by Rose Gordon
“That's a lot of sleigh rides and card tricks.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Are you sure you're ready for that?”
“Yes.”
“But yesterday you—”
“I was scared.”
Aaron lightly massaged her back with thumbs. “Is my company that bad?”
“No.” She lowered her eyes, her body going rigid. “I was afraid of what others might think.”
He could understand that and he silently said a prayer of thanksgiving for whoever helped Daphne see the reason she claimed to have been helped to discover. “And now?”
She met his eyes again, hers shining with more unshed tears. “I only care what you think.”
“I think five decades of card tricks, sleigh rides and conservatory picnics sounds like heaven as long as it's with you.”
“And don't forget meetings under the mistletoe,” she added, coming up on her toes to kiss him again.
Aaron caught her lower lip between his and ran his tongue along the edge. At her gasp, he pushed his tongue inside. She gasped again and melted into him. He would never tire of this. Never.
And it would seem as if he wouldn't have to.
Epilogue
Christmas Eve 1820
Yorkshire
It had taken several years, but Daphne had finally convinced Gareth and Jane to come and visit her and Aaron for Michaelmas. Of course Jane's hesitancy hadn't been completely unwarranted. Who'd want to do any unnecessary travel while increasing and all? Daphne mindlessly patted her own stomach and smiled. Not her.
“Your sister is here,” Aaron said, poking his handsome face into the open door of the parlor where Daphne had been waiting all morning for their arrival.
“All right, Janie,” Daphne said, scooping up her eldest daughter who, unbeknownst to her would have a brother or sister any day now—though Daphne hoped he or she would wait at least another day to make their grand entrance into this world. Ever since that first year, Daphne and Aaron had always made a trip back to Danby Castle to stand—and kiss—under the large bough of mistletoe that hung near the front door and tonight would be no exception. “It's time for you to meet your namesake.”
“Now don't you forget our promise,” Aaron said, playfully wagging his finger at Daphne. “If that baby—” he pointed toward Daphne's abdomen— “is a boy, we are not naming him Gareth.”
Daphne leaned forward and kissed Aaron's outstretched finger. “We'll see.”
His groan made her smile all the more. Truthfully, she had no desire to name any more children for Jane and Gareth, even if they were partially responsible for Daphne and Aaron's lasting happiness.
Just then a red-faced little boy came bounding around the corner, carrying a stick in one hand and a snowball in the other.
“And do you plan to throw that snowball on your aunt, young man?” Aaron teased as Daphne carefully bent to hug the young lad who she assumed was Jane and Gareth's eldest son.
“No, he brought it to hurl at his uncle,” came the very familiar voice of the Duke of Danby.
Aaron whirled around. “And what do we owe this visit to?”
“Someone at my house is planning to marry.”
“Oh, it's about time you married again,” Aaron said with ease.
“Believe me, had I discovered her before the first footman, it'd be my bed she'd be warming,” he muttered.
Daphne blushed, an endless flow of memories of her and Aaron warming the bed cycled through her mind.
The duke's harsh laughter pulled her present.
“Excuse me—Oh, Jane!” She ran to her sister and threw her free arm around Jane who had a much younger child in her arms. “I am so glad to see you.” She touched the baby's cheek. “And you.”
“What about me?” Gareth teased from where he stood behind Jane's chair, poking out his lower lip.
“Eh, you, too, I suppose.” She gave her brother-in-law a quick hug, then turned her attention back to Jane while Aaron and Gareth, and presumably the duke, had their gentleman's chatter. She sat on the blue and white striped chair nearest Jane and repositioned her little girl on her lap. “Jane, I'd like for you to meet Janie.”
Jane's smile could have lit the room. “Hello, sweet girl. I see you're going to be a big sister soon.”
“You're welcome,” Danby said.
Aaron coughed and Daphne flushed with embarrassment. “For what, Your Grace.”
“I told you how to snag this fine specimen,” Danby said plainly. He turned toward Aaron, “And I made it possible for you to woo her so you may thank me, too.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” he said dutifully.
Danby did not look satisfied. He turned toward Gareth and Jane. “And you two can thank me as well. If not for my mechanisms—”
“Your mechanisms,” Gareth interrupted with a snort. “You just invited us and had a few awkward conversations with these two. I am the one who is owed thanks. If not for my—oooof!” Gareth's hand flew to his side. “What was that for?”
“You're talking too much,” Jane said. She favored the room with her bright smile. “All that matters is that Daphne and Aaron are blissfully happy together. How it all came to be isn't so important.”
Danby pursed his lips. “Says the lady who is credited with the matchmaking.”
Four snorts rang out. “Nobody is doubting your involvement,” Aaron said. “In fact—”
“Aaaah!” A sharp pain pierced Daphne's back. She clutched her stomach. “I think it's time!”
