Harry concluded: "Amanda's appearance merely stirred up Sir Nigel's ill will toward Lord Royce and gave him a way to revenge himself on the countess and further discredit the family. He had his own obsessions, beyond money and foreign titles."
Daniel finished: "Everything is neatly tied, with no loose ends. Unlike Rex's neckcloth."
While Rex hastily repaired his cravat, Harry told Amanda, "You are free to go, free to stay. Free to live the rest of your life any way you want."
Daniel handed them each a glass and raised his in a toast. "To Amanda and her future."
Amanda kissed him. Then she kissed Harry.
"What about me?" Rex asked. "It was my idea that Miss Hawley would lead us to Sir Nigel, and I was the one who ordered a watch on his yacht."
So Amanda kissed him, too.
Daniel and Harry left-Amanda and Rex did not notice-and went to inform the earl and the countess, who kissed them both, too, then each other. With Sir Nigel not only dead but a proven traitor, no one would doubt the earl. They had another toast to a better future.
Daniel and Harry went to Lydia Burton's bordello to celebrate the present, and their new partnership in saving the country.
Amanda and Rex chose a more private celebration.
Amanda put her hand over Rex's heart so she could feel it beating. "What do you think will happen to Aunt Hermione?"
Rex pulled a blanket over them both, then lay back against the pillows. "I suppose she might be released to her nephew's care. After all, everyone thought she was insane to start with. He might have to swear to lock her up, but Dimm can ask for clemency. I don't know that she actually did anything wrong."
"And what about the money? The government took all of it, even what you took from Sir Frederick for Edwin and me."
"And the Crown hates to part with a shilling, but they'll have to. It will take a Solomon to figure out who gets what, the bank customers, the swindled investors, the relatives, and the men who made the arrests."
"Your father could distribute it justly."
He kissed the top of her head. "Excellent idea. I will get Harry working on that. He can see it done. Father will see that you get your fair share. You deserve it for the treatment they gave you." He kissed her again, then turned to look into her brown eyes, tenderly cradling her cheek in his palm. "But will you still marry me, angel, when you get the gold? You can do whatever you wish now-stay with my mother or help your stepbrother plan his sister's wedding. You can travel, you can set up your own establishment with a paid companion. You can marry Ashway."
She placed two fingers over his mouth. "You can be quiet now. I know what I can do, and what I want to do. I told you I love you. But what about you? You are done with me and my woes, so what do you want?"
He kissed her fingers, then took them into his mouth. "I want to be doing what we are doing right now."
"No, after that."
"Oh, I thought we could do it again. I will never be done."
"Rex, I am serious. You can go back to the army, or work with Bow Street. Your father might take up his career as a justice, so you could help him. Or you could mind the family estates while he is in Town. You could have any female in London. Or every one, while you are free."
"Every female in London? My, you do think a lot of my stamina. But I want only one woman for the rest of my life, one who will help me decide what to do, where to live. This one, the one I love."
"What color do you see?"
"True-blue, my love, true-blue."
Epilogue
A few months later, Amanda was again in Rex's arms, in the bed they shared at Royce House in London. The earl and the countess were traveling, and Daniel had taken up bachelor quarters with Harry. "Have I told you lately that I love you, Lord Rexford?"
"Not lately enough, Lady Rexford. Lud, I cannot believe you are really my wife, or how happy one man can be."
"I hope you will be even happier at my news. I am going to have a baby."
Rex's brow puckered. "I am sorry, angel, but you are not."
"But the physician said I am breeding."
He shook his head. "The color does not lie."
She started to weep, there in his arms. "I wanted this child so badly, to raise with pride in his gifts, pride in his father and grandfather, his Uncle Harry, and Daniel. I must be going to lose the infant."
He was confused, but certain of what he saw. "No. That is not true, either."
She shoved away his arms. "Well, which is it? Either I am going to have a baby or I am not."
He thought for a minute. "You said his gifts. Are you carrying a son?"
"How should I know?"
"Guess."
"Your father wants an heir, so yes. I am carrying a son."
"That's true."
"How can that be?"
"Are you having a daughter?"
She smiled, beginning to see. "Your mother always wanted a little girl to pamper. Yes, I am having a daughter!"
"Twins, my love. You are not having a baby! You are having two! We are having two! Now I am doubly happy."
"And I love you twice as much, Lord Rexford."
"Truly, my lady?"
"Would I lie to you?"