She paused, unable to speak. A new world had opened before her. A big, beautiful world.
“Please Gwen, An answer, I’ve asked you several times. It is un-manly to beg but if that is what it takes.
She laughed. “You told me three times and asked me once. There is a difference.”
He frowned but held his tongue while he waited for her answer.
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I will marry you. Yes, I will be your Duchess.”
His smile lit the room. His eyes twinkled then slowly changed to longing. He lowered his lips to hers in a sweet, possessive kiss. She was his, and he would be hers. Life would be good.
His hands started to slide from her waist up to her breasts sending a warm tingling feeling throughout her body.
“Thomas,” she gasped, “Your family, the doctor?”
“To hell with them,” he said. “I’m a Duke; rank has its privileges. They can wait.”
“Oh Thomas,” she said as she succumbed to the man she loved.
Epilogue
Gwen Marshal, the Duchess of Bathurst, tucked a stray strand of gray hair back into place as she glanced at a mirror in the hall. Forty years, she thought. Who would have thought she would lead such a life. Her eyes traveled to a spot on the floor of the main hall. Every time she walked by that spot she remembered scrubbing it on her hands and knees. Her mind would flash to looking over her shoulder to see the dashing Major. How handsome he looked, her Thomas.
Stepping into the parlor her heart melted as she silently smiled to herself. Her friends, her family. They had all come. John, Viscount Readly, their oldest had come from London with his wife Judith and their adorable children. Her grandchildren. Little Elizabeth, who wasn’t so little any longer and Young Thomas, a future Duke.
Her daughter, Celeste, who grew to be more like her namesake every day. In control of everything and everybody. Gwen swore to herself that she had no idea where she got it from. Her husband, Viscount Wycombe would be arriving later this evening with their son.
Gwen felt her heart hitch as she remembered her dear friend whom they had named their first daughter after. She sent up a silent prayer in thanks for the fact that Aunt Celeste had lived to see her names sake’s christening. The woman had helped her so much. Pulling strings, massaging egos. Doing so much to ease her way into this new world.
Joseph, her second son, was home from India. Came all this way just to celebrate with her. Her breath hitched. They had come so close to losing him when he was eight. Now he looked so handsome, so grown up in his Major’s uniform. They really must find him a wife. Tanned, wide shoulders, with a natural commanding presence. He takes after his father. He is living the life his father would have lived if he had been given the opportunity.
As her heart took it in she felt a soft, slim hand sneak around her waist and give her a quick hug.
“Is everything all right mother,” her youngest, Annabel asked. The blond haired beauty smiled at her. She had been Gwen’s greatest surprise and greatest gift. Arriving so late in life. The baby had kept Brookshire a home instead of a mere house. It won’t be long, she thought, before she would also be leaving. Leaving to start a new life of her own. Her daughter’s wedding was only a few months away. If her fiancé had his way, it would have happened a year ago.
Mother’s aren’t supposed to have favorites. But sill.
“Yes dear, everything is wonderful. I was just remembering. It feels so good to have everyone here. To have all my chicks in the nest.”
Her daughter laughed and hugged her again. .
Gwen looked across the room. Lady Elizabeth was sipping punch and pushing the hair out of her son’s eyes. Her husband, Capt. Roberts stood there, tall and firm. The American always worried her. How she had fretted that he would take Elizabeth back to America. He seemed so stern. So rigid, but Elizabeth adored him. It worked for them.
Next to them Isabel and Bishop Moore smiled at something Elizabeth said. Gwen noticed their son, Rolland, shooting looks at Little Elizabeth. Little Elizabeth, who would be coming out herself, next year. She would have to keep an eye on that she realized as she smiled to herself. Yes definitely.
Everyone was here except for …
The parlor door opened and her soul mate, her love stepped inside. He’s using his cane more, she thought. His hair had turned gray, but he was still straight and tall. His presence seemed to fill the space around him. The man could command a room with a simple look.
Young Thomas broke from his mother’s side to hug his grandfather around the leg making him stumble back a step as he laughed. The two of them were inseparable, thick as thieves. She knew grandfathers weren’t supposed to have favorites, but still.
Her love reached down to ruffle his grandson’s hair then looked up to catch her watching him.
Her heart halted for a moment. The love in his eyes was more than any person could ever ask from life. Her Duke, her man, her love.
The End
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading ‘The Reluctant Duke’.
I would love to know what you think of it. My readers make it possible for me to do what I love so I am always grateful and excited to hear from you. Please stop by my website GLSnodgrass.com or send me an Email at [email protected]. Feel free to sign up for my newsletter. I use my newsletter to announce new releases and give away free books. I also post on my Facebook page
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Acknowledgements
As always I wish to thank my family and friends. They have made this journey so enjoyable. A special thank you to my mother-in-law Diana Coleman for her assistance with proof reading and initial thoughts. I also wish to thank my writer’s critique group, Kristi Rose, Anya Monroe, Rick Soper, Eryn Carpenter, and John Pelkey. This would not have been possible without their insight and patience. Each is an excellent author in their own right, check ‘em out.
Last of all I wish to thank you dear reader. Your support has meant so much to me. Thank You
Other Books by G. L. Snodgrass
Certain Rules (Young Adult Romance)
Unwritten Rules (Young Adult Romance)
Worth Saving (Dystopian Romance)
A Demon's Nightmare (Paranormal Romance)
More Than Best Friends (Collection of Short Stories)
The Reluctant Duke (Regency Romance)
Novellas
Nothing So Quiet
My Sister’s Best Friend
Hidden Friends
Love's Winding Road
Short Stories
Best Friends
Rescuing a Best Friend
A New Year's Kiss
Asking the Right Question
Prom Date
The One That Got Away
Dragon's Skin
The First
The Reluctant Duke (Love's Pride Book 1) Page 20