Around her, the room swirled as Aaron called for Mrs. Neville, their housekeeper and cook, to go put water on to boil and for Gareth to go fetch the physician. She wondered what he'd have Danby do to keep him occupied, but her question was answered when Aaron put his arm around her and began to usher her from the room where Jane was going to watch the three children and Daphne spotted Danby lying in a chair with his eyes rolled into the back of his head and his mouth agape.
“I suppose childbirth isn't as enjoyable for him as playing matchmaker is,” she teased through gritted teeth. These contractions were harder and faster than they had been last time, she thought as Aaron ushered her into the bedroom they shared and helped her onto their large four poster bed.
Not only had her contractions come quicker this time around, so had the baby. Fortunately, she had a loving husband to help keep her comfortable through the pain that seemed to increase by the moment.
At the very last minute—quite literally—the physician arrived and took over for Aaron who was more than willing to go stand at Daphne's side and hold her hand. She prayed she didn't crush the bones in his hand, but with such intense pain, she wasn't certain she wouldn't leave five finger-shaped bruises at the very least.
He smiled down at her and pushed the hair out of her eyes and away from her sweaty forehead. “Squeeze away,” he said as if he'd read her mind.
She did.
And then a moment later, a loud cry filled the room and all thoughts of pain were gone.
Ever the most wonderful husband, Aaron stayed by her side while the doctor cleaned their new baby and then brought him over to them.
Time slipped right by them, or perhaps it just felt that way because her grandfather was one of the most impatient people she'd ever met.
“Are you ready for visitors?” a tired looking Jane asked, peeking her head inside the door.
“Of course they are,” Danby said, letting himself into the room.
Jane and Gareth wore hesitant expressions and Daphne waved them over. “It's all right. Come meet our new little boy.”
Jane touched her new nephew's cheek. “He's so beautiful.”
“Handsome,” all four of the men in the room corrected, sending Daphne and Jane into a little fit of giggles.
“Bah, I don't care how you gels refer to him as long as you call him by my name,” Danby said proudly.
Daphne bit her lip. “Actually, Aaron and I had planned to name him—”
“Bear in mind, y
oung lady, any gift I might have for you in this bag—” he gave his brown leather satchel a slight shake— “might be in the balances...”
Aaron and Daphne exchanged a look. “Well, I suppose we'd better give the poor man a namesake,” Aaron said with an exaggerated sigh.
“I suppose you're right,” Daphne agreed on a sigh of her own. She made a show of biting her lip and turned her attention to the duke. “Would it be acceptable if James is his middle name?”
Danby twisted his lips into a sour expression and had one not known him better they'd have missed the faint excitement that lit his eyes. “I suppose that will do,” he said shrewdly, setting his satchel down by Daphne's feet at the end of her bed. “But just so we're all in agreement, no matter what his first name is, he will always be James to me.”
“I'd expect nothing less, Your Grace,” Daphne said unable to help her grin. She lifted her left arm, propping her newborn's body so the whole room could see his face. “May I present to all of you, Aaron James Lentz.”
“That's a perfect name,” Jane said. “May I?” She reached toward baby Aaron and his papa helped Daphne pass him off to her sister to hold.
Behind Jane, Danby grinned without abandon, then as the clock struck midnight, Danby started. “I best be getting home. I'm hosting a little ball tonight and I have some...er...” he coughed— “business to attend to.”
“I sure hope when I'm his age I'm still able to conduct business,” Gareth murmured after the man was gone.
“You're not the only one,” Aaron muttered, reaching for the duke's forgotten satchel. “I'm almost afraid to open this.”
“You can't be that afraid or you wouldn't have just been blackmailed into naming your eldest son after him for whatever that contains,” Gareth commented.
“Oh, we didn't,” Daphne said airily. “We'd already decided on the name. But since it made him so happy to think he'd manipulated us to get what he wanted—” She shrugged.
Jane looked at her husband. “And you thought you were a mastermind?”
Ignoring her, Gareth said, “Are you ever going to open that, Lentz?”
Aaron needed no further prompting. He unbuckled the gold buckle and pulled the strap, then flipped the flap backward and grinned. “Happy Michaelmas, Daphne” he said, pulling out the little bough of dried mistletoe that had likely hung over the duke's front door.
“Happy Michaelmas, Aaron,” she returned, leaning toward him. “I sure do love you.”
“I love you, too—more than words could ever express.” It was true and she knew it. So with no other words to say, Aaron lifted the sprig of mistletoe above their heads and the two embraced in their Michaelmas under the mistletoe kiss.
THE END
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Curious about how Jane snagged Gareth? You can read all about their love at first sight (and marginally scandalous) romance in The Perfect Lady Worthe
More Books by Rose Gordon
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Four decided bachelors are about to have their freedom ripped right from their clutches with nothing to show for it but love.
Her Sudden Groom—When informed he must marry within the month or be forced to marry the worst harpy ever to set foot on English shores, the overly scientific, always logical Alex Banks decides to conduct his courtship like a science experiment!
