“I’m not running away.” She eyed him with concern. “Did you walk here?”
“Some of the distance. Tree trunk on the line,” he explained with a wave of his hand.
“Foolish man.”
“Says the woman who was planning on disappearing without saying a word!”
“I was not planning on disappearing! Must you always believe the worst of me?”
This was disastrous. He still didn’t know why she was leaving or what had happened and his leg was on fire and he had officially become grumpier than his brother Ash. What a wonderful way to greet the woman he loved.
“What else am I to think when you are in the process of moving out?”
Anna shook her head at him. “I think you need to sit down.”
“I do not need to sit down. I am perfectly fine.”
“Stubborn fool.”
“Frustrating wench,” he shot back.
“If you came here just to insult me, you may as well go home.”
“I did not come here to insult you, dammit, I came to propose.”
Anna gaped at him. Her lashes rose and lowered several times. “Pardon?”
Damn, he had not meant to blurt it out like that. He’d intended to see how she felt. Maybe figure out what his chances of rejection were. Establish if she actually loved him.
“You heard me,” he grumbled.
“Harris—” Her face paled, and she turned abruptly, hastening back into the house.
“Anna?” He walked after her but his wretched leg meant she outpaced him. Was the idea of marrying him so repulsive that she would run away from him?
He strode into the house, silently cursing himself. Of course it was. What could he offer her? Anna had everything she needed. He had nothing to give that she did not already have.
When he came into the main hall, she was standing in the middle of it, looking hot and flushed.
“Anna?”
“Forgive me.”
“Are you not well?”
“In a way.”
He peered at her and noted the tiniest smile on her lips. She did not hate him then.
“What is going on, Anna?” he asked wearily.
She motioned to one of the few sofas remaining, and he sat gratefully.
“I am not running away, I promise. But I have sold Stourbridge.”
“Why? It’s your life’s work?”
“And it was my life. It took over every aspect of who I was and I had realised I did not want to be that person anymore.” Her smile broadened. “I have you to thank for that.”
Bloody hell, did she have to be so beautiful when she smiled? Those dimples he’d once kissed graced her cheeks and made her seem so young and enchanting.
In spite of looking slightly damp with sweat, he wanted to stroke her face and kiss her until she loved him as he did her. All this love stuff was going to take some getting used to but as near as he could tell, it meant he did not just want to take her to bed.
Who’d have thought Harris Cynfell would ever fall in love?
“I am not sure what I’ve done.”
She put a hand to his face. “More than you realise.”
“So you are selling Stourbridge? What shall you do with the money?”
“Well, I have already invested some. My assistant has decided to go into the hotel business.”
“As you planned.”
“Indeed. I am her investor. She’ll be taking on all the workers who wish to stay with her. Nora was far too clever to work for me forever, really. I’ve secured good work for everyone else.”
“So the den of sin is no longer. What shall you do now?”
“Well, that depends on you.”
He swallowed. “It does.”
Anna glanced shyly at him. The look was far too enchanting. She had him mesmerized. If she said she intended to strip him naked and hang him from Stourbridge’s flagpole, he’d likely agree.
“Were you sincere in your proposal?”
“As much as I buggered it up, yes.” He took in a breath. “I love you, Anna. I want to support you, whatever the future holds.”
Her dimples deepened. “I am gladdened to hear you say that because, well, I love you too.”
Harris stared at her for several moments. He hadn’t been sure he’d been expecting her to capitulate so easily. Anna hadn’t been easy to win. Surely she did not love him already too? Surely he had months and months of work ahead of him to persuade her that she just might?
“Have I shocked you?”
“A little, yes,” he admitted.
“Even though you love me?”
“Well, yes.”
“I always was good at shocking people.” She placed her hand across the back of his. “Are you prepared for another shock?”
“I-I’m not sure.”
How was it this woman was capable of throwing him so off course. No other woman had ever managed the same. Who else could turn Harris Cynfell into a bumbling fool?”
“I am also carrying your child,” she said quickly.
“Bloody hell,” he breathed.
“I know. It was a shock to me too. Apparently the sponges are not all that effective, I have discovered. You would think I would know such a thing.”
“You are an innocent in a sinful world, Anna.”
“Not to others I am not.”
“I see you, Anna,” he told her sincerely. “I see you for the woman you are and not for who the gossips say you are. You are strong and caring and vulnerable. I care little what others think. All that matters is what you and I think. No Cynfell has ever gone untouched by scandal, however, I should like our child to avoid it as much as possible.”
“I do too. That is also why I sold Stourbridge. A chid cannot be raised in a house of sin.”
“No.” He pressed his hand over where she cradled his. “Nor should they be raised without their father’s name.”
“Does that mean...?”
“I believe that was a proposal. I don’t seem to be getting better at them.”
She laughed. “And here I thought you to be an eloquent man.”
“I thought I was too, but I thought many things until I met you, Anna. Now will you be my wife or not?”
