“Goodnight.”
The woman gave him a nod before moving back down the hallway. He watched her leave before withdrawing back into his room, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw something white dart around the corner at the other end of the hallway. Curious about who might be sneaking around after dark, he took soft steps. Just as he reached the end of the hall, a fluff of a white nightrail and ash-blonde hair suddenly whipped around the corner and ran right into him.
Priscilla gasped. He gripped her arms to keep her from falling over. When she raised her gaze and met his, her face grew a brilliant red. He grinned.
“Why, my sweet Priscilla. What has you wandering around the house so late?”
A grin stretched across her face. “I was in Lizzie’s room chatting with her.” She shrugged. “It was just like when we were younger.”
He caressed her warm cheek, loving the way her face lit up with excitement. “And I’m glad you were able to get that opportunity. However,” he glanced down the hallway, making sure the housekeeper hadn’t returned before looking back at Priscilla. “This is not the way to your bedchambers. Or have you forgotten?”
Her face turned brighter. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I was actually...” she licked her lips, “coming to see if you were awake. I need to talk to you.”
His heartbeat quickened. “Then by all means.” He motioned toward his door. “Please come in so we can... talk.”
The blooming color of her face brightened, but she still walked with him into his room. Since there was no reason that the servants should know about his late-night visitor, he closed the door. She stood clasping and unclasping her hands against her middle as her gaze jumped around his room.
He moved closer to her, and when he finally stood in front of her, she met his gaze. She was so very lovely with her hair hanging around her shoulders, and the look in her eyes hinted of her desire for him.
If he wasn’t trying to prove to her that he was a gentleman and not a rogue... He tried to steady his breathing and tamper the rogue’s thoughts filling his head right now.
“I missed you today,” he said, stroking his hand over her hair.
She smiled. “I would say I had missed you, but my sisters took up all of my time.”
He chuckled. “As it should be.”
“But I do wish you had been here and visited with them a little longer.”
“As do I.”
“Were you able to bring back the coach?”
Sighing, he stopped her wringing hands by taking them in his. “My darling, Cilla. You didn’t want to come to my room this late at night just to ask about the coach, did you?”
Her shoulders relaxed slightly. “No.”
“Then I beg you, please say what is on your mind.” He prayed it led to kissing.
She nodded. “I must tell you how wrong I was about you.”
That wasn’t something he expected her to say, and he couldn’t wait for her to continue that thought. “I’m grateful for that... I think.”
She laughed. “Forgive me if I’ve lost my words, but what I have to say is positive, I assure you.”
“Splendid.” He caressed her hands. “Then tell me.”
“Since you hurt me eighteen months ago, I put up a wall around my heart. When I realized you were the dowager’s grandson, I wanted to hate you that much more for trying to ruin my life. However, some of your actions made me pause in my judgment. Although you may still have roguish tendencies, I believe you have indeed changed for the better.”
His heart softened. He brought her hands up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I’m so very happy to hear you say that because I have changed.”
“You were so very selfish when I first met you, but I can see that you do care for others.”
She couldn’t be more correct. He had been selfish before his father died. Inheriting the title made him grow up so much and so quickly. But he did enjoy the attention he received when he did kind deeds versus selfish acts.
“It’s difficult to admit,” he said, “that I was so selfish before, and I’ve hurt so many people. I thank you for giving me another chance to get to know you. I was blind when we first met, and I didn’t give myself time to get to know the sweet woman with a loving heart.”
She tilted her head. “Indeed? You think I have a loving heart?”
“Of course, my love. Look at the way you have helped my grandmother. Let’s not forget when you tried to help the staff put out the fire. And then when you tried to rescue my grandmother and her housekeeper singlehandedly. They both sang your praises after the accident.”
Her smile grew. “I’m so very relieved that you believe such things about me.”
“Not only that,” he slowly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his body, “you have done the one thing that other women have failed at doing.”
