One of the men opened the door and then both of them hustled him to the settee. When they’d deposited him there, one rapped on the bedroom door.
“Your Highness, um, would you advise us please?”
She opened the door, fumbling with her robe’s tie. “What’s happened?”
“Your Grace is in his cups and we don’t know whether you want us to help get him to bed or leave him here.”
Cloud saluted her. “Good ol’e Maggie.”
She was regal even with red eyes and mussed hair. “You can leave him with me, gentlemen. I’ll summon his valet if I need help.” She opened her purse and gave each man a generous tip.
When they’d gone and the door was closed she whirled on him with narrowed green eyes.
Whoa, not so regal now.
“How dare you make a public spectacle of yourself. Have you no sense of propriety? You’re thoroughly drunk.”
He bowed from the waist without standing. “As a skunk. Remember I’m a commoner, not one of your royal Dukes.”
She descended on him and cuffed the side of his head. “Are you stupid? Many Dukes drink to excess. You know very well a Pinkerton agent doesn’t get drunk—ever. What if you’d been on a sensitive case? You could have ruined everything.”
He rubbed his head. “Ow, that’s close to my head wound. You may have given me a concussion.”
She knelt and removed his shoes. “I should have.” She stood. “Come on, you idiot, you need to go to bed. First you’ll use the commode chair because you’ve had way too much alcohol and I don’t fancy sleeping with a bedwetter.” She put a shoulder under his arm and helped him stand.
They staggered to the bedroom.
She undressed him down to his drawers and turned him toward the screen and commode chair. “You can manage from here.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Unless you’d like to help, Maggie darlin’.”
She fisted her hands on her hips. “Hurry up before I get my pepper gun after you. I’m mad enough to damage your privates.”
He turned and took refuge behind the screen. “No, no, can’t do damage ‘cause if you do we won’t get a baby.” He braced himself against the wall while he relieved himself then came around the screen. “Ol’e George and Ava are gonna get a baby but it’s a secret.”
“Good for them. I’ll act surprised when Ava tells me.” She helped him get into bed and tucked him in.
He puckered his lips. “Give me a kiss goodnight.”
“Not likely. I make it a rule never to kiss a drunk. Go to sleep. I hope your head hurts like the blazes in the morning.”
Chapter Sixteen
Maggie was so angry she was beyond tears. He’d said he was going to the bar but he was gone so long. She thought he’d left her and all the time he sat in the bar drinking and making a public spectacle of himself. She didn’t know whether to be grateful he was here or to kick him down the stairs.
She tried sleeping but still couldn’t. How rotten to learn she’d grown used to having his arm around her. She supposed he’d done the same because he turned toward her in his sleep and pulled her toward him with his arm across her waist.
She should have pushed him away. Instead, she clung to his arm.
The next morning, she rose when Geneva and Alec arrived from their rooms. “His Grace is going to have a headache this morning. He overindulged in the bar last night.”
Geneva giggled. “I heard him singing outside my room. He has a nice voice.” She sobered. “Sorry, Your Highness, I know it’s not a laughing matter.”
Maggie raised her eyebrows. “It will be when he wakes up and his head hurts.”
Alec bowed slightly. “I’d better get a remedy.”
Geneva called, “Get a beaten egg white as well.”
He left the suite.
Maggie dressed and sat at the vanity for Geneva to help with her hair. She was appalled by her image in the mirror. “Oh, my, I look as if I’m the one who drank too much.”
“I’ll rub egg white under your eyes as soon as Alec returns. In the meantime, hold this cool cloth to them.” While Maggie complied, Geneva styled her hair.
Soon Alec was back with a glass of something evil looking and a small dish of beaten egg whites.
Geneva took the whites and dabbed them carefully under and over Maggie’s eyes. “Wait about fifteen minutes and then I’ll clean that from your face.”
A loud groan came from the bed. Cloud rolled to his back and held his head with both hands. “My head is splitting. I’ve never known such pain—not even when I was shot.”
Alec was by his side immediately and helped him sit up. “Drink this, Your Grace, and you’ll feel better soon.”
He took a sip. “Euww, that’s awful.”
Alec helped hold the glass. “Drink up until it’s gone, Your Grace.”
Cloud did then flopped back on the pillow. “Evil stuff. What created this head? Wait, I seem to recall being helped to the suite by a couple of waiters. Surely that can’t be correct.”
Maggie held the cool cloth to her forehead. “But, it is, dear husband. You were too drunk to walk without assistance.”
“Ridiculous. I have never been drunk in my life. Never have over two drinks, not the sort of thing I do.”
She laid the cloth aside because it had warmed from her skin. “Last night was an exception then.”
Obviously her image was visible to him in the mirror because she could see him clearly.
