"The Pearl of Sirsi! Oh, Malcolm, I can't possibly take this. You've sacrificed so much for it."
"And a lot of good it did me," said Malcolm. "Years moping about the Continent for no good reason. I should have sold the damned thing to Alaric in the first place. I only kept it to bedevil him."
"I only wanted it because you had it," observed Alaric. "I think you have found the perfect home for the pearl, Wroxton."
Malcolm nodded, and the two men clasped hands briefly. Malcolm smiled warmly at Rowena, and then turned and strode across the garden, intercepting Sir Peter, who was approaching them, and who he valiantly carried off with him. Rowena could hear his jovial voice as he headed into the house, inquiring after what price Sir Peter might want for the fine mare in his stables. She laughed.
"He is irrepressible," said Alaric. "Are you happy now that you have cleared his name?"
Rowena took Alaric's hand in hers. "Of course. Ever since I found out he was alive I was determined to bring him home. But I am also happy that you are free of suspicion, Alaric. That means just as much to me."
"Does it?" Alaric looked grave. "I can take care of myself, Rowena."
"And a fine job you did of it," snapped Rowena. It annoyed her that he didn't seem to care about the effort she had made on his behalf. "I suppose you don't need me for anything. Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot. You need me to have your son."
Alaric frowned and placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Rowena, it is not a child I care about. It is you."
Her eyelids fluttered up and she stared at him. "You care about me?"
"Of course I do. I always have. But when I thought Charles might kill you, I knew how important you are to me."
"How important am I?" Rowena's fingers plucked at the edge of his waistcoat. She felt a rush of emotion at his words, but she knew that he was still holding himself back.
There was a long pause. "You said something to me yesterday," Alaric said softly. "You have been pretending ever since that you didn't. But I heard the words and I remember them. Did you mean it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Rowena avoided his stern gaze.
"Yes, you do." Alaric reached out and caught her chin in his long fingers. He lifted her head until she was looking directly into his face. "Tell me again."
"Alaric, this isn't fair." Rowena tried unsuccessfully to turn her head away. "You'll only laugh at me."
"I promise I won't laugh," said Alaric. "Tell me."
Rowena shrugged and looked away. "Very well. I love you. I have loved you since the first time we met, I think."
Alaric drew in a deep breath. "I'm surprised you don't hate me."
"Why would I hate you?" Rowena sounded stunned.
"I have been very unkind to you at times. I tricked you into marrying me, and then I refused to have faith in you. It would not be at all surprising if I had killed your love."
Rowena shook her head. "I knew that it was only your stubbornness that made you behave that way at times. You are a good and caring man, Alaric. I've always known that."
He laughed, his face lighting up. "You are the only one who thinks so."
"I am the only one who truly knows you," said Rowena simply. "Don't worry, though. I won't pester you constantly with my emotions. Malcolm has explained to me that men don't care to be bothered with such nonsense."
Alaric sighed heavily. "Yet another grievance to lay at your brother's door. Please, speak to me before taking his advice in the future. Rowena, darling, I wish you to tell me often that you love me. I am thankful you came into my life. I must be insane, for you have turned my ordered life upside down, and I thought I was happy before. But I didn't know joy—or frustration--until I married you. I love you, Rowena."
Her violet eyes grew very wide and her mouth fell open in surprise. She flung her arms around Brayleigh, drawing his dark head down to her golden one, and kissing him soundly.
"My dear, that is because I am the only thing in your collection that can laugh, and argue, and make love with you. I'm also the only part of it that can help you pass it on to another generation," she finished, pressing up against him enticingly.
Alaric smiled down at her, his hands moving over her back and down to squeeze her hips. "Perhaps we should return to the house and continue to work on that, " he murmured, then took her hand and led her through the moonlight to their future.
That Infamous Pearl Page 34
