Why Lords Lose Their Hearts(92)

“You don’t mind having Benedick marry us, do you?” Archer asked once their laughter had subsided.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Perdita said, kissing him. Then, in a soft voice, she whispered, “I love you, you know.”

“I know,” he whispered back. “It’s about time.” His face turned serious. “What about your fears about marrying again?”

“I realized while listening to Simmons that there was no way on earth that you were the same kind of man Gervase was. And besides that, when I only had what I believed was one last thought, it was of you.”

He kissed her. “I’m sorry it took the threat of death to change your mind,” he said wryly. “But I’ll take what I can get.”

“Don’t think like that,” she chided. “I was halfway to changing my mind before Simmons revealed herself.”

“Really?” he asked, leaning his forehead against hers.

“Really,” Perdita said, her heart full. “I think I’ve been in love with you since you kidnapped me at the very least.”

“Then,” Archer said with a grin, “I think it’s time to kidnap you again.”

“Won’t your family miss us?” Perdita asked, her brows drawn together with worry. “I wouldn’t wish to shock them.”

“The only thing that will shock them, my dear,” Archer said, kissing her, “is that it took me so long to bring you to the point.”

Perdita wrinkled her nose. “I suppose I did lead you on a merry chase, didn’t I?”

“Anything worth having is worth fighting for,” Archer said simply.

“Especially true love,” Perdita said, feeling as if she would burst with love for him.

Which was fine considering that Archer looked exactly like she felt.

“Most especially true love,” he said, raising their clasped hands to kiss the back of hers. “Now, let’s go spread the good news. When a man finally convinces the woman he loves to marry him, he wants an audience to share in his good fortune.”

“I agree,” Perdita said with a grin, “so long as we can be alone to share our good fortune with one another later.”

And much, much later, that’s exactly what they did.