No Greater Love

by Cate Dean

  “This house—ˮ

  “Is just that, Vicki—a house. It was always Richard’s house, never yours. Remember that, and it should be easier to let go, if that’s what you finally decide.”

  Relief threatened to buckle her knees. Susanna wrapped one arm around her waist and led her to the bed, lowering them both to the edge.

  “Thank you, Sus,” she whispered, and laid her head on Susanna’s shoulder. “I never want to hurt him. He has suffered so much already.”

  She had managed to pry more out of Nick, about the curse, and what he had endured because of it.

  “Then stop stalling.” Susanna tightened her arm around Victoria’s waist. “I want to see my best friend marry the man of her dreams.”

  Victoria wiped at her eyes. “You never said that about Richard.”

  “He was a good man, Vicki, but he was the man of the moment. I know you loved him, but not the way you love Nick.”

  “Everything about Nick is different.” More than she could ever tell anyone, even her best friend. “Will you help me get ready?”

  Susanna smiled, and pulled Victoria to her feet. “Why do you think I’m here?”

  NICK WAITED AT the end of the bridge, thankful for a clear day, even if the breeze off the river made his shoulder, and the newly healed scar on his left forearm ache. Victoria wanted an outdoor wedding, and he’d give it to her. His shoulder would be the perfect excuse to ask her for a massage—right before he made love to her as his wife for the first time.

  His wife.

  He never thought a woman would pull him in enough for a long term relationship. Until Victoria, marriage had been something that other people did. Now he was one of those other people.

  Another woman he didn’t know passed him, pausing long enough to give him a thorough scan with narrowed eyes before she walked across the bridge. Nick knew he was the topic of conversation here, and that he didn’t come out well in more than a few of them. If he thought she would, he’d ask Victoria to leave.

  But this was her home, and she had already lost enough without losing that, too.

  Every thought slipped out of his mind when she appeared, Susanna at her side. Her long, pale yellow gown swept the ground, and she carried matching roses. Nick moved forward, falling in love with her all over again.

  “You look beautiful, love. Both of you.” He flashed a smile at Susanna, who waved a hand in front of her face.

  “You are a flirt, Mr. Saunders.”

  “Nick. I keep telling you to call me Nick.”

  “As soon as you marry Vicki.” She winked at Victoria and headed across the bridge.

  “Have I told you I like your friend?”

  She looked after Susanna, such sadness in her clear blue eyes that Nick wanted to kiss it away.

  “I will miss her,” she whispered.

  “She’ll be around—after I’ve had you all to myself for the honeymoon.”

  “What if—I did not want to stay here?”

  “Vicki.” He tipped her chin up, and waited until she met his eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to leave because of me.”

  “I would leave for me. For us. You deserve a fresh start. Here, you would spend every day trying to walk in Richard’s shoes. There is no need to deny, Nick. I’ve seen it already.”

  He ran one hand through his hair. “I know you love this town, living on the river.”

  “There are other towns, with other rivers. All I ask is that we are close enough for me to visit Susanna.”

  “God, I love you.” He kissed her, sensing that she needed the contact, the connection. “We’ll go wherever you want, as long as it’s a place I can find work.”

  “All right.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face into his shoulder. “I’ve been so afraid to talk to you about this, afraid that I was being selfish by wanting to stay. Until Susanna made me realize that is the last thing I want.”

  “What do you want, Victoria?”

  “To build a life with you. A fresh, new life, with no baggage from my past.”

  “I like the sound of that.” He kissed her again, then covered her hand with his. “Let’s go get married.”

  “THE GROOM HAS requested a simple ceremony.” Father Tipton glanced at Victoria, and she nodded. “It seems the bride is in agreement.” He sounded disappointed, and Victoria covered her smile by lowering her head. Father did love his lavish weddings.

  “I hope that’s okay,” Nick whispered, taking her hand. “I was going to ask you, but—ˮ

  “You were afraid I might say I wanted the big wedding.”

  He flashed his breath-robbing smile. “Yeah.”

  “Then you don’t know me as well as you think, Captain Saunders.”

  He leaned in and whispered against her ear. “I look forward to spending the rest of my life discovering everything about you.”

  She shivered, squeezing his hand.

  Father Tipton cleared his throat, causing a wave of laughter from the guests standing behind them. “I believe we are ready to begin.” He raised an eyebrow as he looked at Nick.

  “You got this, Father.”

  Father Tipton looked horrified.

  Victoria would have to move after this. Not that she minded; life with Nick was going to be an adventure.

  Father recovered quickly, and lifted a piece of paper, reading from it with a resigned tone.

  “We are gathered here to join together Victoria Belham and Nicholas Saunders. They met in war, but when they join together, they will give each other peace.”

  Sighs rose from the women, and Victoria looked over at Nick. He kept his gaze on Father, but she could see a flush on his cheek. “That was beautiful, Nick.”

  He shrugged. “I just wrote how I feel, Vicki.” But she could tell he was pleased by her reaction.

  She tightened her grip on his hand, and nodded to Father, who looked aggrieved by the constant interruptions. He was not in control, and she knew it must be driving him mad. To his credit, any frustration did not make itself known in his voice.

