by Aileen Fish
He shook his head and folded his arms over his chest.
“I wrote him a letter—I wrote to you. You have been very kind never to remind me of my foolishness.”
“I never received it.”
She shrugged. “Joanna said your mother never mentioned it. She thought perhaps your mother had burned it before you could read it, since it came from a young lady.”
“My mother only saw the portion of the post that was taken to her. Father or I usually sorted it. You must tell me what it said.”
“Please don’t make me speak of it. We have acknowledged I was extremely foolish as a girl, there is no need to take this further.”
He reached for her hand and pulled her to stand in his arms. “I won’t force you to tell me. Might I coerce it from you?” His hands stroked down her back, pressing her against the length of him.
Miriam’s insides quivered and heated. “Someone will come look for us soon. We should return to them.”
“No one cares about us tonight.”
“We are all that matters now,” she agreed. She rose on her toes and kissed him, her hands pulling at his neck to bring him near.
When the kiss ended, he took her arms and set her away from him. “I am too close to doing something I will regret. I will return to the drawing room and you may follow shortly.”
With one last brief touch of his lips to her forehead, he turned to go.
Just before he reached the door, Miriam called out, “I asked you to marry me.”
“Pardon?” He moved back towards the light.
“In the letter. I begged you not to wait any longer and marry me.”
His gaze held her for so long, she feared he regretted proposing. “Then I am glad the letter was lost. I was not man enough to see what a boon had befallen me at the time.”
Chapter Nine
Northcotte skipped his morning ride in order to attend church with the others. He and Miriam had agreed to wait until after the service to share their news with the families. Hopefully they could make the announcement before the arrival of the rest of the Lumleys and Sir Perry and Lady Marwick.
No one looked askance when he helped Miriam into and out of the carriage. None of them mentioned the lingering smile he gave her, thank goodness. Her answering smile burned deep within him.
On the return trip he realized he had no gift for her. They had agreed among the couples to only buy gifts for the children, but he couldn’t let his first Christmas with his future wife pass unmarked. The conversation in the carriage went on around him as he considered his plight.
His thumb itched to spin his grandfather’s ring on his finger as he was wont to do when deep in thought, but his gloves prevented the movement. Then it struck him what he would do.
When they arrived home, everyone removed their outerwear in the hallway, handing the garments to the maid and footman. Before she could go on her way, Northcotte grabbed Miriam’s hand, and with a finger to his lips, pulled her into Stephen’s study. He left the door open, but went deep into the room.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “What will the others think?”
“I care not what anyone thinks anymore, anyone but you.” He slipped Grandfather’s ring off his finger and took Miriam’s hand. “My first gift to you, and far from the last. Will you take this ring as a promise until I may find one suitable for a bride as beautiful as you?”
She laughed as her eyes welled, and she stretched to kiss him. “I will be proud to wear it around my neck.”
He pressed it into her palm and wrapped his arms around her, still unable to believe his fortune.
Voices came from the hallway. “Where did Northcotte and Lady Miriam go?” asked Stephen.
“I don’t know.” David answered. “Did they go abovestairs?”
The girls’ laughter echoed in the hallway, and Joanna said, “It’s a mystery to me.”
“Oh yes, a mystery,” echoed Jane, and they laughed even louder.
Miriam spoke against his waistcoat. “We’ve been made out.”
He wasn’t surprised to discover his sister had known what he had not until the night before. “So we have. Shall we go solve this ‘mystery’ for them?”
Before he let her go, Northcotte stole one last kiss from her, knowing that time would crawl until the day he could be alone with her for good. The only mystery to him was how he’d come to deserve this treasure, but he wasn’t going to question his luck. He intended show his gratitude every day for the remainder of his life.
About Aileen Fish
Aileen Fish, author of The Bridgethorpe Brides series, is published under several pen names, with stories ranging from historical to paranormal, and heat levels from sweet to scorching. She is also an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families, and her fairy princess granddaughter.
Stay up to date with book releases at her website http://aileenfish.com or on Facebook
Do you like your romance steamier? Check out http://arithatcher.com!
More Danby Pact Books
To read about Robert’s friends, look for these novellas, all originally part of A Gentlemen’s Pact and A Pact Between Gentlemen.
In AVA STONE's A Bit of Mistletoe, Everett Casemore, the very serious Marquess of Berkswell, returns home for Christmas, slightly shaken by the death of an old friend. Determined not to suffer the same sort of fate at the hands of a woman, Berks resolves himself to eternal bachelorhood. Unfortunately, both his resolve and his peace of mind are threatened by the arrival of a beautiful, thoughtful, but mostly unsuitable lady. * Miss Theresa Birkin knows better than most that an error in judgment can lead one down an unfortunate path. If only she'd been wiser when she was younger. If only she hadn't followed her foolish heart. If only she'd met Lord Berkswell long before now.
