“I never will.” Of course Fliss had wished for the danger to Sin to end, for him to be safe from further harm. “Did you not wish for the situation to be over too?”
“Not if it meant you would leave!”
Fliss blinked at his vehemence. “You do not wish me to go?”
Sin’s mouth thinned. “No.”
“But you gave the impression… I believed… Why not?”
Sin fought a war within himself whether to abase himself completely or allow his pride to stand in his way. It was a short battle. “Because I have fallen in love with you, and the thought of you leaving here, leaving me, is unacceptable. No, it is not only unacceptable, it is too painful for me to contemplate.” Sin decided that only complete and utter abasement would do.
Fliss seemed frozen, her eyes wide, lips parted in a silent O.
“Now you know,” Sin muttered self-derisively as he picked up the whisky glass and threw back the contents, welcoming the burn down his throat as he moved to refill the glass. “You should go, Fliss, because I intend to get very drunk, and then I shall probably fall asleep in a chair,” he acknowledged wearily. “I assure you I will not embarrass you again on this subject. Before you leave, or afterward— What…? Fliss?” He looked down at her searchingly as she suddenly launched herself into his arms.
“I love you too!” Her eyes glowed up at him. “The only reason I asked about Lord Brooketon this morning and when this situation might end was because I wanted to know how much longer I could expect to be able to remain here with you. I do not miss England in the slightest. Nor do I want to leave you. Not ever. I love you,” she repeated softly. “So very much.”
Sin gathered her close. “Then marry me. Be my wife, Fliss. Stay with me here forever.”
“I want to marry you. I want that more than anything.”
“But…?” Impossible for Sin to miss the shadow that had passed over her face, robbing her cheeks of color and causing her eyes to lose their happy glow.
She chewed on her bottom lip. “I was married for three years and—and I did not conceive. I wanted a child so much, but it did not happen.”
“That does not mean you will not conceive with me. Even if that should turn out to be the case, what difference does it make? I am the Earl of Winterbourne only because my predecessor died childless.”
“He was never married.”
“And if you think a little thing like not having children is going to stop me from marrying you, you are mistaken,” he told her firmly. “You are the woman I love, Fliss. The woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Not some mythical child or children. They will happen or they will not, and it will not change the love I feel for you in the slightest.” His arms tightened about her. “For God’s sake, agree to marry me and put me out of my misery.”
Fliss gave a choked laugh as he reverted back to the dictatorial Sin she knew and loved. The man who had given her the freedom to finally be herself. The man who loved her because of who she now was.
“Yes, Sin, I will marry you,” she accepted, and gladly. “Now carry me up to your bedchamber and make love to me.” She issued an order of her own, knowing it would be obeyed.
“God, yes!” He swung her up into his arms, holding her tightly as he strode out of the room.
Fliss never wanted to be anywhere else.
Two months later.
“It is beautiful, Sin.” Fliss admired the emerald necklace her new husband had just fastened about her neck. She wore nothing else, apart from her emerald engagement ring. The latter was now nestled alongside the thin gold wedding band Sin had slipped onto her finger at their wedding only hours ago.
If their courtship had been fraught with danger, then the weeks since had been filled with nothing but happiness: the announcement of their betrothal and the wearing of the emerald engagement ring that had once been Sin’s mother’s and was a perfect match for the color of Sin’s eyes; shopping for her wedding gown; sending out the invitations; the wedding this afternoon, followed by the wedding breakfast with all their friends and family. Even Ranulf, something of a recluse since the betrayal and death of his wife, had made his appearance as Sin’s best man, before once again disappearing to Cairn House. Fliss hoped that she and Sin might be of some comfort to him once they returned to Castle Montgomery after their honeymoon.
The happy couple had made their escape an hour or so ago, but Sin’s offer to help her change her clothes had developed into something much more enjoyable.
The two of them now lay naked in bed together in the aftermath of their lovemaking. In a few hours’ time, they would board Sin’s ship, newly named the Felicity, before literally sailing off into the sunset for several months. But for now, there was the two of them and the deep love they felt for each other.
She snuggled closer in Sin’s arms. “I have a wedding gift for you too.”
He eyed her quizzically. “It is not customary for the bride to give the groom a present.”
Fliss gave a snort. “When have we ever followed anything so tame as custom?”
“True,” he conceded. “You looked beautiful in your wedding gown, Fliss.” His eyes were full of love and pride for her. “Of course, you look even more beautiful out of it,” he added wickedly.
“I wonder if you will still think so in a few months’ time…” Fliss took his hand and placed it against her abdomen. “My gift to you, Sin,” she told him huskily.
He looked confused for a moment, and then his brow cleared. “You are expecting our child…”
“I am.” She glowed with the knowledge of the child they had conceived during one of those many times they had made love together.
With love.
Always and forever with love.
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About The Author
Carole Mortimer is a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2015, a Pioneer for Romance Romantic Times Award in 2014. She was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for her ‘outstanding service to literature’. Carole has written over 210 contemporary and Regency novels.
She is happily married to Peter. They have 6 sons, and live on the beautiful Isle of Man. She also loves to hear from Readers!
Other books by Carole Mortimer
Carole has written 173 romance novels in the Presents/Modern series from Harlequin Mills and Boon.
She has also written 24 Regency romance novels in the Harlequin Mills and Boon’s Historical series.
ALPHA series:
Christmas Alpha
Dark Alpha
Shadow Alpha
Midnight Alpha
Renegade Alpha
Warrior Alpha
Rogue Alpha
Savage Alpha
Regency Unlaced Series:
The Duke’s Mistress (Book 1)
Claimed by the Marquis (Book 2)
Taken by the Earl (Book 3)
Pursued by the Viscount (Book 4) Available for pre-order, release May 27th
Knight Security Series:
Alexandre (Knight Security 0.5) – boxed set Royals & Rogues
Defying Asher (Knight Security 1) Release June 2016
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