Page 81 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride

“Diana...” He shook his head as he stepped into her, his hand moving to her face. There, he rested his hand under her chin, making sure she would not look away. “There is nothing that you need to apologize to me for. Ever.”

“But --”

“I am the one who is sorry,” he said before she could speak. “That night when I left you, there is nothing I can say to justify it.Nothing. I was scared. I was terrified, truthfully, this foolish notion that I was not worthy of what I knew we had – of how I felt for you.”

“But --”

“I did as I always do when things became difficult, I ran.” His smile grew and it reached his eyes, growing further to see her do the same. “And the following morning, I had hoped that I could pretend it hadn’t happened. Why I hoped such a thing, I cannot say – I do not want to pretend it didn’t happen. It did, and for that I could not be happier, because it made me realize something.” He paused and raised an eyebrow.

“Wh -- what did it... what did you realize?” she asked him.

“The reason I was so scared.” He laughed and shook his head. “I love you, Diana. I loved you that night. I loved you the next day. I loved you after you left me. And I love you now. I love you as I know I always will. Some people can’t change. But some can. And me... I pray you believe that I am the latter.”

“You... you love me?”

“I do.”

Diana’s chin began to wobble, a familiar sign, only this time for unfamiliar reasons. The tears came next, thick and heavy, paired with noises escaping her mouth that were as horrid as they were beautiful.

She tried to look away with embarrassment, but he would not let her.

“I take it that this is not bad news?” Magnus laughed.

“What do you think!” she cried happily. “Oh, Magnus, I love you too!” She then threw herself at him, arms wrapping his neck, lips moving to his mouth, a kiss shared that was wet and sloppy and messy and perfect in every way because it said more than words ever could.

Magnus loved his wife, and he was no longer afraid to admit it.

Diana loved Magnus, and she knew that this time, admitting such a thing would not bring her pain.

The two kissed fully and passionately, all the worries that had beguiled them melting like tears in rain because what had come was in the past and both seemed to understand that what mattered was in the future.

“This isn’t over!” Lord Herrod snarled from the ground, hacking and coughing up blood. “If you think it is! Ha!”

Magnus turned back and sneered at the pitiful creature. “What should we do with him?”

He was saved from having to answer that question a moment later as through the front gates suddenly streamed eight men on horseback, seven of whom Magnus recognized to be the local watchmen. And leading the charge, a triumphant smile on his boyish face, was none other than Theodore.

“Just in time, I see!” he cried out as they rode in at pace. “Or did we miss the fun!”

“Theodore!” Magnus couldn’t believe it. “What are you doing here?”

“Saving you from doing something foolish,” he declared. He pulled the horse up by the carriage, spying Lord Herrod in the muck. “And not a moment too soon, by the look of things.”

“What is this!” Lord Herrod cried out. “Constables! I want this man arrested!”

In this, they chose to ignore Lord Herrod’s commands. The seven constables climbed down from their horses and quickly got about arresting Lord Herrod.”

“What is going on!” he cried out. “What is this! I am the victim! I am the victim!”

Theodore came in beside Magnus and Diana. “After seeing the look on your face last night, I figured that if you were left to it, you might do some not very smart things. So, I decided to be proactive. I hope I didn’t overstep.”

“Not at all,” Magnus laughed.

“Last night?” Diana looked between the men. “Wait a minute. There is one thing I do not understand. How on earth did you know? Clearly, you understand more than you are letting on. Who told!”

To this, Magnus and Theodore looked at one another and grinned.

“The answer to that,” Theodore said. “Is waiting for you at home. And might I say, she is going to be tickled pink to see that her little clandestine adventure worked out for the best.”

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