Gabby burst into a storm of weeping, falling into his arms. “I do as well,” she sobbed. “I didn’t mean to lie to you! I do trust you, I do, I do! You know how much I love you, Quill!”

There was a queer twist in his chest. “I love you too, Gabby.”

“I know you do,” she sobbed on, “and that was why—I mean, if I didn’t know you loved me, I wouldn’t—I just wanted it to be a surprise! Because you love me and you think I’m bright—you said so—and I wanted to show you that I was capable of doing something intelligent!”

“I see,” Quill said slowly, backing toward the bed. Once there, he pulled her into his lap. “You didn’t tell me about your plans for the Holkar throne because I—”

She interrupted him again. “You said that women should be directors of the East India Company!”

Quill settled her more closely against his shoulder and dropped a kiss onto her satiny hair. “I gather that it was my fault.” His voice was wryly amused. “I’ll never express admiration for your intelligence again.”

She raised her head and looked up at him. “Oh, Quill, you’re so—” Her voice hiccuped on a sob. “It’s no wonder I’m so horribly in love with you.”

Quill swallowed. Cripples were not lovable, unless a person was as overly romantic as his wife, of course. “You need a handkerchief,” he said brusquely, thrusting one into her hand.

She leaned back against his shoulder again, a last sob escaping from her chest. “I will tell Sudhakar tomorrow morning that you have refused his treatment.”

“Why don’t you tell him that the problem resolved itself after you wrote?” Quill suggested. “I would not want your friend to think that he made a voyage that could have been prevented. And I must say that I am quite pleased with the unexpected resolution of my…problems.” His hands tightened around the fragrant bundle in his lap. “Especially given that my problems were solved by my oh-so-intelligent wife.”

But Gabby’s stomach was clenching with anxiety. “If I promise not to tell you any more lies, do you think our marriage might still be a success?”

Quill tenderly wiped the last tears from her cheeks. “Our marriage is already so much better than I expected that it terrifies me,” he whispered, kissing his way down to her mouth. “I—” He faltered, and then continued. “I didn’t know it was possible to feel this way about someone.”

“Oh, Quill, I’m sorry I lied to you. I really am. I would never be unfaithful or—”

“I know that.” He whispered into her hair. “I know you fibbed to me only with the best of motives.”