As she thought of her husband, he appeared in her bedchamber just as her maid put the finishing touches to her hair. Beautiful butterfly sapphire and diamond hair clips. A generous gift from Harry. He purchased them new, not liking most of the Sinclair family jewels.
“That will be all, Clarisse,” Penelope said with a smile when she caught Harry’s eyes in the mirror. Dark blue eyes that never failed to move her. To the outside world it would appear as though Hugh Sinclair escorted her to her family home this evening. Harry still had to go around town in his disguise. As he told her earlier in the day, to the whole of the ton he was a cripple and would have to stay a cripple at least until he resigned from the War Office.
Rising from her chair, she spun in a circle, sending her royal blue skirts swishing around her legs. “How do I look?”
Her husband’s eyes darkened, and his smile faltered. “Too good to take you to your brother’s for dinner.” He stepped closer to her. Except it was more like a prowl. He took her lips in a deep probing kiss that curled her toes inside her silk slippers.
“You look good enough to eat.” His deeper than normal voice said, “And I’m famished.”
Penelope laughed and stepped out of his reach. “We mustn’t be late. You know how Thomas can be.”
Harry expelled a laugh. “Yes. Let us be on our way then.”
As it turned out they were the last to arrive, and all eyes turned toward them as the butler announced their arrival.
“Everyone is staring at us,” Penelope whispered.
Harry patted her hand. “Not us, dear. They are looking at you as you look divine.”
She laughed and shook her head. “You are so wrong. It’s the first time you have ventured out in public without your Duke of Newbury disguise. They don’t know what to make of you. Which I may add, is very kind and trusting of you to trust my family to keep your secret.
Wentworth and Bella hurried over. “Newbury, Penelope, welcome,” said her brother. After bows and greetings, Wentworth said, “Nice to see you as yourself, Newbury. No more disguise.”
Bella’s eyes widened. “You knew and didn’t enlighten me?”
Wentworth shrugged a shoulder. “Come, let us make the rounds.”
Penelope’s sisters were there with their husbands. The Earl of Northborough and the Earl of Bridgeton. Also in attendance was the Marquess and Marchioness of Amesbury. Mr. Stuart Spencer and his lovely wife, Miranda, and Mr. Smythe and his wife, Mary. It shocked Penelope when she saw her other brother, Sebastian and his wife, Teagan. All her family and friends, except for the Dowager Duchess, were in attendance.
Standing in the drawing room, on the arm of her husband, there wasn’t anywhere else in the world she’d rather be. She’d been blessed with more than she deserved since her humble beginnings. And never would she take anything or anyone for granted.
Epilogue
“Mama, Papa, look at me.” A chubby, blond, blue-eyed boy of three was riding his pony with the help of a groomsman. “I ride good.”
“Yes, you do, Henry,” both parents said at once then they laughed.
Seven years and four children had Penelope and Harry either finishing each other’s sentences or speaking simultaneously.
They were blissfully happy with three daughters, Prudence, Catherine, Hillary and Henry, the heir.
“Sweetheart.” Penelope glowed, her hand going to her stomach. “Do you think we have room for one more?”
“Yes,” Harry bellowed, as he swept her up in his arms, and gently swung her around. “Yes, yes, a million yeses. I love you.”
Her heart pitter-patted hearing those words come from her fearless spy of a husband. “I love you.”
That night as their children slept, Harry and Penelope showered each other with their love.
The End
About the Author
Christine Donovan is an International Bestselling Author who writes romance that touches the heart, soothes the soul and feeds the mind. She is a PAN Member of RWA and belongs to Novelist, Inc. and Rhode Island Romance Writers. She lives on the Southeast Coast of Massachusetts with her husband. She has four grown sons, one granddaughter and three cats. As well as writing historical romance set in the regency era, she also writes contemporary and paranormal. In her spare time, she can be found at the beach, reading, painting or gardening. She loves to tackle DIY projects. Please visit her at http://www.authorchristinedonovan.com
Also by Christine Donovan
A Seabrook Family Saga Series
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THE RELUCTANT DUKE
THE LADY AND THE EARL
THE LADY MUST CHOOSE
LORD SEBASTIAN AND THE SCOTTISH LASS
SPENCER MEETS HIS LADY LOVE
THE SPENCER SISTERS’ – FORBIDDEN LOVES AND BROKEN HEARTS
THE SPY AND HIS LADY LOVE
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A Standish Bay Romance Series
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BLACKJACK
BRIDGET
MITCH
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Single Title Contemporary
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SUNSET BEACH
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Novellas
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VENETIAN HOLIDAY
AMALFI COAST HOLIDAY
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