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Authors: Lana Williams

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Stephen shared a
puzzled look with Weston.

“I
’ll search for any sign of him,” Weston said and hurried away.

A constable
approached and Stephen spoke with him, giving him as many details as he could, pleased to see Simmons hauled away to jail.

The Fire Brigade arrived and, with impressive efficiency and a steam fire engine, made quick work of controlling the fire. Nearly half of the warehouse still stood but the whole building continued to smolder.

Sophia and Olivia walked over to speak with the other boys, giving Abigail and Stephen a moment of privacy.

He drew her into his arms. “Abigail, I have many things to tell you. So many things.”

Her eyes filled with fresh tears, and she threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, Stephen! I was afraid I’d never see you again. I’m so sorry for everything.”

“I
’m sorry, too. You were right. I’ve kept too many secrets.” He pulled back to look into her eyes, those beautiful blue eyes. His heart felt as though it would beat its way out of his chest. He’d never dreamed this moment would be possible, and now that it was here, he feared she wouldn’t have him. He knew he didn’t deserve her. He’d given her no reason to trust him, let alone love him. Yet still he hoped. “But I have another one to confess.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-
FIVE

Abigail’s heart squeezed painfully. After all they’d been through, she wasn’t about to let a secret come between them. He had reason to distrust others after all he’d been through. It might take time, but she was determined to win his trust. Perhaps eventually his feelings for her might grow.

The best thing she could do was be honest and tell him how she truly felt.
More than anything, she wanted to ease the shadows from his eyes, to lift the weight of his secrets from his soul. But it began with this one step. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what it is. I only—”

“Shh.”
He brought his finger to her lips to silence her as he gave her that slow smile she loved so much. The one that started in his eyes, then quirked the corner of his mouth. “I want to confess it anyway. You see, I’ve realized I can’t live without you.”

Love swelled inside her, expanding her heart so she could hardly breathe. She pressed her lips to his finger and
pulled back to smile. “Shall I confess my secret as well?”

A shadow of doubt crossed his face, making Abigail realize how uncertain he was.

“Stephen, I—” her words caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and hoped she’d say the right thing to reassure him. “I love you. I love you so very much.”

He cupped her face with gentle hands. His gaze held hers for a moment before he captured her lips with his own. He kissed her with an intensity that
it made her lightheaded, holding her with such tenderness, such sweet regard, that it brought more tears to her already watering eyes.

He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “I thought I
’d lost you. When I saw the fire and I couldn’t get the door open—”

“Shh.” She put her hands
over his. “You managed, and thanks to you, we’re all right. You saved us.”

His shaky breath tugged further at her heart strings. “Abigail?”

“Yes?”

“I
’m never, ever letting you go.”

She laughed, bursting with joy. “Perfect. Because I
’m not letting you go either.”

He pulled back and his gaze roamed over h
er face. “I love you more than words can say, more than I could ever show you.”

She
grinned, delighted with his latest confession.

With a smile, he pressed kisses over her entire face, ending on her nose. “Darling?”

Goosebumps covered her flesh at the endearment. “Yes?”

“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“I promise to honor your independent spirit, though it occasionally makes me
crazed.”

She smiled, for she knew it to be true.

“I’m not the easiest person to live with. I—”

Their intimate conversation was interrupted by Weston
’s return. He was out of breath.

“Nothing. Not one sign of anyone else in the vicinity. The firemen won
’t let us search the structure. They don’t want anyone near it yet,” said Weston.

“I suppose that
’s understandable, but I’d like to get a look at what’s in there,” Stephen said as he rose and assisted Abigail to her feet.

A boy emerged from the crowd and approached them. “A man asked me to give ye this.” He handed Stephen an envelope.

“Stephen, Michael, and Lucas,” he read out loud then shook his head in disbelief.

“What? You must be mistaken.” Weston stepped forward to read it for himself.

Abigail could see shock sweep through the two men.

Stephen
unfolded the missive then cleared his throat. “The time is near for the four of us to reunite.” He looked up at his friend. “It’s signed ‘Professor’.”

T
hey both scanned the crowd as though hoping to spot the man.

“That isn
’t possible.” Skepticism coated Weston’s voice. He turned and walked away for a moment before spinning back. “It just isn’t possible.”

Abigail wondered
who he was trying to convince.

“No. It
’s not,” Stephen added, but he didn’t sound as certain. He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Do you know the man? Can you describe him?”

“Never seen him afore. To be honest, he gave me the creeps.” The boy shuddered. “He wore a long black cloak
with a hood. Couldn’t see his face.”

Weston flipped a half shilling to the boy. “They
’ll be more of that if you remember anything else.”