Her palms rested on his chest. “What’s that?” she whispered.
“You’ve opened up my heart and crawled inside.” He bent his head and brushed his lips across her cheek. “Cilla, you’ve made me fall in love.”
Sighing, her body relaxed in his arms and she turned her head as her lips met his. He kissed her with a full heart that continued to grow, as the feeling known as love revealed itself over and over. For many years, he had trampled on women’s hearts, never knowing the glorious feeling of loving anyone. The way his speeding heartbeat took control of his emotions, made him breathless. And yet, it was the best feeling in the world.
He broke the kiss only long enough to whisper, “I love you, Cilla.”
TEN
Priscilla couldn’t believe what she heard, and yet, her heart had heard it so clearly that it swelled with happiness. She’d felt herself falling in love with him since they were in the dark library that first night. But mistakes and heartaches from her past had kept her from experiencing love.
Gasping, she wrapped her arms around his neck and met his mouth with eager kisses. She clung to him, not getting enough... not ever wanting to get enough of this incredible man. No longer was she hesitant about marrying him, but instead, she anticipated the moment they would become husband and wife. And by the way she responded to his kisses and his touch, she wondered if they would begin their wedding night right now.
“Gavin,” she sighed, tilting her head back, which only made his kisses trail down her neck. Warm shivers cascaded over her, and she smiled.
As he continued to kiss her, she wondered if she should be the one to make the hint about taking her to his bed since it would be much more comfortable there. But somewhere in the room, she heard footsteps, and then the floor creaked. Gavin must have heard it too, because his body tensed.
The floor squeaked again, and he broke the contact between them, whipping around toward their intruder. As Priscilla’s vision adjusted to the shadows in the room, she noticed a movement coming toward them. The shadow grew and Priscilla saw a woman’s blue gown, and then the pistol she held in her hand.
Gavin moved in front of her and she clutched the back of his shirt. His body felt as stiff as hers.
“Mrs. Jones?” he asked in a tight voice. “What are you doing in my room... and pointing a pistol at me?”
“Do you honestly believe I’m going to allow you any kind of happiness now?” The woman’s face scrunched in anger. “Men like you do not deserve to be happy.”
He shook his head. “Mrs. Jones. I fear I don’t know what I have done to you to make you this way.”
“Mrs. Jones?”
The woman let out a cackle that made Priscilla’s skin crawl with terror. But then the woman released her tight bun and her brown hair fell in waves around her shoulders. She shook her head, letting her hair flow from side to side.
“Look again, Your Grace. I was much thinner three years ago when you took advantage of me. Back then, my name was Miss Jane Eggert, and you had convinced me that we were going to Gretna Green to get married.” Tears filled the woman’s eyes. “I believed you, and so I let you
have your way with me.” The housekeeper took a deep breath and blinked away the tears. “Because you ruined my life, I gained weight. I had to move far away and change my name. I let everyone think I was the widow, Mrs. Jones.”
Priscilla groaned silently and pressed her forehead against Gavin’s arm. How many times had she thought about revenge? Gavin had broken her heart, too. And now... would he be able to walk away from this grave mistake?
GAVIN FISTED HIS HANDS by his sides. He gulped down a hard swallow. Why hadn’t he seen Miss Jane Eggert in the woman who’d become his grandmother’s housekeeper? But then, he’d forgotten all about her – just as he’d almost forgotten about Priscilla.
Would his dark past always come to haunt him?
“Gavin Hamilton, you are a very bad man, and lately, I’ve been trying to hurt you.”
He scowled. “It was you who was doing all these things?”
“Indeed, I am responsible, but fortune was not on my side. When you fell off your horse because of the cut saddle girth, you were not injured. You were supposed to die in the fire while trying to put it out. And you were supposed to take the coach with the broken wheel.”
Inwardly, he groaned. Many people had suffered because she wanted revenge. Why couldn’t she see she was just as guilty as he was?