He squinted. “Maggie, what’s that stuff on your face?”
“Women don’t reveal all their beauty secrets, Your Grace. Why don’t you get dressed?”
He sat up again. “Owww, why won’t the room stay still?”
Alec extended a hand. “Allow me to help you to your dressing room, Your Grace. After a wash and a shave you’ll feel refreshed enough to dress for your day.”
He swung his legs off the bed. “I don’t believe you, but anything is better than the way I feel now.”
Half an hour later, Maggie agreed her eyes looked much closer to normal. “Thank you, Geneva. Would you please go down and ask room service to bring our breakfast. Something mild for His Grace, maybe scrambled eggs and toasted bread? I’ll have the same, and with marmalade. Hot tea for me and strong coffee for him.”
While she waited, she composed herself. Had he forgotten the argument they’d had last night? He’d been so positive they couldn’t remain a couple.
She paced back and forth until she was weary of the same path. She chose a high-backed chair with dark blue moiré upholstery and sat down. She fought to project a calm, regal impression.
Cloud emerged from the dressing room and walked slowly to sit in the chair beside her. The fire burned in the fireplace, casting a cheerful atmosphere.
He leaned back and stuck his legs out, crossed at the ankles. “I suppose I’ve made a complete ass of myself.”
She sighed, hopeful once more. “You’ve done a glorious job of it, yes.”
“At least you’re still speaking to me.”
“Of course I am, you’re my husband. Anyway, you are unless you obtain an annulment. By the way, I’m still not willing to sign the annulment papers.”
He leaned forward. “I gave up on that stupid idea. I admit my pride stung but I had time to analyze things last night… that is, until I lost the ability to think.”
“Does that mean you intend to remain with me?”
He clumsily knelt on one knee and held her hand. “Maggie, if you’ll still have me I’ll wire Archie today and tell him we’re on our honeymoon until further notice. I’ll also mention your parents are coming in a week.”
She wanted to dance around the room but she only smiled at him. Her heartbeat raced. “If you do that, you’d better wire your parents about the news also.”
He shook his head then winced. “No, receiving a telegram would scare them. I’ll write. I might wait until after I’ve met your parents and know I won’t be banished or beheaded or some
thing similar.”
She grinned. “My parents wouldn’t do such a thing. Well, they could arrange it, but they won’t.”
He returned her smile. “Aha, they could, huh? I presume we can do without our Pinkerton salaries for a few weeks.”
“Forever if we wish. Now get off your knee before you fall over and add another lump to your head.”
When he’d resumed his seat, he took her hand and pulled her to sit on his lap. “I love you, Maggie. More than I thought possible. I love you even though you’re wealthy and a princess.”
She nestled her head on his shoulder. “You’re kind to overlook my defects, you crazy man, I love you, Cloud. I tried not to but I couldn’t help myself.”
“When I couldn’t find you yesterday, I was wretched, wild.” His voice was tense and his arms tightened around her. “I feared I wouldn’t be able to find you and that they’d hurt or killed you. I couldn’t have handled that, Maggie. The reason Kennedy was able to blindside me was that I’d panicked.”
She caressed his jaw. “I never doubted you’d find me. Remember Señora Diaz’s blessing? In my heart I know we belong together.”
He rained kissed over her forehead and face. “I believe that now. I want to never be separated from you. I want us to have children and grow old together. Most of all, I want you by my side.”
“Thank you, Cloud. You’ve made me very happy.”
“You’ve already made me the happiest of men. Our life together will be our own adventure forever.”
“Forever will barely be long enough, Cloud. You really are the right agent for me.”
Epilogue
Two weeks later
Maggie waved goodbye to her parents as their train pulled out of the station. At her side, Cloud had his arm around her. They turned and strolled across the street.
“What did Papa say to you when he took you aside today?”
He rubbed his jaw. “I thought for certain I was in for an inquisition. He asked me how I felt about you and what our plans were. He looked pretty solemn and I figured I was in for the beheading you teased me about. Then he extended his hand and said ‘Welcome to the family’. I was so relieved I could barely utter my thanks.”
“He’s always been supportive.”
“But, honey, you’re his precious daughter and I’m the intruder who spirited you away. How did things end with your mother?”
“She actually apologized. I’ve never known her to do that before. It must have been genuinely difficult for her. She agreed that you’re the man for me—even though she reminded me I could have married Prince Sebastian or the Duke of Somerville.”
He offered her a silly grin. “Oh yeah? That makes me pretty special to win out over a prince and a duke.”
She nudged him. “Don’t get too confident. Prince Sebastian prefers men to women. The Duke of Somerville has numerous children out of wedlock, mistresses, and gambles and drinks to excess.”
