She dutifully turned to one side and heard the crinkle of the parchment as he removed it.
“You’ve pressed out all the wrinkles quite firmly, darling. Thank you.” His eyes danced.
She cuffed him.
But he caught both her hands and bent down to nip her lower lip. “We must find a vicar.”
She narrowed her eyes on him, saucy in her happiness. “Tomorrow.”
“One hour.”
“Two,” she insisted.
He clamped her so close, all the air left her lungs. “This clergyman had better live close by.”
“He does. An older gentleman. You’ll like him, he’s a scholar of the Old— Ouff!”
He shut her up with a devouring kiss that made every bone in her body soft as porridge.
“Oh, Giles. From this moment on, I promise to be a good wife. Uncomplicated. Dutiful and—”
“Oh, well.” Pushing away, he frowned at her. “In that case…”
“What?”
“This prospect of marriage…” He appeared seriously affronted.
She pushed up on one elbow. “What about it?”
“I could not abide it.”
“What? What could you not—?”
“A dutiful wife? Uncomplicated? Sedate? Without your pistol? Darling, I don’t know. That sounds appallingly…boring. I cannot bear being bored.”
“Bored!? Are you mad?”
“Yes!” He hauled her against him once more. “About you.”
Her mind jumbled, she saw he joked and pinched his arm. Then she kissed the spot. “Oh, Giles, you are the only man I wish to please each second of my life. I shall be as complicated and unpredictable as you wish. I shall aim to be erratic and untamed. Pistols and all! But do love me.”
“Always. Now do be quiet,” he said. “You are wasting away your hour.”
“Two.”
“Tick, tock, tick, tock.”
So as she laughed, he flowed down around her and until late the next morning introduced her to the truest meaning of a love that forgave, endured and enchanted.
Tales of the Ton!
Published each Monday!
June 24, 1816
Your Ever Faithful Correspondent happily reports that the Marquess and Marchioness of Northington have recently arrived at the Marquess’s home in London from Wiltshire.
The news that the bride, Her Ladyship, formerly Miss Esme Caroline Harvey daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Courtland, visited her frail Great Aunt, Lady Elizabeth Warrington, near the town of Marlborough before her wedding has been verified by many who saw her whilst on her travels. Her husband aided his new wife in her kind desire to visit her elderly Aunt. Their nuptials—to have been celebrated at her parents’ estate of Courtland Hall—were performed by the Reverend James Powis, vicar of St. Peter’s, Marlborough.
The happy couple, we are told by a credible source, remain in London for only one week before they retire to their country home for the summer months. While in Town, they will not be receiving nor calling on acquaintances.
However, when they return to town in late October, they begin their polite calls upon Society.
Reliable sources have it, too, that they will do us the honor at that time by hosting a ball for family and friends.
THE END
Who is Cerise DeLand?
Cerise DeLand
Cerise DeLand loves to write about dashing heroes and the sassy women they adore. Whether she’s penning historical romances or contemporaries, she has received praise for her poetic elegance and accuracy of detail.
An award-winning author of more than 50 novels, she’s been published since 1991 by Pocket Books, St. Martin’s Press, Kensington and independent presses. Her books have been monthly selections of the Doubleday Book Club and the Mystery Guild. Plus she’s won nominations and awards for Best Historical of the Year, Best Regency and scores of rave reviews from Romantic Times, Affair de Coeur, Publisher’s Weekly and more.
To research, she’s dived into the oldest texts and dustiest library shelves. She’s also traveled abroad, trusty notebook and pen in hand, to visit the chateaux and country homes she loves to people with her own imaginary characters.
And at home every day? She loves to cook, hates to dust, goes swimming at least once a week and tries (desperately) to grow vegetables in her arid backyard in south Texas!
Also by Cerise DeLand
Regencies
Lady Starling’s Stockings
The Stanhope Challenge, Regency Quartet, box set
Regency Romp Series:
Lady Varney’s Risque Business, #1
Rendezvous with a Duke, #2
Masquerade with a Marquess, #3
Interlude with a Baron, #4
Christmas Belles, Romantic Comedy Series:
The Earl’s Wagered Bride, #1
The Viscount’s Only Love, #2
The Duke’s Impetuous Darling, #3
The Marquess’s Final Fling, #4
The Butler’s Forbidden Fancy, #5
Aunt Gertrude’s Red Hot Christmas Beau, #6
Delightful Doings in Dudley Crescent, Romantic Comedy Series:
Her Beguiling Butler, #1
His Tempting Governess, #2
His Naughty Maid, #3
Her Enticing Stableboy, #4, Coming Soon!
Four Weddings and a Frolic, Romantic Comedy Series:
Lady Fiona’s Tall, Dark Folly, #1
Lady Mary’s May Day Mischief, #2, August 2020
Miss Harvey’s Horribly Lovable Fiancé, #3, August 2020
Lady Willa’s Divinely Wicked Vicar, #4, October 2020
Miss Weaver’s Last Handsome Frolic, #5, November 2020
Box sets, Historical romances:
When You’re Mine, A Medieval, Regency & Victorian Romance Collection, 4 complete novels of 4 different series
Erotic Regency Romances:
His Delectable Cook
Sense and Sensibility
Victorian Romances
Those Notorious Americans Series:
Wild Lily, #1
Daring Widow, #2
Sweet Siren, #3
Scandalous Heiress, #4
Ravishing Camille, #5, Winter 2020
Medieval erotic romances:
Knights of Passion Series: Re-releasing soon!
At Her Service, #1, currently in When You’re Mine, box set
For Her Honor, #2
With Her Kiss, #3
* * *
Military Romances
7 Brides for 7 SEALs Series:
You Were Always Mine, #1
No Getting Over You, #2
SEALs Going Hot, box set
Burning for Nero
Conquering Zeus
A Long Time Comin’ (erotic romance)
Hard Drivin’ Man (erotic romance)
Contemporaries
Is That a Gun in Your Pocket? (erotic comedic suspense)
Tall, Hard and Trouble, box set
Tall, Hard and Mine, box set, Coming Soon!
Tall, Hard and Fierce, box set, Coming Soon!
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Miss Harvey's Horribly Lovable Fiancé: Four Weddings and a Frolic Page 11
