Page 17 of The Wildcat and the Rogue (The Shifter Season #8)

EWAN

The carriage rolls to a stop outside my home and a smile comes to my face unbidden. With the necklace handed over and no proof that Jane and I were the ones to steal it, there is plenty to be happy about. Especially because Jane is inside and waiting for me. And is my wife.

I'm not entirely certain how long it is going to take me to get used to the knowledge that we're married, but each time I remember, I feel a new spark of joy. This is everything I've dreamed of since realising I wanted to court her, and everything I thought I'd lost when she left Scotland.

I jump out of the carriage and head to the door with a spring in my step. I hurry into the parlour, pleased to see Jane is already there and waiting.

"Is it done?" she asks as she closes her book and looks at me with her intelligent brown eyes.

I nod. "Everything is settled. All of the money for the job, along with the bonus, is ours."

She lets out a sigh of relief. "Until the next job you get."

"Yes, until the next one." I step forward just as she gets to her feet. "But it will not be forever. I have been working with advisors in order to invest the money that I've been earning, and eventually, it will be enough that we no longer have to worry about it."

She nods. "That is something, at least."

"And once we have full control over the barony, we will be able to put the money into pursuits that will make it flourish again, and we will have a happy life for us and for your family."

"What about our family?" she asks.

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you...?"

"No. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you think that. It is just that it is a possibility. And something that is expected of us."

"In time," I say. "I wish to spend the time I can with you first. And perhaps it is best that we have your sisters fully launched into society and finding husbands of their own before we start thinking about children."

She laughs. "I don't think children always wait until the perfect time to appear."

"Then we shall be glad to have your mother and sisters with us if they do," I assure her. "A future baron would be a blessing for us."

"He would," she agrees, putting a hand on my chest. "One with his father's eyes."

"His mother's would be better," I murmur, looking into eyes that have held me captive since the first time we met.

"You know how to charm your wife, Mr Milne." Her voice dips low in a tone in a new way, one that I very much enjoy.

"I should hope so, she is the only person I intend on charming, Mrs Milne." I smooth my thumb over her cheek and lean in, kissing her softly. She returns in kind, the beautiful way that only she has that makes me feel like I am the only person she can think of at this moment.

We break apart and she smiles at me, only deepening the feeling.

"Speaking of family, I wrote to my mother this morning," she says. "I thought it was a good use of my time while you were dealing with your errand."

I nod. "Did you invite her and your sisters to join us here?"

"I did. I'm not entirely sure how she is going to react to the situation, but I hope that she will understand. Especially when she has a chance to get to know you. And it will be a relief for her to know that everything is in hand for my sisters. I must thank you for that."

"You must do no such thing," I respond, wrapping my arms tighter around her. "You are my wife, Jane. I want to care for you and yours. It is my duty and my privilege to do that."

She leans her head against my chest, the closeness something I didn't know I was missing from my life. "I'm glad you came to London," she murmurs against my chest.

"I'm glad to have found you here," I respond, hoping she knows how true it is. I felt like my heart had fled along with her when she left Scotland, but it has all worked out precisely the way it is supposed to have, and now she's in my arms.

And I intend to stay worthy of that love for the rest of my life.

Thank you for reading The Wildcat and the Rogue , I hope you enjoyed it!