To Capture Her Heart (23 page)

“'Tis my honor, Your Highness.”

Then, despite the observers, he pulled Gwendolyn into his arms and kissed her. She was going to be his wife, and he had never been happier.

Epilogue

A cold, blustery wind blew Gwendolyn's hair across her face. She shivered as she reached up and pushed it back behind her ears. Gavin's solid arms came firmly around her. She leaned back against his chest and breathed deeply of his scent.

“Have I told you how much I love you and need you?” His warm breath glided over her neck as he whispered in her ear. Her skin tingled with awareness.

“Aye, but I will never tire of hearing it.”

All around them the crowds began to cheer. Gwendolyn cast her eyes towards the executioners block up ahead as a hooded guard led Roreck to the guillotine.

“Do you want to get a closer look?”

Gwendolyn shook her head. “Nay. I never want to see his evil face again.”

Gavin turned her in his arms so that she was facing him. “Then look at me instead.”

Gwendolyn traced his face with her eyes—he was so handsome and he belonged to her. As her eyes rested on his lips, she felt a prodigious desire to kiss him. She went up on her tip-toes, their lips just seconds apart when she felt something nudge between their legs, forcing them to part. Gwendolyn reluctantly pulled back and looked down at the intruder. Talbot was standing between them, his tail wagging excitedly.

“Get out of here, you insolent beast.” Gavin tried to shoo the dog away but he refused to budge.

Gwendolyn laughed as she bent down to scratch him behind the ears. The dog panted excitedly at her touch.

Gavin stared in shock. “I thought you hated the dunce as much as I.”

“I used to, but that was before he saved your life.”

“Clearly you jest.”

Gwendolyn giggled. “Nay. 'Twas he who found me and brought me to you while you lay in the gardens dying from poison.

Gavin's brows rose sharply above his eyes. Gwendolyn wanted to laugh at the look of disbelief on his face.

“The blasted mutt. Mayhap he isn't worthless after all,” he mumbled, in awe.

“Gwendolyn!”

Gwendolyn's head snapped up at the sound of her name. She quickly rose and craned her neck to see who had called after her. Gavin spotted Jarin first and growled. She placed her hand on his arm and willed him to calm.

Jarin approached, his breathing labored from his run across the square. “I had hoped I would see you today.” His eyes never left Gwendolyn, completely ignoring Gavin all together.

“'Tis a pleasure to see you as well, Jarin. I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé.” Her eyes turned towards Gavin as Jarin gasped.

“Your fiancé?” he stuttered. “You are marrying that ill-bred halfwit?”

Gwendolyn stiffened, afraid Gavin would kill the poor lad. “Jarin, do not speak so vilely of the man I love,” she chastised sternly.

“But you can't marry him, I thought that you would come home from the magic festival and we could start anew.”

“But I love Gavin, Jarin, not you.” It was painful for her to watch as his face fell dejectedly. “Someday you will find someone who will return your love and be everything that you ever hoped for and dreamed about.”

Jarin searched her face. “Is he everything you ever hoped for and dreamed about?”

“Aye, he is all that and more.”

“Very well,” he said, his voice sadly resigned. He turned to leave then quickly stopped. Looking back over his shoulder he asked, “Did you find your gift at the festival?”

Gwendolyn's face fell. “Nay, I did not.” She was oddly touched by the sympathy she saw in Jarin's expression, for he knew how much having a gift meant to her.

“I'm sorry,” he muttered as he turned to leave once more.

“Jarin,” Gavin called after him. The lad stopped and turned. Gavin pulled something out of his pocket and tossed it to the boy. Jarin reached out and caught it. He held up the object in his hand—it was the necklace he had given Gwendolyn. The meaning was clear, Gavin needn't explain. Jarin tucked the necklace into his pocket then turned and became lost in the crowd.

For a brief moment Gwendolyn was lost in her thoughts. How she hated seeing the disappointment on Jarin's face. She sent a prayer heavenward that he'd find somebody someday that could return his affections, that would love him for all that he was.

Gavin twined his large hand in hers, pulling her out of her thoughts. “Come with me,” he urged as he gently pulled her away from the crowd.

“But we will miss the execution.”

“You didn't want to see it anyway, now come on.”

Gwendolyn smiled as she allowed him to pull her along, past the throngs of people, through the gardens, and onward. She had no idea where he was taking her. She began to wonder if he had any idea either when they came to a stop in front of a charming stone cottage with a small rose garden in front.

“I've never seen this place before, what is it?” she asked curiously.

“'Tis an early wedding present from your brother and Queen Rosalind. This will be our new home.”

“Truly?” she squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. She took in the cottage once more with new eyes. She had assumed that they would live in the castle once they wed, but found she was even more excited to know that they would have a place of their own to call home.

“Your mother will be relocating to Herfordshire Castle so she doesn't have to live alone.”

Gwendolyn paused. In her excitement she had failed to think of her mother. “That's a splendid idea, but what will happen to our home, to Emerson Castle?”

“She means for your brother Aeden to inherit it. When the time comes for him to retire and take a wife, he can make it his home.”

“Perfect,” she cooed, “everything is nearly perfect.”

“Nearly?”

“I never found my gift,” she whispered as she looked at the ground.

Gavin stepped forward, palming her head in his hands.  He brought her face up so that he was staring into her eyes. “But you do have a gift, Gwen. You are a healer.”

“Nay, Gavin. I have already explained it to you.” Her lower lip trembled. “I am only moderately talented at the healing arts, nothing more.”

“Gwen, I want you to listen to me,” he said in all seriousness. “You are a healer of hearts, my heart. God knew it would take somebody extremely special to make me love again, and he sent you to work your magic. Do not ever think you are merely ordinary, because to me you are not. You are my personal giver of hope, a balm to my wounded soul, and I am desperately, madly, and completely in love with you. If that isn't magic, then I don't know what is.”

Gwendolyn let his words sink in, filling every crack of her insecure spirit. He was right—she didn't need a magical gift, not when she had him. His love was worth more to her than any gift could ever be.

She used all the strength in her body to pull him to her. “Gavin Dekever, you are my gift and you are enough, more than enough.”

He smiled.

“Now kiss me,” she demanded boldly.

“You will never have to ask me twice,” he said as he lowered his head and they sealed their love with a kiss.

About The Author

Ginny Hartman has always loved writing, and when her love for the regency era blossomed, she decided to combine the two, resulting in her first published novel,
Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington
, which became an Amazon Historical Romance bestseller. After completing her first Regency Romance Trilogy, she decided to venture into other eras of historical romance, enjoying the journey back in time.

Ginny's favorite thing about writing is the escape it gives her and the people who read her stories. For a behind the scenes look at the creation of
Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington
,
Misleading
Lord Martineau
,
Betraying the Highwayman
, and
To Guard Her Heart
, as well as a sneak peek at her upcoming projects, visit her website
www.creatingromance.blogspot.com
. You can also keep up to date by liking her Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/authorginnyhartman
.

Besides writing, Ginny enjoys reading and spending time with her favorite people: her husband and three beautiful children. She also enjoys traveling the world with the love of her life and gaining inspiration for her books. She currently resides in Northern Idaho.