Page 98 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
Fortunately, he did no such thing.
“Still here, I see?” she said, breathing heavily, smiling down at him.
“I thought that this time I might give not running a try.”
“Huh, what a novel concept…” Her smile grew. “Let me know how it turns out, won’t you.”
“You can tell me yourself, seeing as you’ll be there to see it.”
She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Is that what you think?”
“It’s what I know.”
He took her face in his hands and brought her into another kiss, and once again, she kissed him back. Not their first kiss. Not their second or their third. But one that felt resounding in how important it was.
This kiss didn’t say nearly as much as their last. This was a kiss of confirmation; two souls were finally ready to admit their feelings and enjoy the consequences of that declaration.
Alison had spent her life feeling ignored and forgotten, while Daniel had spent his life thinking he did not deserve a happy ending. Together, they would prove those conjectures wrong. Alison was seen, Daniel was happy, and that’s all that mattered.
Epilogue
“Daniel?” Alison started in surprise when she looked up to see Daniel walking into the breakfast room. “I mean…” She looked down at her plate, and Daniel saw her cheeks flush pink. “Lord Grayhill…”
“Lord Grayhill.” Lord Pemberton pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. “This is a most unexpected surprise. And a pleasant one, I should add.”
“Good morning, Lord Grayhill.” Alison’s mother was quick to stand also, beaming to see Daniel walking into the room.
“Good morning,” Daniel said brightly. “I hope I am not disturbing you all.”
“Not at all!”
“Lord Grayhill…” Lord Pemberton’s daughter, Nerissa, batted her eyelashes and beamed. “You are always welcome.”
“Shall you be joining us?” Felix added.
“Do!” cried Winnie. “Please do.”
Daniel took a moment as he considered the reaction. It was one that should not have surprised him, considering all that had happened lately, but one that still felt strange.
He was not used to being welcomed with such enthusiasm. He was not used to being greeted and even applauded when he announced himself. For years, he had avoided social gatherings just like this one, wondering to himself all the while if the world would just be better off without his forcing himself upon those who did not want him.
How good it felt to be loved. How good it felt to be adored. He looked over the happy family, saw each of them smile, and he could not help but concede that he had been wrong all these years.
And it is lucky that they feel this way, also, considering what I mean to do. It will make it that much easier…
“I would relish the chance to join you,” he assured them as he strode into the room. “Before I do, there is a little matter I wish to discuss.”
He saw Felix stiffen immediately, no doubt the young man thought this was to do with the debt that Daniel had taken on in his name. In truth, Daniel had not considered for a moment theimplications of such a thing, caring not for the cost, because he was Alison’s brother and there was no chance that Daniel would leave such a burden on the man’s shoulders.
He wanted to help; that was the point. More than that, he liked to help.
But Felix was not the reason that Daniel had decided to pay Lord Pemberton and his family a visit this morning. Not even close.
As Daniel walked into the room, he found Alison sitting at the end of the table. She looked at him nervously, a coy smile on her lips that she was careful to keep hidden. Despite what had happened between them yesterday, her family were none the wiser.
He had asked her at the time if they should tell her mother and father, and she assured him that they would. But she was hesitant to give an exact time to do it, no doubt still concerned about Daniel’s commitment to her.
Which she has every right to be. I have given her no reason to trust me. So far, all she has are words, and as the past has proven, I am not exactly the most reliable of men. It is time that changes…