Anna flung her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Of course I bloody will.”
Epilogue
Anna paused to admire Alice as she stood by the window, looking out over the lawns of Glasbroke House. The afternoon sun streamed about her, warming her chocolate hair. Her daughter smiled in a way that looked so much like her father.
Anna could not help but copy that smile. A sweet fullness filled her chest. At twelve, Alice was slowly growing into a witty, intelligent woman, and was unfortunately as stubborn as her mother. It did mean not all moments were peaceful like this, but she couldn’t help admire her daughter’s spirit. She suspected with her father’s affability and her own determination, Alice would go far. She was the perfect balance of them both.
“Have you seen your papa, Alice?”
“Yes, he left to see the horses not long ago.”
“Did you not wish to go with him?”
“Not today. Miss Grovesnor says I have to concentrate on my French today.” She rolled her eyes. “I can already speak better French than her.”
Anna held back a laugh. Miss Grovesnor was a fine governess, but she did fear Alice was going to outgrow her very soon.
“I’ll take a walk down to see your papa shortly.” She had spent most of the morning tucked away in the office, answering letters and consulting with the housekeeper. Their stud farm had been running successfully for over five years now and was as busy as ever, but thankfully it did not take as much work as Stourbridge had. Besides, having her husband join her in this venture halved the work. Between them, the farm had become quite the success.
“Is everything well, darling?” she asked as her daughter chewed on her bottom lip.
“Yes. I was just thinking of last week w
hen we went to London.”
A tiny pang of dread sparked low in Anna’s stomach. “Oh yes?”
“People are fools,” she announced.
“That they are.”
“I do wish you would say something, Mama. No one should be so rude.”
Anna shook her head at her daughter’s determined expression. At her age, she was old enough to understand at least a little of her mother’s past. And she had, unfortunately, heard a few snide comments that occasionally came her way. The gossip had lessened over the years and with her marriage and the business thriving, many members of London society had come to respect her. But the taint of the past still lingered, and she hated that it touched Alice.
“If I say anything, I shall only be lowering myself to their level. We must behave with dignity and grace.”
Her chin jutted up. “Or we could show them who they are dealing with.”
Anna chuckled. Her daughter already had more confidence and wit than she’d ever had. If any child could deal with the vicious world London society could be, it was her. Though there had been times when she’d feared for her daughter, entering that world one day, that fear disappeared by the day.
“As long as you show them with dignity and grace, that is all that I ask.”
“I cannot wait for my debut. I shall show them what us Cynfells are truly about.”
“No doubt you will.” Anna strode over and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. “Now, I must search out your father and remind him your uncles are arriving tonight.”
“Do you need any help preparing, Mama?”
“Most of it is in hand, but why do you not check with the maids and ensure the rooms are all prepared?”
“Of course.”
Alice hurried off, skirts in hand. Anna watched her hasten away, skipping like a little girl. She was caught on the precipice between adulthood and childhood and it made her heart ache sometimes for that lovely child. Yet she could not help but be proud of the woman she was slowly becoming.
Smiling to herself, she made her way out of the hallway and down the steps toward the gravel road that circled the front of the house. Sun touched her face and she peered at the cloudless blue sky. Perfect weather for a garden party, thankfully. With all of the family visiting, even in their rather large house, they would need the use of the gardens. The Cynfell brothers and their families did manage to take up a lot of space, especially those men.
She strode past the fountain, briefly watching the birds splash about in the water before heading down toward the paddock. She spotted Harris with a stallion. As she neared, that familiar warmth budded low in her belly at the sight of him. They might wake up together most mornings but she still missed him while she’d been working.
His jacket hung discarded on the fencing, and he wore only a loose shirt and some old trousers. He moved around the stallion with such care, and she could already see the connection building with the beast. She admired his patience and how he dealt with the stubborn animals. She also couldn’t help think back to how he had done the same with her. Not that anyone could tame her, but he’d shown her so much. There was no chance she would be living this wonderful life without him.
“Will you be coming in for lunch?” she called when she got to the fence.
He glanced her way and flashed her a grin that had her heart stuttering. “Who can resist an invitation from you, Anna?”
He made his way over to her and perched his arms on the fencing. Leaning over, he kissed her on the lips. “Did you have a good morning?”
“Yes, I was just arranging all the food for the next few days.”
“It’s been a while since the Cynfells gathered together.”
Anna gave her husband a look. “There’s a reason for that.”
He chuckled and leaped nimbly over the fence. If it was not for the scar on his leg, one wouldn’t have known he had ever been shot.
“And what would that be, dear wife?” He swiped his hands down his shirt and took her in his arms. The way he looked into her eyes had her falling in love with him all over again. Each day, it seemed, she fell just a little bit more. How that was possible, she did not know, but she wouldn’t complain.
“You Cynfells are terribly good at getting yourselves into trouble.”
“Don’t forget you have to include yourself in that remark.”
