by Eva Devon
He headed into the salon then crossed to the beautiful, polished pianoforte. He opened it. He sat down on the bench and stared at the ivory keys.
Once, long ago, he’d learned to play certain songs. But they had only filled him with sadness since he had no one to enjoy them with.
Today would be different. Today, he would know joy. And today, he would share it.
So, he rested his fingers over the ivory keys, paused, and then began to play.
He stroked his fingers over the keys, touching the pedal with his foot when needed and threw himself into the music. He put every bit of himself into it, knowing it was truly the only way to show her that she had taught him the meaning of Christmas and the happiness that it could bring.
And as he allowed the music to transport him, he felt his heart soar. For this Christmas, he had finally found a home.
With his wife.
And there was no changing that. No cruel past. No years at war. No fear of failure. He’d found a home and he was never going to let it go.
Marabelle awoke, full of bliss and anticipation of a wonderful day. She stretched under the linen. But then she paused as she realized what had awoken her wasn’t the silvery winter morning light pouring into the chamber through the pane glass window but the strains of Christmas carols floating through the air.
Christmas carols?
She rolled over and listened carefully.
The beautiful notes of an old song, one she’d heard sung since childhood surrounded her and then she smiled. She smiled so intensely she could have cried.
Jumping out of bed, she pulled her gown on, not giving a wit that she’d look a fright.
She stuffed her feet in a pair of boots. Then she ran out of the room, through the hall, and down the stairs.
In fact, she couldn’t recall such enthusiasm for Christmas morning since she was a little girl.
As she slowed and ventured into the salon, her hopes were realized.
Sebastian sat the piano, playing as if he’d been borne to Christmas music. His whole body was engaged by his movements and the music pouring out of his fingertips filled her eyes with tears.
When he’d played the last note, his body came to rest just as the hum of the piano calmed.
He looked up.
She broke into applause then crossed to him and took his face in her hands. “How beautiful. Thank you, Sebastian. I cannot imagine a better way to have awakened.”
He gazed tenderly at her. “I wanted to give you something special.”
And oh, this was. She knew that he’d come to Northly hating Christmas. But this? This meant that he had opened his heart to her and the holiday.
For a man who was still determined to leave and who hated the day would never wake her with such playing.
She bit her lower lip as a tear slipped down her cheek.
He reached up and brushed it away. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“Tears of joy.”
“I have only read of those.”
“Well, now you’ve seen them.” She laughed, savoring the feel of his arms about her waist. “Point of fact, you’ve caused them.”
She stroked a hand through his tousled dark hair. “Stay with me. Celebrate Christmas with me forever.”
He pulled her tight against him, gazing up at her. “That is the most beautiful proposal I’ve ever received, wife.”
“Then say yes.”
“On one condition,” he said, his voice a delicious rumble.
“What is it?”
He grew serious. His voice was rough as he said, “That every day you continue to teach me to love.”
She smiled down at him, her heart slamming against her ribs with so much happiness she almost couldn’t speak. “I think you already know how.”
“I am learning. You’ve been teaching me how to love you,” he agreed. “Teach me forever, Marabelle.”
Another tear of joy slipped down her cheek and she somehow managed to climb onto his lap on the piano bench. “With all my heart, if you will let me love you in turn.”
“Every day.” He cradled her against his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Wherever we go. Whatever we do. Let’s grow in love together.”
Epilogue
One year later
The ballroom was filled to bursting with guests.
Christmas dinner had been a triumph of goose and stuffing. The pork pies, decorated with the most ornate and beautiful of golden pastries, had been eaten with much delight and wine had flowed like a bountiful waterfall. Everyone was in remarkably good humor.
Thought not quite correct (for they had their own large yearly party), even the Duke and Duchess of Huntsdown had come to pay court to the celebration at Northly. Not for long, but long enough for Olivia to draw Marabelle aside.
“He looks besotted, my dear!” crowed Olivia. “Can you imagine that only a year ago you were strangers?”
“It is impossible to believe, but it is true. And we both are besotted with each other,” said Marabelle, her heart virtually floating.
“I couldn’t be happier.” Olivia snapped her fan shut and sighed with happiness. “And there could be no better Christmas gift this year than your successful marriage.”
Marabelle looked to her husband who was standing by the fire, laughing merrily with the Duke of Huntsdown.
