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Secrets in Mourning Page 11


  He kissed her long and hard, as if this would be the last meeting of their lips. He nipped at her, drank from her, weakened her until he felt her knees begin to melt beneath her.

  Pulling away, he cradled her head, making sure her eyes were focused on him before he spoke. “I love you, Victoria. Just try leaving me once you change your mind.”

  She laughed, her face scrunching before tears began to flow from her eyes. “Never. Never ever.”

  “Remember you said that when you’re out plucking your own chicken for dinner.” He laughed but his gaze remained grave. “Money will be tight for some time as we rebuild this place.”

  Her lips curved again. “I think I could manage. After laundry, what’s a few feathers?” He chuckled, appreciating her humor. “But then, I don’t think it will come to that.” Before he could tell her that it just might, she placed her finger over his lips. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  Confused, he could only watch the laughter dance in her eyes.

  She reached up, brushing back his hair. “Darling, I’m an heiress. We won’t want for anything.”

  He stood stock still. He hadn’t even considered that. Using her money to rebuild the house had never occurred to him, and he could tell that she knew it and that she appreciated it even more. “I don’t deserve you,” he said, his tone full of awe. How this woman had ever come to love him, he didn’t know, but he would thank the heavens every second for his fortune.

  “I know.” The sassy spark in her eyes had him grinning. He couldn’t help but admire the spirit she had been born with.

  Standing on her toes, she brought his head down for one more kiss.

  Happiness overwhelmed him. His heart seemed to overflow as he held her in his arms. Rebuilding the house seemed like an insignificant task when he had just accomplished the largest one of all.

  He had tamed the shrew. And they would live happily ever after.

  *****

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