Page 130 of Almost A Scoundrel

“We ran into each other in the drawing room. I couldn’t sleep.”

He touched her cheek with his fingertips. “You’re really here.”

“I’m really here,” she said softly. “You were right. I couldn’t look past my fears. It’s a terrifying thought to entrust my heart to another person’s hands.”

“I’m also entrusting mine to you.”

She nodded. “I know. I’ve been so blind.”

“You pushed past your fears now, that’s all that matters.”

“Then you’re not angry with me?”

He shook his head. “How could I be angry with you? I’m the one at fault here.”

Phaedra gasped when he lifted her up into his arms and strode back to his house. “Where are we going?”

“Bedchamber.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

He kissed the arch of her neck. “Always,” he breathed against her skin. “Do you know how happy I am at this moment? All that matters is that you’re here with me, love. Nothing else. Which leaves us with bit of a problem.”

“Oh?”

“I refuse to spend another moment without you.”

Phaedra tightened her hold. “What shall we do?”

“Marry me. Tomorrow.”

“We can marry that fast?”

“I’ll make it happen.” He paused. “Three days at most.”

“So long as I can spend my nights with you.”

“There is no other way, love.”

And then Deerhurst proceeded to show her just how motivated he was for their wedding to be arranged posthaste.

*

Happiness.

Deerhurst had never given much thought to the concept in his youth and as years went on it had almost become an abstract concept to him. A dream. A myth. Always just beyond his reach.

When he learned of his daughter and brought her into his life, his focus touched on this concept of happiness once more—in all the ways he could make his daughter happy.

It wasn’t until this very moment, with Phaedra in his arms, having confessed her love and intention of marriage, that Deerhurst felt the full scale of happiness. The world no longer seemed so empty. His secrets no longer appeared so big and ugly.

He realized: happiness wasn’t a state to be achieved but a decision to be made.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

He smiled and placed a kiss on her temple. “I can ask the same of you.” For two people who hadn’t been able to sleep well the past week they ought to be out cold.

“Too excited.” She lifted her chin. “What are you thinking about?