Page 36 of A Wager With A Rake
Theodosia fought not to react to him.To not give away immediately that his words were all she had hoped to hear, that she had felt the very same.Her pulse hammered in her ears as she pointed to the missive.“You should read my letter.”
He eyed her curiously, confusion marring his handsome face, followed by a twinge of disappointment.It was agonizing not to immediately give him the affection he so obviously wanted from her.
“I have exhausted my hand from writing letters of apology, and one is for you.”She said the words as calmly as possible while he broke the seal and unfolded the missive.
“Letters of apology?”he asked, glancing up at her.
“Are you going to read it, Court?”
He glanced back at the parchment, holding it so he could read the words aloud.
My dearest Court,
I am atoning for the wrongs I’ve done, hoping the fates might allow me to finally have a bit of happiness.
I apologize for tricking you.For using your attraction to me and training to steal Rosewood from you.But I don’t apologize for loving you.That is the one truth that came out of the whole affair, and I can never be sorry for that.
Everything between was very real for me.And a life with you is the happiness I hope to find.
Yours always,
Tess
After he finished reading, she fought the flutters in her chest when his expression shifted into a wide smile.
“So you do love me?”he asked, dropping the letter to the floor and pulling her into his arms.
Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes.“Of course I do.”She took his face between her palms, forcing him to meet her loving gaze.
“You dear, silly, wonderful man,” she breathed, her thumbs caressing the stubbled planes of his cheeks.“How could you ever think yourself unworthy?If your father were still alive, I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon.Any woman would be more than lucky to capture your heart.”
“And you, my love, are the only one who has done so.Who could ever do so.”
“I feel exactly the same for you, Court.I didn’t think myself capable of love either after how many times I’ve been wronged by the men in my life.”
He placed a tender kiss on her lips and then tucked a loose curl behind her ear.Overwhelmed with love, she pictured a lifetime of such tenderness between them.“Those days are behind you,” he said.“I intend to make up for the awful cruelties you’ve been subjected to.”
Again, he slowly lowered his head to capture her lips with his in a searing kiss that set her body alight and her heart singing.
This was where she belonged.He was her home.It wasn’t Rosewood or any other dwelling.
It was Court.
Theodosia knew as much with complete certainty as she melted into his embrace.In the arms of the man she loved, the man who owned her heart—yesterday, today, and for all the days to come.
She almost pouted when he broke the kiss to pull away from her.“We have company,” he said, nodding down the hall.
Theodosia was already well aware that Rebecca and Harrison would be in residence.It was part of what had given her enough courage to make the trip.Knowing that if he didn’t return her feelings, she would at least have her closest friend to help her pick up the pieces.
He clasped her hand and pulled her with him, making their way to the drawing room.As they crossed the threshold, they found Rebecca and Harrison cuddled together, his hand on her stomach.The moment was almost too beautiful to interrupt.
Before they could decide to back away, Rebecca saw them in the doorway.“Well, well, well,” she drawled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.“It seems my little nudge worked wonders.I might have learned a few things in the art of getting people to bend to my will in the years I spent watching Theodosia at work.”
Theodosia laughed.Rebecca had always remained by her side, even when she didn’t agree with Theodosia’s tactics.And she wasn’t the slightest upset about the jest.“Quite impressive,” she admitted.“And I believe we are quite satisfied with the outcome.”
Court chuckled, drawing Theodosia closer to his side.“As do I, though I do feel honor-bound to point out that your meddling was entirely unnecessary.I would have eventually found my way to Theodosia, groveling to get back into her good graces, you know.”
“Ha!”Rebecca scoffed, waving a dismissive hand.“Left to your own devices, who knows how long it would have taken you to pull your head out of your arse.”
