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“Go!” he shouted, jumping up and down.

Alex and his little pony shot forward, with Alex leaning forward, stiff as a board, his elbows sticking out comically on either side. Edward and Daphne followed at once.

Daphne leaned forward over her horse, enjoying the feel of the wind whipping through her hair, cooling her skin. She closed her eyes, trusting the horse to remain surefooted.

We’ll go to London at the start of the next Season.I’ll visit my mother. I’ll see how Emily is doing, and perhaps finally get to the bottom of what is going on with her and that Duke. I’ll see Beatrice’s baby. Alex can meet his cousin. Theodore and Stephen can reintroduce Edward to Society and help him make good friends.

All shall be well.

She opened her eyes, glancing across the lawn to find Edward watching her. He was not trying to ride too fast, that was clear, and a faint smile played on his lips. A rush of warmth and desire spread through Daphne’s chest. She thought she could understand now how Anna had been so drawn to Theodore. Love was a strange thing, quite incomprehensible at times, but it waspowerful. Trying to fight it was like trying to fight gravity.

And shewasin love with Edward. She felt almost foolish for not realizing it before. She’d been drawn to the wretched man almost from the moment she first saw him.

And to think I ran away from him! What a fool I was.

But then would he ever have understood the importance of renegotiation? Would things have worked out on their own or not?

There was no point in worrying aboutwhat-ifsandmaybes. One would go mad that way.

Think about what is important. You have a family. A husband who adores you, a household that cares for you, and a son—a son!—who loves you with all his heart. We’re safe. We’re happy. We are in love.

Yes, she was lucky, indeed. And for a duke who was meant to be cursed, Edward was lucky, too.

Up ahead, Alex’s horse cannoned across the finish line, and Mrs. Trench threw up her hands, beaming.

“Master Alexander is the winner!” she announced. “Fine riding, Master Alexander! Oh, Peter, didn’t he do well?”

Peter Tinn, jogging up to stand beside her, smiled dotingly at her. “Remarkably well, Jemimah.”

Edward and Daphne slowed to a trot, riding side by side.

“You should invite your mother and sisters to visit us,” Edward said. “I know Beatrice is not traveling, what with her being so close to her due date, but I desperately want Alex to meet his cousin. And to get to know his aunt better.”

Daphne smiled affectionately at him. “I’ll write to them at once. Mama sends me letters every other day as it is. Emily had been strangely quiet, and that worries me. She is up to something, I just know it.”

Edward shot her a look, which seemed to say that he knew more than he was letting on.

Daphne narrowed her eyes at him. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” he demurred, but she shook her head.

“No, you know something. Tell me at once.”

He leaned out of the saddle and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Later,” he whispered, his voice heavy with promise.

An answering shiver rolled down Daphne’s spine, and she cleared her throat. “Very well then. I shall be patient.”

“You are never very patient, my dear Duchess,” he responded, smiling lazily.

“Papa! Daffie!” Alex shouted, out of the saddle and standing by the finish line with his hands on his hips.

“Well done, darling!” Daphne called.

Edward gave his son a smile. “I’m very proud of you, Alex.”

Alex growled. “Itoldyou not to let me win!”

The End?