In JANE CHARLES's Lady Disguised, Mr. Sebastian Stanwick never intended to marry. It was bad enough that his father gambled away everything they owned and then drank himself to death, leaving his mother broken until she could not go on. But the death of his good friend at the hand of the man’s wife only solidifies Stanwick’s decision to remain a bachelor. Women were simply unpredictable and unstable if not taken care of properly. * Hélène Mirabelle wants few things in life. One, is to perform on the stage, and the other, is to be out from under the roof of her overbearing new family: Lord Bentley and the Trent brothers. Since her mother’s recent passing, Hélène's desire to return to Milan and the stage has only grown. A husband could never fit into the plans because no decent man would take an actress as a wife. * One fateful night leaves Hélène questioning if being an actress is the only thing she wants, while Stanwick begins to wonder whether all women are truly prone to madness and if they are, he may never get Hélène off of his mind.
In CATHERINE GAYLE’s Thick as Thieves, David Hounslow, the Marquess of Preston, will not stand aside while those he loves are hurt. When it becomes clear his brother-in-law’s guest is up to no good, Preston determines to scrutinize every move of the would-be thief. Not that he minds such a task—Lady Frederica is as beautiful and intelligent as she is enigmatic. Considering her close relation to a wastrel brother and her current proclivity for the less-than-savory, Preston never expected to be won over to the lady’s charms. Yet she just might steal his heart. * Desperation has become Lady Frederica Bexley-Smythe’s constant companion due to her brother’s recent affinity for gambling and carousing. With the fate of both her mother and sister resting upon her shoulders, perhaps the time has arrived for Freddie to bend the rules. How else can she secure their future? Unfortunately, Lord Preston’s scrutiny is complicating her task. Far more perplexing than his perusal is his caring nature, which is distracting her from the treasures she intends to steal. But desperate times call for desperate meas
ures…
In Jerrica Knight-Catania's ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS, Rowan Findley can't imagine a fate worse than what his friend suffered at the hands of his mad wife, so he's made the decision to remain a bachelor for all eternity. That is, until Olivia walks into his cousin's drawing room for a Christmas party. Her fiery red hair and sweet demeanor remind him of a night so many years ago that he would never forget. * Olivia Edwards can't quite believe her eyes when Rowan Findley waltzes back into her life, as handsome and charming as ever. It's been almost seven years since she's seen him, and the secret she's been harboring all that time has her on edge whenever he's about. Yet she can't deny that she's still drawn to him, nor can she deny the desire she's kept hidden in her heart these many years.
In Julie Johnstone’s ’TIS THE SEASON FOR SURRENDER, Lillian Lancaster would rather catch the plague than a husband. Unfortunately, her abusive, recently deceased father’s will stipulates her inheritance hinges upon her marrying a lord. With time running out, Lillian proposes to the guilt-ridden, marriage-adverse Lord Edgeworth after securing his agreement to a marriage in name only. * Edgeworth feels responsible for his former betrothed’s death and believes he doesn’t deserve love, which makes Lillian’s proposal oddly perfect. Commanded by his grandfather to marry by Christmas or become penniless, the obviously perfect choice is a woman who wants nothing to do with him. * When Lillian displays a brave and true heart and Edgeworth reveals his honorable, protective side maintaining a marriage of convenience becomes harder than these two wounded souls imagined. Now, Lillian and Edgeworth must decide if they are courageous enough to risk their hearts and surrender to love.
Other Books by Aileen Fish
Excerpts and buy links are available at http://aileenfish.com/books.html
Immortal Temptress
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.
Enya's job is to escort the dying on their final journey, to make sure their souls get to heaven before a demon can steal their bodies. For centuries she has done this without emotion, until the body in question belongs to Kane Sullivan. Not only does she desire his rock-hard body, she can't bear the thought of him dying. But she's not supposed to become emotionally involved in a death.
Kane's sudden run of near-fatal accidents always happen when Enya is present. She might be hot, but he's not willing to die to get to know her. Then he discovers she's fighting for his soul. That damned immortal temptress might be the death of him.
Renegade Wolf
When Stephanie shifts into wolf form for the first time on live TV, she flees to the one man who can protect her from were-hunters, Micah Salway. As attracted as she'd been to him four years ago when they'd met, she'd run scared at the changes he awakened in her after just one kiss. Was it possible he'd turned her into a werewolf?
Micah can hide Stephanie in the caves known as Devil's Promenade, but the dangers there are worse than facing down the hunter. His choices are few when faced with keeping Stephanie alive: fight the hunter alone or kiss the asses of his former pack-mates and ask for help. His wolf had claimed her the night they met. There was no way he would lose her again.
A Bride for Christmas
When Nash Sinclair sees Lady Juliana holding their newborn nephew in her arms, he decides it is time he took a wife. Juliana, however, insists only a man who slays dragons would suit, and since dragons don't exist, neither does her ideal beau. Not one to turn away from a challenge, Nash enlists the aid of his nieces and nephews in a scheme sure to win Lady Juliana's heart.