“I am never trouble,” she declared, wrapping her arms about his neck.
“You are always trouble. Thankfully I love trouble.” He lowered his mouth to hers and paused, whispering against her lips, “I love you.”
THE END
Sinful Secrets
Chapter One
Warwickshire, England 1901
Though spring was apparently meant to be giving way to summer, Gideon saw no sign of it. Not that unusual for England really, but he wouldn’t mind some drier weather. They seemed to have gone from sunny skies to grey within mere moments. Nearly a week’s worth of rain had left the ground no better than a stodgy stew of mud and grass.
Green hills rolled out in front of him, beckoning for him to race over them. Aside from a few farm houses scattered between them and Chetwyn Lodge just visible in the distance, he was alone. And that was how he liked it.
He gripped the reins tight, feeling them dig into his leather gloves. Peridot shifted impatiently.
“All right, boy, you’ll get your chance for a gallop, never fear,” he assured the gelding.
He needed this ride. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy time with his family but the Cynfells were a large lot now and exhausting at times. He'd never quite fit in and now he was the only unmarried one.
It would likely stay that way too. He didn’t have much need for a wife, and he certainly didn’t much fancy having to tell the truth to any potential wife. Gideon scanned the empty hills.
And he would have to, because what was a marriage built on lies?
He drew in a breath, savoured the clean air. Relished the silence too. His nieces and nephews were a wonderful lot, but not a one of them knew how to be quiet. A vast change from his childhood, for certain. When they were around their mother, all of the Cynfell brothers had grown used to being as quiet as possible.
Peridot twitched. He scowled and listened. A noise. A woman’s cry? Perhaps.
He urged the horse into a trot and eased over the brow of the hill. Amusement curved his lips when he saw the woman tugging at her boot.
“Need a hand?” He brought the mount closer until he could see the woman properly. A laugh threatened to escape him when she nearly tumbled to the ground. Her boot was stuck deep in the mud and splatters of it covered her skirts.
“Oh no, I—” she glanced up at him from under her hat. “Gideon Cynfell.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you laugh at me.”
Climbing down from the horse, he offered Cleo his hand to steady her.
Her gloved fingers curled around his, and she gave her feet another tug.
“Blast.” Her boots were stuck fast.
“I didn’t realise you were in Warwickshire.”
“I’ve been in Yorkshire for a few weeks but mama wanted me to come down for a few dress fittings, to prepare me for the season.” She rolled her eyes. “As if I have not seen enough of those. What are you doing here?”
“Welcoming another Cynfell into the world.” He took her other hand to steady her. “Viola gave birth to a healthy baby boy some three days ago.
“Oh, already? I can hardly keep up.”
He chuckled. “Nor me.”
“I shall send a card when I get the chance. If I ever get out of this mud.”
Gideon pondered her boots and shook his head. “I think you’re stuck fast.”
Cleo sighed. “Me too. I only wanted to get a little fresh air. I certainly never expected to get in such a pickle. Horrible English weather.”
“It’s not the first time you’ve become stuck in mud, and I have a feeling it won’t be the last.”
“Yes,” she agreed, he
r blue eyes sparkling with mirth, “but the last time, you were responsible for it.”
Gideon paused. She was right. They’d spent many an hour playing out on these very hills in their childhood, and once he’d pushed her into the mud, causing her to be stuck. After trying to pull her out, both of them had ended coated in mud and received quite a scolding from their governesses. He had little intention of letting that happen again but at least there were no governesses to scald their ears this time. He let go of her hands and motioned to her waist. “Do you mind if I...?”
“Not at all.”
Placing his hands either side of her waist, he scowled at the feeling of her body beneath his palms. Cleo Talbot had always been a skinny thing. She could eat all the sweets and cakes she liked and would never gain any weight.
It used to annoy her, he recalled, and they’d spent one week trying to fatten her up. The result was he’d been sick and she remained a beanpole. She still was really, except underneath her simple muslin gown was a hint of breasts and hips. He wasn’t too sure he should have even noticed. This was Cleo after all.
And he certainly should not be thinking how rather appealing her delicate waist was under his hands.
“Hold my arms,” he ordered.
She did as he bid, clasping her hands around his forearms. He gave her a tug, then another. The mud made a sucking noise. He tried again but her boots would not come free.
“It’s no good. The boots will have to go.”
He released her. Why his hands felt as though he were now missing something, he did not know.
Cleo pushed a red curl from her eye and shook her head. “Trust me to get stuck in the mud. Mama will be cross I’ve lost another pair of boots.”
“You still manage to lose things?”
Her cheeks reddened. “I don’t mean to!”
A smile quirked his lips. He hadn’t seen Cleo for at least a year. And even then their time together had been limited by social convention. Gone were the days when they could roam these hills and run through the forests alone. Now it was all formal dancing and stiff conversations. He didn’t half miss the days when things were a lot less complicated.
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