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CHAPTER FIVE

Vivienne couldn’t help how her gaze drifted towards where Michael stood, surrounded by a bevy of ladies—some were married, some widowed, and some on the marriage mart. Her heart ached that they’d fought after their time together in the hunting cottage. They’d not spoken since.

Penelope joined her on the terrace. “Mother, come inside and play some parlor games with us.”

She forced herself to smile. “I don’t feel up for games right now.”

Penelope followed her gaze. “Grandfather, before he passed, once told me that the Earl of Delmar was the man he always thought you should have wed.”

A flush streaked across Vivienne’s cheeks. It was a discussion she’d quarreled with her father about more than once. He’d never liked Henry. “Your grandfather should never have said such things. Your father was good to us.”

“I never took it as he disliked Father. Just that he hated to see you alone.”

“I wasn't alone. Your father was always there.”

Penelope was quiet but eventually said, “I think he meant without companionship.”

Vivienne swallowed, nervously. Penelope added, “The way the two of you still watch each other makes me think he may have been right.”

“Maybe after the wedding?—”

“No. Don’t wait on me, Mother,” Penelope said.

Vivienne smiled at her daughter before glancing at Michael, frowning. “He is very angry with me right now.”

“Why?”

Her eyes became watery. “He wants us to wed soon, and I hesitated. What if we aren’t right for each other?”

Penelope wrapped her arm around her mother, laying her head on her shoulder. “What if you are? He looks at you like you are the only one for him, even with those obnoxious ladies surrounding him.”

She glanced Michael’s way, and their eyes connected. The realization that he was her future filled her. His mouth tilted up in a smile, and she beamed back. Penelope kissed her cheek. “Be happy, Mother.”

Michael’s eyes connected with Vivienne and in that moment, he realized what a complete ass he was being. It didn’t matter if they wed tomorrow or in a year. He still wanted her. Excusing himself, he walked towards her.

They met halfway. Vivienne smiled at him. “I’m sorry for asking you to wait.”

He shook his head. “I’m the one who is sorry. I want you. That doesn’t include any stipulations on time.”

Vivienne shook her head. “I don’t want us to wait. I want to be your wife. Perhaps we can compromise. We can wed in three months.”

Joy filled him. “I think I can manage that without becoming a surly ass.”

Laughter escaped her. “We can announce it when we are back in London.”

“Perfect.”

His gaze roamed over her, and Michael said, “Perhaps I can convince you to join me in the hunting cottage during today’s break from all the activities you have planned.”

Her eyes sparked with desire. “I think I can accommodate your request, Lord Delmar.”

Michael leaned in. “Good. Your whimpers of delight are all I have been able to think about in the quiet moments of the day.”

A pretty blush covered her body, and he grinned wickedly at her. “See you soon, Vivienne.”

She took a deep breath. “Until this afternoon.”

Later in the day, Michael went to the old stone building in the woods.

The door opened, and Vivienne smiled. His heart filled with so much happiness that he thought it might burst. He had no regrets about his life and didn’t want Vivienne to have any.

Their future wasn’t about the past, but their new path together.

Vivienne held her arm out to him, and he took it, pulling her close until their lips met. She smiled against his mouth.

“I love you, Michael.”

“You have my whole heart,” he responded.

They kissed each other hungrily, stumbling into the cottage. She broke the kiss. “I’m sorry it took us so long to find each other.”

He shook his head. “None of that matters. We lived full lives, and now my only hope is that we can do so together.”

She beamed at him. “I like the way you think.”

Michael kissed her neck and murmured. “Let’s see if you like it with fewer clothes.”

Vivienne giggled.