Page 80 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
“Can we start anew? Neither of us can forget what has already transpired, but we can pledge not to let it hinder our path forward.” He gathered her into his arms, kissing her temple. “Because I know now there is no path forward for me without you.”
And Alicia knew any path she took without Niall walking beside her would be lonesome and bleak, and so much of her life had been colored gray with loneliness. She longed for the colorful trails they could take together.
The promise of such a future robbed her of breath, and Alicia could only manage a nod. But something of her heart must have shown in her teary eyes, for her husband beamed down at her before taking her lips in a smoldering kiss.
Their new beginning was off to a promising start.
Epilogue
“Oh, my love, I’m sorry. Are you disappointed?”
Niall brought his head up from the letter he’d just read aloud, squinting his eyes as he tried to identify and label the complex thoughts and emotions swimming about in his mind. Was he disappointed his bid for Prime Minister had failed?
He looked to Alicia, who stood in the fading evening light, knotting her fingers together.
Mo chreach, nothing would ever disappoint him as much as the night he’d sent her away. When he’d thought sending her away would somehow make their problems easier to solve. But they had forgiven each other…although it was taking him a bit longer to forgive himself.
Sucking a discreet breath between his teeth, Niall forced the memory away.
In the weeks since that blasted day, they had worked to rebuild their trust in each other. Alicia had halted her writing for a time while they gauged what sort of threat Matthews posed, but so far the viscount remained silent. Word had reached Niall that the man planned to retire to his country estate as soon as the party vote was over. Alicia chafed at not being allowed to publish her essays, but the time to resume would come soon enough, and Niall would not stop her.
Alicia’s critiques sometimes stung, but they were always fair and gave him much to think about. She’d even allowed him to read her newest drafts, and each focused on different issues, explaining important bills for the common person in language that was easy to understand. Her comments about him and Medlinger were kept to a minimum, a fact he appreciated.
Niall had also spent a good deal of time rereading her past essays and understood that if his platform alienated electors, he would not mourn the loss of their support. What was the point of winning the election if his supporters fought every direction his government took?
In the end, it hadn’t mattered.
He’d lost.
“I’m not disappointed.” He refolded the letter carefully before tossing it in the rubbish bin. “After the confrontation with Matthews, I suspected electors would direct their support to Medlinger. And despite his personal issues, he will make a good Prime Minister.”
Niall sighed, threading his fingers over his stomach. “Standing for party leader seemed like the natural progression in my political career, but I find myself relieved at the results. Now I can focus on those issues I feel strongly about, and brush aside the extraneous matters that always stood in the way.”
When Alicia settled in his lap and wrapped her arms about his neck, he relaxed muscles he hadn’t realized were tense. The move was so intimate, it stole his breath.
Niall considered the tempting handful in his arms, thankful for her calm, supportive presence. “It is for the best,” he murmured, running his fingertips up her sides. “I was loath to spend long hours away from you.”
“As was I,” she whispered, pressing a string of kisses to his jaw. “But I was willing to sacrifice for the good of king and country.”
“You are all that is generous and good, my love.” Niall cradled the back of her neck. “But we can still work to benefit king and country, with you continuing to critique and shape public opinion around legislation, and me working to push through promising proposals. Thankfully, I’ve managed to maintain a healthy relationship with Medlinger and I know he’s open to working on child labor reform with us.”
Alicia grinned. “I like how you said ‘work withus’.”
“Of course I did. You are the brains of the operation, after all,” he quipped before his lips claimed hers.
Several heated minutes later, Niall broke their kiss, pressing his forehead to hers as he panted. “Are you ready for our trip?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice flavored with a hint of excitement. “I find I can’t wait to see Loch Kilmorow. To see where you were born and grew up.”
For the first time in seven years, Niall was returning to the Highlands, and he was taking his wife with him. He didn’t know how to feel about it. Would he be welcomed as a prodigal son, or would the duke turn his nose up at him in disapproval?
Juliana and Flora both assured him that their father would welcome him home, since Niall returning with his future duchess had apparently softened the old duke to his wayward heir.
Niall couldn’t be sure this would be the case, but he hoped.
“The children are going to miss you horribly when we’re away.”
He chuckled. Little Edith and Eunice had already begun to complain about his absence, as if he and Alicia were not departing in a week.
