After Margaret’s christening they all gathered at Lazenby to toast the baby’s health and congratulate the proud parents. Despite Cecily’s concerns, Jane had a relatively easy delivery and mother and infant continued to thrive. Luke, Constantine and Jane’s adopted son, gingerly patted the infant’s downy head and tried not to look as ridiculously pleased as he felt about his baby sister.
“Besides,” said Cecily, with a sideways glance at her husband, “you are one of us now. Even Xavier tolerates you and that’s saying something.”
“But only yesterday, Lydgate threatened to punch my lights out,” Rand complained.
“Oh, that just means he likes you,” said Cecily. “He did punch Griffin once. Gave him a black eye, you know. And they are the best of friends.”
“He did?” The man must have a great deal of courage to start a fight with the colossus that was Griffin, Earl of Tregarth. Not that he believed Viscount Lydgate a coward. He’d have written down the exquisitely dressed gentleman with the guinea gold hair for a fop if he hadn’t seen him in action at Jackson’s Boxing Saloon. “What for?”
Cecily shrugged. “He didn’t think Griffin dressed appropriately when he came to pay his addresses to Rosamund.” She grew pensive. “I believe Griffin crowned his iniquity by calling Lydgate a dandy.”
“Well, that would do it,” agreed Rand. He laughed. “What a family we have, my dearest Cecily.”
We.
Cecily caught her breath. Despite her marriage being months old now, she still tingled all over whenever Rand coupled himself so closely with her.
Closing her eyes, she turned her head slightly, the better to inhale his scent. This was heaven itself. There was nowhere she’d rather be than within the circle of Rand’s arms, with all of her family near.
Her fears of losing her autonomy to Rand had been groundless. Secure in his own intelligence and ability, Rand delighted in seeing her fulfill her own dreams. She accepted his advice, but made her own decisions when it came to her projects. If she made mistakes, they would be hers alone.
Cecily watched as Jane carefully placed baby Margaret in Jonathon’s arms, amid many protestations from Jonathon himself that he was a clumsy oaf, sure to drop her.
She could not imagine anyone less like an oaf. Her brother appeared elegant, pale and dissipated in his habitual black and white. The languid air suited his romantic dark looks exceedingly well. He had created a sensation among the ladies upon his return to London. Rumor had it he’d indulged in every sort of excess since.
Her heart twisted. The loss of his reputation in scientific circles had been hellish for Jonathon. In his shoes, she would feel the same. She understood the need to be reckless when one’s life seemed to have lost purpose and meaning.
She worried about him, nevertheless. He wouldn’t listen to her, of course. She was a mere sister and a much younger one, at that. At Cecily’s entreaty, her cousin Beckenham had tried to persuade Jonathon to moderate his behavior, but Beckenham’s warning had gone unheeded.
She must simply hope her brother did not damage himself before he came to his senses—or anyone else, for that matter. The Duke of Montford watched over him and so did Rand. That was a small comfort. Their subtlety might succeed where Beckenham’s straightforward reprimands failed.
She turned her head a little to look up at her husband. “Do you think Jonathon will ever be happy?”
He kissed her crown, running his hands up and down her arms to grasp her shoulders. “Give him time, my love. It is a big adjustment for him.”
“Yes. But I cannot help the feeling that he is about to do something reckless.” She shivered. “Even more reckless, I mean. Something irreversible.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” said Rand.
“Yes,” she said, comforted. “I know you will.”
Rand turned her in his arms. Framing her face with his palms, he fell into those dark eyes. “Any regrets on your own account?”
He knew the answer, but he never tired of hearing it.
She shook her head. “I am more myself with you than with anyone else. You challenge me, excite me, you make me feel safe. You make me want to give you all of that in return. I am so very happy. I cannot believe I ever contemplated a life without you. How utterly dreary, how empty that would have been.”
Emotion bloomed in his chest. Regardless of everyone present, he kissed her, deeply, thoroughly, ignoring the whistles and catcalls from his newfound family.
“I love you,” he said against her lips.
“Oh, my dearest, darlingest duke,” sighed Cecily, shining up at him. “I love you, too.”
Don’t miss the first two novels in the Ministry of Marriage series from Christina Brooke
HEIRESS IN LOVE
MAD ABOUT THE EARL
Available from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Also by
Christina Brooke
Heiress in Love
Mad About the Earl
Praise for Christina Brooke’s Heiress in Love
“Each scene is more sensual and passionate than the last.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Riveting tale of life, loss, convenience, and heart-wrenching love! Superbly written!”
—Fresh Fiction
“With this delightful debut Brooke demonstrates her ability for creating a charming cast of characters who are the perfect players in the first of the Ministry of Marriage series. Marriage-of-convenience fans will rejoice and take pleasure in this enchanting read.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Clever, lush, and lovely—an amazing debut!”
—Suzanne Enoch, New York Times bestselling author
“A delightful confection of secrets and seduction, Heiress in Love will have readers craving more!”
—Tracy Anne Warren
“One of the most compelling heroes I’ve read in years.”
—Anna Campbell
About the Author
CHRISTINA BROOKE is a former lawyer who staged a brilliant escape from the corporate world and landed squarely in Regency England. She lives in Australia with her husband, two sons, and an ancient Great Dane cross called Monty. Christina loves travel, window-shopping in antique stores, pink champagne and fine Swiss chocolate. She especially loves hearing from readers. You can find Christine on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or “at home” on www.christina-brooke.com.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER
Copyright © 2012 by Christina Brooke.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781466816008
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / July 2012
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
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