by Mary Brendan
Deborah blinked languorously at him, and a gentle smile softened her features into a study of serenity. ‘My mama will wonder where I am, but…’ She saw the self-mocking regret enter his eyes. ‘But if we’re quick.’
He roared with laughter and in a fluid swoop had her off the table and in his arms. ‘Trust me, sweetheart, if we were, you’d never forgive me.’
He dropped a kiss on her cheek and swayed her for a moment in his arms. ‘Will you marry me, Miss Wood-ville, or should I say Miss Cleveland?’
‘Indeed I will, sir,’ she replied, quivering with happiness. ‘And I know it is most confusing knowing how to properly address me.’
‘It won’t be for much longer, Deborah,’ he returned tenderly. ‘I’ll get a special licence. Soon you’ll be Lady Buckland and I’ll be the proudest, happiest man alive.’
* * *
Julia Woodville awoke with a start, feeling a little chilled for the fire had fallen low in the grate. She immediately looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost ten minutes to eight. Rubbing her eyes, she clucked her regrets whilst swinging her feet to the floor. She had not meant to sleep so long. Deborah would be waiting downstairs for her company at dinner. Julia sighed. It might be no happy meal. She had an unpleasant task to do, but do it she must. She couldn’t countenance waiting any longer to make her confession. She had seen this afternoon how dreadfully sad her daughter was. If it was within her power to heal the rift between Deborah and Randolph, she must swallow the bitter pill and hand over the letters.
Earlier that afternoon she’d come to her chamber and, in readiness to finally do the deed, had withdrawn from their hiding place the letters. She approached the bureau and picked up the little ribbon-tied bundle.
Hearing a noise, she twitched aside the curtain, wondering who was at the stable at such an hour. Peering out, she saw Basham leading away a large horse. An incipient smile twitched her lips and her heart soared in hopefulness; it looked, to Julia, to be Mr Chadwicke’s mount. About to drop the curtain, Julia’s hand stilled as a movement near the torch caught her eye. As the flare by the stable door wavered in its sconce she saw highlighted the silhouettes of an embracing couple. A glint of gold was visible as the breeze stirred her daughter’s flowing tresses. A moment later Julia watched Deborah rest her head on Randolph Chadwicke’s broad shoulder as, arm in arm, they strolled towards the house.
A joyous smile bathed Julia’s face and she hastened towards the door. She hesitated with her hand on the doorknob and retraced her steps to her desk. She abruptly snatched up the letters and, with a silent prayer, fed them to the fire, waiting until the flames danced about them before she quit the room to go and welcome home her family.
ISBN-13: 9781460349366
DANGEROUS LORD, SEDUCTIVE MISTRESS
© Mary Brendan 2010
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