From Rags to Kisses by Shana Galen

Epilogue

Aidan opened the doorto the roof and stepped out into the cool air of early fall. The summer had been long and hot, but it hadn’t stopped Jenny and him from meeting here. She waited for him now, a light shawl wrapped about her shoulders. The cooing from the pigeons, now safe in their aviary for the night, blocked out the sound of costermongers and carriage wheels on the streets below.

She turned to look at him, and he took a breath. It was still difficult to believe she was Mrs. Sterling, his wife. Sometimes he woke in the morning and found her watching him. On those days, he pulled her into his arms and promised her he’d never leave her and would always love her. She needed the words, and he never tired of giving them to her.

“Is she asleep?” Jenny asked.

“Finally,” he said, sinking down on a chair near the pigeon aviary. Damn Chamberlayne for giving Jenny all his birds. Aidan had to hire workers to build them a palace on his roof, complete with shade and all sorts of trees. Winter would be here in a few months, and how was he to keep the trees alive and the pigeons warm? “It took me two chapters,” he said.

Jenny sat beside him. “That’s yer fault for reading Waverly to ‘er. It’s so exciting, no wonder she wants ye to keep reading.”

“As soon as you finish writing your paper for the archaeological society, you can take over,” he said.

“Oh, no.” She shook her head. “Ye’ve proven yerself more than capable. I couldn’t possibly take over.”

He reached over and poked her in the ribs, causing her to jump and laugh. She’d always been a little ticklish there.

“Stop,” she said, still laughing, “Or I won’t tell ye wot Roland said in ‘is letter.”

“I hope it’s that he’s found another home for these pigeons.”

“Of course not!” She withdrew a paper from her pocket. “ ‘E says ‘e and Oscar ‘ave settled in a lovely palazzo on the Grand Canal and he invites us to come and visit.” She looked up at him. “Wot do ye think?”

“I’ll go wherever you go,” he said.

“I think Italy in the spring,” she said.

“Rosaleen will love it.”

“I love ye,” she said. She was saying it more often now, but every time still made his heart clench. He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. “I love you. Then.” He kissed her again. “Now.” Another kiss. “Forever.”