“Aunt Beatrice and Sophia!” Claudine rushed forward to embrace the ladies in turn. They chattered together for a moment before Claudine introduced him as her betrothed.
The older lady shook a gnarled finger in his direction. “You be sure to take care of our darling Claudine, or you will answer to me, young man.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Claudine wrapped her arms around his waist. “We will take care of each other, Aunt Beatrice.”
The woman declared it a splendid plan then bade them good-bye.
Claudine held on to him and looked up. He leaned down to place a peck on her lips. “I haven’t had time to ask if you were hurt tonight.”
She shook her head. “But he hit your arm hard. Are you hurt?”
“No, I am exhilarated.”
“Because of the play or your mother’s attendance at it?”
“Both. And neither,” he said, adjusting their position so they were facing each other. “I’m exhilarated, because I didn’t disappoint you tonight.”
She smiled, recalling the worries she’d had in the beginning, and he hadn’t disappointed her in any way. “You were magnificent, Romeo. The very best actor in all of London.”
“You are just trying to flatter me to get me between the sheets.”
“Maybe.”
His dimple winked at her. “I’m surprisingly all right with that,” he said and kissed her like a leading man should kiss the woman he loved.
RESISTING ROMEO
EPILOGUE
The Drayton’s cast and crew had gathered at Claudine’s town house to celebrate a five-week run of their play. Russell stood back to observe the merriment in the drawing room for a moment and revel in their success. The theatre was in no danger of having the doors closed for a long time to come.
Oliver approached with two glasses of brandy and handed one to him. “I hate to see you go home for the winter,” he said. “I could use your help.”
Russell smiled. “If you follow the business plan to the letter, everything will be all right. We will be back after Christmas.”
He had tried to sign the theatre over to his brother, but Oliver had convinced him to make him a partner instead. Russell would manage the practical side of running the theatre, and Oliver would continue to be in charge of creative direction.
Oliver nodded toward Claudine and Tilde seated together on the sofa. “Maybe it’s for the best that you are whisking your betrothed to the country. Tilde is going to give her ideas with all of that baby talk.”
“Please thank Miss Allred for the baby bonnet and blanket,” Russell overheard Tilde saying as she circled her hand around her slightly rounded belly. “It is hard to believe our boy will be so tiny.”
Russell shrugged, his grin growing wider. He wouldn’t mind if Claudine wanted to make him a father sooner rather than later. He fully intended to enjoy every moment of their lives together. “There are worst fates than marrying the woman I love and becoming a father. Besides, if Lars can rise to the occasion, so can I.”
“He does seem rather pleased with his situation.”
Tilde and Lars had gotten married last week, and they were preparing to welcome their first child in the spring. They had also decided they liked the company at the Drayton and became permanent members. With the success of the show, the couple was able to afford to let rooms not far from the theatre. The new actor Oliver had recruited was already living in their vacant room at the Drayton.
“Look at Benny and Rachel,” Oliver said and sipped his drink. Benny had pushed the furniture back at Rachel’s urging. The pretty brunette was leading him through the steps of the waltz, but they were laughing so hard, Russell expected them to collapse on the floor.
“I believe a new romance is in bloom,” Oliver said. “They are unexpectedly suited for one another, are they not?”
Russell chuckled. “Yes, and I am sure they are anxious to see us leave for Rowan Manor tomorrow.”
Benny had found his place at the theatre and was now an official member of the company. By his choice, Benny would be staying at the town house while Russell and Claudine wintered at Rowan Manor, although he planned to join them for Christmas. Russell would have liked to invite Oliver to join them as well, but it was too soon to ask his mother to welcome him at the manor, even though she would be moving to the dowager house in a few weeks.
Fortunately, his mother had come to accept his pending marriage to Claudine, although he was certain his betrothed’s generosity had played a large role. A few days after opening night, Russell had discovered his mother incurred substantial debts at several shops during her last Season in Town. She had been able to hold the duns at bay while Russell’s father had been ill, and for a time after his death, but the shopkeepers had begun demanding payment.
Claudine had insisted on selling a piece of jewelry to settle the matter and reassured his mother that there would be more assistance forthcoming to launch his youngest sisters.
As it turned out, Claudine was an heiress after all. She received a pension from Nan Abby, who had been a successful actress in her time, and Claudine wouldn’t hear a word against using her inheritance to help her new family. Besides, she was planning to write at least two more plays while they were at Rowan Manor, and she anticipated more success in the near future.
Initially, Russell was angry upon discovering his mother’s debts. She had tried to manipulate him into marrying an heiress for her benefit, not for his sisters’ sakes. Claudine, however, was more understanding and had encouraged him to forgive for his sake.
Anger can be a heavy load to bear, she’d said.
She was probably right about forgiving his mother, but he wasn’t willing to turn the other cheek with her former butler. Russell had called on Mr. Tabron in gaol for answers, and found the man was a vengeful blackguard. Tabron felt himself superior to Claudine and believed being turned out was unforgiveable. Russell was pleased Claudine would never have to see him again, since Tabron had been found guilty of attempted murder and arson. Hopefully, a respite in the country would allow Claudine and Russell to forget the ordeal.
He and Oliver visited for a while longer, before Lars challenged Oliver to a type of wrestling using only one’s arms. Lars had learned the game from an American actor. As the entire cast and crew moved to the dining room to watch the game, he and Claudine lingered behind. She crossed the drawing room, and he wrapped her in his arms.
“You are going to miss all of this, aren’t you?” he asked.
She rested her chin against his chest, gazing up at him. Fine lines appeared on her forehead. “I will be happy to see everyone when we return, but I’m anxious to meet your sisters and begin our new life. I hope they like me.”
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “They are going to adore you as much as I do. Otherwise, I will threaten to have you write them into a play where all sorts of embarrassing things will happen to them.”
“Russell!” She laughed. “That’s not nice.”
He grinned. “I know, but you learn a few tricks when you are the only brother in the house.”
“I’m sure they have learned a few tricks of their own to deal with you. Perhaps they will share what works to make you toe the line.”
“You don’t need to learn any tricks, mon amour. You already have me wrapped around your finger.”
Her smile caused his heart to stumble. “And I am wrapped around yours, Romeo,” she said and lifted to her toes to press her lips to his for one of many kisses they would share in their happy lifetime together.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SAMANTHA GRACE
RITA-nominated historical romance author, Samantha Grace, discovered the appeal of a great love story at the age of four, thanks to Disney’s “Robin Hood”. She didn’t care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience, and she didn’t want the warm fuzzies to end. Now that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for
characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher’s Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever. Part-time medical social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.
www.samanthagraceauthor.com
Titles by Samantha Grace
Uncle Charlie’s Angels
Secrets to a Gentleman’s Heart
Rival Rogues
The Best of Both Rogues
One Rogue Too Many
In Bed with a Rogue
Kissed by a Scottish Rogue
Beau Monde
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel
Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half
Miss Lavigne’s Little White Lie
Lady Vivian Defies a Duke
Novellas
Charming a Scoundrel
Twice Upon a Time
Box sets and Anthologies
Once Upon A Regency
Once Upon a True Love’s Kiss
A Summons From Danby Castle
Resisting Romeo (Gentlemen of Intrigue Book 2) Page 15
