"I heard you. But I have not heard you say those words again. Have you changed your mind?"
"No, my lord. I have loved you since the moment I met you. I shall love you all the days of my life." She smiled wistfully. "I did not say the words again because I thought perhaps you found them at best merely amusing."
"Knowing that you love me is not a source of amusement." Sebastian realized that his hands were shaking with the force of the emotion that was pouring through him. "It is my salvation."
"Oh, Sebastian." Prudence flew into his arms.
"I love you, Prue." He crushed her close. "Always. Forever."
It was safe, after all, to look into the dark place inside himself that had once been so very cold, Sebastian thought. It was not empty, as he had feared. Love filled the part of him that had been locked in ice for so long.
He held Prudence very close for a long time. Her warmth poured into him, filling him completely.
"There are a few small details about our next investigation that I should perhaps mention," Prudence mumbled at last into his shirt.
"Details?" Sebastian raised his head.
Prudence smiled her most winning smile. "Well, according to my client, there is some question of a diamond necklace that has recently gone missing."
"Diamonds? We're talking about missing diamonds? Now, hold on just one minute, here. It has been my experience that where there is a question of missing jewelry, there is likely to be a question of foul play."
Prudence cleared her throat with a discreet little cough. "Well, apparently there have been one or two indications—small ones, mind you—that someone may have attempted to search the Cranshaws' house."
"Damnation, Prue, I said nothing dangerous this time."
"I'm sure there is nothing in the least bit dangerous about this investigation, my lord. Just some rather intriguing elements that I know will amuse you. I would not wish you to become bored."
Sebastian smiled wryly. "You think you can wrap me around your little finger, don't you, my sweet?"
"Just as you can wrap me around yours." She stood on tiptoe and put her arms about his neck. "I think, my dearest Sebastian, that you and I were meant for each other."
He looked into her glowing eyes and felt the warm fires of love burning inside himself. "There is no question about that."
He threaded his fingers through her hair and covered her mouth with his own. He knew he would never again be cold.