Clutching him to her, she pressed a fervent kiss to his jaw. “You do the same to me.”
“God, I love you, so desperately, so absolutely, and this vulnerability terrifies me, Kitty. I never expected love, didn’t believe it was real, but each time I saw you, spoke to you, I became more captivated until nothing, no one, mattered as much as you. And the awful emptiness, the burning ache ripping me apart when I thought you belonged to another ...”
“Oh, Nic.” She cupped his face, brushing his lips with hers, conveying all the adoration welling in her heart. “I was such an idiot.”
He shuddered against her. “Tell me you love me too. That you’ll marry me, be with me always? I want to fall asleep with you wrapped in my embrace, and wake in the morning the same way.”
“I do love you, and will marry you, even though I know someday you’ll return to the sea. I’ll take the time you can give me and be blissfully happy, grateful for every moment.” She laid her head against his broad chest, listening to his strong heart beating, and a tear escaped her. Even a day without him, let alone months, would be utterly unbearable, but oh, how sweet his homecomings would be. “And when you’re sailing round the world, those memories will keep me warm until I’m in your arms again.”
“I’ll not leave you.” Gently nudging her chin upward with his bent forefinger, Nic searched her face. “How can I leave my heart?”
Tears of joy crept over her cheeks. “You love the sea.”
“I love you more, endlessly, abundantly, incomparably more. I’ll sell The Weeping Siren, take to this duke business, and we’ll raise a family, a whole passel of children to keep my sisters company.” He rested his chin atop her head and chuckled. “I’m truly under your spell, and I confess, it’s wondrous.”
“Don’t sell your schooner. I’ve always wanted to sail to different parts of the world. Perhaps she can be converted into a merchant ship? I know women are discouraged onboard, but could you make an exception for me once in a while, or is that asking too much?” Katrina angled away from him, giving him a flirtatious smile.
“Kitty, love, I’d do anything for you.” He gathered her near, pressing his cheek against hers. “Because you’ve thoroughly and completely tamed this scoundrel’s heart.”
Epilogue
April 1819
Atlantic Ocean West of England
“Look, Nic.” Katrina leaned over the schooner’s rail and pointed to a water spout off the starboard side. “Is that a whale?”
Wrapping his arms around her from behind, Nic spoke into her hair. “It is. Watch closely. Those are humpbacks, and they swim in pods. They’re migrating right now.”
Before he finished speaking, two more whales surfaced.
“They’re magnificent,” she said, leaning into his strong embrace.
“Indeed.” He kissed the crown of her head and splayed his fingers over her stomach.
“What do you think Aunt Bertie and your sisters are doing right now?” The three had taken to each other like bees to honey, and Chamberdall Court resounded with their laughter. Quite frequently, Aunt Bertie instigated some antic, most recently, teaching Daphne and Delilah to make jam tarts. For days afterward, Cook scolded about the mess they’d made in her kitchen.
Nic chuckled, his breath warming Katrina’s head. “Probably into some sort of mischief, if I know my aunt. I still cannot fathom she’d been hoping for years to bring us together.”
Katrina giggled. “That certainly explains why she regaled me with titillating tales of your adventures each time I visited, was thrilled when I agreed to help you find a bride, and why she didn’t fuss when you moved her to our house.”
“Crafty old bird.” Affection laced his voice, and she sighed in pure contentment.
The sun dangled low on the western horizon, the sky a myriad of yellow, peach, and burnished hues. Soon, they’d make their way to the captain’s cabin for dinner. Anticipation sluiced her as an altogether different kind of hunger welled.
Trailing her fingers across his sturdy hands clasped at her middle, Katrina arched her neck to peek at him, and he promptly slid his hands beneath her cloak and cupped her breasts. She bit her lip against a moan when he tweaked her turgid nipples. “Perhaps we might watch the sunset from your ... our cabin?”
Gads, she sounded wanton.
They would reach England in a few days, and Nic would step into his ducal role full-time. This journey, a belated wedding trip to the tropics, was his farewell voyage. She’d protested that he couldn’t forsake sailing, but he’d been adamant, especially when she’d revealed her delicate condition.
“Aye, and perhaps we’ll work up an appetite for our supper beforehand.” Nic turned her until she faced him and, amidst his crew’s hoots and catcalls, kissed her soundly. Nic grinned as he looped her hand through his crooked elbow. “Cease your disrespect, or I’ll toss your sorry arses in the hold for the night.”
“Aye, aye, Cap’n,” echoed round the deck, followed by a chorus of laughter.
“They adore you, Nic. Are you sure you want to give this up? Won’t you regret it?”
“No. This was my life before I gave you my heart.” He opened the cabin door and waited for her to enter before closing the strip and shoving the bolt home. “Now, Kitty, love, I want to make a new life with you.” He bent and kissed her flat stomach. “And this little one, and the others to follow.”
Dear God, she loved this rugged, unpolished man. Unfastening the frogs at her throat, she meandered to the impressive bed dominating the cabin. After tossing her cloak on a nearby chair, she turned her back, smiling coyly over her shoulder. “And what do privateers do to the women whose hearts they capture?”
