Page 92 of Waiting for a Scot Like You
“Everythinghas changed,” he said, fierce. “I’vechanged. Kept believing that if I just followed the rules, I’d find my place. If I did as everyone has done before me and kept steady on the known road, I would find happiness. But that’s not so—andyoushowed me that. You taught me I don’t always need to be the upstanding, dutiful soldier. I only need to be myself, and to hell with the rules.”
She stared up at him, discovering new heights of joy.
He went on, “Who gives a damn if you don’t call mehusbandand I don’t call youwife? There’s only you and me, shaping the world to what we need. And what I need,” he continued, voice aching, “isyou. Always you.”
He crushed her to him again, holding her so firm and so steady, yet she could feel the small tremors that worked his body. She shook, as well, awash in happiness and the sheer joy of being with him.
“Want you in my life,” he growled. “However you want. All that matters is that we’re together.”
“I love you, Duncan,” she whispered against his chest, so hot and firm against her cheek. “We’re going to have so many adventures together.”
“My lass,” he said as he brought their mouths together, “depend on it.”
Epilogue
Eton College, Eight months later
“Miraculous what unlimited money and influence can do for a lad,” Duncan said as he surveyed the college library.
The tables normally used for studying had been temporarily moved from the room, and a long dining table covered in fine white damask stood in the middle. A feast prepared by a platoon of chefs and pastry cooks—including Isabel Catton herself—was arranged atop the table, along with fresh flowers in Chinese vases, platters of fruit dusted with edible gold, and a stack of copies of Holloway’s latest book,Courtship Customs of the British Isles, which no one could eat but warranted celebrating.
“I’d say that it was my irresistibly charming personality that secured us the library,” Rotherby said. “Which normally ensures I get whatever I want, whenever I want. However, inthisinstance, it was the heaps of cash I threw at the regents that allowedtonight to happen.” He took a sip of the excellent wine he’d provided for the evening.
“But why the library?” Holloway asked. “There are perfectly suitable dining halls that are more properly outfitted for such gatherings. Most cultures keep their books and their food separate for a reason, and I own that combining the two makes me a trifle nervous.”
“We’re not going to throw pies and sausages at each other.” Rotherby opened his arms wide. “I chose this place for our special evening because this is where the Union of the Rakes began. Twenty-one years ago today.”
Curtis smirked as he folded his arms across his chest. “An infamous day.”
“Rather marvelous day,” Rowe said, looking at Curtis warmly. “Bringing me all the people I care about most in the world.”
Abashed at this open display of sentiment, Duncan and the others fell silent. Yet Rowe had only spoken the truth of their hearts, because this evening, those Duncan loved more than anything were assembled here.
Feminine laughter drew his attention to the other side of the library, where the Duchess of Rotherby, Lady Grace Holloway, and Beatrice stood. Beatrice said something to the other two women, which set them off in more laughter.
As it always did whenever he looked at her, Duncan’s chest tightened as love filled him. The past eightmonths had seen considerable change in both of their lives. He had moved in to her town house, and though her children and his parents would have preferred that he and Beatrice had married, they had finally accepted that it would not happen. Some in Society were scandalized, yet neither he nor Beatrice much cared. They were blissfully bound to each other for life, and nothing would change that.
And in less than a week, they would be off on a year-long trip around the Continent. They had no specific destination, but he knew without a doubt that wherever she went, there would be a bounty of madcap escapades. He welcomed them.
As if feeling his attention on her, her gaze met his. He did care about the Union of the Rakes, and the people they had brought into their lives, but at that moment, no one existed for him but her.
Clearly, she felt the same way, because she murmured something to the duchess and Lady Grace before moving purposefully toward him. His heart beat fiercely at her approach, and it thundered in his ears when she looped her arm through his and pressed snugly to his side.
“Do you know,” she whispered in his ear, “I have all sorts of wicked thoughts in this library. Perhaps later, when everyone’s gone, we can play the Naughty Schoolgirl and the Stern Tutor.”
He growled in response, adoring her fearlessness in and out of the bedroom.
“If I wasn’t so nauseatingly in love,” Rotherby said, “I would find the two of you downright obnoxious. But I am absolutely besotted with my duchess, so I give you leave to be as insufferable as you please.”
Hearing this, the duchess blew him a kiss. Rotherby gazed at her as though she had literally descended from heaven. Astonishing that a man as urbane and worldly could look as smitten as Rotherby did at that moment, but the world was a rather surprising place. After all, it had brought Beatrice and Duncan together.
“How’s your estate manager working out?” he asked Rotherby.
“Carriford is in excellent hands now,” his friend replied. “Not that it wouldn’t have been, in your oversize paws, but I think I’ve got a good man in the position.”
A thought struck Duncan, and he peered intently at Rotherby. “You knew.”
“I know everything,” Rotherby answered. “Er, what specifically did I know?”
