Page 75 of A Lady Most Wayward

Philippa nipped Olivia’s earlobe. ‘Billy,’ she confirmed.

Turning her head to give Philippa better access to her neck, Olivia sighed. ‘I can’t believe it’s finally over.’

The quaver in her voice pulled Philippa out of her desire and instilled a stronger need to comfort. She ran a soothing hand down Olivia’s arm.

‘He can’t hurt you any more.’

‘I never thought I would actually be free.’

‘Always. You will always be free. You can do whatever you wish. I only hope you wish to be with me.’

Olivia reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind Philippa’s ear. Her soft touch made something quiver in Philippa’s chest. ‘I never want to be anywhere but right here. In your arms. You are the future I didn’t dare dream of finding.’

Tears threatened. Philippa valiantly swallowed them down. ‘I never thought I would be free either. To love again. But I know Liza would have been so happy for me. For us.’ It was too late. The tears were falling. Olivia leaned close, kissing each drop.

‘I’m so sorry you lost her. But I’m so grateful we have each other now.’

Philippa cleared her throat, turning the conversation to other emotionally fraught issues. ‘How does Hyacinth fare?’ After Callum’s exit, the young woman had asked her mother to help her ready for bed. She seemed oblivious to her surroundings as Olivia had led her up the stairs to Hannah’s old room. Now it would be Hyacinth’s.

Olivia’s smile was shaky. ‘Hyacinth needs time to heal. She was able to tell me that Cedric never touched her, so we have that to be thankful for. It was as I suspected. He was a doting uncle until just before the ball when he needed her confession. He frightened her with his diaries and threats, and broke her trust, but he didn’t break her foundation. She is a strong woman. With time and love, she will heal.’

‘Do you think she will ever come to accept me? To accept us?’ Yet another unfamiliar emotion swept through Philippa. She realised she was not a fan of insecurity in the slightest, nor the anxiety it brought along with it as an uninvited guest.

‘Well, she did ask me if we were going to be living here now.’

Philippa held her breath, terrified to ask how Olivia answered.

‘I told her that is what I wanted.’

‘And?’ she wheezed, still unable to release the air trapped in her lungs.

‘She told me your house is finer than any other she’s seen, including her uncle’s. She also wanted to know if you would teach her to fight. I think watching you go after Cedric the way you did woke something within her. She is hurt right now, but she’s also angry.’

Air rushed out in a puff. ‘I understand that kind of anger. So do you. Of course, I’ll teach her to fight. I’ll teach her everything I know. She’ll be the deadliest Damsel of us all.’ And she would. Philippa would make sure of it. Never again would Hyacinth live in fear of her power being taken away.

‘Then that’s a start.’ Olivia brushed her fingertips over Philippa’s mouth. ‘I love you, Duchess.’

‘I love you too, Marchioness.’

Olivia flipped, giving Philippa her back. Philippa wrapped her arms around Olivia, squeezing tight, her fingers dipping into the loose neckline of her nightgown, stroking the soft underside of her breast.

‘You were going to tell me your revelation,’ Olivia murmured, wiggling her bottom to nestle against Philippa’s pelvis.

‘Oh. Yes. Well. I just realised that sometimes, it’s quite wonderful being wrong.’

Olivia burst into a startled laugh. She turned her head, and Philippa marvelled at the perfection of her profile. ‘I promise I won’t tell anyone that the indomitable Duchess of Dorsett has a few flaws. Never fear, my lady. Your secret is safe with me.’

‘My entire world is safe with you.’ Philippa pressed her lips against Olivia’s in a kiss that was more than just two mouths meeting. It was two hearts intertwining. Opposite elements fusing into something completely new. Two souls knitting together for the rest of this life and into the next. Forever.

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