He closes the gap between us and presses his lips against mine, not caring that it's the middle of the day and that anyone could walk in and catch us.
Though I suppose it doesn't matter any longer.
I lose myself in his kiss and everything it means for both my present and my future. He's everything I didn't know I wanted, and now that I'veexperienced what I can have in this life, I don't know how I missed it.
We break apart, both smiling widely.
"Do you have any plans this evening?" he asks, his voice low and gravelly.
I shake my head.
"Good, I managed to get tickets for the music recital you wanted to go to," he says. "I know we have the Ferrington Ball at the end of the week, but I thought a night for just the two of us might be a pleasant diversion.
"That would be nice," I agree.
"And I'm going to talk to Mother," he promises. "I'll make sure she doesn't try to threaten you with being sent to the country again."
I frown. "How do you know about that?"
"One of the servants told me," he says. "But you know that next time, you can tell me yourself."
"I should hope there won't be a next time," I point out.
"I would hope so too," he says. "But if there is, promise me that you'll come to me first and we'll deal with it together."
"I promise," I respond.
"Good. I don't want you to have to suffer silently about anything."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you in the first place."
"I understand why you didn't," he assures me. "But that just makes me more certain that I don't want you to feel that way again."
"I'm sure I won't." And I mean it. The safety of his arms makes me confident of all kinds of things, and one of them is knowing that his words hold the truth.
"I love you, Letitia," he says softly.
"I love you too," I respond instantly, knowing that I mean the words with all my heart, and I have done for a very long time.
Eighteen
Philip
Lady Ferrington'sballs are always the talk of the shifter ton, and tonight will be no exception. There's something extravagant about the way the deer shifter puts together an event, from the guest list, to the decorations. And anyone who is anyone in the shifter world is here, save for the main court itself.
Though it wouldn't surprise me if the Shifter Queen turns up at one of her events in the future.
Letitia's hand tightens on my arm as we enter and I look at her.
"Is everything all right?" I ask.
"It will be," she assures me, glancing behind usto where my parents are following us into the ballroom.
Ah, I see the problem. "Next time you can wear a dress of your own choosing," I promise her, keeping my voice low enough that Mother won't be able to hear.
"I hope you're right, but it still might be worth it should it help our relationship."
I nod, hoping she's right about that, but knowing Mother, there'll still be some back and forth between them before things are all settled. If there's one thing Mother hates, it's things in her life changing, and having to face the woman who will take her place as Countess seems to be making things particularly difficult.