Page 104 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

When he pulled away and I opened my eyes, he was gazing down at me with such a tender expression, his arms holding me close. I felt as though I’d been captured, mesmerized by his dear face. I didn’t want to move or do anything that would break the spell.

He said in a gruff voice, “I promise I’ll always love you and care for you. You shall never be lonely or alone again. You may have whatever your heart desires, if it is in my power to give it to you.”

“Your love, your conversation, that is all I want. And to adopt the children.”

“Joshua and Sarah?”

“Yes.”

“Of course we will adopt them. That is easy.”

I pulled him closer, and he kissed me again.

His lips on mine made every other thought leave my head, exceptfor the hazy idea that it was good that he was holding me so tight, because his kiss made my knees weak.

When the kiss ended, I suddenly couldn’t meet his eye. I pressed my face against his shoulder. Our arms were already around each other, but his tightened, and I could feel his breath in my hair and his chin brushing my ear.

“Forgive me for my unorthodox ways,” he said in a deep voice. “I know I’m not worthy of you, especially after all that I’ve put you through, but I promise to endeavor to be a better man, to treat you as you deserve. Will you be patient with me?”

I didn’t have enough breath to laugh, but I lifted my head to look into his eyes. “All is forgiven, and you are already the best man I know.”

“You truly do love me, then.”

I reached up and touched his face. It was breathtaking to be able to do that small thing, to know that he was to be my very own husband, forever. I’d nearly given up hope. And we would adopt Sarah and Joshua. They would be cared for and would not have to grow up in an orphanage.

Oh, how I loved him.

“People will talk, you know,” I said. “I am just a poor orphan, a governess, a nobody. You are an earl.”

“When have I ever cared what people say?” He sighed and ran his finger over my lips and across my chin, sending a thrill through me. “I cared only that you wouldn’t be hurt by the jealous, gossiping society ladies. I didn’t want them to say unkind things about you or make you feel inferior, as you certainly are not inferior in any way. But I should have trusted you not to care about that. That is what I regret.”

“We will forget all of that now.” I stared at his lips until he kissed me again.

If his kisses continued to get better each time, I would not be able to prevent my knees from buckling.

After the kiss, he cradled my head on his shoulder and said, “Butwhy did you not marry Johnson? He wanted the same things as you—to rescue orphans.”

“Yes, but he ... it is difficult to explain. I suppose the most important reason was—”

He’d leaned back to look at me.

“I was in love with you.” I couldn’t meet his eye as I bared my soul. “I wanted someone to love me, and he couldn’t love me, not in the way . . .” Not in the passionate way I somehow knew Lord Brookhaven would love whomever he chose to love.

I buried my face in his shoulder again. He stroked my hair.

Marrying him was all I needed to be completely happy.

Epilogue

OneYearLater

LowndesburyHouse

“Mama! Come play with us. Papa is teaching us a new card game.” Joshua ran to me and gave baby Colin a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I’ll just watch you from here and cheer you on. I have to feed the baby again soon.” Colin was only two weeks old, and I’d opted to feed him myself instead of hiring a wet nurse.

Joshua stared at the baby a moment longer, then ran back to the table as William began to deal the cards.