“No, there couldn’t,” she agreed. “Now, I must go and claim him for a dance.”
“I think I should do the same. There is little better in this life than dancing with your husband.” Olivia winked. “In the bedroom or the ballroom, don’t you know?”
A grin pulled at Marabelle’s lips at Olivia’s sauciness. “You are terrible and I adore you, dear friend.”
“And I you.” Olivia shooed her with a gloved hand. “Now, go.”
As instructed, Marabelle crossed the room. Her long, wine red skirts swished about her legs.
Both the duke and Sebastian turned their attention to her.
“Do forgive me, Your Grace,” she said as she curtsied, “But I should like my husband’s company.”
The duke nodded. “Of course. This is, I think, the best Christmas that I have ever seen at Northly.”
Without further prodding, the duke eagerly went off in search of his own wife.
“High praise,” she said, smiling.
Sebastian drew her close. “I am still astonished you let me choose the decorations.”
She laughed at his self-deprecation. “You have excellent taste and clearly possess a talent for Christmas balls.”
His eyes widened and he laughed. “I never would have thought it.”
“You have quite the talent for loving, too.”
A pleased smile turned his lips. “Another thing to astonish me.”
“It seems it is your lot in life, now, to be astonished.”
He took her arm and linked it in his, walking along the ballroom toward the hall. “I had always thought my life full of adventure and surprises before.”
“And now?” she queried.
“More so,” he informed, that deep voice of his rumbling over her, caressing her skin. “For each day is a revelation of love. Of each other. And how wonderful we can be together.”
“You’ve given me back the joy of Christmas,” she confessed, her whole body light as air as happiness filled her. I was so afraid I’d lost it when my family had gone.”
“I am your family now.”
“Yes, you are and I am the luckiest of women.”
“Look up.”
She tilted her head back and spotted the red ribbon wrapped around mistletoe hanging overhead. “You are a rogue, my lord.”
“And would you like a kiss from a rogue?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, not giving a fig if all of their guests witnessed their affection. “More than anything, Sebastian. More than anything.”
The End
Don’t Miss Books 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
in
&n
bsp; The Must Love Rogues Series!
Available at all online retailers!
The Rogue and I
A Lady Ready for Battle:
Miss Harriet Manning once made the mistake of falling completely, totally, and irreversibly in love with a duke’s son. It’s a mistake she won’t repeat twice. Truly. Especially since he abandoned her just when they were about to elope to Gretna Green. Five years later, Harriet hasn’t forgotten the way Lord Garret’s smoldering gaze and wicked sense of humor touched her soul. Still, there’s no way she’ll forgive the traitorous libertine, no matter how he stirs her passions. Now, Harriet is determined to show him she doesn’t care, and never did, by making merry right under his nose but a tragic turn of events at her cousin’s wedding has her wondering if just maybe, love deserves one last chance.
A Lord Who Lost His Heart:
Lord Garret Hart, second son of a duke and now brother to the present Duke of Huntsdown, is never ever EVER getting married. Bachelorhood is for him. After all, women are the very devil. Especially one woman. Miss Harriet Manning is Garret’s own personal Medusa and she has turned his heart to stone. Indeed she has, but not before she absolutely ripped it to shreds, leaving him a complete wreck. Nothing will ever induce him to matrimony or nauseating protestations of boyish love again. But when he is forced into close proximity at his brother’s wedding with the woman who first taught him to dream and see the world as a wondrous place, sparks flash and passions explode. Still, Harriet is not to be trusted. She callously betrayed him once. So how can he ever allow himself another chance at love when love always seems to hurt so much?
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If the Rogue Fits
A Misunderstood Shrew:
Lady Margaret is infamous throughout London as the most volatile and shrewish of all young ladies. After four years on the market, with a vast fortune, her determination to remain unwed is legendary. Having a decidedly plain face, Margaret has learned that men only want her for her money, and the unkindness of those around her has led her to protect her heart with a cutting tongue and willingness to shove silly young men into orchestra pits. When she meets the Earl of Carlyle, the beautiful and seductive lord, who makes her body yearn for his touch, seems like he might be different than the rest. But when Margaret finds out the earl has been less than honest in his pursuit for her hand, will she ever be able to forgive him and find a way to love?
