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“Well, that should be easily resolved,” he said, his voice sounding a little scratchy to his own ears. “Because I am madly in love with you, Duchess.”

She blinked, understanding flashing across her face. Before Theo had the opportunity to say another word, Anna surged up on her tiptoes and kissed him full on the mouth.

Her lips tasted of salt and copper, warm and soft and entirely addictive. Her breasts pressed against him, her fingernails scraping across his scalp, and all of the blood in his body rushed downwards to his groin with such determination that he thought he might faint.

And then a door slammed downstairs, and Anna wrenched herself away, leaving him bending his head to try and chase her lips.

“Mama is back,” she gasped. “Oh, Lord, we’ve got a lot of explaining to do.”

“Indeed,” Theo managed, running a hand over his hair. “And… and once we have explained, will you return with me? Will you come home? Kitty misses you so much, and I think Mrs. Haunt might resign if you don’t come back.”

Anna raised an eyebrow. “And… does anyone else miss me?”

Theo was tempted to make a joke, to shrug off her question. He did not allow himself. Instead, he squared his shoulders and met her eyes.

“I miss you too, Anna. And I rather hoped that you missed me.”

She smiled, the color rising to her cheeks. “I did. Miss you, I mean.”

Lifting a hand to his cheek, her eyes took on a faraway look that made Theo want to kiss her even more.

But now was not the time, as Lady St. Maur’s footsteps were heading their way, her strident voice drifting to their ears.

Theo bent down, whispering in Anna’s ear, “I hope you will abide byoneof my rules, though, at the very least.”

She smiled slowly, the color in her face deepening prettily, and he knew thatsheknew exactly what rule he meant.

“Perhaps I will,” she said, lifting her other hand to his chin and tapping it gently. “If youbeg.”

EPILOGUE

Anna sunk deeper into the tub, enjoying the silky feel of the hot water.

Already, Lord Downton and his alcohol-laden breath were but a memory.

Almost.

She lifted a hand to her throat, gingerly touching the sore places there. There would be bruises, she thought, but nothing permanent. That was the best thing to say about this particular incident.Nothing permanentwould come out of it.

She was home now. Odd how this placedidfeel like home. Octavia had cried when she learned that Lord Downton had come in while she was away, and Emily and Daphne had only stared, horrified and appalled.

By the time explanations were given, and Theo had promised that Lord Downton wouldnotbother them again, the day had gone by. Now, it was dark—Anna could see a sliver of the night sky through the high window of her washroom.

Sighing, she submerged herself again all the way up to her nose. The water loosened aches and pains in her body that she hadn’t even realized she was experiencing. It was soothing.

A floorboard creaked outside of the closed washroom door.

“Your Grace?”

“What is it, Mrs. Haunt?”

“I have a note here for you, from the master. He said to leave it on your bed and you would read it when you were finished with your bath.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Haunt. Tell me, when is Kitty coming back? I was rather disappointed to come home and find that Martha had already taken her to Theo’s uncle and aunt’s.”

“In a day or two, I believe, but you’d need to speak to the Duke about that. I suppose he thought it would speed up your recovery. Don’t fret, Your Grace, Kitty knows that you’re home and safe, and I’m sure she’s looking forward to seeing you again.”

Anna relaxed a little. “Oh, I’m glad.”