Page 58 of The Earl's Scarred Bride

"I love you too," she whispered back, tears spilling onto her cheeks. "Even when I was angry with you, I never stopped. Even when it felt like my heart would break from it, I couldn't stop loving you."

He kissed away her tears, his lips feather-light against her skin. "My brave, beautiful Elizabeth. How did I ever think I could live without you?"

"You don't have to," she said, sliding her hands up to tangle in his hair. "You're stuck with me now, my lord. I won't let you run away again."

"Promise?" The vulnerability in his voice made her chest tight.

"With all my heart." She traced the line of his jaw, marveling at how he leaned into her touch. "Though I warn you, if you ever trysomething like this again, I might take Harriet up on her offer to cause a scandal."

His laugh was warm against her skin. "I wouldn't blame you." He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his own full of mischief. "Though I must say, the thought of you creating a scandal is rather intriguing."

"Cecil!" she gasped, though heat pooled in her belly at his tone.

"What? You can hardly blame me for finding the idea appealing." His thumb brushed across her lower lip. "You're quite magnificent when you're righteously angry. All flashing eyes and flushed cheeks..."

"You're impossible," she muttered, trying to ignore the way her body trembled at his touch.

"Impossibly in love with you," he corrected, then kissed her before she could respond, soft and sweet and full of promise.

Cecil pulled back with visible reluctance, though he kept her close in the circle of his arms. "We should go home," he said, his voice husky with emotion. "Though I warn you, the staff may be a bit...overwhelming when they see you."

"Overwhelming?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, smoothing her hands over his rumpled lapels. "Whatever do you mean?"

"They've been quite vocal about my mood these past weeks," he admitted sheepishly. "Mrs. Winters has taken to muttering prayers whenever I enter a room."

"The formidable Mrs. Winters?" Elizabeth's eyes widened in mock horror. "Surely not. I've never seen that woman fazed by anything."

"She called me a 'brooding menace' just yesterday." He affected an injured expression that made her laugh. "Said I was haunting the halls like some sort of Gothic ghost and threatened to resign if I didn't stop frightening the maids."

"Poor darling," Elizabeth teased, reaching up to straighten his cravat. "How terribly you've suffered. Though I must say, 'brooding menace' does have a certain romantic appeal."

"Does it now?" His eyes darkened as he caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Shall I continue brooding for your entertainment, my love?"

"Absolutely not," she declared firmly. "I much prefer you smiling." She traced his lips with her finger. "Though perhaps not quite so wolfishly. You'll scandalize poor Mrs. Winters even more."

"She'll recover," he murmured, nipping at her finger. "Especially once she sees you've returned. The entire household has been in mourning since you left."

"Now you're exaggerating," Elizabeth protested, though warmth bloomed in her chest at the thought of the staff missing her.

"I assure you, I'm not. Cook hasn't made your favorite lemon tarts since you left—says they remind her too much of you. And Roberts has been polishing the same silver service every day, waiting for you to return and host dinner parties again."

"And Harrison?" she asked softly, thinking of the elderly butler who had always been so kind to her.

"Ah, Harrison." Cecil's expression grew rueful. "He's taken to giving me disapproving looks over the breakfast tray. Though to be fair, that might be because I've been taking most of my meals in my study."

"Cecil," she chided gently. "You haven't been eating properly?"

"I haven't been doing anything properly without you," he admitted, pressing his forehead to hers. "I've been an absolute bear, according to everyone. Even Percival commented on it when he visited last week."

"Then we should definitely return home," she decided, her heart swelling at how naturally the word 'home' fell from her lips. "Before Mrs. Winters actually does resign and Cook forgets how to make lemon tarts entirely."

"As my lady commands." His smile was tender as he stepped back, offering her his arm. "Though perhaps we should rescueyour sister from packing duties first. I believe I heard something crash a moment ago."

As if summoned by his words, a muffled thud echoed from above, followed by Harriet's distinct voice exclaiming, "Oh, bother!"

"Perhaps we should investigate," Elizabeth laughed, but Cecil held her back for a moment.

"Before we do," he said, his expression growing serious, "I meant what I said, Elizabeth. I will spend the rest of my life making this up to you. We should go home. There are quite a few rooms that need new memories made in them."

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