, Thomas. I willneverleave you. You have my word.”
He swore under his breath, hugging her fiercely, kissing her face, her hair, her neck, whispering words of endearment. Catherine’s heart was filled with such a ferocious love that she almost felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.
She had never wanted to fall in love. She had fought it so hard and for so long. She knew that he had felt exactly the same. The wonder of it was that they had still found each other and that they had somehow managed to scale the wall of all that separated them and surrender to the love between them.
She shivered. Their love was stronger than all of it. It had always been meant to be. They had never stood a chance before the ferocity of it. Their love was like a life force, unable to be denied.
She knew that he would never betray her now. His grandmother was right—he may have sown his wild oats, but he was a man ready to lay his heart at her feet now. He was a man who had been waiting for his love to walk into his life, to show him that love didn’t have to be full of pain, that there was another way.
Just as he was showing her that there was another way. They were showing each other.
Finally, his lips found hers. The kiss was long and tender and sweet. The fiery passion between them simmered beneath the surface as always, but it didn’t ignite. This kiss was a vow between them—a promise of the love between them. And sheknew that this vow meant much, much more than the words they had exchanged that day in the church.
They started as the carriage slowly drew to a stop. Catherine gazed out the window, feeling dazed. They were home.
Thomas looked down at her, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
“Shall we tell the driver to just keep driving for a while?” he asked in a soft voice, gently stroking her jawline.
Catherine laughed with sheer delight. “Why not?”