A Lord Who Has No Wish to Tame Her:
William Deveraux, Earl of Carlyle, is in desperate need of funds. His father, a ruinous gambler, has driven the earldom, it’s estate, and his tenants, into destitution. There’s only one thing for William to do. Wed and wed well. Undaunted that the only available lady with a sufficient fortune at present is Margaret the Mad, he’s determined to win her by any means. . . Even by deceit. But when Margaret discovers his lies, he finds he’s fallen for the plain yet oh so witty woman who is his savior in many ways. Will he ever be able to win her heart and convince her that she is the most wonderful woman in the world? Or will her years of being treated foully by society, ensure Margaret never lets him into her heart?
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Duke Goes Rogue
A Duke Who Demands Perfection:
James Hart, Duke of Hunsdownt, is ruled by duty and honor. All his life he’s been driven to be the antithesis of his father. Every choice he has made is weighed by whether it is the right thing to do. When scandal does brush his ducal role, he only works harder to ensure that he hurts no one and nothing by his power. In his noble work for the impoverished, Huntsdown comes to rely on and value his new secretary, Mr. Stanhope. But when the duke discovers his secretary is a woman in disguise he knows he must, for propriety’s sake, send her away. Yet, his admiration now has turned to passion. Now, he longs to possess the young woman who has broken society’s rules. Will he yield to temptation or cut the rebellious young lady from his heart?
A Lady Who Breaks Every Rule:
Miss Olivia Stanhope has known a life full of adventure aboard her father’s ship. But when she tragically finds herself alone in the world, she is left with few options. When forced between giving up her independence or duplicitously working in the Duke of Huntsdown’s employ, she chooses the latter. But from the moment they meet, she cannot deny her feelings. Falling in love with her employer isn’t the safest thing she can do, but when he discovers she’s a woman, Olivia knows that she will do anything to have him.
And a passion that cannot be denied:
When the duke insists that they must do the right thing, Olivia refuses to give into a life of propriety and decides to help her duke go rogue.
Will these two passionate people learn to fight together or will they be torn apart by the rules of the ton?
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Live and Let Rogue
When the Prince isn’t so charming, you can either Live and Let Rogue. . . Or bring him to his knees.
A Rogue Who Demanded Revenge:
John Forthryte, the newly made Earl of Mooreland, is an absolute bastard. Born the illegitimate son of a duke, hate has filled John’s heart since he watched his mother die in harrowing poverty. Once a small boy, forced to survive alone, John desired only vengeance. But after years of planning, successful feels hollow. Worse, he’s hurt a young woman in his relentless pursuit. Much to John’s shock, that woman awakens his cold heart. Now, he’s determined to see her happy. . . Without him. For a bastard and blackhearted rogue could never deserve her love.
A Lady Who Loves Life:
Meredith Trent, known as Merry, loves life. Perhaps too much, for her wild love nearly caused her ruin. When the man she loathes shows up at her isolated home in the Highlands, offering to atone for his role in her fall, Merry tells him to go to the devil. But the more time she spends with John Forthryte, the more she sees he is a heartbroken man longing for love. When he fights again and again for her happiness, she cannot help but fall in love with the wicked man. But can a man as broken as John ever abandon his past and choose love?
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Rogues Like it Scot
A Lord Who Loathes London:
Years ago, after having his heart and soul destroyed, Lord Damian Peterboro turned his back on society and left for parts unknown. Now, he’s returned, the rudest, most scandalous, most shocking man to come out of the wilds. An avid adventurer, determined to preserve the antiquities of the old worlds, Damian needs funds badly. What better way to get them than to marry? But when he meets Lady Andromeda, he cannot deny that she is the most intelligent woman he’s met in London who makes his blood sing with desire. But can he chance his heart again to love or will he disappear as he did once before?
A Lady Who Will Not Wed:
Marriage almost broke Lady Andromeda, sister to the Duke of Clyde. A wealthy widow, she has every intention of enjoying her position as one of the ton’s most glittering hostesses. But when Lord Peterboro crashes one of her salons she is both shocked and absolutely drawn to the wild and scandalous man. With each day that passes, she finds that he understands her as no one ever has. Yet, can she trust him with her tragic secret? Or will she cast away her only chance at love.
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Don’t forget to try The Dukes’ Club Series too!
Once Upon A Duke
Dreaming of The Duke
Wish Upon A Duke
All About the Duke
Duke Ever After
Not Quite A Duke
A Duke By Any Other Name