“You must believe me,” he told the older woman, “that I’m a different person now. I’m so sorry for how I hurt you, and I probably deserve every bad thing that you want to do to me, but Miss Priscilla does not deserve any of this, and the servants of my grandmother’s estate didn’t deserve the labor they all went through trying to put out the fire.”
She lifted the pistol and steadied her aim. “You are correct, and I realized my folly, which is why I decided to shoot you, instead.”
“Mrs. Jones, wait!” Priscilla tried to move past him, but Gavin held her behind him, so she peeked around him. “Mrs. Jones, you are not the only woman he had hurt. I, too, was one of his many heart-breaks, but I have seen what a good man he is now. All those things he did in the past should stay buried. We have all changed since then, especially Gavin. Why can you not forgive him as I have?”
Jane smirked as a nerve in her cheek jumped. “It’s obvious you were not hurt as badly since you fell for his false charms so easily this time.”
“You have it wrong, Mrs. Jones. Gavin has proven his worth to me this time. He really has changed.”
The other woman glared. “He is an excellent chameleon.”
Gavin sighed as sadness came over him. There would still be some people in his life that would never believe he’d changed. He certainly couldn’t prove them all wrong. But hopefully, there were enough people in his life that loved and trusted him enough that they would stay by his side.
“Jane, I have already asked your forgiveness, but I cannot force you to give it to me. If you choose to believe the worst, then so be it. But killing innocent people is not the answer. That will only get you thrown in gaol. Is that something you really want? You’ve been a good friend to my grandmother and the other staff here, do you want to lose that just because you hate me?”
Different emotions played on her expression, and Gavin prayed she would pick the one that didn’t get him or Priscilla killed. But when the woman’s face turned hard again, his hopes dropped.
“Then I suppose,” Jane said in a harsh voice, “that I will be punished for my sins. But believe me, ending your life will make everything worth it.”
“No!” Sobbing, Priscilla struggled as she tried to reach for Mrs. Jones, but he wouldn’t let the woman he loved take a bullet for him.
The gunshot echoed in the room. Gavin closed his eyes, waiting for the pain from the bullet to weaken him. But when he felt nothing, he opened his eyes. Blood was covering Mrs. Jones’ shoulder, spreading faster down her arm. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide from shock. The gun dropped to the floor, unfired.
At his bedchamber door, his grandmother stood with the smoking pistol still in her hands. The betrayed anger on her face as she glared at Jane said it all. Gavin’s heart wrenched.
Priscilla gasped and ran to his grandmother. Just as Cilla reached the old woman, his grandmother sagged against her.
“Oh, Your Grace,” Priscilla said in a sorrowful voice. “How did you know your housekeeper would be here?”
Gavin grabbed the gun off the floor just as Jane sank to her knees, clutching her bleeding shoulder. He stepped to his grandmother and kissed her forehead. “Are you all right?”
. “Yes, dear.” She said, patting his cheek. “I wasn’t sure it was Mrs. Jones, but tonight she said some things that made me wonder, so I followed her the best I could without a wheelchair.”
“Let me help you to the chair,” Priscilla said as she assisted the dowager to the closest chair.
“Gavin?” his grandmother asked weakly. “Please fetch Martin posthaste. He’ll be able to find some servants to clean up the bloodied floor and to keep Mrs. Jones from dying. He’ll also be able to fetch the constable.”
“Yes, Grams.”
Before Gavin left, he met Priscilla’s watery gaze. She smiled at him with quivering lips and mouthed I love you.
His heart soared with happiness. This evening’s events had ended rather poorly, but knowing she returned his love made everything perfect.
EPILOGUE
Priscilla’s heart was overflowing with emotion today, and she cried over everything. Of course, she never thought she’d be as happy as she was, and she absolutely never imagined she’d have such a grand wedding, especially since she and Gavin were forced to have it quickly.
