A Gypsy's Christmas Kiss

by Dawn Brower

  “No,” he answered. “Though I must admit that would be an additional advantage. As my duchess, he wouldn’t dare try to hurt you, and probably would try to mend the rift in your relationship.”

  Lulia scrunched her nose up. “I have no desire for that.”

  He didn’t really blame her. Fin wouldn’t want to become more acquainted with a man who’d made him miserable either. “Are you going to make me ask again?”

  Lulia blew out a breath. “Marrying you is the one thing I wanted and never thought I had a right to wish for. So yes, I’ll be happy to become your wife and spend the rest of my days by your side.”

  “I can get a special license, and we can marry before we travel back to Tenby as we planned to do.” He lifted her hand caressed her palm with the pad of his thumb. “I know it’s not much of a wedding trip, but as long as you’re by my side, I’ll have everything.” Lulia would always be the love of his life. “We should find some place quiet.” He had no idea where they could have a moment of peace in the Montford house.

  “Pardon me,” a young blonde woman interrupted them. “I couldn’t help overhearing…”

  Lulia lifted a brow. “It’s rude to listen to someone else’s conversation.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have it in a crowded ballroom where anyone can hear it,” the lady chastised her. “I am Lady Helena, and this is my home.”

  Fin’s lips twitched a little bit as she introduced herself. She was lovely, but he preferred Lulia’s dark hair to Lady Helena’s blonde tresses. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Did you need something from us?”

  “No,” she answered. “But it’s Christmas, and I’m feeling—generous. You wish to be alone, and I can give you that gift.”

  He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve everything being bestowed upon him, but he would send up a round of thanks at the next opportunity. “That would be wonderful.”

  Lady Helena’s lips tilted upward. “I’m happy to see two people in love and willing to take a leap of faith. Also, I’d like an invitation to your wedding—I adore a good ceremony.”

  She led them out of the ballroom and to a conservatory at the back of the house. Several different types of vegetation were in full bloom. It was a lovely place for a private interlude. “I’ll leave you two alone,” Lady Helena said and exited the room.

  Now that Lady Helena was gone they could get back to more important things. “I’ve wanted to kiss from the moment you arrived.” Fin pulled her into his arms. “I can’t wait until we can be married and we’re able to begin our life together.”

  “Why wait? There is nothing preventing us from having the life we’ve always wanted.” She flashed him a sultry smile. “Kiss me, Fin.”

  He did as she demanded and kissed Lulia with all the passion stored up inside of him. Christmastide used to be the worst time of the year for him, but now he’d have this kiss to remember for all time with the gypsy he loved…

  Epilogue

  One week later…

  Fin flipped open the London Times preparing to read it before breakfast. He wanted to check the society pages to see if the announcement of his wedding had been reported. Normally, he didn’t bother with such things, but for Lulia he would ensure proper etiquette was observed. He wanted everything to be as normal as possible. He’d obtained a marriage license immediately and married Lulia. Waiting to start their lives together hadn’t sat well with him. He’d already wasted too much time already.

  “Fin, Darling,” she said. Her voice was sweet and alluring. He glanced over the edge of the paper immediately forgetting what he’d been about to do.

  “Yes?” He lifted a brow. “What is it?”

  “Have you read the latest in Whispers from Lady X?”

  He pushed his nose up in confusion, and then, he recalled Dashville rambling about a Lady X during their gathering at White’s. “Isn’t that the scandal matron everyone hates?” He was presuming that last bit. The marquess certainly didn’t like him much. Fin didn’t see why anyone would deign to like her.

  “Oh, yes,” Lulia answered. “She’s the best. I’ve always wondered how she manages to gather her gossip. It seems as if she knows everyone…”

  “What do you find so intriguing in this particular column?” He set the Times down on the table. “I admit I’ve never read her sheet.”

  Lulia gasped and set the scandal paper down. “Fin…” She opened her mouth and then shut it. Little giggles erupted from her gorgeous lips. “I should have known you wouldn’t bother with the latest gossip. You don’t suffer fools and don’t bother with anything as unimportant as idle musings, but you should read this.” She slid the paper over to him. He picked it up and perused the infamous lady of whispers words.

  My dear readers…

  It is my pleasure to announce the nuptials of the Duke of Clare and Lady Lulia Vasile Alby. I would have reported their romance sooner, but I decided to respect their privacy over the holiday season. Even I enjoy a good romantic story every now and then, and trust me, theirs is one for the ages. Sometimes you find love when you’re not looking for it, and sometimes, it’s always been there. I’ve never witnessed two people more suited to each other than His Grace and Miss Vasile Alby. My apologies…it’s Her Grace now. May you have a wonderful life together and enjoy being the biggest scandal of the year, or rather, the end of it. You’re sure to give me a lot of material over the coming months, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

  --Lady X

  Fin set the sheet down and shook his head. There were not a lot of individuals privy to the details of their wedding. The announcement was scheduled to be in the Times today. How could Lady X have uncovered the information already? They only married a few days ago… “How often do you read this?”

  “I’ve never missed an issue,” she responded. “Why?”

