Page 82 of Kiss Me Lady One More Time

The old man cleared his throat again. “I give it as a wedding present.”

“You’ve made my friend happy, I’m sure.” Sterne said at last. “And so, I thank you.”

“I heard much about your trip to London, you know,” Stillwater said. “I heard how it ended.” He looked at Penelope. “I thought I might give the bride something as well.”

Sterne stepped protectively close to her.

“I heard about the room you were in. The trophies.”

She nodded.

“Did you happen to see a collection of teeth?”

“I did.” She shivered. “How did you know?”

“I know where they come from.” He looked at Sterne. “If I may approach your lady?”

Sterne looked at her and nodded. Stillwater came close and whispered in her ear. “Tell that to Hestia Wright and Lord Lowell’s wife,” he said, stepping away. “It’s true. It’s all the weapon she needs to keep her husband from doing anything she doesn’t like.”

Penelope sighed. “It is a very odd, but useful sort of present. I think it will bring her some peace. Thank you.”

He walked back and let his servant help him up to the bench of the wagon. “I’ll deliver this and leave it outside your workshop,” he told Tensford. “Good day to you.”

They watched him go. At last, Tensford heaved a sigh. “You know, I think I’d rather have that one back, given the choice. I found it myself. And it led to many more happy hours hunting with my father.” He smiled around at each of them. “Let’s go get some of that cider and drink to the end of my fish tale.” He took Hope’s arm and led her tenderly back inside.

Sterne grabbed Penelope’s hand and held her back. He gave her a meaningful look. “We could go back in. Or we could sneak out, right now.”

“How long is it to Tensford’s cabin?” she asked as she put her arms around him. The earl and countess had offered the private place for the first few days of their marriage. They were planning a longer bridal trip, after the harvest. They meant to go to Spain, to accomplish some of the research for Sterne’s article.

“It’s a fair distance,” he admitted. “It’s far from everything. We could always take Mrs. Thomkins up on her offer and stay at the Cock and Crown,” he said with a laugh.

She shuddered. “No. If we did, I suspect she’ll tell every prospective guest that they can stay in the room where the future Lady Pemdale was deflowered.”

“Well, then. We’d better start out. It will be dark soon. We won’t want to waste a minute of this night.”

“I already sent word to the stable to have Luna and your mount readied,” she told him.

“In a hurry, are you?”

“Yes, indeed. I’ve been looking forward to connecting with you in an entirely new way.”

He drew her in closer. “As have I, my love. As have I.” He looked up and around them. “You’ve already given me so much. I felt alone for much of my life. But now, my heart is full.”

“Fully connected.” She kissed him softly.

“And all connections lead to you.” He pulled her tight against him. “Kiss me one more time, and then let’s go, while I can still mount a horse.”

“We could take my gig.”

“If it had a place to stretch out, I might agree. But I just want to get you alone, as quickly as I can.”

“Yes, please,” she said.

And so they ran away to be alone.

Together.