Winning the Mail-order Bride & Pursued for the Viscount's Vengeance & Redeeming the Rogue Knight (9781488021725)
Page 69
‘Is that a yes?’
‘It’s a yes,’ she agreed, reaching up to kiss him.
It was some time later before Roger’s lips were unoccupied and he could speak.
‘I’m staying in England for good. Once I’ve delivered the message to Hugh Calveley I’m going back to Yorkshire. I can’t promise you what kind of welcome we’ll receive. My father may cast me out or spit in my face, but I intend to start my life again and I’d like you by my side.’
‘We both have pasts that we regret,’ Lucy pointed out. ‘But we can have a fresh start together. Let’s build a future worth having.’
There were still uncertainties in Roger’s life. Perhaps it was not too late to repair the damage he had done to his family. He did not know, but he no longer thought about it with such dread. As he bent his face to Lucy’s and began kissing her again, one thing was absolutely certain in his mind. Whatever happened he would not do it alone, but with the woman who was returning his kiss with mounting passion.
He’d do it with the woman he loved.
EPILOGUE
It was a month before they arrived in Wharram.
With no desire to stay in the inn until it was repaired, Lucy, Robbie and Thomas accompanied Roger to Lord Calveley’s house. The message from King Edward was delivered and the requested troops agreed upon. Calveley promised he would himself ensure payment was sent to the two messengers: wealth enough for one man to begin repairing an inn and for another who was adding a wife and child to his household.
They parted ways at Lord Calveley’s house: Thomas to Mattonfield and Roger and Lucy to Yorkshire.
Hal’s face was stony as he greeted Roger at his house in York, his infant daughter in his arms.
‘It’s been a long time. We thought you might be dead.’
‘Thought or hoped?’ Roger asked.
‘Never believe that,’ Hal said with more warmth than Roger felt he deserved.
It was Robbie who proved to be the unwitting diplomat. He walked to Hal and Joanna’s son who played with an enviable collection of wooden animals before the hearth and threw himself down to play. The two mothers followed.
‘Is the boy yours?’ Hal asked.
‘Not by birth, but he’s mine to raise,’ Roger answered. ‘There’s another child I need to visit, too, isn’t there?’
Hal raised his eyebrows, then nodded, surprised approval showing in his eyes.
And that was the first battle won.
Despite Roger’s entreaty, Lucy refused to marry without the blessing of Lord Danby. As the two families travelled to Wharram, Roger reflected on the vexation of loving a strong-minded woman.
‘It’s frustrating indeed to love someone who refuses to commit to a date, isn’t it?’ Joanna said archly.
Roger grinned. Joanna regarded him thoughtfully. Unsurprisingly, she had proven less willing to forgive than Hal.
‘You nearly tore us apart, but Hal says you also pushed him back towards me. I don’t trust you, but I’m willing to be proven wrong.’
She gave him a slight smile and took herself off to sit in the cart with Lucy and their children. Roger could only hope they were talking of the three children and Joanna’s swelling belly, and that by the time they reached Wharram Lucy had not heard enough to put her off marrying him entirely!
* * *
They arrived at the red stone manor house in Wharram around mid-afternoon. Roger paused at the door in trepidation. He felt Lucy’s hand slip into his and squeeze tightly. At his other side Hal put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Roger gave each a smile, then entered alone.
Lord Danby was sitting beside the fire with his wife. Lady Danby gave a cry of astonishment, rising from her chair at the sight of her son.
‘Is that Hal?’ Lord Danby asked.
Roger knelt before his father. Lord Danby was greyer and thinner than before, but exuding the vitality he always had.
‘I’m Roger.’
‘My son!’
His father’s sightless eyes filled with tears. Roger’s own grew moist. Lord Danby reached a hand to Roger’s cheek, before raising him to his feet. Any lingering doubts Roger entertained that he would be welcomed home vanished in his father’s fervent embrace.
Lucy was introduced and approved of, the marriage blessing was given and the family feasted that night in a peaceful atmosphere. Some matters were discussed, others alluded to and dropped by common consent. Roger gave a selective account of his time in France, preferring to emphasise his accomplishment at delivering the King’s message and the subsequent reward.
‘So you found your fortune, my son,’ Lord Danby remarked as the three men sat at the table, a bottle of good wine to hand.
Roger glanced towards Lucy, who was sitting by the fire, Robbie drowsing against her breast. His heart swelled with love for her and hopes for their future together.
Lord Danby could not see where he looked, but Hal did. A look of understanding passed between the brothers and Roger knew that all was going to be well.
‘Yes, Father,’ he said. ‘Yes, I did.’
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781488021688
Redeeming the Rogue Knight
Copyright © 2017 by Claire Lackford
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.
www.Harlequin.com
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Historical.
You dream of wicked rakes, gorgeous Highlanders, muscled Viking warriors and rugged Wild West cowboys from another era. Harlequin Historical
has them all! Emotionally intense stories set across many time periods.
Enjoy six new stories from Harlequin Historical every month!
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
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ISBN-13: 9781488021725
Copyright © 2017 Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
Winning the Mail-Order Bride
Copyright © 2017 by Lauri Robinson
Pursued for the Viscount’s Vengeance
Copyright © 2017 by Sarah Mallory
Redeeming the Rogue Knight
Copyright © 2017 by Claire Lackford
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.Harlequin.com