  “Has Lady X ever mentioned me before?” He didn’t know why he was suddenly curious, but he couldn’t help asking. As often as Dashville said he appeared… What if she discussed Fin and his inability to socialize? How mortifying that would be.

  “She’d never mentioned you before.” Lulia tilted her head to the side. “I’ve been mentioned as that scandalous gypsy several times, but never by name. Actually, her favorite subject is the Marquess of Dashville. I don’t know what he did to incur her wrath, but I’m glad she doesn’t hate me as she does him.”

  He nodded and mumbled, “Quite agree.” Maybe Dashville had a reason to hate the gossip queen. “Dashville has complained about her. I guess I didn’t realize he wasn’t being dramatic about it.”

  Lulia laughed. “I’ll see if I have any of the previous sheets for you to read. I pity Dashville. Lady X definitely wants to see him ruined.” She shrugged. “I have to admit it is nice to see that she’s written something pleasant about us. She can be kind when it is warranted.”

  “Are you happy?” Fin couldn’t help asking. He didn’t like that Lulia was ever mistreated. “I know that we’ve not been married long…” All he wanted was for her to have everything her heart desired. Was that too much to ask?

  “I am, but you needn’t worry over me. There’s nothing I could want more than to spend the rest of my life with you. I never believed I’d be a wife or that I’d have love. It was something other people found, not me. So to have this with you and to have a future full of surprises waiting for us—there’s nothing more I could ever ask for.”

  He reached over and pulled her into his lap. She pressed her lips to his and warmth spread through him. Lulia brought out the best in him and he was lucky she loved him. Fin made a vow to never take her or life for granted. Lady X was right about one thing—love had always been there between them. Now that they realized it they had a future he didn’t dream he could ever have. Life happens while you’re making other plans, and he was grateful that love had found its way to him.

  Excerpt: Odds of Love

  Scandal Meets Love 4

  Dawn Brower

  Prologue

&nbs
p; January 1816

  Snow trickled down from the sky and blanketed the ground. Lady Katherine Wilson pulled her cloak tighter around her and did her best to suppress a shiver. The frigid temperature managed to seep underneath the wool cloak and spread over her. She wanted desperately to reach her destination and escape from the cold. She hated winter. It had never been her favorite time of year, and today was no different. It would be better if she could stay home and sit in front of the fire in the sitting room. Even Fortuna’s Parlor would be preferable. To be fair each day since her grandmother passed away had been dismal though. What she didn’t want to do was visit with solicitors and discuss her loss in depth. Her grandmother was gone. Hadn’t she suffered enough already?

  She finally reached the offices of her grandmother’s solicitor and stepped up to the doorway, and knocked. Katherine had never been to a solicitor before and had no clue what to do. What exactly was the proper protocol when dealing with a solicitor? The finishing school she’d attended hadn’t prepared her for this particular circumstance. She probably could have asked Narissa or even Diana, but she hadn’t wanted to burden them with her troubles.

  The door opened and an older gentleman filled the entryway. He had dark hair with salt and pepper strands streaked through the sides. His dark waistcoat gave him a somber appearance that reflected in his ice blue eyes. Something about him seemed familiar but Katherine couldn’t place him in her memory. “Lady Katherine,” he greeted her. “Please come in out of the cold.”

  Had she met him previously? How had he known her at a glance? She would have to inquire during their meeting. “Mr. Adamson?” Katherine lifted a brow. She wanted to make sure he was the solicitor she had to a meeting with.

  “Yes,” he answered as he gestured her past the doorway and closed it behind her.

  Katherine shivered. The cold hadn’t quite left her even with the warmth that already enveloped her. Sadly, after the conference she’d have to walk home in the awful weather. She really wished a carriage had been available to her, but her mother had used it to pay calls.

  “Can I take your cloak?” Mr. Adamson asked.

  She wanted to keep it on because she was still a little cold; however, soon it would be too warm and it was better to take it off now. Besides she wasn’t sure how long their conversation would take. Katherine shrugged the cloak off and handed it to him. He placed it on a nearby hook and then turned toward her. “Follow me. You’ll be more comfortable in the office. There’s a fire in the hearth and its much warmer.”

  Mr. Adamson led her to the office and gestured toward a chair. He sat behind a desk and shuffled some papers before glancing back at her. “You’re probably wondering why I asked you to meet me here. Normally I’d conduct a visit such as this one in the comfort of the client’s home. But because of the nature of your grandmother’s last wishes I’m required to do it here. She was afraid that if we met at your father’s home he’d try to take control of the assets she left to you. Not that he could have…” He cleared his throat and then continued, “But this makes things simpler for you. There is no conflict to deal with and once you leave you will have control of your inheritance.”

  What could her grandmother have left for her? She thought her father had inherited all of her grandmother’s possessions. Not that Katherine expected her to have much. Most of the estate had already gone to her father when his father passed. It was part of the entailment. Her grandmother lived in a house in Sussex county, near Heathfield. She had always assumed it was the dower house though… “I am not certain I understand.”

  He handed her a letter. “It is all explained here. You’re a very wealthy young lady.”