The Mistletoe Mishap
When Robert Wilmot, Viscount Alderton, catches his intended betrothed, Lady Caroline Stone, under the mistletoe, he can't resist stealing a kiss. He's quite surprised to discover her cousin, Isabella Stone, in his arms. And more surprised at how much he enjoyed kissing her. Now he must decide if marriage to Lady Caroline is truly what he wants, or if he should go against their families' wishes and pursue Isabella.
The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation
Lady Harriet Thornhill knows the summons from her grandfather means he's decided whom she must marry. Determined that she'd only marry a man of her choosing, she stows away in her friend's father's carriage, only to find herself alone with young Archibald Napier,Viscount Morley.
Morley's plans for a quiet Christmas vanish when he discovers the sweet young lady hiding under the blankets in his carriage. As she claims an acquaintance with his sister, he feels duty-bound to see her safely back to her family.
A broken carriage wheel leaves them stranded, and Harriet's reputation is at stake. Morley's not ready to take a wife, until he's told he wouldn't be a suitable husband for her. With memories of her sweet, tempting kiss filling his thoughts, he prepares to fight for the hand of the woman he believes he could love.
The Lives of Jon McCracken (print and ebook)
Reincarnation. A guardian angel on steroids. A woman who claims to be writing about his lives.
The minute he meets Gabi Peters, Jon McCracken seriously questions his decision to move to California. This isn't the change he was looking for; this is an E-ticket ride through Fantasyland. Gabi would be a hot catch if she wasn't crazy. But she spends her free time recapturing memories of a young woman who died decades before Gabi was born. She visits her past lives like most women read a favorite romance novel. How does a guy compete with the ghost of a small-town war hero who died for his country?
When his oversoul-the guardian angel on steroids-shows him the changes he has to make in his past lives in order to clear the karma affecting this one, he's forced to ask Gabi for help. Together they dig through a series of lives looking for answers, and for a chance at happily ever after.
A Grand Beginning (In Love Everlasting anthology)
A piano brings together two people with a common interest in old tunes. Widowed Mary Margaret is content on her own until she begins singing along with new neighbor Ed. Is it ever too late to start something new?
Passings in the Night (In Love Everlasting anthology)
A random meeting with a secret childhood crush brings startling revelations and the possibility of a new romance. Chrissy never expected her hard-earned self esteem to be challenged by still-hunky Jake, who asks her out.
His Impassioned Proposal
The wounded hero comes home.
Six years she has waited for the man she hopes to marry to return from war and propose to her. When he finally does, he is so far in his cups as to not remember the event the next morning! Miss Jane Marwick can't decide if she has wasted her heart on the wrong man or if he just needs some time to recover from too many life-changing events.
Stephen Lumley isn't sure he's capable of being a good husband to any woman, but he only has a few months to convince himself and Jane he is worthy of her love, or she'll be off to London to find a man who is. He's not certain what his future will bring, only that he needs Jane in it.
Cat’s Rule (In the anthology Wild at Heart Volume II)
Wren is still reeling from the chaos that landed her in a foster home, when she finds a wild lynx caught in a trap. The only person she feels she can ask for help is Mike, star quarterback and local heartthrob. With his gentle assistance, she not only saves the cat but takes the first steps in her own healing.
(All proceeds from the sale of this anthology are donated to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge)
Outcast (Apocalyptia Book One)
When the world collapses, the only person who comes looking for Niki Mathers is the loser who made fun of her in high school. JC Phillips saves her life, so she can’t really tell him to get lost. And he is keeping her from being alone at the end of the world…
JC will never forgive himself for choices he made the night before the earthquake. Rescuing the girl he’s been crushing on for the past year doesn’t bring atonement. Maybe making the world safe for Niki will take away his guilt.
The world they know is dying. All they want is to find their place in it before it does.
A Christmas Courtship
An anthology of Regency Christmas novellas: The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation, A Bride for Christmas, and The Mistletoe Mishap.
The Incorrigible Mr. Lumley
Stubborn. Hard-headed. Single-minded. The qualities that make David Lumley a successful horse breeder are put to work befriending Lady Joanna Hurst with less than noble intentions. He’s tenacious in his pursuit of the answers he seeks.
Lady Joanna falls fast and hard for the handsome, witty and charming Mr. Lumley after her brother’s ultimatum to find a husband by the end of the Season. He is everything she imagined a husband could be, and more. Blissfully unaware of the conflict between their fathers, she believes he’ll declare his love soon. Then she overhears a conversation between Mr. Lumley and her brother, and all of Mr. Lumley’s tenacity will be needed if he’s to win back her heart.
A Pretense of Love
Blush sensuality level This is a sweet romance (kisses only, no sexual content).
Twenty-two-year-old Jean’s best chance of finding a husband is behind her. When her brother’s friend offers to pay for a Season in London in exchange for pretending to be his betrothed, she sees it as a miracle.
Ben needed a fiancée to convince his dying grandfather that he has settled down and is capable of inheriting and running his business and estate. But he didn’t consider how spending six weeks with Jean would make her necessary to his happiness. Now she’s in London and he’s in agony. A gentleman never reneges on an agreement…unless his heart is broken.