Her Reluctant Groom—Emma Green has loved Marcus, Lord Sinclair for as long as she can remember, so when he slips up and says he loves her, too, it should all be so simple. But it's never that simple when the man in question was once been engaged to and jilted by Emma's older sister.
Her Secondhand Groom—What Patrick Ramsey, Lord Drakely AKA Lord Presumptuous wanted was an ordinary village girl to be a“motherness”to his daughters and stay out of his bedroom; what he’s about to get is something so much more.
Her Imperfect Groom— Sir Wallace Benedict is a thrice-jilted baronet who is about to finally have his happily-ever-after, if only the family of his one-true-love, would stop being so darn meddlesome!
Banks Brothers’ Brides
The first two are prequels to the previous series and the second two are follow ups.
His Contract Bride—Since just a lad, Edward Banks, Lord Watson knew Regina Harris would one day be his bride, he'd seen the paper to prove it many times; only someone forgot to inform Regina...
His Yankee Bride—John Banks wants nothingto do with the scandalous, sweet talking, ever-present, American beauty named Carolina, or so that’s what he keeps saying...
His Jilted Bride—Amelia Brice has a secret...and so does Elijah Banks. Hers is big...but his is bigger!
His Brother's Bride—Presented with a marriage contract his twin brother has signed but cannot fulfill, Henry Banks has to form a plan to save the Banks name, even if it means pretending he's his brother, or worse yet, marrying a lady who holds a grudge against his family.
Fort Gibson Officers Series
American-set historical romance series that takes place in Indian Territory in the mid-1840s.
The Officer and the Bostoner—While on her way to meet her intended, Allison Pearson was abandoned by her traveling party at a desolate Army fort in the middle of Indian Territory. It’s a good thing there is a handsome, smooth talking officer named Captain Wes Tucker will to temporarily marry her until her intended can reclaim her.
The Officer and the Southerner—Lieutenant Jack Walker sent off for a mail-order bride. Ella Davis answered the ad. Jack forgot to mention a few living details, and Ella’s about to let him know it!
The Officer and the Traveler—Captain Grayson Montgomery's mouth has landed him in trouble again! And this time it's not something a cleverly worded sentence and a handsome smile can fix. Having been informed he'll either have to marry or be demoted and sentenced to hard labor for the remainder of his tour, he proposes, only to discover those years of hard labor may have been the easier choice for his heart.
Coming Soon!
Gentlemen of Honor Series
Regency set series that is coming in 2014!
Secrets of a Viscount—One summer night, Sebastian Gentry, Lord Belgrave hauled the wrong young lady to Gretna Green. When her identity is exposed, the only obvious solution is to get an annulment. Only, just like his elopement plans, things didn’t go as planned and while she has reason to believe they are no longer married, he knows better. Wanting to make things right for her, he offers to help her find a husband—what neither counts on is it just might be the one she’s still secretly married to.
Desires of a Baron—Giles Goddard, Lord Norcourt is odd. Odder still, he has suddenly taken a fancy to his brother’s love interest, the fallen Lucy Whitaker. Lucy was once thrown over by a lord and she has little desire to let it happen again, but she’s about to learn that his desires just might be enough for the both of them.
Passions of a Gentleman—Having been thrown over twice already, Simon Appleton has given up his pursuit for a wife—especially if his only choice is the elusive Miss Henrietta Hughes. But when he discovers a secret about her, he’s not above helping to protect her...
If you'd like to stay current on Rose's releases, then sign up for her new release newsletter!
And the series that started it all...
Scandalous Sisters Series
Three American sisters have arrived in England for a brief visit, but they’re about to all find something they never bargained for: love.
Intentions of the Earl—Faced with never-ending poverty, a gentleman is offered a handsome sum if he'll ruin a
certain young lady's future—only she has other plans, and it might entail her ruining his.
Liberty for Paul—There's only one thing Liberty Banks hates worse than impropriety: one Mr. Paul Grimes, and unfortunately for her, it's her own impropriety that just got her married to him!
To Win His Wayward Wife—Not to be outdone by her sisters' scandalous marriages, Madison Banks is about to have her own marriage-producing scandal to a man who, unbeknownst to her has loved her all along.
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling and Award Winning Author Rose Gordon writes unusually unusual historical romances that have been known to include scarred heroes, feisty heroines, marriage-producing scandals, far too much scheming, naughty literature and always a sweet happily-ever-after. When not escaping to another world via reading or writing a book, she spends her time chasing two young boys around the house, being hunted by wild animals, or sitting on the swing in the backyard where she has to use her arms as shields to deflect projectiles AKA: balls, water balloons, sticks, pinecones, and anything else one of her boys picks up to hurl at his brother who just happens to be hiding behind her.
She can be found somewhere in cyberspace at:
http://www.rosegordon.net
or blogging about something inappropriate at:
http://rosesromanceramblings.wordpress.com
Rose would love to hear from her readers and you can e-mail her at [email protected]