  “Victoria, please face your husband to be.” Father nearly rolled his eyes when he handed her a small piece of paper. “The groom demanded—ahem, asked, that you read your vows without my assistance.”

  She accepted the paper, and started to read. “I, Victoria Belham, promise myself to you.” She blinked at the next words, looking up at Nick. He nodded, and she took a deep breath. “No matter how angry you make me, I will love you.”

  Several women laughed out loud. Susanna grinned at her, clearly enjoying the unconventional ceremony. Frankly, Victoria was enjoying it herself. She did not need to read the rest to know what she wanted to say, and let the paper slip from her fingers.

  “Victoria—ˮ

  “You are the strongest, most courageous man I have ever known, and I am proud to be standing here with you, Nick. Proud that I am about to become your wife. I love you, and I will always love you.”

  She took the ring from Father Tipton, a ring she had chosen weeks ago, and slid it on Nick’s left ring finger. The last of her nerves fell away, and she had never felt so free, or so sure of herself.

  Nick cleared his throat, waving away the paper that Father all but shoved at him.

  “I can wing it, too.” He held both her hands, his green eyes dark and intense as he looked at her. “I, Nick Saunders, promise myself to you. I will love you with every breath I take, and I will do my best to keep the angry at me part to a minimum.”

  “Thank you.”

  He smiled, then pulled her forward and laid his forehead against hers. “You saved my life, Victoria, in more ways than you’ll ever know. I loved you the first time I saw you, and I will love you long after I take my last breath.”

  Tears blurred her eyes, and she blinked them back, determined not to cry. Nick eased back, took the ring from Father Tipton, and slipped it on her finger. She stared at the small, oval emerald, set in silver, then up at him.

  “Nick—ˮ<
br />
  “A reminder, for both of us. I never would have met you if I hadn’t been such an ass in my former life. You deserve so much better, but I’m not giving you up.”

  “I deserve you, Nick.” She freed her hand and cradled his cheek. “You are so much better than you believe. Someday, I’ll convince you of that truth.”

  Father Tipton cleared his throat, loudly. “If I may continue this—ceremony.”

  Victoria bit back a smile and nodded to him. “Of course, Father. Thank you for your indulgence.”

  He looked less aggrieved at her words, and raised his hands, his voice ringing through the air. “By the power vested in me, by the grace of God, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may—ˮ

  “Husband and wife,” Nick said, his eyebrow raised. “I want it to be husband and wife.”

  Father Tipton’s mouth hung open, and when he recovered, he was outraged. “It is not—ˮ

  “Last I checked, Father, this was our wedding.”

  The man let out a sigh worthy of a London actor. “Very well. I will not take the credit for this farce of a ceremony if word ever gets out.” He glared at Nick, then lifted his chin. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride. May God have mercy on you, Victoria,” he muttered.

  She could not contain herself any longer, and burst out laughing. Nick joined her, then smothered her laughter with his lips. Their first kiss as a married couple left her lightheaded, and a bit giddy. She leaned against him, her hands pressed to his chest.

  Amusement danced in his eyes. “Hello, Mrs. Saunders.”

  She loved the sound of her new name. “Hello to you, Mr. Saunders.”

  He kissed her again before he grabbed her hand and ran down the improvised aisle. Victoria laughed as she lifted her skirts to keep up with him.

  When he reached the center of the bridge, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again, this time with all the passion she knew would be part of their lives forever.

  LESS THAN THREE days after their wedding, Victoria surprised Nick by announcing she wanted to move to London.

  Nick protested, not wanting their marriage to start with her as the breadwinner. But she pointed out that she had a skill that was badly needed, and with reports of a fast-spreading flu coming over from Europe, she could easily find a position in one of the hospitals. That her brother, Matthew, was now back in London tipped the scales. Nick couldn’t deny her desire to be near the only family she had left.

  Once the hundred annoying details involved in moving were settled, they headed to London.

  The quick sale of Victoria’s house, along with the money left to her by her parents, was more than enough to set them up in a small house outside of the city, near a tree-shaded park. Her savings, and her salary, would give Nick time to find a job.

  He wasn’t sure what an ex-soldier from another century would be able to do here, but he was willing to hunt until he found something.

  That something fell into his lap less than a month after he started looking.

  “Saunders? Is that you?”

  He turned away from the bar in the pub, smiling when he saw Tom Philips heading for him.

  “Good to see you alive, Philips.”

  “My replacement showed up at camp, with orders sending me back to London.” They shook hands, and Philips spotted the ring on Nick’s hand. “Got her to marry you, then? Good man. She is a fine woman.”

  “I’m one lucky man.”

  Philips ordered a pint from the bartender. “Are you living in the city now?”

  “About two miles out. Victoria has a job at St. John’s Hospital. It made sense to come here, where she could put her skills to use.”

  “And you? Have you found a job here?”

  Nick sighed, leaning against the bar. “I’ve been looking, but there’s not much call for a retired soldier.”

  “I might be able to help you. Can we speak outside?”

