Scandal (40 page)

He shrugged. “I thought you'd want them.”

“You're right.” She scrabbled in her pocket for her handkerchief. “Good heavens. What if I'd stayed a coward?”

“The one thing you've never been is a coward.” He put his handkerchief into her hands.

Sophie threw herself into his arms. “I love you, Banallt. I do. I have for quite a while. I'm sorry I was awful to you.” She was crying unabashedly. “Please don't let it be too late.”

He pulled her tight against him. “Hush, now. It's not too late.” He stroked the back of her head. “Darling, we had a spat. Such things happen to a married couple. If we differ, it doesn't mean I've stopped loving you.”

She put her arms tight around his neck. “I love you. I do love you.” She buried her fingers in his hair and brought his head to hers. Sophie kissed him even though she was trembling. Even though she was afraid and the future was never certain. When they stopped, he kept his arms around her waist.

“You do understand, Sophie, the scandal we'll cause in London?” he asked.

“Scandal? What scandal is that?”

A wicked grin appeared on his mouth. “Among the ton, it's always a scandal when a husband and wife make no secret of loving each other. It's simply not done.”

Her heart felt full. Overflowing. “Well, then, Banallt, let us cause a scandal.”