Christian audibly swallowed. “I’d best go now before I ravish you right here and now.”
She smiled, her body tingling in places she’d thought long dead. “I don’t think it’s considered ravishment if we’re both willing.”
He tapped her on the nose, then kissed it. “Don’t tempt me. I won’t have it said we
had
to get married. And I refuse to have any doubt as to who is the father of our child.”
She blushed down to her toenails. “I can picture a house full of blond little boys and laughter.”
He grinned. “I’m doing this backwards. First the proposal, then the discussion of children. Will you marry me, Genevieve?”
Healed and whole, she smiled. “Well, I suppose since I’ve promised to give you a houseful of sons, I ought to be married to you at the time.”
He grinned. “I’m tempted to have Cole get me a special license and marry you as soon as possible, but I want to do this right. We’ll have the banns read and marry in a church.”
“If you want no chance people will speculate whether or not our child is yours, we will have to wait three months to marry so at least a year will have passed before a child is born.”
Christian’s eye narrowed in pain. “Three months,” he gasped. “I’m sure I cannot wait that long.”
She smiled. “Marry me and I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”
“Tonight wouldn’t be soon enough for me.” He kissed her again, turned her around and gave her a gentle push. “Good night.” He closed the door but there was a soft thud, as if he had let his head drop on the other side of the door.
She placed her hand on the door in an attempt to have one last touch of Christian before moving to her own room. Free of the threat that had hung over her family for a year, free of Wickburgh, free to marry Christian, Genevieve waltzed to her room humming, her lips tingling from Christian’s kiss. Love did make everything perfect.
CHAPTER 32
Dearest Christian,
You are the joy in my smile, the light in my eyes, the love in my heart. Today, when I finally become yours, I will be the happiest woman who ever breathed. I vow to love you and to receive your love with all my heart throughout all time. And when we are both gone from this life, heaven will be our new home where I have no doubt our happiness will only grow.
I eagerly await your arrival at the church today where I will be
Forever yours,
Genevieve
Christian let out a whoop and turned to Jared. After kissing his startled brother soundly on both cheeks, he flung open the door and shouted, “I’m getting married today!”
Surrounded by his brothers, Christian skipped up the church steps and practically ran inside.
Jared put a hand on his shoulder. “Steady, Chris. Show some decorum, will you?” He grinned.
The organ music began. Christian, heedless of the guests, practically danced as he stood next to the altar while Genevieve, a vision of loveliness in a creation of apricot that made her skin glow, glided serenely down the aisle. Her smile filled his soul with such light and joy that he half expected to float off the floor. And when they were finally declared man and wife, Christian had to restrain himself from scooping her up into his arms and carrying her away that instant.
The second the wedding breakfast ended, Christian did just that. He swung her up into his arms and raced toward the carriage waiting in the church driveway. Genevieve let out a gasp of surprise. She laughed. “You are ever impetuous.”
“I know what I want. No need to wait around.”
It was quieter here away from the guests. Only the soft strains of a harp playing for the guests floated to him in the air.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled in. “I had no idea when you gave me that first shy smile in Bath you’d be such a force to be reckoned with.”
“Just wait.” He grinned wolfishly.
A figure dressed head to toe in black stood by the carriage. Christian halted. Grant, wearing a beautifully tailored superfine, waited. Christian gaped. He hadn’t noticed the suit until now. When was the last time Grant had worn such tasteful attire? Probably Jared’s wedding. It was probably the same suit. The coachman leaped up onto the box and waited with the reins in his hand.
Silent as a wraith, Grant approached. He gave Christian a searching look. “Well, done, little brother.” A rare, true smile curved Grant’s mouth. He stepped back and opened the carriage door.
Stunned, Christian only stared at him. He nodded, unable to speak. After setting down Genevieve next to the carriage, he held out a hand to guide her in. Instead, she turned to Grant, rose up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
Grant looked winded. She smiled, glanced at Christian with a come-hither smile, and stepped into the carriage. Christian offered Grant a hand. They clasped hands, eyes meeting eyes. A dozen things he ought to say flitted through his mind but he couldn’t seem to voice them. Grant nodded and let go of his hand. Nothing needed to be said. Despite their differences, their history, they were brothers. They’d always be there for each other when it mattered.
Inside the coach, Christian settled next to Genevieve. As the carriage moved forward, Christian took Genevieve into his arms. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Amesbury.”
She smiled. “I love the sound of that. I love you,” she said.
“I love you.” He wrapped an arm around her and drew her in close.
She snuggled in next to him and sighed. “I’m so happy. I have you. And I finally have a pair of shoes that fit!” She giggled and held up her feet to show her slippers. “They aren’t glass slippers, but I think they’re lovely.”
“Very well, Cinderella, I’ll try to be your Prince Charming and see that you are never lacking in slippers that fit properly.”
His kiss started gently, but quickly burned brighter and hotter. Together at last, bonded by trial and hardship, they drove toward their future.
Other Books by the Author
Rogue Hearts Series:
The Stranger She Married
Guise of a Gentleman
A word about the author ...
Donna Hatch’s passion for writing began about the age of 8 when she wrote her first short story. When in 10th grade, she wrote her first full-length novel, a science fiction romance. She wrote her second novel, a fantasy romance, during her junior year of high school. Needless to say, English and Creative Writing were always her favorite subjects. She fell in love with historical novels as a pre-teen and has loved them ever since.
In between caring for six children, (seven counting her husband!) she manages to carve out time to indulge in her writing obsession, with varying degrees of success, although she writes most often late at night instead of sleeping. A native of Arizona, she writes Regency Romance and Fantasy.
All of her heroes are patterned after her husband of over 20 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.
Visit Donna Hatch at
www.donnahatch.com
for behind-the-scenes, deleted scenes and sneak peaks.
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