“I thank ye, sir.” The boy tipped his cap and took off with a grin.

Abigail leaned closer to look at the note. “I thought your professor was killed the night of the accident.”

“Yes, he was.”

Weston shook his head. “He’s dead. Someone is attempting to play a cruel joke on us. I highly doubt Lucas will return from Brazil any time soon.”

“Indeed. I don
’t think he ever intends to come back to England,” Stephen added.

“Whoever this man is, he has the wrong stone.” Abigail smiled wryly at Stephen. “I
’m not sure if he knows it or not.”

Weston stared at the pair of them. “Where is the real meteorite?”

Stephen withdrew it from his pocket.

“This
‘Professor’ will soon be looking for us, won’t he?” Weston asked with a smile.

“He will if he needs
the stone,” said Stephen. “This whole affair is far from over.”

Abigail shivered a
t the worried look he gave her.

“
One way or another, we’ll get to the bottom of it. But now, it’s late. I suggest we all go home.” Weston looked over at the boys huddled nearby. “Why don’t I take some of them with me?”

“Excellent. We
’ll determine a plan in the morning.”

The Fire Brigade remained to make certain the fire was out. Stephen made sure the police would guard the building so nothing could be disturbed until he and Weston returned in the morning
to have a closer look at the contents. The crowd dwindled to a few curious onlookers.

Weston filled his carriage with Farley and the other boys and drove away with a wave.
Several of the boys, including Hubert, piled in the hackney along with Stephen, Abigail, Sophia, and Olivia.

Within a short while, they arrived at Abigail
’s where a tearful Irene gathered her three daughters in a hug as Ponsford stood nearby, sniffing inconspicuously.

“
Thank heavens you’re all safe. What on earth happened?” Irene asked as she looked them over from head to toe. “Was there a fire?”

The story spilled out in bits and pieces with the twins interrupting each other in their rush t
o tell their mother everything.

Irene shook her head, seeming amazed at all they’d gone through.
She gathered them into her arms again. “I’m so pleased you’re all home.” She turned to Stephen. “I assume I have you to thank for this?”

“I was merely Abigail’s assistant.” He grinned at Abigail, and the heat in his gaze warmed her from the inside out.
“May I have a moment with her?”

“Of course.” Irene
smiled at the pair of them. Then she put an arm through Sophia and Olivia’s. “Now, while we’re cleaning up the two of you, explain to me why you left the house without telling anyone.”

The girls
’ protests could be heard as they made their way upstairs. Ponsford wiped his eyes as he departed to order the hot water for baths.

Abigail cleared her still raw throat, s
uddenly nervous. She gestured for Stephen to step into the drawing room.

“I wanted a moment to finish our conversation,” Stephen said
as he shut the door behind him. “I can’t believe I almost lost you.”

“And I nearly lost you.” The very thought of their close call brought tears to her eyes.

He drew her into his arms and her worries slipped away. His jacket was charred in places and smelled of smoke, but she couldn’t think of a place she’d rather be than in his arms.

“Yes,” she said firmly.

With a frown and a small smile, he looked down at her. “What?”

“I never answered you before.” She lifted up on her toes and kissed him. “I
’m answering you now.” She kissed him again, longer this time, putting her heart and soul into it. “Yes, I would be honored to be your wife.”

He kissed her back and her heart swelled with joy.

“Abigail.” He drew her name out, whispering in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “I love you so much. But as I was trying to say earlier, I’m not an easy person to live with. The aura reading—”

She kissed him. “I know about that.”

“I have these moments of darkness when nothing—”

Again she pressed her lips to his. “I know of that as well.”

“This whole mystery with the man who claims to be a professor isn’t over. I still have the meteorite he wants.”

“I know. Together, with Lord Weston’s assistance, we shall discover what that man is doing.”

He ran his finger along her cheek. “I’m not good at sharing information—”

“I
’ll unravel your secrets. Have no worries on that.”

“But I
—”

“Stop making excuses or I
’ll think you’re taking back your offer,” she teased him with a smile. “Kiss me instead. That’s a much better use of your time.”

He laughed. “You
’re right. Once again, you’re right. Have I ever mentioned how determined you are?”

“Perhaps once or twice.” She held her hand along his cheek. “I still don
’t understand where you got that impression.”

“A mistaken one I
’m sure.” He kissed her again.

Passionately.

Thoroughly.

Until her head spun.

“Always and forever?” she asked, wanting him to be sure, needing to hear him say it out loud.

“Indeed. Always and forever.” He sealed his promise with another kiss.

THE END

Other Books by the Author

Coming in 2014,
Passionate Secrets

Book II of The Secret Trilogy