Page 109 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“Tomorrow,” she corrected. “For I am hosting Nicholas and Aunt Isabel tonight as an apology for…” She blushed. “Possibly overhearing some of what we did in that study.”
Lucien could only laugh. “Fine, then. But I cannot be blamed for any noises they might hear while they are staying here.”
“What are you promising?” she asked, her voice teasingly low.
Lucien kissed her lightly, pulling back to gaze down at her. “For you, Edwina, the entire world.”
“I shall settle for just my husband and a fine dinner tonight.” She kissed him again. “I love you, Lucien.”
“And I love you, Edwina.”
Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
“Montgomery Manor has certainly flourished,” Edwina noted as she walked through the hallways of her childhood home, taking in every new piece of furniture, every painted wall, and every piece of decor.
Her brother had set up a display of his medals from the war in the drawing room, and pride surged through her.
“Nicholas is doing well,” Lucien agreed, looking impressed.
“All thanks to you.”
Lucien shook his head as he led her further down the hallway. “I would never have known if you had not presented yourself in that room at the Raven’s Den.”
Edwina’s heart fluttered nervously at the reminder of her long-ago deal with Lord Stockton, but she smiled, knowing that the memory now only served to bring her closer to her husband.
“Well,” she sighed. “You did eventually get the truth about Nick’s situation out of me. We would not have come as far as we all have without your decision to help.”
“I never would have considered another option.”
“Are you quite sure I did not convince you with just my whisky-pouring skills?”
At that, Lucien almost tripped for how hard he laughed. “Oh, darling, your pouring skills were far from your best qualities, and they remain as such.”
“Was it my impressive flirting skills, then?”
Lucien kissed the line of her jaw before laughing softly in her ear. “It would tell you what it was, but I would not wish to scandalize anyone.”
“Perhaps you might show me tonight.” She smirked—a thing she had rather learned from her husband when he teased her—but was stopped from teasing him further by the call of her brother.
“Heavens, are you two bringing down the status of my party with your flirting already?”
Further down the hallway, the door to the sunroom was open, letting the sunlight pour from the garden. The terrace doors were open, and Nicholas strode through them, meeting Edwina and Lucien inside.
“Brother!” Edwina cried, throwing her arms around him.
It was the first time she saw him back in Montgomery Manor since his stay in Red Acre Lodge. She stepped back, taking in his dark hair, so like her own, trimmed and neat, as though he was preparing for war again.
Except this time, there was no war to snatch her brother away.
Only his earldom, which he had finally begun to manage responsibly.
“You look every inch the Earl of Montgomery,” she praised him, cupping his face in her hands.
Edwina brushed back a loose strand of hair that had fallen over his forehead. The last time she had seen him, his cheekbones had almost cut through his skin, and a heavy fatigue had resided beneath his eyes.
“Look at this healthy flush,” she gushed, her eyes twinkling with emotion. “I have dreamt of seeing you like this again, Brother.”