In four long strides, Nic crossed to Katrina. He scooped her into his arms and, after laying her on the coverlet, slid her skirts up her thighs to her waist. “They love them, until the breath leaves their body, and afterward, ever into eternity.”
—The End—
Thank you for reading To Tame a Scoundrel’s Heart! If you enjoyed the story please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Not only do I truly want to hear your thoughts, reviews are crucial for an author to succeed. Even if you only leave a line or two, I’d very much appreciate it.
About the Author
Bestselling, award-winning Historical Romance Author, Collette Cameron, pens Scottish and Regency Romances featuring rogues, rapscallions, rakes, and the intrepid damsels who reform them. Mother to three and self-proclaimed Cadbury chocoholic, she’s crazy about dachshunds, cobalt blue, and makes her home in Oregon with her husband and five mini-dachshunds. You'll always find animals, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels.
From the desk of Collette Cameron
Dearest Reader,
I never set out to be a romance author. It’s true. I am, like you, first and foremost a devoted reader of romance. That’s what led to this journey. And what a journey it’s been!
I confess, I’m a bit obsessed. All right, more than a bit. I have so many stories just waiting for me to put them on the page. And what makes it worthwhile, is you! Yes, I write because I love to write, but I write romance because I want to impact lives, even if only for a few magical moments.
I’m so thrilled you chose to read To Tame a Scoundrel’s Heart. You met the heroine, Katrina Needham in Heartbreak and Honor, but be prepared for an unexpected twist to her story.
Please consider telling other readers why you enjoyed this book by reviewing it at Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble. Not only do I truly want to hear your thoughts, reviews are crucial for an author to succeed. Even if you only leave a line or two, I’d very much appreciate it.
So, with that I’ll leave you.
Here’s wishing you many happy hours of reading, more happily-ever-afters than you can possibly enjoy in a lifetime, and abundant blessings to you and your loved-ones.
Collette Cameron
www.collettecameron.com
Twitter: @Collette_Author
Facebook.com/ColletteCameronAuthor
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The Other Waltz with a Rogue Novellas
A Kiss for Miss Kingsley
Olivia Kingsley didn’t expect to fall in love and receive a secret marriage proposal two weeks into her first Season. However, one dance with Allen Wimpleton, heir to a viscountcy, and her fate is sealed. Or so she thinks until her eccentric and ailing father, unaware of Allen’s proposal, announces he’s moving the family to the Caribbean for a year. ... In two days.
Allen begs Olivia to elope to Scotland, knowing her father will refuse his offer of marriage after such a brief acquaintance with Olivia. Having recently lost her mother, and fearing for her father’s health, she refuses, pleading with Allen to wait for her until she returns to England. Angry at her hesitancy, and unaware of her father’s ill health, Allen demands she choose—him or her father.
Heartbroken at his callousness, but thankful he’s revealed his true nature before she married him, Olivia turns her back on their love. The year becomes three, enough time for her broken heart to heal, and after her father dies, Olivia returns to England. Coming face to face with Allen, she realizes she never purged him from her heart and once again the flames of love ignite, but is it too late?
Bride of Falcon
After five Seasons, Ivonne Wimpleton has accepted she’s a haute ton undesirable. Always a bit ungraceful, her suitors are men desperate to get their hands on her marriage settlement. Guarded and aloof, she’s resigned herself to spinsterhood. She doesn’t mind her fate, since Chancy Faulkenhurst, the man who once held her heart, left for India years ago without an explanation. When Ivonne’s father, Viscount Wimpleton, refuses Chance’s request for her hand in marriage, he transfers to the East India Troops. Chance’s dreams of making Ivonne his wife are soundly dashed. Ignoring her letters, he closes the door on his heart and Ivonne and remains in India.
Six years later, severely injured during a battle, Chance returns to England physically and emotionally scarred. His love for Ivonne remains just as strong. When he learns due to a whim of Prinny’s she must choose one of the despots whose offered for her hand, Chance is determined that none should have her but him. Except, not only is she infuriated he made no effort to contact her in all those years, in Chance’s absence, his father arranged a marriage for him and fully expects Chance to honor the agreement.
Her Scandalous Wish
A marriage offer obligated by duty; an acceptance, compelled by desperation.
At two and twenty and scarred from a fire, Philomena Pomfrett is resigned to spinsterhood, but to ease her dying brother’s fretting, she reluctantly agrees to attend a London Season—to acquire a husband. If she fails, when he dies, with no family and no money, her future is perilous. Betrayed once by love, Philomena entertains no notions of a love-match.
Newly titled, Bradford, Viscount Kingsley, returns to England after a three-year absence. When he stumbles upon Philomena hiding in a secluded arbor during a ball, he doesn’t recognize his first love, believing she died in a fire. Yet, something about her enthralls him, and he steals a moonlit kiss. Caught in the act by Philomena’s brother, Bradford is issued an ultimatum—a duel or marry Philomena.
Bradford offers marriage, but Philomena rejects his half-hearted proposal, convinced he’d grow to despise her. Then her brother collapses, and she’s faced with marrying a man who deserted her once already.
To Tame a Scoundrel's Heart (A Waltz with a Rogue Novella Book 4) Page 12
