Lord Alderton looked up miserably.
“I did not marry well. I was much too hasty, and it was foolishness which led me to that. Forgive me, brother.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” Hugh promised, not once looking at Lady Alderton. “Come and speak with me tomorrow.”
Having received his brother’s promise that he would do so, Hugh turned again to Miss Simmons, noting that the crowd was finally beginning to disperse.
“My wonderful Rachael,” he murmured, seeing her eyes glistening with tears. “How strong you were. Your determination and your wisdom, as I have said, is what has brought this all to an end. I do not think that I am worthy of you!”
Miss Simmons leaned into him and, caring little for those who remained, buried her face into his chest. Hugh wrapped his arms around her and held her close, feeling the shuddering breath that escaped from her as the tension and strain began to fade away.
“It is over,” he promised as she looked up at him again, wishing desperately that he might press a kiss to her lips. “It is at an end. Your reputationandmy own are restored and all that waits for us now is happiness.”
Epilogue
Rachael pulled herself away from the window and hurried back to her chair. She stood in front of it as though she had only just risen from her seat, rather than come back from hovering by the window, waiting for the arrival of Lord Blackmore.
After last evening – and with the relief of knowing that Rachael’s reputation was now fully restored – her mother had promised her a few minutes alone with her betrothed, and Rachael had been nothing but impatient in waiting for his arrival. Last evening had been an incredibly difficult night, but Rachael had felt nothing but utter relief at its conclusion. There had been much she wished to share with Lord Blackmore, and she had wanted nothing more than to rest in his embrace, but there had been no opportunity for that. Instead, she had walked arm in arm with her betrothed, but had been stopped often to accept murmurs of apology from various members of theton.It had been a strange relief to hear such things said to her and the more they had gone on, the more her heart had filled with happiness.
“Lord Blackmore, my Lady.”
The butler had not even left the room before Rachael had hurried across to Lord Blackmore and, as his arms opened, stepped into his embrace and held him tightly. They said nothing for some moments, the sweet relief of simply being in each other’s company again all that they needed. Rachael closed her eyes and set one hand to his chest, just above his heart, while the other went around his neck, pulling her as close to him as she could manage.
“I am so very glad to see you again, my love.”
Lifting her head, Rachael looked straight up into his eyes, smiling at him.
“My heart has been yearning for your arrival,” she told him, honestly. “I have been able to think of nothing else.”
“Nor I.”
Bending his head, he kissed her lightly, and Rachael lost herself in his embrace, the sweetness of it overwhelming her. The gentle kiss gained a little more strength as she swept both arms around his neck, feeling his hands tighten around her waist.
Lord Blackmore broke the kiss with a quiet groan of evident frustration, and Rachael blushed, burying her face in his neck for a moment.
“I dare not continue for fear that your mother or father will come in, and think me quite the scoundrel!”
Rachael laughed, the sound a little muffled before, finally, stepping back out of his arms.
“My mother was glad to give us a few minutes alone. How do you fare after yesterday evening?”
Lord Blackmore still held her hand in his as, together, they walked to sit down on the couch. His eyes searched hers for a few moments before he answered, beginning with a long, heavy breath.
“It was all rather astonishing,” he said, eventually. “My brother’s sudden appearance, the truth about his wife… it was almost too incredible to hear. But thereafter, to see my brother’s pain and to understand the cause behind it was very difficult to take in. The look on his face as he heard his wife speaking of him in such an unkind manner is not something I shall ever be able to forget.”
Rachael’s heart squeezed painfully.
“I am sorry for that,” she answered, as Lord Blackmore held her gaze. “I cannot imagine the suffering he is enduring at present.”
“He came to the house last evening, very late indeed.” Lord Blackmore shook his head and sighed, passing one hand over his eyes. “He had nowhere to stay and begged to reside with me until he could understand what he will do. His wife would not let him stay at her lodgings, and neither would she admit to any fault. Apparently, she was doing all she could to justify her actions, and my brother could not tolerate anything further.”
Rachael’s eyes flared.
“What will happen now?”
“I do not know.” As he looked away, Lord Blackmore’s jaw worked. “Lady Alderton has caused my brother more suffering than he can endure. My brother has always been less than wise, I will admit, but this situation has forced him to consider a great many things. I do not know what he will do next, but I have assured him that, whatever it is he should choose, I will be with him, and support him in whatever decision he reaches.”
“You are a gentleman with excellent character,” Rachael murmured, squeezing his hand gently. “I do hope that your brother will recover from this.”
