Epilogue
Somewhere in London. Several weeks later…
“What are you up to, Dominic? I can’t see a blasted thing.” The blindfold Artemis’s new husband had fashioned from a black silk scarf had turned the bright, late spring day into night.
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise, love,” he said with a soft chuckle. “Trust me, I won’t let you trip or fall. Just do as I say and follow my lead.”
“Very well,” Artemis grumbled as Dominic steered her along a cobbled pavement to heavens knew where. With one of his large hands at the small of her back and the other at her elbow, she trusted she was safe and wasn’t in any imminent danger of stumbling and twisting her ankle or, worse, breaking her neck.
Hopefully, whatever Dominic had in mind wouldn’t take too long. She had things to do, such as finishing all of her packing for their honeymoon. Just two days ago, she’d married Dominic by special license. It had been a quiet but joyous wedding ceremony at nearby St. Paul’s Church at Knightsbridge, followed by an intimate reception at Dartmoor House. Both events were attended by only a handful of close family members and friends, including dear Lucy and Jane. However, Artemis and Dominic were lingering in London for a few more days because they were both obliged to complete a few essential duties before quitting Town for a Grand Tour of France, Switzerland, and Italy.
Indeed, this morning, Dominic had already conferred with various business colleagues and then they’d squeezed in a quick trip to the offices of Chapman and Hall just off the Strand so that Artemis could deliver the completed manuscript ofLady Mirabella and the Midnight Monkto her editor.
This mysterious excursion was apparently just a quick detour on the way home to Dartmoor House.
Deep down, Artemis was nothing but intrigued, even if she was ateensybit piqued about being kept in the dark, both figuratively and literally.
They halted and Dominic prompted her to lift her skirts. “We’ve a short flight of stairs to scale and then we’re almost there,” he said.
Artemis did as he bade and then she heard the sound of a key turning in a lock. The soft creak of a door as it swung open. Dominic gently urged her to take a few more steps forward, the door snicked shut, and then he murmured, “Are you ready?”
She nodded, suddenly breathless with excitement. “Yes.”
The blindfold loosened, then fell away, and Artemis found that she was in a large entry hall with a checkered floor of black and white marble; a vaulted ceiling with a glass dome skylight that let in a soft pool of sunlight; and an elegant, divided staircase of oak with a wrought-iron railing that swept up to a grand gallery. There were no furnishings to speak of, and the sound of Artemis’s boot heels echoed throughout the brightly lit chamber as she turned around, taking everything in.
Curiosity curling through her, she said, “It’s a vacant town house.”
“It’s more than that,” said Dominic with a smile. “It’syourtown house, if you want it. And you can turn it into a ladies’ academic college if you think it will suit.”
Artemis’s jaw dropped open. “You’re not serious.”
He grinned. “I’m perfectly serious. We had an agreement, Artemis. You helped me repair my relationship with Celeste ten times over, and now I’m helping you to realize your dream of opening your college. And to that end”—he reached inside his coat pocket and withdrew a slip of paper—“I also have a cheque made out to Artemis Winters, the Duchess of Dartmoor, in the amount of twenty thousand pounds. Of course, if it’s not enough, I’m happy to provide you with whatever additional funds you require until you have everything that you need. And that includes any ongoing costs such as staff wages.”
“Oh, Dominic.” Artemis crossed the floor and took the cheque from him with shaking fingers. “I’m speechless. I never expected…” Her words trailed off as her voice cracked. “You are the most wonderful, remarkable man and I’m so grateful I bumped into you that day in the rain outside Paddington Station.”
“We, my beautiful, clever wife, were meant to be,” said Dominic, slipping his hands about her waist and drawing her near. “Fate has decreed it.”
“I think you’re right.” Artemis smiled up at her handsome, generous husband. “And to acknowledge all that you’ve done for me, and to celebrate our union, I’ve decided this school will be called Dartmoor Ladies’ College.”
Dominic’s gaze grew serious. “Are you certain? It is your brilliant idea. Your venture.”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything. We’ve wedded our futures together, and your name is now mine too. Dartmoor Ladies’ College it shall be.”
Dominic tilted her chin up and kissed her gently. “I am honored indeed, Your Grace. You know, you don’t have to say yes to these particular premises though. We can search elsewhere.”
“Well, Iwouldlike to have a look around first to see what the rest of the rooms are like.”
“Of course. A Grand Tour is in order.”
A set of double doors opened onto a spacious chamber that appeared to be a disused library. Several denuded bookcases lined the wood-paneled walls, and at one end of the room stood a sizable oak desk that had apparently been left behind.
“What do you think of this piece, Your Grace?” asked Artemis as she sauntered over to the desk and then ran a gloved fingertip over the slightly dusty leather blotter.
She glanced back at her husband, who was watching her intently with a certain heated gleam in his eye. A look that made her insides melt with liquid longing.
“It’s yours. If you want it,” he said, his mouth tilting into a thoroughly enticing smile. Arms crossed, he was leaning a shoulder nonchalantly against the doorframe. Almost a month had passed since he’d been shot, and just looking at him now, it was difficult for Artemis to fathom that he’d hovered on the brink of life and death.
The mere thought of almost losing him made her want to celebrate every moment of their lives together even more. And of course, she couldn’t wait to start a family with Dominic. Suddenly, such a petty task as packing didn’t seem to matter.
“Hmmm… I’m not sure…” She released an exaggerated sigh and tugged off her gloves with calculated slowness. After placing them on the blotter, she then leaned suggestively over the edge of the desk. “Perhaps you could help me to test how sturdy it is, Your Grace,” she said over her shoulder, her voice a low, provocative purr.
Her invitation to make love couldn’t have been more blatant, and within moments, Dominic had crossed the room to join her.
“God, how I love you, Artemis,” he groaned against her ear before turning her and effortlessly lifting her onto the desk. His kiss was slow and imbued with such lingering reverence that Artemis thought her heart might burst from the sheer, transcendent joy flowing through it. A child would be a blessing, but the gift of them, together and whole and happy, was more than enough too. Whatever the future held, they would both embrace it, because they had each other.