At the Highwayman's Pleasure (25 page)

He came round the table and dropped to one knee before her.

‘Well, Charity, will you marry me now? There may be rumours, but no one will know for sure what happened to Phineas. Not that I would care if you had a dozen traitors in your family. I would still want you for my wife, now and always.’

Happiness choked her and, mistaking her silence, he added, ‘If you want to continue with your acting, then I will not stand in your way.’

She knew she must speak, and quickly, before he thought she was rejecting him.

‘No, no, well, perhaps occasionally I might perform—but not if it conflicts with your own duties. Captain Armstrong said you would be reinstated in the navy, and I think you would like to go back to sea?’

He took her hands. ‘I would, very much. There is work to be done there while this war continues, but not if you would dislike it.’

She looked down at him, hoping he could see the love she felt at this moment shining from her eyes and in the huge smile that was bursting forth.

‘I should like very much to be the wife of a sea captain—’

Hardly were the words from her mouth than he was on his feet and dragging her out of her chair. She was in his arms, her face upturned for his kiss, which she returned with all the love she could convey.

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ISBN: 978 1 472 04363 4

AT THE HIGHWAYMAN’S PLEASURE

© 2014 Sarah Mallory

Published in Great Britain 2014
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

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