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"That is not what I am referring to," he corrected her gently. "More so for everything. I believe that I do not get the chance to thank you as often as I would like to."

Alethea blushed at the comment.

"Oh, this is hardly the place," she tried to argue but he caught one of her wrists in his hand.

"There was a time I thought none of this would ever be mine," he traced his thumb on the inside of her wrist. "So, yes, this is the right place."

Alethea lifted a hand to his cheek.

"Well, it was always meant to be yours," she said softly. "You only needed to let yourself want it, and it would have been available to you."

"I am still learning how," he admitted. "Even now, I feel a flush of pride whenever you are by my side and every time that I get to introduce you as my wife."

"I'm glad." She rose on her toes and brushed her lips over his. She had gotten used to the intimacy now, and sharing kisses no longer felt as though they were doing something forbidden. "You are doing rather well."

"But you say that about everything that I do," he laughed under his breath.

"Then I must admit that I do have a bias," she grinned. "But it is also objectively true."

"You make no sense," he laughed, and then he kissed her again. This time, the kissed lingered on for a moment longer than before. She let her heart tip forward into the softness of it, her hand slipping to rest over his heart.

He was grinning ear to ear when they broke apart again.

"I have been thinking," he started, "and I feel that this is the right time to share with you."

"I am always interested in hearing whatever you might have to say," she nodded.

"Perhaps…" he said, his voice suddenly rough, "we might…"

He hesitated, the faintest flush touching his cheekbones.

"Yes?" she prompted, unable to hide her curiosity. "Are you blushing? I cannot imagine what it might be that you wish to tell me that has you reacting in this manner."

"Perhaps you might join me in my bed chambers tonight," he said finally.

Alethea now understood why he had been blushing prior, for she was having the same reaction now.

"I.." she tried to say, unable to keep the smile off her face. "Well."

"I understand that married people sometimes do such a thing," he teased her. "Would you like to accept my invitation?"

A laugh burst out of her before she could stop it. She covered her mouth with her hand, but the laughter only grew.

"Is that a no?"

"It is not a no," she managed, her voice shaking with laughter still. "But if I recall correctly, you asked me to wait until Clara had grown up a little more."

"Children grow up fast," he said solemnly. "Have you not noticed?"

She laughed again, and he reached for her, his hands sliding to her waist as he drew her close.

"I think," he murmured, "that you are enjoying this at my expense, Duchess."

"I am," she admitted, still breathless.

He kissed her again. Her laughter faded into a sigh as she curled her fingers into the front of his coat. When he pulled back, his expression was one of sincerity.

"I love you."

"I love you," she whispered back.

These were the three words that she was certain that she was never going to grow tired of hearing, or saying. Every time they said it to each other, it felt the same as the first.

"Do you really mean that?" she asked, "about me joining you in your well, you know."

"Yes, I believe I cannot wait anymore," he said, as his thumb brushed the corner of her mouth. "You have changed everything for me, and I think is this the right time for us to take the next step in our union."

"You have changed everything for me," she echoed. "But we need not rush, truly…"

"Alethea," he said to her, smirking. "You were the one who convinced me of children. Are you now deferring?"

"I would not say defer," she clarified. "Only that I wish for you to be sure."

"I am sure," he said, and then with a teasing smile he glanced over to his bedchambers. "And I would prefer that we not defer at all."

Alethea's eyes widened as she took in the meaning of his words. Surely he did not mean…

"You mean now?"

"Now is as a good time as ever," he said.

"But there are guests downstairs," she tried to argue, though she could not help but chuckle through it.

"They will not be looking for us," he shrugged. "I believe that they are already quite occupied. So, what do you say? Shall we?"

"Shall we what?" she could hardly believe her own ears. Though it was hard for her to turn him down.

"Step into my bedchambers, together," he said, as though it were the most reasonable suggestion in the world.

Alethea tried to look scandalized, but her smile betrayed her. In earnest, she did not really care enough to return back downstairs to join the guests.

"Perhaps," she said lightly, "if you ask nicely."

"I believe I have just done so."

"Ask again."

He caught her hand in his and lifted it to his lips.

"Alethea," he murmured, "will you come to my bedchambers with me?"

Her heart fluttered. His request suddenly seemed more real than it had before.

"Yes," she whispered. "I will."

"Thank God," he said, and kissed her once more. When they finally drew apart, she reached up to smooth his hair where her fingers had mussed it.

"You realize," she said softly, "that we are scandalous."

"We are married," he reminded her. "No one can say a word."

"I am sure they will try."

"Let them," he murmured. "Let them say what they like. I am far past caring."

He brushed his knuckles down her cheek. "I love you."

"And I you."

And when they finally slipped away together, it was not with any shame or hesitation. It was simply with the certainty that whatever came next, they would face it together.

For they had found a great love with one another, and it was only the next logical step forward that they extend that love by bringing another life into it.

Alethea had never thought that she would find a love like this, but now as Oliver gently guided her inside, never once letting go of her hand, she knew that she had succeeded in it.

She had found the love of her life. And it made every single day worthwhile.

The End?