All of her sisters had attended, along with her father and grandmother – who was overjoyed to see her best friend, the Dowager Duchess of Englewood. Many of Gavin’s friends were also in attendance.
Priscilla was welcomed wholeheartedly into the family, and she couldn’t count how many times she heard someone say that they were grateful that Gavin had found a woman to love and who would love him back completely.
She couldn’t stop staring at her new husband. Gavin was so very good looking, and even more so now that they were married. She didn’t mind now that his gaze was filled with such longing and desire. There was no doubt what was on his mind, but she knew that only because it was on her mind, too.
“It’s so very hard to accept that you’re a married woman,” Lizzie whined teasingly as she hooked her arm around Priscilla’s. “I miss the days when we were younger and causing problems around town.”
Priscilla arched an eyebrow. “We? Lizzie, I believe you don’t remember our childhood as Lyndsey and I do. It was you and Jannette who caused all the problems. Lyndsey and I were angels.”
Lizzie snorted a laugh. “I wouldn’t exactly call you two angels.” She nodded. “But you’re probably right that Nettie and I were giving our father more headaches than you and Lyndsey ever had.”
Priscilla chuckled. “Probably? No, dearest sister, there is no question about that.”
“Oh, you know me. I hate to admit when I’m wrong.”
“That is the truth, but Lizzie, it’s something you must overcome. Men do not like a woman who thinks she’s always right.”
Lizzie rolled her eyes. “But that’s the problem. I am always right and they are always wrong.” She shrugged. “I just enjoy pointing it out to them.”
Priscilla laughed. “Oh, my dear wayward sister. Believe me when I tell you that you are not always right.” She winked.
Sighing, Lizzie glanced around the crowd still lingering after the vows had been exchanged. “Pris? Do you think that I’ll ever find a wonderful man as you and Lyndsey have found?”
“Oh, yes.” Priscilla rubbed her sister’s arm. “You are going to find a wonderful man, I’m sure of it. He might even look past the fact that you think you’re always right.”
Lizzie grinned smugly. “Oh, he’d better.”
Laughing, Priscilla hugged her sister. “You have plenty of time to worry about that.” She glanced
around the groups of people and spotted Gavin immediately. “Lizzie, I hope you’ll forgive me, but I need to talk to my husband now.”
“Of course.” Lizzie hugged her back and walked away.
Priscilla headed in her husband’s direction. Gavin was talking to some of his friends, but when he saw her walking toward him, he quickly excused himself and met her halfway. Grinning widely, he gathered her loosely in his arms.
“So, my sweet duchess, are you ready to leave this party and start our honeymoon? I cannot wait to get you alone, because this time, it won’t be scandalous.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Although she was eager for them to start their married life, the suggestion still made her blush. “I am, my loving duke. However, I have a question for you. Several people from your family have asked me which estate we plan on calling home.”
Nodding, he tapped a finger to his chin. “That is a good question, but I cannot make the decision alone. I’d planned on taking you to all of them and letting you help me pick which one will suit us best.”
Her heart melted that much more. She was so pleased that he’d changed. Eighteen months ago when he was a rogue, he would have never thought of anyone else but himself, and he definitely wouldn’t have sought her opinion or wishes.
She sighed dreamily. “I love you, Gavin. I’ll be satisfied with any of the estates, just as long as you promise you’ll always be with me.”
He caressed her cheek. “How can I not? It’s not every day a rogue finds a woman with such a loving and forgiving heart. Cilla, I plan on keeping you with me forever.”
“Could I love you anymore?” She smiled.
“I’m sure you could, just as I could love you more. Every day as your husband will make me completely happy.”
“Gavin?” she asked softly.
“Yes, my love?”
“Is it permissible to kiss you in front of every—”
He’d placed his mouth over hers before she could finish. She hitched a breath, but then it didn’t take long before she kissed him back. Perhaps this was scandalous, but at least the gossipmongers would know how much she loved this man.
Loving a Rogue (How to Love Book 3) Page 8
