To Tempt a Scandalous Lord by Liana De la Rosa

Epilogue

“Oh, my love, I’m sorry. Are you disappointed?”

Niall brought his head up from the letter he’d just read aloud, squinting his eyes as he tried to identify and label the complex thoughts and emotions swimming about in his mind. Was he disappointed his bid for Prime Minister had failed?

He looked to Alicia, who stood in the fading evening light, knotting her fingers together.

Mo chreach, nothing would ever disappoint him as much as the night he’d sent her away. When he’d thought sending her away would somehow make their problems easier to solve. But they had forgiven each other…although it was taking him a bit longer to forgive himself.

Sucking a discreet breath between his teeth, Niall forced the memory away.

In the weeks since that blasted day, they had worked to rebuild their trust in each other. Alicia had halted her writing for a time while they gauged what sort of threat Matthews posed, but so far the viscount remained silent. Word had reached Niall that the man planned to retire to his country estate as soon as the party vote was over. Alicia chafed at not being allowed to publish her essays, but the time to resume would come soon enough, and Niall would not stop her.

Alicia’s critiques sometimes stung, but they were always fair and gave him much to think about. She’d even allowed him to read her newest drafts, and each focused on different issues, explaining important bills for the common person in language that was easy to understand. Her comments about him and Medlinger were kept to a minimum, a fact he appreciated.

Niall had also spent a good deal of time rereading her past essays and understood that if his platform alienated electors, he would not mourn the loss of their support. What was the point of winning the election if his supporters fought every direction his government took?

In the end, it hadn’t mattered.

He’d lost.

“I’m not disappointed.” He refolded the letter carefully before tossing it in the rubbish bin. “After the confrontation with Matthews, I suspected electors would direct their support to Medlinger. And despite his personal issues, he will make a good Prime Minister.”

Niall sighed, threading his fingers over his stomach. “Standing for party leader seemed like the natural progression in my political career, but I find myself relieved at the results. Now I can focus on those issues I feel strongly about, and brush aside the extraneous matters that always stood in the way.”

When Alicia settled in his lap and wrapped her arms about his neck, he relaxed muscles he hadn’t realized were tense. The move was so intimate, it stole his breath.

Niall considered the tempting handful in his arms, thankful for her calm, supportive presence. “It is for the best,” he murmured, running his fingertips up her sides. “I was loath to spend long hours away from you.”

“As was I,” she whispered, pressing a string of kisses to his jaw. “But I was willing to sacrifice for the good of king and country.”

“You are all that is generous and good, my love.” Niall cradled the back of her neck. “But we can still work to benefit king and country, with you continuing to critique and shape public opinion around legislation, and me working to push through promising proposals. Thankfully, I’ve managed to maintain a healthy relationship with Medlinger and I know he’s open to working on child labor reform with us.”

Alicia grinned. “I like how you said ‘work with us’.”

“Of course I did. You are the brains of the operation, after all,” he quipped before his lips claimed hers.

Several heated minutes later, Niall broke their kiss, pressing his forehead to hers as he panted. “Are you ready for our trip?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice flavored with a hint of excitement. “I find I can’t wait to see Loch Kilmorow. To see where you were born and grew up.”

For the first time in seven years, Niall was returning to the Highlands, and he was taking his wife with him. He didn’t know how to feel about it. Would he be welcomed as a prodigal son, or would the duke turn his nose up at him in disapproval?

Juliana and Flora both assured him that their father would welcome him home, since Niall returning with his future duchess had apparently softened the old duke to his wayward heir.

Niall couldn’t be sure this would be the case, but he hoped.

“The children are going to miss you horribly when we’re away.”

He chuckled. Little Edith and Eunice had already begun to complain about his absence, as if he and Alicia were not departing in a week.

“I promised that you would write to them,” Alicia said, her mouth twitching in suppressed mirth.

“You would volunteer me for such a task.”

“Writing to two young girls who adore you should not be a chore.”

He scoffed. “Well, then it’s a good thing I’ve already provided them the direction to Loch Kilmorow.”

Her laugh still had the power to make his stomach clench in want. After a moment, her expression relaxed although she studied him with love in her eyes. “You would have made an excellent Prime Minister.”

Niall arched a dubious brow. “You must forgive me if I do not believe you.”

“I’m in earnest. But I understand why you’re doubtful. Consider this, though.” She cupped his cheek. “How many times did I cast aspersions on your character in my essays?”

Niall pondered this for a moment, and then smiled. “None.”

“Exactly.” She carded her fingers through his hair, tugging gently on the strands. “But I promise that if I have concerns, I will address them only in the privacy of our chamber. Whatever the future holds for you and me, we will face it together. With no secrets to divide us.”

Tucking his face in the crook of her neck, Niall breathed her in. Breathed in the possibilities that lay before them, each so much more than he could have dreamed just a year before.

“And speaking of our future and not keeping secrets, I suspect we will be welcoming a new addition within the year,” she whispered at his ear.

It took Niall a moment to understand her words, and he pulled back, grasping her shoulders as he blinked in surprise. “A-are you sure?”

Alicia nodded, her dear, dark eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “As sure as I can be.”

Niall wrenched his eyes closed, swamped with a magnitude of emotions he was only just becoming accustomed with. And now he had the joys and small heartaches of fatherhood to look forward to. He finally understood what it meant when someone said their heart was full because his felt like it might burst.

A new thought occurred to him, and he clutched Alicia tighter in his arms. “We should cancel the trip. Surely a long, uncomfortable ride wouldn’t be healthy for a woman expecting.”

She rubbed his chest in soothing circles. “We will do no such thing. It is still early and I will be just fine. Trust me, my love.”

Exhaling, he kissed her temple.

Niall would trust her, with this and everything.