She nodded, breathing deeply to calm herself.
Marcus glanced at Hawke who, despite his injured leg, had easily disarmed and subdued the captain. His friend seemed none the worse for wear. Captain Thomas was being hauled to his feet by two policemen.
Samuel spoke with another of the policeman, gesturing toward the stairs that would take them below decks. The crew was being rounded up as well.
“Where are the girls?” Tessa asked.
The door to the lower deck opened, and a girl peeked out. A policeman reassured her, but she turned to look back into the doorway. Another girl stepped out and then another. Six girls in all exited the door.
Marcus could only shake his head. “Do you know any of them?”
Tessa’s gaze rested on the last one. “Yes.” She glanced up at Marcus. “I’ll speak with them to reassure them.”
He reluctantly released her. As she neared the girls, they gathered around her. The police inspector stood beside her and they both spoke to the girls, reassuring them all was well before explaining what happened.
Hawke drew near, but he watched Tessa. “I’m glad to see you’ve found someone new in your life.”
“I don’t know that I can say that.” Marcus had yet to win Tessa’s hand. After his terrible blunder, he wasn’t certain she’d forgive him.
“Have no doubt. You can.” Hawke smiled at him.
Tessa glanced over her shoulder at him, those green eyes seeking his. Her tremulous smile warmed his heart.
“Yes, I believe you’re right. With luck and an apology, I believe she’ll soon be my bride.”
EPILOGUE
3 Months Later, Wolfe’s Lair, Northumberland
Tessa breezed into the library, a piece of cloth in her hand. Her husband—her heart sighed at the description—sat at his massive mahogany desk in the library penning correspondence.
As she reached his chair, he set down his pen.
“What am I interrupting?” she asked.
“You are never interrupting, my sweet,” he said as he drew her down onto his lap. “I’m penning a letter to Hawke.”
“Oh?”
He pointed to the book that sat on his desk. “I’m sending him something I think he’ll find of great interest.”
She leaned forward to look at the title. “The Seven Curses of London by James Greenwood.”
“The author has cleverly described the seven worst blights that plague London. Hawke took such an interest in the scheme of selling the girls in Brussels that I thought he might find this of interest as well.”
“You’re hoping he’ll take action, aren’t you?”
Marcus smiled. “Perhaps. Hawke has always been a man of action.”
“Are you certain you don’t want to travel to London and give it to him yourself?”
“We were married only a few short weeks ago. I am still enjoying wedded bliss. Why would I want to interrupt that?” He frowned at the cloth in her hand. “What is this?”
“A sample.” She glanced down and smoothed the pastel yellow in her hands, nerves simmering deep inside her. “I wanted to ask your opinion.”
“I thought you didn’t care for pastels.” He fingered the royal blue gown she wore.
“Aunt Betty and I were discussing what fabric might be best for the nursery.” She glanced at him from under her lashes to see if he understood what she was saying.
“The nursery—” He stared at her with wonder in his eyes. “Truly?”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Truly. I believe we’re expecting a babe.”
He blinked rapidly. “Tessa.”
Already she could hear the worry in his voice. Heart squeezing, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I feel amazing, Marcus. And I am so, so happy. Our life together is a dream come true.”
He blew out a breath and held her gaze. “I love you very much. I am so blessed.”
“You couldn’t possibly love me as much as I love you.” Tessa leaned in to kiss him, long and deep. “I picked the right man to trust.”
“How could I have resisted the angel who saved me?”
“I’m so glad you didn’t.” Tessa hugged him, loving the feel of his arms around her. “I promise to love you forever and a day, Marcus.”
“Forever and a day. Agreed.” He kissed her, sealing their promise. “But it won’t be nearly long enough.”
Tessa laughed as she snuggled deeper into her Wolfe’s embrace.
The End
The Seven Curses of London series continues! Read Nathaniel Hawke’s story, Loving the Hawke, coming January 2016. Available for preorder now: http://amzn.com/B01759EHMK
Loving the Hawke
Book I of The Seven Curses of London
Coming January 2016
After three seasons as a wallflower, Lettie Fairchild is resigned to spinsterhood. Mostly. Determined to claim more meaning for her life than seeing her younger sisters married, she seeks a purpose. She finds what she’s looking for when she happens upon a book describing seven curses that plague London.
Nathaniel Hawke is attempting to adjust to civilian life after retiring from the military, but his injured leg and memories of his time in the service prevent an easy transition. On his long walks during London’s darkest hours, Nathaniel is appalled by what he sees taking place on the dirty streets and alleyways. He is determined to take action. Coming upon a proper, if rebellious, lady in the desolate area both intrigues and frustrates him.
Nathaniel’s disregard for his personal safety infuriates Lettie even as her heart is touched by his determination to aid the city’s neglected children.
As the two wounded souls stumble upon each other time and again in slums and ballrooms, they realize they fight a common cause—and share an unbridled passion.
Will the curse they fight be their downfall? Or will love win the day?
Preorder On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B01759EHMK
Other Books by LANA WILLIAMS
Victorian Romances:
Loving the Hawke
Book I of The Seven Curses of London
Coming January 2016
Preorder On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B01759EHMK
Unraveling Secrets
Book I of The Secret Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00HC1LT6E
Passionate Secrets
Book II of The Secret Trilogy
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00NZE59V8
Shattered Secrets
Book III of The Secret Trilogy
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00VCL74JQ
Medieval Romances:
A Knight’s Christmas Wish
Falling for A Knight Novella, Book .5
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00QEGRSL8
A Knight’s Quest
Falling for A Knight, Book 1
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B014VF8ILW
A Vow To Keep, Book I of The Vengeance Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/19LktiJ
A Knight’s Kiss, Book 1.5 of The Vengeance Trilogy
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00WNEKBGY
Trust In Me, Book II of The Vengeance Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/197Mphs
Believe In Me, Book III of The Vengeance Trilogy
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/19Q6UP7
The Vengeance Trilogy – Boxed Set
On Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00IFI3OI4
If you liked this book, I invite you to sign up to my newsletter to find out when the next one is released: http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html
If you enjoyed this story, please consider writing a review!
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading Trusting the Wolfe. I hope you enjoyed the beginning to The Seven Curses of London series. This novella was inspired by Kathryn Le Veque’s The Wolfe, an epic medieval. If you haven’t yet read it, I recommend it.
The next book in this series, Loving the Hawke, will be available in January 2016 and is available for preorder now: http://amzn.com/B01759EHMK
If you’d like to know when my next book will be available, I invite you to sign up for my email newsletter at: http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html, follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LanaWilliamsBooks or on Twitter at @LanaWilliams28.
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More historical romances are coming your way!
Cover art by The Killion Group
http://thekilliongroupinc.com
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