Satisfied with the results, she set the painting aside, lifted the pen, and withdrew a clean sheet of paper from Jack’s desk.
She began to write.
September 12, 1899
Dearest Mother and Father,
Please forgive me for having taken so long to write. I do hope your visit abroad was lovely as ever.
You will be quite relieved to know I did not murder Harlan, after all. In fact, I have much to thank him for. And oh, I got married, though not to Harlan, I’m pleased to say. I will explain everything in detail when I return to Boston—as soon as Jack and I complete the current expedition.
It was a lovely ceremony held in a quaint chapel in Mexico and presided over in Spanish by a native priest. Now Mother, don’t fret because despite that I didn’t understand a word he said, Jack speaks the language quite eloquently, and he was sweet enough to translate everything. You will adore him, I assure you, as I do, and we promise to get married all over again when we return. You may, in fact, begin decorating the lawn, just as you so often described to me.
In the meantime, I know you are happy for me because I am deliriously so!
In case you are not... Mother, a very wise man once told me that happily ever after isn’t something someone can give, not even a mother who loves a daughter so very much. It’s a place inside your heart. I’ve found that place, Mother.
I truly hope you’ll understand, and if not, at least forgive me for following my heart. I love him, Mother, and I am happier than I have ever been. And for the first time I have found a sense of purpose in my drawings. I am cataloguing Jack’s artifacts and discoveries, and doing quite well, Jack says. Enclosed you will find a few of my finest examples, along with a new picture I have just completed. Enclosed also is a letter written by Harlan as delivered to me by Jonathon Preston. It will explain much, I believe, and Father will find it of particular interest.
Papa, I wonder if you have considered purchasing that horse farm you spoke of so long ago? It’s never too late. And I do agree, Mother truly has the most lovely smile...
Sophie lifted her brows after writing that particular remark. Her mother did, of course, have a lovely smile... when she happened to smile... which wasn’t particularly often.
A slightly crooked smile came to her lips as she wondered at her own matchmaking. Was it painfully obvious? To her it was, though her remarks were subtle enough that only her father should take them for what they were.
“Until we meet again,” she signed the letter. “I remain your loving daughter, Sophia Vanderwahl MacAuley.”
She signed the last of it with as much precision as she was able, every precious letter fashioned with painstaking love.
Sophia Vanderwahl MacAuley.
Jack stirred at her back, his timing impeccable.
“Come to bed, flower,” he demanded.
She turned to see that he had lifted his head from the pillow where they had both lain their heads, peering at her sleepily.
“I can’t sleep without you.”
Sophie laughed softly. “You can too, you rotten cad! I heard you snoring!”
He managed a throaty chuckle. “Impertinent brat. Come back to bed. The drawings can wait until tomorrow.”
Sophie smiled at him. “I’m coming, my darling,” she said, and stood, abandoning her letter on the desk until morning. He was right, it could wait.
Feeling invincible, empowered, she went to the bedside. Staring down at him, she undressed so that he could see her by the moonlight, and knew by the expression on his face that he wanted her... cherished her. And somehow she knew that he would look at her that way even when she was old and her hair was gray.
No words were necessary between them.
With that knowledge and wearing only her most wicked smile, Sophie climbed into bed beside her husband.
And they did, indeed, live happily ever after.
Also by Tanya Anne Crosby
Daughters of Avalon
The King’s Favorite
The Holly & the Ivy
A Winter’s Rose
Fire Song
Lord of Shadows
The Prince & the Impostor
Seduced by a Prince
A Crown for a Lady
The Art of Kissing Beneath the Mistletoe
The Highland Brides
The MacKinnon’s Bride
Lyon’s Gift
On Bended Knee
Lion Heart
Highland Song
MacKinnon’s Hope
Guardians of the Stone
Once Upon a Highland Legend
Highland Fire
Highland Steel
Highland Storm
Maiden of the Mist
The Medievals Heroes
Once Upon a Kiss
Angel of Fire
Viking’s Prize
Redeemable Rogues
Happily Ever After
Perfect In My Sight
McKenzie’s Bride
Kissed by a Rogue
Thirty Ways to Leave a Duke
A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal
Anthologies & Novellas
Lady’s Man
Married at Midnight
The Winter Stone
Romantic Suspense
Speak No Evil
Tell No Lies
Leave No Trace
Mainstream Fiction
The Girl Who Stayed
The Things We Leave Behind
Redemption Song
Reprisal
Everyday Lies
About the Author
Tanya Anne Crosby is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty novels. She has been featured in magazines, such as People, Romantic Times and Publisher's Weekly, and her books have been translated into eight languages. Her first novel was published in 1992 by Avon Books, where Tanya was hailed as "one of Avon's fastest rising stars." Her fourth book was chosen to launch the company's Avon Romantic Treasure imprint.
Known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters Tanya is an award-winning author, journalist, and editor, and her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews.
Tanya and her writer husband split their time between Charleston, SC, where she was raised, and northern Michigan, where the couple make their home.
For more information
www.tanyaannecrosby.com
[email protected]
To Love a Lord: A Victorian Romance Collection Page 54
