by Darcy Burke
“Unconscious,” Tavish said.
The sound of loud barking drew everyone to turn their heads. The front door opened, and the dogs rushed inside, followed by the grooms. Balthazar rushed to the animals, who swarmed around him.
“There is one villain missing,” Tavish said to Elspeth. “One of them ran off after the man outside caught fire.”
Elspeth picked up one of his feet and winced at the damage. Several jagged cuts tore his flesh. “Is there glass stuck in there?”
“I don’t think so. I pulled out a few pieces after I left the kitchen.”
She wrapped her hand around his ankle and looked up at him. “I’ll take care of you.”
He smiled. “My feet appreciate that.”
“Not just your feet, but all of you. That’s what wives do.”
“Wives?” Aunt Leah had arrived with a basin of water. She set it down next to Elspeth and stared at her. Another guest set down a small stack of cloths.
“Mr. MacLean has asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”
Aunt Leah put her hand on her mouth. “Oh my, well, that’s wonderful. I just hope it’s not a hasty decision after everything…” She shook her head. “On second thought, it seems as though he should propose.” She gave Elspeth a pointed look. Aunt Leah had seen his clothing littered about Elspeth’s room as well as her state of undress, and she was no fool.
“He asked earlier, before any of this happened.” Elspeth smiled up at him as she wetted a cloth.
Tavish turned his head toward Aunt Leah. “Truth be known, I started to fall in love with your niece two years ago. Seeing her again ensured I fell the rest of the way.” He moved his warm gaze to Elspeth. “I’m only sorry I didn’t make that happen sooner.”
Elspeth dabbed at his foot, and he flinched. “Sorry!”
“It’s quite all right,” he said. “Necessary, in fact. Do your worst.”
“I will do my best—with love.”
He grinned at her. “That is all I can hope for.”
Epilogue
December 29
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Elspeth could scarcely believe it had just over a week since the terrifying events at Balthazar’s Inn. Everyone that had endured that evening had promised to gather at the inn in the summer to make a new, better memory. And Elspeth and Tavish would do it as the Lord and Lady Strathclyde.
They’d stopped in Dunkeld to collect her father, who’d been shocked to hear of what had occurred, especially that his daughter was to be wed, and continued to Dumbarton. They’d arrived just two days ago and had been married the day before, much to the tearful delight of Aunt Leah, Elspeth’s father, and Tavish’s grandmother. Elspeth looked forward to spending the day with them. As soon as the sun came up.
For now, she snuggled against her husband’s side in his wide bed, a smile stretching her cheeks.
“Methinks you are awake,” Tavish murmured as his lips caressed her forehead.
“Yes. I didn’t think you were, however.”
“I wasn’t, but when you wiggle against me like that, I can’t remain asleep.”
She laughed before kissing his chest. “I’ll remember that. I was just thinking about the day ahead and how lovely it will be to celebrate with everyone. I’m glad Dougal and Neil arrived yesterday.”
It turned out that Carrie had, in fact, known how to find Neil. He’d been hiding out not far from Calvine. She’d sent word to him, and, at Tavish’s invitation, he and his brother had come here to Dumbarton. The first thing he’d done when he’d arrived was apologize to Tavish for stealing his sword and causing this mess.
Then Neil had explained that he’d written a note to Dougal about the sword being hidden at the inn, which the men from the order had found when they’d searched Dougal’s cottage. Dougal had lied about not knowing about the sword out of fear for his brother. At last, they’d learned how the brigands had known to come to the inn.
“Do you think they’ll accept your offer of going to the colonies?” Elspeth had been astounded to learn that Tavish not only owned three ships on which he transported Jacobites to America, but that he owned property in a place called North Carolina, where many of them had settled and would build farms.
Tavish stroked her shoulder. “I think they will. Neil was quite excited by the prospect, and I think Dougal is just glad to have his brother safe.”
“I am glad to have all of us safe.” Elspeth shuddered when she recalled what they’d had to do at the inn.
Tavish took his arm from her and started to slip from the bed. Elspeth reached for him. “Where are you going?”
He smiled at her. “Nowhere, but I need to do something.” He left the bed and stoked the fire, then returned carrying Lann Dhearg of all things.
She bolted upright. “What are you doing with that? Please don’t set the bed on fire!”
He chuckled as he climbed onto the bed. “That won’t happen. I didn’t have a chance to tell you the true secret of this sword. We’ve scarcely had a moment alone since we left the inn, and last night, well, I had other, more pressing matters to attend to.”