  Nick nodded, intrigued. Philips picked his glass off the bar and worked his way through the crowd. The day was surprisingly warm, and people were taking advantage, spilling out of the front of the pub and along the sidewalk. Philips led him past the crowd, just out of earshot.

  “I have need of a military man.” He lowered his voice. “The war will be over soon, if my information is on target, but the work is far from done. We will need to keep an eye on Germany, among other tasks. Interested?”

  “Will I have to travel?”

  “Perhaps, depending on the assignment. Would that be a problem?”

  “Yeah.” Nick couldn’t stop the grin. “Victoria is pregnant.”

  Philips laughed, and raised his glass. “You do work fast. Congratulations, mate.”

  They clinked glasses and drank deeply.

  Nick studied the buildings across the street. “What exactly are you offering me, Tom?”

  “A chance to make a difference, hopefully make this the last war we ever fight.”

  Nick wanted to tell Tom that he’d fail on that count. He had to step carefully; being in the past gave him an advantage, and he wasn’t sure how much he could actually affect the future with what he knew.

  “Where is this job?”

  “A new agency, set up by the King.” Nick’s heart pounded, because he had a damn good idea just what that new agency was—the beginning of MI-6. “Are you in?”

  Nick could make a difference, in ways that would hopefully lessen the devastation of the next war, and if he survived, the war after that.

  He took Philips’ hand.

  “I’m in.”

  “VICKI!” NICK CLOSED the door, knowing she was already home. A fresh vase of flowers stood on the hall table. When he moved toward the kitchen, he caught the scent of soup.

  “Nick?” She stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. The flowered fabric of the apron draped over a small bulge. She laid one hand on the baby bump as she met his eyes. “What is it?”

  He kissed her, spreading his hand over hers. This was the reason for him to fight to make the world a safer place. His family, and the life he never thought to have.

  “I got a job today.”

  Pleasure lit her face. “That’s wonderful!” She kissed him, then took his hand and led him into the kitchen. “Sit, have some tea, and tell me all about it.”

  “After I do this.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her properly, their child between them. She clutched his arms by the time he eased back. Her beautiful face was flushed, and the desire clouding her blue eyes made him want to pick her up and carry her to bed. Tom had been right—he was one lucky man. “I love you, Victoria Saunders.”

  “I love you, Nick Saunders.” She kissed him again before she took his hand and sat with him at the scarred farmhouse table. “Now, tell me everything.”

  Yeah—he was the luckiest man alive.

  Fifteen

  SERENA SAT NEAR the ledge, her legs drawn up, listening to the other men. Aiden shot her a glare every so often—until Robert slapped him on the back of the head.

  She bit back a smile; only another Scot could get away with that.

  Time stood still here; every second felt like a lifetime, but she knew time passed, because she breathed in and out, and the conversations moved forward. Addie had created a perfect bubble, where there was no need to eat, sleep, or anything else. No way to escape the never-ending sameness.

  Please, let Nick be successful.

  She wasn’t sure she’d be able to leave if even one of the men failed.

  The air between her and the men shimmered, and she felt power tingle along her skin. She stood, gasping when a hole opened in the air. Her heart pounded as she expected Nick to appear, dragged back here by Addie’s curse.

  The pendant snaked into sight. Just the pendant.

  “Oh, God,” she whispered.

  As she watched, the chain disintegrated, from the top down, creating a pile of shimmering silver on the floor. The hole closed up, revealing the men on the othe
r side of the still floating pendant.

  It spun, becoming a blur of silver and green. Serena screamed when it burst apart, heat flaring in the pendant between her breasts. Strong hands caught her when her knees buckled, easing her to the floor.

  “I told ye, she isn’t strong enough.”

  “I’m fine, Aiden. Thank you for your concern.”

  He raised his eyebrow at her sarcasm, but instead of shouting, he grinned at her. That grin affected her more than she wanted it to.

  “He did it,” Robert said. He slapped Charles on the shoulder, sending the tall noble stumbling forward. “He bloody did it!”

  The men gathered around the pile of silver, talking and laughing. She knelt in front of it, gingerly reaching her hand out to brush the top of the pile. At her touch, the silver dust melted into the floor and disappeared.

  After a startled silence, the men started talking again. The relief in the air was palpable, and this first victory told Serena that Addie hadn’t sent her to do the impossible.

  Just the nearly impossible.

  She decided to keep their good fortune going, and stepped to the ledge. The remaining pendants winked at her, like they were preparing for their choice.

  “Boys.” The men turned at her voice, and there was more respect in most of the faces now. Having a successful first try certainly helped. “I think we should move quickly.”

  They talked among themselves, and Charles stepped forward. “We agree with your assessment, Serena.”

  “Okay, then.” She took a deep breath, and closed her hand over the pendant around her neck. “Ready to see who’s next?”

  THANK YOU FOR READING Nick’s story! Big Sky Love, Book 2 of Redemption of the Seven, is now available.

  If you enjoyed No Greater Love, I would love it if you took a moment and left a review. They are so important, and help other readers discover the books they want to read. Thank you!