He clutched his heart and pretended to stagger. “You have cut me down to size, Your Highness.”
She laughed at his antics. “Not really—you’re a duke. What’s better, you’re my duke and I love you to distraction.”
“I love you, Princess of my Heart. Ah, here comes our stage.”
She linked her arm with his. “Good, let’s go catch some bad guys.”
Dear Reader,
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Read Caroline’s western historical titles:
Pearson Grove (Sweet)
Mail-Order Moriah, book 1
Amanda’s Awakening, book 2
Deborah’s Dilemma, book 3
Blessing, book 2, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, sweet
Garnet, book 9, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, sweet
A Bride for Gideon, book 16, Proxy Bride series, sweet
An Agent for Magdala, book 37, Pinkerton Matchmakers, sweet
Mistletoe Mistake, sweet Christmas story set in Montana
Loving A Rancher Series (sweet)
Amanda’s Rancher, No. 1
The Rancher and the Shepherdess, No. 2
Murdoch’s Bride, No. 3
Bride’s Adventure, No. 4
Snare His Heart, No. 5
Capture Her Heart, No. 6
Loving A Rancher, No. 7
Bride Brigade Series: sweet, set in Texas
Josephine, Bride Brigade book 1
Angeline, Bride Brigade book 2
Cassandra, Bride Brigade book 3
Ophelia, Bride Brigade book 4
Rachel, Bride Brigade book 5
Lorraine, Bride Brigade book 6
Prudence, Bride Brigade book 7
The Surprise Brides: Jamie, sensual, released with three other of The Surprise Brides books which are: Gideon by Cynthia Woolf, Caleb by Callie Hutton, and Ethan by Sylvia McDaniel.
Patience, Bride of Washington, American Mail-Order Brides Series #42, sweet
The Kincaid Series: Sensual, set in Texas
The Most Unsuitable Wife, Kincaids book one
The Most Unsuitable Husband, Kincaids book two
The Most Unsuitable Courtship, Kincaids book three
Gabe Kincaid, Kincaids book four
Monk’s Bride, Kincaids sweet novella, five
Stone Mountain (Texas) Series:
Brazos Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book one, sensual
Buy the Audiobook here
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book two, sensual
Buy the Audiobook here
Bluebonnet Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book three, sensual
Tabitha’s Journey, a Stone Mountain Texas mail-order bride novella, sweet
Stone Mountain Reunion, a Stone Mountain Texas short story, sweet
Stone Mountain Christmas, a Stone Mountain Texas Christmas novella, sweet
Winter Bride, a Stone Mountain Texas romance, sweet
McClintocks: set in Texas
The Texan’s Irish Bride, McClintocks book one, sensual
O’Neill’s Texas Bride, McClintocks book two, sweet
McClintock’s Reluctant Bride, McClintocks book three, sweet
Daniel McClintock, McClintocks book four, sweet
Save Your Heart For Me, romance adventure novella, mildly sensual
Long Way Home, Civil War adventure romance set in Georgia, sweet
Caroline’s Texas Time Travels
Out Of The Blue, 1845 Irish lass comes forward to today Texas, sensual
Texas Lightning, 1896 woman rancher comes forward to today, sweet
Texas Rainbow, 1920s flapper comes forward to today, sweet
Texas Storm, WWII WASP comes forward to today, sweet
Contemporary Western Hearts Facebook Group
If you prefer contemporary western romance, you’ll enjoy interacting with kindred souls and authors by becoming a member of Contemporary Western Hearts Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/contemporarywesternhearts/
Caroline’s Contemporary Titles
Angel For Christmas, Christmas tale of second c
hances, sweet
Texas Caprock Tales:
Be My Guest, romance with mystery, mildly sensual
Grant Me The Moon, romance with mystery, sweet
Snowfires, set in Texas, sensual
Home Sweet Texas Home, Texas Home book one, sweet
Caroline’s Mysteries: (Texas)
Almost Home, a Link Dixon mystery
Death In The Garden, a Heather Cameron cozy mystery
Take Advantage of Bargain Anthologies:
Mail-Order Tangle: Linked books: Mail-Order Promise by Caroline Clemmons and Mail-Order Ruckus by Jacquie Rogers, set in Texas and Idaho, sweet
Orphan Train Brides. Linked books A Family for Merry by Caroline Clemmons and A Family for Polly by Jacquie Rogers, set in Texas, sweet.
Cinderella Treasure Trove, excerpts, blurbs, author bios, and recipes from authors who write books with a new take on a fairy tale. Free
About Caroline Clemmons
Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was born in town instead of on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their three rescued indoor cats as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and a collection of wild critters who stop by to visit.
The books she creates in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author who has won awards. She writes both sweet and sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets.
When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading books written by her friends, eating out, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.
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