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Gwen held his gaze. “You seemed … very certain for a man unfamiliar with such matters.”

Aidan gave a soft laugh, the corners of his eyes creasing. “Trafford was determined I should not shame myself … or you. He offered his instruction with all the seriousness of a military campaign.”

Gwen smiled in return, her heart lifting despite the heaviness of the moment. “Then we must ensure his safety. For that guidance alone, he has earned our eternal gratitude.”

Their foreheads touched, and Gwen closed her eyes, letting the quiet hush of the room settle around them. The ache of what might have been still lingered, but so too did the reassurance of what was. The warmth of his arms around her, the promise of a future they would face together.

He covered her hands with his, drawing them to his lips to press a kiss to her knuckles. “You undo me, Gwen,” he murmured. “Completely.”

She smiled shyly, the moment suffused with quiet intimacy. In the quiet that followed, Aidan drew her into his arms and held her close, their bodies cocooned in the softness of the bed.

“It is better with no secrets between us,” he said softly, his lips brushing her temple.

Gwen sighed, utterly content. “Much better.”

“Shall we pledge never to have secrets again?”

She hesitated, then laughed. “If that is how it must be, then I confess … When you asked me about Papa selling the property, I told you he had not discussed it with me. That part was true, but … I did suspect what he had planned and chose not to say.”

He lifted his head with mock reproach. “Gwendolyn Abbott! You deceived me.”

She grinned, her cheeks flushing. “To be fair, we were not yet married, and I had not decided whether you were to be trusted.”

His chuckle rumbled against her ear. “No more secrets, nor half-truths, nor carefully worded answers intended to misdirect?”

“Unless I am planning a surprise,” she added with a teasing smile.

He tucked her against his side, one hand tracing idle patterns on her arm. “When this is over, when we find Trafford and bring the truth into the light, shall we take that trip to Italy together?”

Her breath caught, and her heart fluttered. “You meant that? That you would take me to Florence?”

“Of course. But at the rate we are going, we might need to travel soon. If you are with child, we will have some time limitations.”

Gwen stilled, her heart swelling with quiet joy. He had laid her most sacred wishes of love, family, and discovery gently at her feet. He was no longer a mysterious visitor from the shadows. He was her partner. Her future.

“Then we have no choice but to solve this murder swiftly,” she whispered, her voice thick with promise.