by Anne Gracie
“Oh? Did it?”
“Yes, there was a scandal, you see.”
“How shocking.”
“It was. And it created a most scandalous precedent.”
She gave him a puzzled look. “How do you mean?”
“This bride of mine, she has the shocking habit of seducing me at every opportunity.”
“How dreadful,” she said demurely. “I wonder you can bear it.”
“I can’t. Do you see that?” He indicated a young couple disappearing into the shadows. “Making love under an oak tree on a warm evening in late spring is an ancient tradition in these parts. It’s supposed to bring extreme good fortune.”
She laughed, “To whom, pray?”
“To me, of course.” He gave her a mock leer. “Can I interest you in an old Shields tradition, pretty lady?” And without waiting for her response he swept her up into his arms and carried her, laughing, into the darkness, to the cheers of those watching.
Lily wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, her heart full to bursting. She thought of what her father had said, all those years ago, that no man would want her. She might not deserve such happiness, but oh, Papa, she was going to seize it—and this beautiful, generous, loving man—with both hands. And never let go.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Gracie is the award-winning author of the Chance Sisters Romances, which include The Summer Bride, The Spring Bride, The Winter Bride and The Autumn Bride, and the first book in the Marriage of Convenience Romance series, Marry in Haste. She spent her childhood and youth on the move. The gypsy life taught her that humor and love are universal languages and that favorite books can take you home, wherever you are. Anne started her first novel while backpacking solo around the world, writing by hand in notebooks. Since then, her books have been translated into more than sixteen languages, and include Japanese manga editions. As well as writing, Anne promotes adult literacy, flings balls for her dog, enjoys her tangled garden and keeps bees. Visit her online at annegracie.com.
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