She stripped off her gloves. “Do you want a partner, Harrison? An equal? A woman to stand by your side, not linger in the background?”
“Mads, all I’ve ever wanted was to be yours. You can stand beside me or in front of me, even on top of me, as long as you never let me go.”
“Yet you tried to give me to Lockwood like some piece of heirloom china.”
“You wanted to be a duchess. I thought you’d be happy if Lockwood courted you again. I upended your life when I returned, so I tried to undo a little of my damage.”
“That wasn’t necessary. And I participated in said damage, so you cannot assume all the blame.”
“But I rushed you. I pushed and pushed to get what I wanted.”
“True, and you’ve been two steps ahead of me ever since you returned from Paris. I merely needed time to catch up.”
“Have you caught up?”
“I think so, now that the tournament is over and I’ve had time to think.”
“Congratulations, by the way. I am proud of you.”
Her cheeks flushed and her smile grew soft. “I only made it to the quarterfinals.”
“That’s astounding for your first tournament. Just wait until your second year.”
“We’ll see. That is, if my husband doesn’t mind my playing.”
Warmth took root in his belly, heat spreading outward like lightning strikes of pure joy. He sported a grin that had nothing to do with bourbon. “He wouldn’t dare prevent you from chasing a championship, if that’s what you decide.”
“It will require a lot of traveling.”
“He loves hotels and trains.”
“And a lot of standing around in the hot sun.”
“He loves a good sweat in the outdoors.”
“And a lot of liniment rubs and long baths.”
Fuck, he wanted that. Now. He wiggled his fingers. “I’ve heard he has ludicrously strong hands.”
She chuckled. “What a perfect man this is . . .”
That word caused him to frown. “He’s not perfect, Mads, but he loves you more than life itself. And if you’ll forgive him, he’ll spend every day trying to prove it to you.”
“I know and I don’t need perfection. He’s a good man, one who has always watched out for me. My best friend. And I love him madly.”
As if pulled by a string, he sat up, his back straight. “What did you say?”
“I said I love him. I probably always have, only it took me this long to realize it.”
Harrison was out of his chair and kissing her before she finished speaking. Her mouth was lush and welcoming, and he thought he’d never get enough. He poured every bit of his relief and longing into that kiss. “I love you, Mads,” he said when they finally surfaced for air. “It’s always been you for me.”
“I believe you—and I’ve come to realize that I can’t live without you. As soon as I heard you were sailing for Paris, I knew. No matter what else happens, you are stuck with me.”
“Good, because I am never letting you go again. Twice is enough for one lifetime.”
“You won’t need to. No more hiding from me, though. The truth from now on.”
“You have my word. I’ll never keep anything from you again.”
She pressed a kiss to the tip of his chin. “Now, I think we should put you to bed to sleep off all that alcohol.”
“As long as I’m not alone, you can put me wherever you’d like.”
Rising, she took his hand and led him toward the large bed. “Oh, don’t worry, Mr. Archer. I definitely have plans for you . . .”
And he followed her, as he always had, to wherever she might lead. Together.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
One Year Later
Harrison checked his pocket watch for the time. Again.
He gestured to the stack of paperwork remaining in front of him. “How much more of this do you have, William?”
William Innis, Harrison’s right hand at Archer Industries, shifted in the chair, his expression grim. “At least an hour’s worth.”
“Impossible. My wife’s match begins in twenty minutes. I’ve got to hurry across the street to the club or I’ll never make it.”
Last year, after an extended honeymoon in Paris, Harrison and Maddie had returned to New York City, where he’d assumed the role of Archer Industries’ president. He’d hired William, and together they’d done wonders for the company’s bottom line. The company had finally turned a profit last quarter—the first since his father’s death. The construction of big ocean liners, along with Stephen Webster’s cooperation in transporting lumber, had made all the difference.
The company took up almost all of his time, which Maddie didn’t seem to mind. She focused on her lawn tennis game and traveled to tournaments all around the country, which had led to a spot at the U.S. Nationals again this year. He was damn proud of her.
She’d won handily throughout this tournament, advancing to the championship of the All-Comers bracket. If she won, then she would play last year’s winner for the overall title. The bookmakers were currently giving odds on her winning the whole dashed thing.
Nothing would keep him from being at her match today.
“Just a few more minutes,” William said. “You have been out of the office all week and issues are piling up.”
“Feel free to make whatever decisions you deem necessary. I trust you, Innis.” Harrison pushed to his feet. “Or the world can wait for one week while my wife plays for the national championship.”
He started for the door, but William trailed him. “Wait, one more question before you go. Your brother has accepted your offer of a position at the company, but we don’t know where to place him.”
Harrison paused at the door and thrust his hands into his pockets. Thomas had come begging for money almost a month ago and Harrison had refused. He had, however, agreed to give Thomas a job at Archer Industries, if his brother wished to truly work like everyone else there. No favoritism, no using the Archer name to jump ahead of others. No taking days off to gallivant around Europe or sail in Newport. Just hard work for an honest wage.
It seemed Thomas was truly serious about providing for his family.
“Start him in the mailroom,” Harrison said. “If he succeeds there after an extended period of time, then we’ll move him up.”
William nodded. “We’ll continue this after dinner, I assume?”
“Nope. Win or lose, I’ll be busy celebrating with my wife tonight. I’ll find you in the morning. And thank you, Innis. I know this week has been a long one for you. Feel free to take the rest of the day. You’re welcome to come to the match with me, if you like.”
“No, thank you. I’ll just catch up on some cables, then head out for dinner. I have family here in Philadelphia that I’d like to see. Wish her luck for me.”
“Indeed, I will.” Harrison left the room and took the elevator downstairs, where he strode out into the bright June sun. With the hotel directly across from the Philadelphia Cricket Club, he was through the gates in hardly any time at all.