Jared looked at his friend and nodded. “Go. Fetch the men. The army will be here soon, I suspect, to make sure everyone is rounded up.”
Michael left.
The landlady came to take him to his wife’s side.
He entered the room and sat on the bed holding Lucy’s icy cold hand. Jared bent his head and prayed.
36
Several weeks later
“Close your eyes, Lucy. We are getting close.” Jared grinned.
“Aye, aye, Sir Allendale.” Her husband had been knighted for his bravery. Lucy grinned at him and placed her fingers over her eyes.
“No. I don’t trust you.” Jared pulled out a cloth he had brought for just this occasion, placed it over her eyes and tied a loose knot at the back of her head.
“What? I’m your wife. How could you not trust me?” She smiled and reached her hand out until she grabbed his cravat. She pulled him close and whispered, “If you want my eyes to close, all you needed to do was kiss me.”
He looked at those tempting lips and took the invitation. He broke off the kiss as the carriage drew to a stop.
“Mmmmm. I could go for more of that kind of medicine,” Lucy purred.
“You’ll have to wait, sprite.”
The door opened and Jared stepped down. He reached a hand for her and lifted her to the ground. “Ready, milady?”
“I hope so.”
Jared untied the handkerchief.
Her gaze took in the two level, tudor style manor house.
“Welcome home, Lucy.”
Her eyes watered and she looked up at him. “It’s beautiful. It’s more than I imagined it would be.” She threw herself into his arms and hugged him around the neck.
“Ahem.”
Jared looked up and grinned as he pried Lucy’s arms from around his neck. “Yes, Treadwell?”
Lucy’s dazed expression cleared as she looked at the butler and the array of staff that had come out the doors.
“Would you like to introduce your bride to the staff now?”
“Ah, yes. Lady Allendale, please meet our estimable butler, Treadwell.”
~*~
An hour later in the drawing room decorated in cream with dark blue accents, Lucy sipped her tea as her husband lounged next to her.
“I’m grateful to finally have you home, Lucy. I don’t know if I could have returned here and been happy without you by my side.”
“But you purchased the place before you ever met me.”
“True, but a certain blue-eyed pixie turned my heart inside out and upside down and after all you have put me through, I don’t ever want to let you out of my sight again.”
“God worked it out though, didn’t he? My uncle was hung for treason with the rest of my father’s minions. The Black Diamond is no longer a threat to any of us.”
“He almost killed you, Lucy. How can you speak so calmly of his death?”
“The thing I am saddest about was that he killed Scallywag. I’ll miss that little guy.”
“Had you been out to see your pet before things blew apart?”
“I had little opportunity to visit him. I feel bad about that.”
“Come with me.” Jared stood and helped his wife to her feet.
Lucy appreciated his assistance. She had not regained all her strength after the ordeal they had been through. The doctor had told him that had he not emptied her stomach when they did, she would likely have died. She was grateful to Michael for that. Her husband led her to the back of the house, out into the garden, and toward the stable.
She stopped at the sight. There were a dozen sheep there, all with black faces and legs. “Oh, sweetheart. Thank you. I didn’t realize you wanted to raise sheep.”
Baaaaa. Baaaaaa. A plaintive bleating drew her attention as a lamb separated itself from the group and scampered over to her.
“Scallywag?” The lamb put his hooves up on the first rung of the pen and stretched his head towards her. He wore a brass bell.
“You father lied to you. Your lamb is alive and well. The land here is conducive to sheep. I planned to raise horses, but there’s enough room for both here. Do you mind very much being married to a boring farmer instead of an exciting soldier?”
“Not at all. I’m even happier to just be married to you.”
“Ah, you only want me for my title,” he teased.
Lucy turned from scratching her lamb’s head. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his broad chest. “I was willing to marry farmer Jared. Your title doesn’t make you the man you are, it only confirms it.”
“You deserve better than me,” he protested.
Lucy shook her head. “No man could be better. Now come with me back inside. I want to take a nap in our suite and need your assistance with my stays.”
“I hired you a lady’s maid.”
“True, and I am grateful.” She grabbed his hand to lead him back inside. “However, there are certain needs only a husband can tend to.” They climbed the stairs and entered the suite.
“Really? Well, if there is any way I can be of service to you…”
“You will, dear, you will.” She locked the door and turned to untie his cravat.
