Page 118 of Duke of Bronze
"Oh, Aunt Petunia," Anna turned with a laugh, "You've created quite the companion in Titan. He now believes every silk surface is his due."
Guests laughed and pointed with delighted chuckles as the tiny hound basked in the attention.
A flustered footman arrived, panting heavily. "M–my apologies, Your Graces. The dog slipped from the carriage. I have been searching everywhere."
"No harm done," Colin waved him off, still chuckling.
Sebastian stepped forward and scooped the reluctant pup from Anna's train. Titan gave a theatrical little yip in protest but allowed himself to be handed over.
And then, at last, it was time.
Farewells were said amidst tears and laughter. Sebastian, Giltford, and Sterlin remained behind to oversee the wedding breakfast while Anna and Colin prepared to depart for their wedding tour.
As the carriage rolled forward, its wheels crunching over the gravel, Anna leaned into her husband with a contented sigh.
"Are you still refusing to tell me where you're taking me?" she asked, tilting her head to study him.
"You are relentless, wife. I daresay you have asked me the same question nearly every day since our acquaintance began."
Anna raised a brow. "You cannot blame me for possessing an inquiring mind."
"No, but I may yet hold it against you," he teased, and she could hear the grin in his voice even as he reached behind her head.
Her world had turned dark a moment earlier when he insisted upon blindfolding her, and now, as the carriage slowed to a stop, anticipation fairly danced through her.
"You're enjoying this far too much," she muttered.
Colin only chuckled as he helped her descend from the carriage, his hands gentle and sure. "Patience, wife."
He guided her a few more paces, the air fresh and kissed with the scent of spring grass and water.
Then, with a soft breath against her ear, he murmured, "You may look now."
Her hands rose, lifting the blindfold—and she gasped.
"The lake," she breathed.
"Our lake," Colin corrected, his voice soft with affection.
There it was—the serene stretch of water that shimmered in the late afternoon light, the same lake where they had fallen in (both literally and otherwise), during their second date. And nestled beside it stood the charming stone cottage, its shutters painted a cheerful blue, and smoke curling lazily from the chimney.
"We are to spend the night here," Colin said, his eyes never leaving her face as she took it all in. "Before we depart for the country on the morrow."
A smile bloomed across her lips, wide and wondrous. "You brought me back to where it all began."
"I thought it fitting," he said, stepping behind her and winding his arms around her waist. "Besides, the dogs have already been sent on ahead to the country. So we shall have the entire evening to ourselves, uninterrupted."
"Good thinking," she murmured, her voice low and teasing as she tilted her head toward him.
His mouth found hers before she could say more, the kiss deep and sure and filled with the warmth of everything unsaid. Her knees threatened to give way beneath her, but his arms held her firm, steady as the earth.
"I love you, Anna," he whispered against her lips.
She smiled, breathless. "I love you t?—"
But he kissed her again, cutting off her reply with a chuckle. "I know you do," he murmured.
And there, beneath the wide sky and before the lake that had once sealed their fate, Anna knew she was home.
