“I built it so my wife would have easy access to the widow’s walk during bad weather.” He spoke through stiff lips. “I didn’t want you climbing the outside stairs when they were slippery with rain or ice. Forgive me for thinking my wife would be concerned and want to keep a lookout for my ship at such times.”
“Why lock it from the inside at the attic door?” she questioned, her eyes showing the first faint gleam of hope.
“So no one could enter our room,” he explained. She was devastated at the thought I’d carry on with one of the maids—not because her pride was hurt, but because she cares for me. The realization softened his outrage that she had believed the worst.
“Oh.” The tiny sound melted the rest of his wounded pride.
“I’d never do something like that—no matter who my wife was.” He scooted up to crowd beside her, nestling her in the crook of his arm.
“You’re a better man than that.” Libby wiped her eyes and gave a tremulous smile. “And I’ve always known it. I don’t know why I jumped to such an awful conclusion….”
“It made sense at the time.” He squeezed her shoulder. “The important thing is you believe the truth, so we’re ready to move on.”
“I do.” She nodded vehemently. “I overreacted, Gregory. I’m so sorry for that. You see”—she drew a deep breath before continuing—“I’ve always admired you, from the first night we met. And even now, when things are going so well, it’s easy for me to believe that I’m not the wife you wanted.”
“You weren’t.” At her gasp, he smiled. “You’re far more than I ever wanted in a wife, and I know I’m blessed to have you, Libby. We may have started out on shaky ground, but I like to think we’ve found a solid path together.”
“Me, too.” Her hair tickled his cheek as she nodded.
“But even more than that”—he knew the time had come to speak the thoughts he’d hidden for too long now—“I love you, Elizabeth Anne Royce.”
“I love you, too.” Her words came out garbled as she wept all over his surcoat.
“Now then, that’s enough.” Gregory rubbed soft circles on her back as she composed herself.
“I’ll never get enough of our life together,” she murmured, looking up at him with love shining in her eyes. “It makes tears of joy keep springing up.”
“I can think of a better way to celebrate.” He smiled as he lowered his lips to hers. Neither one of them spoke for a long moment. When he caught his breath again, Gregory added the finishing touch. “Let’s fill our nursery with beautiful babies.”
“Mmm.” She nestled closer. “I’d say that is a wonderful idea.”
Kelly Eileen Hake received her first writing contract at the tender age of seventeen and arranged to wait three months until she was able to legally sign it. Since that first contract a decade ago, she’s fulfilled twenty contracts ranging from short stories to novels. In her spare time, she’s attained her BA in English Literature and Composition, earned her credential to teach English in secondary schools, and went on to complete her MA in Writing Popular Fiction.
Writing for Barbour combines two of Kelly’s great loves—history and reading. A CBA bestselling author and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she’s been privileged to earn numerous Heartsong Presents Reader’s Choice Awards and is known for her witty, heartwarming historical romances.
A newlywed, she and her gourmet-chef husband live in Southern California with their golden lab mix, Midas!
Coming May 2013 …
A Texas Brides Collection
Enjoy a wild ride through Texas history in this collection of nine romances penned by an exclusive selection of Christian fiction authors.
Can the lonely, the lawful, and the lawless find love in the Lone Star state?
Available wherever books are sold.
Bartered Bride Romance Collection Page 57