“Sprite—”
Lucy cut him off with a kiss and did not let him get in another word.
Epilogue
Everyone had reconvened for Christmas at Rose Hill.
Marcus and Josie mingled with Phillip and Beth, Michael and Katrina, Theodore and Valeria, and Lucy. Even Jared’s sister, Henrietta, and her husband Charles, the first to encounter the plot of the Black Diamond, were present.
Years ago, he had witnessed Marcus’s marriage. All of the rest of them had been single. None of them, besides Marcus, Josie, Henrietta, and her husband Charles, knew the Lord.
So many years later and there were children scampering underfoot. Each man had found a woman to love and a relationship with God. Their nemesis, the Black Diamond, had been vanquished.
Jared walked over to his bride.
Lucy looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. “I have a special gift for you, Jared.”
“You do? I’m not sure my heart can take any more surprises.”
Lucy handed him a wrapped package. “Open it, please?”
The couples gathered close, watching them.
He would do almost anything to make his pixie bride happy. He untied the ribbon and draped it around her neck. He opened the lid and pulled out a tiny, brass set of booties. He looked up at her as she grinned. It took a few moments for the significance to register and his eyes grew wide. “Really?”
Lucy nodded. “You will be a father in the spring.” She whispered those words and turned a becoming shade of pink.
Jared leaned over and kissed his bride. She threw her arms around his neck. He picked her up and spun her around.
Everyone applauded and soon he was separated from his bride as the women pulled her away to offer their words of advice.
The men patted him on the shoulder and one shoved a snifter of brandy into his hand.
“Drink before you pass out. You’re white as a sheet, Jared.” Michael grinned.
“I’m going to be a father.”
“Yes, you are, and you’ll be a great one too. Love always blooms at Rose Hill.”
Jared nodded, slammed his brandy, and gave the glass back to Michael. “Excuse me, men.”
He strode to his wife and took her hand. “Excuse me, ladies.” He stopped to loop his arm under her legs. “Come along, sprite. I want to celebrate in private.” They left the room to hoots and hollers from the men and titters from the women.
Lucy wrapped her arm round his neck and settled into his chest. He climbed the stairs and slammed the door. They were not seen again until breakfast the next day.
Don’t miss the rest of the
Black Diamond Christian Gothic Regency Suspense Series
Here’s a sneak peek at
The Lord Phillip’s Folly
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br /> ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It would be impossible to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey, so I apologize in advance for those I will miss. It doesn’t mean you are any less valuable, and thankfully, God keeps better track of those things than I do, and His “well done, good and faithful servant” has more merit than any thanks written here.
So here it goes. Special thanks to:
Elisabeth Herman – you amaze me. Thanks for all the ways you’ve invested in me.
Doris Pollard Wichern – I miss you and am sad you didn’t get to see this series published. Your encouragement and belief in me is still a blessing even now.
Lisa Lickel – thanks for being such a wonderful mentor, friend, and shoulder to cry on when the publishing process throws me those curve balls. I don’t think I would have ever taken that first step in this journey to publication without your gentle push.
Pastor David Mundt – for your support and believing in me and the calling God has on my life.
Sally Shupe – my faithful editor. Thank you for finding all those silly errors!
Nicola Martinez – my beloved Editor-in-Chief, who continually supports my writing while allowing me the joy of helping others on their journey to publication. I’m grateful for our partnership and friendship.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits, and is a native of Wisconsin. She is an Editor with Pelican Book Group specializing in bringing great romance to publication. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view.
This book is the final full-length novel in the Black Diamond Regency series. The Baron’s Blunder, Henrietta’s story, is a novella and prequel. Prior stories include: The Virtuous Viscount, Lord Phillip’s Folly, Sir Michael’s Mayhem, and Lord Harrow’s Heart. Each stand alone but are more fun read in order A Christmas Regency, Gabriel’s Gift released last year but is not part of the series. She is also the author of contemporary romances in the Orchard Hill Romance Series, Pesto & Potholes, Salsa & Speed Bumps, Feta & Freeways, Root Beer & Roadblocks, Bratwurst & Bridges, and others coming.
Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and serves on the board of the
southeast chapter. Her favorite pastimes are snuggling with her dog while reading a good book or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte. Learn more by following her blog, www.susanbaganz.com, her Twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page: facebook.com/susanmbaganz
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May God’s glory shine through
this inspirational work of fiction.
AMDG
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