Page 108 of Stolen By the Rakish Duke
“Admire, yes. Stare like you’re committing my face to memory? That suggests either imminent disaster or improper thoughts.” Now she did turn, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Which is it, Your Grace?”
“Perhaps both,” he admitted, catching her gloved hand and bringing it to his lips. “Though at the moment, improper thoughts are decidedly in the lead.”
Her laugh, free and unrestrained, still thrilled him like nothing else.
How had he ever imagined he could keep his distance from this woman? How had he convinced himself, even for a moment, that she would be safer without his love?
“We’re nearly at my father’s house,” she reminded him, though she made no move to reclaim her hand. “You’ll have to tame those thoughts for a few more hours, at least.”
“A challenge,” he murmured, “but I’ve endured worse.”
Ironstone House bustled with the cheerful chaos that always seemed to accompany family gatherings there. Eleanor and Henry, now noticeably taller than when Leo had first met them, came racing down the grand staircase at the news of their arrival.
“Bea!” Eleanor cried, flinging herself into her sister’s arms with such force that Beatrice staggered back a step. “You’ve been gone for ages!”
“It’s been three weeks,” Beatrice laughed, returning the embrace with equal enthusiasm.
Henry approached with more dignity, though his excitement was barely contained beneath his attempt at proper decorum.
“Hello, Bea,” he said, then turned to Leo. “Your Grace.”
Leo bowed to the boy with the same respect he might show a peer. “Lord Henry. A pleasure to see you.”
Isabella appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Beatrice,” she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips. “It’s wonderful to see you so at ease. I hardly recognize my serious little sister.”
Beatrice laughed lightly, the sound bright and free. “You are only five minutes older, Bella. And I suppose Leo has that effect on one. And having such excellent company doesn’t hurt.”
She glanced at Leo, who was standing just behind her, a faint smile on his lips.
Leo stepped closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “It’s easy to be at ease when one knows their heart is in capable hands,” he said, his voice warm, teasing just enough to make her cheeks flush.
Isabella’s gaze softened as she regarded them. “I’m so happy for you both. You’ve both changed each other.”
“Only in the ways your sister allows,” Leo replied, lifting Beatrice’s hand and pressing it to his lips. “She is far too clever to be entirely tamed.”
Beatrice’s smile grew. “And yet you’ve managed to make our house feel like home, like it belongs to both of us.”
“It does,” Leo said simply, stepping closer so their shoulders touched. “Because home isn’t a place. It’s you.”
Christine, watching the tender scene, laughed softly. “Well, it seems my stepdaughter has found her true love at last.”
Beatrice squeezed Leo’s hand, warmth spreading through her chest. “Yes,” she said quietly. “And I never want to lose this feeling again.”
Leo’s eyes softened, a quiet promise in their depths. “You won’t.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Georgina and Lysander, their three children immediately gravitating toward Henry and Eleanor.
More greetings were exchanged, and Leo observed how seamlessly Beatrice moved among them all, discussing fashion with Georgina and listening attentively to her father’s latest agricultural innovations.
During dinner, Isabella surprised them all by engaging Adrian in conversation about his recent travels to the Continent. And, asusual, she was as feisty and steadfast in her beliefs as any other time.
“Adrian is being trampled by your sister,” Leo whispered to Beatrice as they watched Isabella laugh at something he said.
“Isabella is never one to back away when it comes to matters she’s interested in, you see,” Beatrice replied with a knowing smile.
“The man who will court her will need to have his loins girded,” Leo mused. “Several times over.”