“I see.” He cleared this throat again. “This one was a bit extreme.”
“Yes,” Harriet said. “I agree.” And yet, like the previous time, she couldn’t bring herself even now to stay angry at the man.
She glanced at her husband. He looked calm. Almost too calm. Like the first time she had met him. “Will? Are you all right?”
Those dark eyes locked with her. “No.” He suddenly kneeled before her, clasping her hands in his. The scene was so familiar her eyes went wide. “What are you doing?” she hissed in a low voice.
“The newspaper,” Leeds said. “What they said about me.”
She cupped his cheek. “I know it’s not true. It’s quite preposterous. It’s not even a very good attempt at smearing your name.”
“I knew you wouldn’t believe that drivel,” he muttered. “Then the hysterical laughter...”
Hysterical? Is that what her friends had told him? She grinned. “I found it rather funny. Hysterically, so, yes.”
He brought her hand to his lips to kiss it. “I love you, Harriet. I love you so damn much I can scarcely breathe from it at times.”Clear eyes held hers. “But don’t feel pressured, love. I’m still very determined to win your heart.”
She placed two fingers over his lips. “You already have it.”
He blinked up at her. “I already have it?” He repeated against her lips. A bit dumbly, and Harriet laughed.
He lowered to his haunches, bringing them face to face. “I love you, Will. Madly.”
He averted his gaze, drew a deep breath into his lungs before slowly exhaling. He met her gaze again. “Christ, Harriet. In the next life, let’s reverse roles.”
Harriet blinked. “Reverse roles?”
He nodded. “You chase me.”
“Absolutely not!” She narrowed her eyes on him. “I’m warning you now William Fitzgerald Hamilton, you’d best fight for me in all our lives.”
He chuckled. “Yes, Lady Leeds. I shall fight for you in all our lives. But before we get to that, do me a favor. Say it again—my full name.”
Harriet paused. The look in his eyes, so filled with love. Hope, tenderness, love, all blazed in his eyes. It was almost too much for her to bear.
“So demanding.” She pretended to roll her eyes before cupping his face between both her hands. “William Fitzgerald Hamilton.” She leaned in to press her lips against his ear. “You are mine. I am yours.”
“Thank God,” Hatton suddenly grumbled. She’d almost forgotten he was there.
“Agreed.” Leeds smiled at her. He rose to his feet, pulling her up with him.
Clapping came from the doorway. Harriet looked over to find that ruffian Rohan leaning against the wall. “It seems that my work here is done.”
“Crazy fool,” Leeds muttered.
The room suddenly filled with her friends Selena and Leonora, as well as Rochester, Ophelia, and Calstone.
Warmth flooded her.
“Too many damn people,” Leeds muttered, clasping her hand in his.
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Let’s escape.”
He glanced at her. “Do you have a plan?”
“The Royal Oak.Just carry me off again.”
Her husband, never one to disappoint, did exactly that.
