Page 76 of Her Runaway Duke
“They very likely were. I cannot see them wanting to stay and face any criticism.”
“The good news is that likely means they have given up fighting your marriage. My mother also heard that Lord Mulberry has already set his intentions on a new bride.”
“Oh, the poor thing,” Siena said, but Eliza leaned in and placed a hand on her knee.
“That’s just it,” she said conspiratorially. “She is not young at all but a widow his own age.”
“Is she really?”
“If my mother is correct,” Eliza said.
“Your mother is always correct.”
“This is true. She collects gossip better than anyone I have ever met.”
They laughed slightly at that before Eliza leaned back and cast her eyes over Siena,
“I know you have been through an ordeal, but I must say, I have never seen you so happy.”
“I have neverbeenso happy,” Siena said. “Thank you, Eliza, for everything. If you hadn’t helped me escape from mywedding, I can’t even think about what I would be doing right now.”
Eliza shuddered.
“You would not be with a man you love, that is for certain,” she said, before holding Siena out at arm’s length. “I should let you return to your new husband. Thank goodness you are so close to London. I don’t think I could bear to have you live too far away.”
“I completely understand,” Siena returned. “Thank you for showing me what it means to have a voice. I shall see you soon, I hope.”
“Of course. You will never be rid of me.”
After a quick cup of tea, Eliza was about to leave when Levi appeared. Eliza curtseyed to him, but both women were surprised when Levi walked over and took her hands in his.
“You have been a very good friend to my wife,” he said. “I will always appreciate that.”
“You are a lucky man,” she said before leaning in and quietly saying, “take good care of her.”
“Always,” he responded.
As Eliza’s carriage disappeared, Siena walked forward and laid her head on Levi’s chest. He wrapped an arm around her, and as Siena kissed the scarred side of his face, she realized that he no longer pulled back when she paid attention to that side of his body, not like he used to do.
“I’m so glad you saved me,” she said, but he shook his head against her, the scruff on his chin lightly brushing against her forehead. She leaned in and inhaled the scent that was so uniquely him, which caused pleasure to shoot out to every limb of her body.
“You were the one who saved me,” he said. “I could never have imagined that the decision to rescue you from those highwaymen would have changed the rest of my life.”
“We saved each other then,” she said. “I love you, Levi.”
“And I love you.”
He kissed her then, a searing promise of happiness.
Now, until forever.
EPILOGUE
“Are you certain about this?” Siena asked, looking up at Levi.
He set his jaw and nodded. “Absolutely.”
They were in the carriage, headed for London – but they were not alone. Siena held their baby, Caroline, in her lap.