Heat sparked in Elspeth’s core as she arched a brow at him. “What secret?”
“How I kept it from bursting into flame when I fought Kent outside your room. My grandfather had told me there was a way to control the flame, but he didn’t know what it was. We knew that anger and despair and other negative emotions made the sword more powerful. When I was fighting to save you, I knew I loved you—more than anything. That love and the hope for our future together extinguished the flame. Even now, I can feel that love vibrating through the sword.”
Love tingled through Elspeth’s chest and spread to her limbs. “Your love for me saved us all?”
His eyes gleamed with mirth. “That, in addition to your quick thinking and expert paring knife skills.”
Elspeth laughed. “What a wonderful secret for such a terrible weapon. You’re still going to hide it in the morning?”
He nodded. “As soon as it’s light. First, however, I want to do something. Elspeth, I grant you the use of Lann Dhearg.” He held out the sword.
She frowned. “You know I can’t lift that.”
“Try.” The corner of his mouth ticked up.
Still frowning, she closed her hand around the handle and tentatively took it from him. It wasn’t exactly light—it was still a sword—but she could lift it. “Because you gave it to me?”
He nodded again. “Do you feel the way it sings in your grip?”
“I’m not sure I’d describe it like that. Perhaps more of a low hum.” She tipped her head to the side. “Why did you want to give it to me?”
“Because after I hide it in a few hours, it will be lost forever. I wanted it to know the love we share from both of us. This will sound strange, but I think it was…content once I learned how to control it.”
“You talk as if it’s a living thing.”
“Of course, it’s not, but it has power.”
She could feel it. “Yes, it does.” Concentrating, she thought she could feel the love the blade now held. But perhaps that was just the love she felt for Tavish, which was almost overwhelming. She looked up at him a bit shyly. “I can’t believe how happy I am.”
He leaned over and kissed her, his lips lingering against hers. “Believe it. And believe how very much I love you.”
“It can’t be as much as I love you.” She gasped as the sword truly sang in her grip. Her eyes met his. “I think I felt what you meant!”
He grinned. “See?” He took the sword from her and set it down beside the bed. Then he gathered her against him and buried his face in her hair. “If someone were to write this legend, they’d have to include the story of our love—of how we tamed the sword.”
“You tamed it.”
He pulled back and looked down into her eyes. “We did it together. If not for the sword and our shared passion for legends, we may never have met. I would not have stopped to listen to your story at the
Lammas Fair.”
“I suppose that is true. You did take a rather long time to pursue me, however.”
“Only because I was committed to supporting my mother’s family.” Even so, she saw the regret in his gaze.
She rushed to reassure him, putting her hand on his cheek. “I know. That’s all behind us, and it doesn’t matter because everything has turned out as it should. I am grateful we found our way to one another.”
“As am I.” He bent his head and kissed her collarbone, then her neck, then the hollow of her throat. “Allow me to show you.” He pressed her back onto the bed and settled between her thighs.
“Shouldn’t I be on top again?” she asked, tracing the scar that stretched across his shoulder blade that he’d sustained at Culloden. “I realize your wounds are mostly healed, but I’d hate for you to tear the stitches in your arm.”
He let out a throaty laugh. “If you insist. Or, if you’d care to move to your side, I can show you another way.” He rolled away from her, and she turned to face him.
He shook his head. “Other way.”
Desire pulsed in her core as she rolled over and presented her back to him. “Like this?”
“Just like that.” He stroked his hand up her back as he pushed her hair aside and kissed her nape. Then he trailed his hand down her collarbone and cupped her breast. She gasped as he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
“You are the story I always hoped my life might be,” she said softly, arching into his touch.
He kissed the side of her ear and whispered, “Then let us write it.”
* * *
Want to read more about the Thirteen Treasures of Britain and one family’s quest to find and protect them? Don’t miss the Legendary Rogues series: four intrepid heroines and adventurous heroes embark on exciting quests across Regency England and Wales! Start with Lady of Desire!
Love Regency romance? Check out my other historical series:
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The Untouchables
Swoon over twelve of Society’s most eligible and elusive bachelor peers and the bluestockings, wallflowers, and outcasts who bring them to their knees!
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The Untouchables: The Spitfire Society
Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one…
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The Untouchables: The Pretenders
Set in the captivating world of The Untouchables, follow the saga of a trio of siblings who excel at being something they’re not. Can a dauntless Bow Street Runner, a devastated viscount, and a disillusioned Society miss unravel their secrets?
