Lucy beamed up at her with shining eyes. “I’m so happy!” She turned to look at Charlotte. “But I willnotcall you Aunt.”
Someone laughed. Charlotte rolled her eyes and Lucy hugged Emilia once more before climbing to her feet, looking much happier.
“Gather your things, young ladies,” said Nick. “Let’s go home to celebrate.”
“Is everyone all right at home?” asked Charlotte hesitantly.
Nick heaved a sigh. “No. I’m afraid the pianoforte suffered a terrible injury and did not survive.”
“The piano—? Oh!” Charlotte exhaled in relief, looking at Lucy.
“No more scales,” whispered Lucy, almost happily.
Charlotte gave a surprised snort of laughter, then another. She caught Emilia’s eye and shrugged sheepishly. “At least there issomegood news.”
“As if the news that I’m to be married wasn’t happy enough for you,” said Nick with a trace of indignation.
“Oh! Yes, that is very happy news,” his sister replied.
“That almost sounds like approval.” Nick raised his brows in amusement.
“It is,” declared Charlotte, giving both of them a firm nod. “I’m so glad you listened to me, Nick.”
Even Emilia smiled at that.
The girls gathered their cloaks from the cupboard, and Emilia saw Lucy cuddle a threadbare stuffed lion under one arm. The two girls went down the stairs, holding hands as if they were sisters, and Emilia heard them call out to James.
Nick stopped her in the doorway. “Don’t blame yourself for any of this.”
She looked down. “I failed them. I failed you—I gave you my word I would keep them safe. Instead they were so frightened and felt so vulnerable in my care that they fled—”
He kissed her. “You didn’t fail me,” he said. “You didn’t fail them. I’m the one who said we must tell the girls, which frightened them, and I’m the one who miscalculated about Fitchley’s intentions, leaving all of you vulnerable.” He cupped his hands around her face. “You brought them to safety when the fire broke out. You made certain the flames were put out. You came running to alert me the instant you realized they were missing, so we could search for them together. We each of us made mistakes, yes; but together, we made it come out right.”
She looked at him, her eyes wet.
“We are partners,” he said softly. “Partners don’t need to be perfect individually, they just need to work together perfectly as a pair.”
She sniffled. “Do we?”
He nodded thoughtfully. “We do. I had no idea what to do with my sister, but under your guidance she’s becoming courageous and capable as well as well-behaved and educated. You were apprehensive about Fitchley taking Lucy, but I’ve handed him over to some very vengeful people who will amply distract him from that. And if you marry me...” He paused. “It would fill my cold, dark heart to overflowing with joy and love.”
She frowned at him through her tears. “Your heart is not cold or dark, nor empty of joy and love.”
“I thought it was, until I met you,” he countered. “Just as I never would have guessed I was heir to a viscounty until you told me. There’s no end to the amazing things you’ve taught me, Miss Greene.”
She pursed her lips, trying not to laugh.
“I realize you don’t need me the way I need you—”
Emilia gasped in indignation. “No! Never say that!” She bit her lip. “Idoneed you. I want you. I love you.” She paused again. “I love you more than I can say.”
He smiled. “Another way we’re equals. Because I love you madly, Millie.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
Three months later
“What do you think?”
