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Art cleared his throat. “I know we don’t know each other well, and perhaps you’d prefer it to stay that way, but I’d like to extend an open invitation to our home. You’re always welcome.”

Miss Monroe tipped her head and strode toward her carriage.

At that moment, Art’s own carriage rolled up. The footman opened the door and let down the steps.

Art helped Lydia inside, then followed. The moment the door closed, Lydia thumped Art’s chest. Then she grabbed his face and kissed him.

When she pulled away, Art blinked at her in confusion.

“You shouldn’t have left without me!” she cried.

“And you shouldn’t have come against my will,” he grumbled.

“I saved you!”

“I would have handled it on my own!”

There was a pause. “Not as well as I did,” Lydia insisted. “And you ran off without a word, doing exactly what you berated me for!” She flailed her hands wildly as she spoke, and Art caught them, pressing both to his lips, successfully silencing her flurry of words.

“I was wrong,” he admitted, between peppering kisses to her fingers. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to protect you.”

She curled her fingers around his, holding his hands tightly. “How about we agree to protect each other instead? And by doing so, we inform one another of our plans. No more rash decisions without discussion. I want us to be partners, not just lovers.”

The carriage lurched into motion, and Art wrapped an arm around Lydia’s waist, drawing her close. “And friends.”

“Precisely!”

Art lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers. She responded instantly, opening beneath him, welcoming him. Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer.

When he finally pulled away, breathless, he murmured, “That was extremely clever, though. Who came up with the idea to implicate Rosemary?”

“Miss Monroe needed to implicate someone, and I offered her name. I hope it won’t get Rivendale into trouble.”

Art shrugged. “I doubt it. He’s more powerful than she could ever dream. What about the signatures?”

Lydia smirked. “Honoria is an accomplished forger. And Miss Monroe easily shuffled the pages of her book to make sure the dates lined up.”

“I wish I had thought of asking Miss Monroe’s help. I suppose, I owe her two favors now.”

Lydia’s gaze took on a faraway look. “Something tells me she quite enjoyed the challenge. Or at least, she enjoyed rattling Rivendale.”

Art snorted. “I came to the same conclusion. It’s nice to know that Rosemary won’t be completely unscathed after stiffing me out of the inheritance,” he said with a bitter edge to his tone.

“Oh, and… I took the liberty to stiff her of a couple of things, too.” Lydia pulled a small satchel from her pocket, revealing a brilliant emerald choker. “I took this off your stepmother’s neck without her realizing it. Along with a few other jewels.”

Art’s eyes widened. “I shouldn’t be surprised. But I am quite impressed.”

Lydia chuckled. “She doesn’t deserve them if she can’t even notice they’re missing.”

Art laughed, pulling her into his lap. “You are brilliant, my little vixen.”

“I love you, my dear marquess,” she murmured. “And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

The End

Keep reading for the Epilogue and After The End scene.

After the end