* * *
Wicked Dukes Club
Six books written by me and my BFF, NYT Bestselling Author Erica Ridley. Meet the unforgettable men of London's most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough...
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Secrets and Scandals
Everyone has secrets and some of them are a scandal . . . six sexy, damaged heroes lose their hearts to strong, intelligent women in the glittering ballrooms and lush countryside of Regency England.
* * *
Love is All Around
Heartwarming Regency-set retellings of classic Christmas stories (written after the Regency!) featuring a cozy village, three siblings, and the best gift of all: love.
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Would you like to know when my next book is available? Sign up for my reader club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub, follow me on social media:
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Facebook: http://facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans
Twitter at @darcyburke
Instagram at darcyburkeauthor
Pinterest at darcyburkewrite
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Let’s keep in touch! I have two fun Facebook groups:
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Darcy’s Duchesses for historical readers
Burke’s Book Lovers for contemporary readers
I hope you’ll consider leaving a review at your favorite online vendor or networking site!
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If you like contemporary romance, I hope you’ll check out my Ribbon Ridge series available from Avon Impulse, and the continuation of Ribbon Ridge in So Hot.
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Thank you again for reading and for your support.
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xoxox,
Darcy
Author’s Note
I wrote this prequel to the Legendary Rogues series six years after I wrote the first book, Lady of Desire. This prequel is set in the Highlands several months after the Battle of Culloden and is a quest to recover a family’s treasure. It is also an homage to one of the greatest holiday movies ever made, Die Hard. You’ll notice the villains’ names are all based on the villains’ names in the film (thank you Interwebs) and when my hero needed two aliases, it seemed easy enough to call him John MacLean (so Scottish!) and Roy. I hope you enjoy all the Easter eggs.
The thirteen treasures of Britain are mythical objects that appear in various legends. They have been used in countless stories and in many ways (Harry Potter’s Deathly Hallows are somewhat based on them). I adapted them for the Legendary Rogues series and added the Heart of Llanllwch for purely narrative purposes. Llan Dhearg is also my creation but Rhydderch Hael and his son Constantine are historical figures, and they lived in the kindgom of Alt Clut or Strathclyde. Dumbarton, where Tavish lives, was the medieval capital of this region. To read what happens with Llan Dhearg’s twin, Dyrnwyn, don’t miss Romancing the Earl.
The Order of the Round Table is a completely fictional group but is based on the myriad secret societies that have existed for centuries.
Of course there is no proof that King Arthur, his knights, the Round Table or any of Arthurian legend is real. I’d like to think it’s a little bit history with a dash of embellishment and a lot of great storytelling, which Elspeth would certainly love.
Also by Darcy Burke
Historical Romance
Legendary Rogues
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The Legend of a Rogue
Lady of Desire
Romancing the Earl
Lord of Fortune
Captivating the Scoundrel
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The Untouchables
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The Bachelor Earl
The Forbidden Duke
The Duke of Daring
The Duke of Deception
The Duke of Desire
The Duke of Defiance
The Duke of Danger
The Duke of Ice
The Duke of Ruin
The Duke of Lies
The Duke of Seduction
The Duke of Kisses
The Duke of Distraction
* * *
The Untouchables: Spitfire Society
* * *
Never Have I Ever with a Duke
A Duke is Never Enough
A Duke Will Never Do
* * *
The Untouchables: The Pretenders
* * *
A Secret Surrender
A Scandalous Bargain
A Rogue to Ruin
* * *
Love is All Around
(A Regency Holiday Trilogy)
* * *
The Red Hot Earl
The Gift of the Marquess
Joy to the Duke
* * *
Wicked Dukes Club
* * *
One Night for Seduction by Erica Ridley
One Night of Surrender by Darcy Burke
One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley
One Night of Scandal by Darcy Burke
One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley
One Night of Temptation by Darcy Burke
* * *
Secrets and Scandals
* * *
Her Wicked Ways
His Wicked Heart
To Seduce a Scoundrel
To Love a Thief (a novella)
Never Love a Scoundrel
Scoundrel Ever After
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Contemporary Romance
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Ribbon Ridge
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Where the Heart Is (a prequel novella)
Only in My Dreams
Yours to Hold
When Love Happens
The Idea of You
When We Kiss
You’re Still the One
* * *
Ribbon Ridge: So Hot
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So Good
So Right
So Wrong
About the Author