  Katherine took the missive from him and broke the seal. “It’s from my grandmother…” She recognized her handwriting immediately. Her heart beat heavily in her chest and she fought the urge to cry. She’d been letting her sadness get the best o her for longer than she would have liked. Katherine missed her grandmother terribly.

  “Keep reading,” Mr. Adamson encouraged her. “It’s important you read it until the end.”

  Katherine turned her attention back to her grandmother’s words. What could she have had to say that she couldn’t say before she passed away?

  My Dearest Grandchild,

  Your heart must be heavy, and I’m sorry for the pain you are now feeling. If I could take all your hurt away I would, but if you’re reading this then I must no longer be with you. My death, while painful, gives you freedom in ways you probably never imagined. My son, your father, is a harsh man and has not given you the love you need. He learned his behaviors from his own father. My marriage was an arranged one and my mother made assurances that I’d always be provided for. In England, property is immediately owned by a woman’s husband after marriage vows are said. My mother didn’t believe a woman should be controlled by a man. Love isn’t the main requirement in marriage and often doesn’t play a part in the contract settlements. That was the case with my own nuptials. A Dukedom such as Gladstone was forged on the bonds of many unions. John was destitute and agreed to all the contractual stipulations before I married him. It was never my desire to become a duchess, but it made my father practically salivate, but I digress.

  The important thing you need to understand is that I was never a pawn, and you don’t need to be either. My money was controlled by me, but a generous sum was bestowed upon John after we said our vows. He had his money, and I had mine. I provided him with his heir and after that we lived separate lives. Luckily, John didn’t waste his money and rebuilt the Gladstone estates. Charles is more his son than mine. Don’t let him control you. Seize control of your life.

  There are so many things I want to say to you, but the most important last words I can leave you with is this. Marry for love and nothing more. My estate is yours. Use it wisely, my dear. I trust you will make the right decisions. You have the ability to choose your own path now. Happiness can be yours, and love as well.

  All my love,

  Grandmother

  Katherine wiped a tear from her cheek. Her father wasn’t always hard, but she understood what her grandmother meant. Her father wanted to control everything and everyone around him. He hated to be thwarted.

  Katherine glanced at Mr. Adamson and asked, “What exactly did my grandmother leave me?”

  “As the letter states—her entire estate,” he responded matter-of-factly.

  “I understand, but what does her estate entail?” She repressed the urge to roll her eyes. “She says I’m wealthy now. Does she mean I have unlimited funds?”

  “You do have a sizeable bank account now. There is approximately ten thousand pounds in her account,” he answered. “She also left you a horse farm in Sussex. That was your grandmother’s main estate and she had a cottage near Bath that you now own. The farm brings in around five thousand pounds per annum”

  Katherine’s mouth fell open. That was a lot of money… She could do anything she wanted just as her grandmother said in her letter, but Katherine hadn’t fully appreciated her words until she heard what she’d inherited. “And my father can’t take it away from me?” It was a concern because her father didn’t like anyone having more than he did. She couldn’t say the state of the dukedom, but that amount of money would surely rival it. He would want it and control of the farm.

  “No,” he said. “The contracts were clear. Any money she had could only be given to a direct female relation of hers. The only way your father would have inherited it would have been if there were no females to inherit.” He lifted his lips upward. “Even then, the first female born of her direct bloodline would gain control of the assets. A male can only retain guardianship of it until a female is born. It’s a matriarchal estate.”

  There were so many possibilities available to her. She wasn’t sure what she should do first. Never in her wildest dreams would she have foreseen this happening. Her grandmother’s death was the worst and best thing that had ever happened to her. Why hadn’t she told her
that she’d inherit so much from her? Did she think it would have made a difference in their relationship? Her grandmother had always meant so much to her.

  “Is there anything I need to do?” Katherine’s mind was still reeling from the news. “Can I go to the farm?”

  Her grandmother had always visited her. She’d never been to her estate in Sussex. Katherine had a sudden desire to be amongst her things and the place she loved. It might help her feel closer to her grandmother again. It might be silly, but she needed it.

  “There is nothing required of you. Everything has been put into your name. There’s nothing you need to do but accept your inheritance. If you require anything please let me know and I’ll see to it.” He slid a stack of papers toward her. “These are for your records. I keep a copy here if they’re ever lost and yes, to answer your question, you may visit the farm. If you so desire, you may relocate to Sussex permanently. There’s no reason for you to remain at the ducal estate or under your father’s care.”

  That settled it for her. She would go home and pack, then set off for the farm in Sussex. Traveling in winter wasn’t her favorite, but to be away from her father would be a blessing. She didn’t tell even her closest friends how horrible he could be. Diana and Narissa had no idea how hard it could be for her to sneak out of the house or even to openly gain permission to attend a function. She didn’t live the happy-go-lucky life they believed she did. The main reason she’d been looking for a husband was to escape her father’s control. Now she didn’t have to marry unless she wanted to. She was free to live her life and not worry about anything ever again.

  “Thank you so much.” Katherine came to her feet. “How soon can I travel there?”

  “I can have a carriage ready to take you at any time. When do you wish to go?” He stood and walked around the desk to her side. “The servants already are aware of your ownership and expect you to visit. They’re anxious to meet you. They all loved your grandmother.”