Page 156 of The Lord Meets His Lady

“Your love of horses. The land.”

His grin slid sideways. “I’m the worse for wear, but not so old.”

“And…Khan?” Her legs bumped his. Tears dripped down her cheeks, one slow droplet at a time. The knot inside her uncoiled. Warmth blossomed in its place. This was her becoming part of him…this blending of lives and love. Hadn’t it started already? Possibly on another empty country road?

“Khan will be a king among horses in Atal’s barn. He’s in the finest of quarters, being waited on day and night. I’m sure it’ll go to his head.” He paused to look deep in her eyes, his chin and mouth tight with pain. “Selling him was hard. I can’t deny that. But I did it to save the herd and to buy Pallinsburn. For us.”

Her knees buckled. “I love you, Marcus.”

The words were a whisper. He caressed her face, his smile wide in the dark. Her husband grasped how hard it was to say those words.

She skimmed his collar, finding the unique sun-kissed curl she adored. “We have to face facts, Marcus. You’ll lose your freedom in London. Doors won’t open to the likes of me.”

“Hang them all.” And he kissed her forehead.

“He’s a keeper, that one,” a voice called from the coach. “But if you give him the boot,I’llmarry him.”

Genevieve laughed. She’d forgotten about their audience. She slid her arms inside her husband’s coat and held on to his warm, strong body. “You’re right, Mrs. Featherton, heisa keeper.”

His arms wrapped around her. “I may yet lose everything. I’m a second son with a derelict reputation and a brother who’d just as soon disown me if he could.”

“Then we’ll be derelict and disowned together.” She buried her nose in his cravat. “I’m sure I could share a survival trick or two.”

Behind them, a loudthunk.

“The outrider left your trunk at the roadside.”

She burrowed deeper in his redingote. “Good.”

Reins snapped. The coach heaved, rumbling away to the music of jingling harnesses.

“Gen, the coach… It’s leaving.”

Her head rested under his chin. “It’s about time. We need to go home.”

“Are you sure?”

“Being with you is freedom,” she said, kissing his neck.

He chuckled. “Should I brace myself for a new list ofrequirements?”

“I’ll have a few over the years.”

He kissed her full on the mouth, and she tasted cider on his lips. “We’ll have to leave your chest here, collect it tomorrow.”

Laughter bubbled inside her. “Or leave it. Clothes aresounnecessary.”

He laughed, and she’d swear a touch of the satyr was in the sound. Her heart wanted to burst, this goodness so new and welcome. Their breaths mingled quietly and peacefully. Neither wanted to leave the northern road. They held tight to each other, standing for a long time, keeping the cold at bay.

A gentle breeze tickled her ears. Northumberland wind.

“Do you feel that?” he asked above her ear.

“Feel what?”

“The wind. It pushed me north. To you.” He held her tighter.

She kissed his neck. “Take me home.”

Home. Pallinsburn. Their cottage.

It was time to get on with the rest of their lives.