“You called my mother a whore.”
“I’ve already apologised to her for that. Now I must apologise to you. I have no excuse for the words. I was wondering, however, if you might find it within you to forgive me.”
“Did my mother forgive you?”
“She did.”
“Then I suppose I can do no less.”
“Well, you could do more.” He took another step nearer. “I’ve obtained the special licence. And I’ve brought a vicar.”
Her eyes widened. “You want to marry me?”
“I do.”
She angled her chin haughtily and lied. “Unfortunately, I no longer want to marry you. It was a foolish bargain on my part, to be willing to give you every—”
“I don’t want everything. I only want you.” He reached into his pocket and removed a folded parchment. “A letter from your solicitor, confirming that I have signed settlement papers that prevent me from taking any of your property or money.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I need a champion. Someone who believes in me when I fail to believe in myself.”
“You will be ostracized for marrying me. You must know that.”
“At first, certainly. But you will be my countess and, in time, I think you will charm society until they no longer care about your origins.”
“Why?” she asked, her voice breaking. “What changed your mind?”
“I’m not sure. I only know that I want you to be my wife, that someone who has overcome her past as you have can help me overcome mine.”
“Yours is not nearly so ruinous.”
“Then it should be easy enough for us to conquer it.”
They were married in the gardens. Her mother was able to stand at her side and Jones stood beside Harteley. The ceremony, although brief, was almost too much for her mother. When she began to sway, Jones was the first to reach her and sweep her up into his arms.
“We’ll need one more ceremony before you go, vicar,” Jones said.
“We don’t have a licence,” her mother muttered.
“Doesn’t matter. I want the words between us if nothing else,” Jones said.
Her mother had merely nodded and there in the garden she married the butler.
Arianna and Harteley travelled to London for the night. His residence was far from what it would become, but that night she was only interested in sharing his bedchamber.
Wearing only her nightdress, she waited expectantly for him. Strange, considering her mother’s occupation, that she was so nervous.
“Tell me what I should do,” she’d urged her mother.
All her mother had given her was a smile and the soft words: “Enjoy him.”
Enjoy him. How could she when she could barely draw in a breath?
The door opened. He walked in wearing only trousers and a silk dressing robe. Before she could utter a word, he took her into his arms and began to plunder her mouth. Then he gentled the kiss and she swayed into him.
Heat surged through her. She was barely aware that he’d unbuttoned her gown until it slithered along her body to land on the floor.
“My God, but you’re beautiful,” he whispered.
She looked up at him, held his gaze. “So are you.”
He cradled her face. “How can you be so innocent?”
“Perhaps because my mother wasn’t. She protected me.”
He lifted her into his arms. “I shall strive to do the same.”
He laid her gently on the bed. He discarded his dressing gown and began to work on the fastenings of his trousers. “Would you rather I douse the lamps?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. I want to see you.”
And she was grateful that he allowed her request. She knew the human form was beautiful, but she thought he was magnificent as he shoved down his trousers and joined her on the bed. She touched his shoulders, toyed with the light sprinkling of hair on his chest. “I’ve so often dreamed of this.”
“I suspect I shall lie on my deathbed still wondering why you chose me,” he said.
“And I shall always wonder why you came back.”
He shook his head, a smile playing over his lips. “Because for once in my life, I listened to my heart.”
Her heart soared, swelled to such an extent that she was surprised her chest could contain it.
Then his hands and mouth were exploring every inch of her, with tenderness and deliberation. Pleasure ebbed and flowed through her. Each caress brought her closer to the edge of something she couldn’t quite fathom. Each stroke urged her to touch him as well.
She loved the texture of his body. Firm, strong muscles undulating beneath her fingers.
Then he rose above her and gazed down on her. His mouth covered hers. His body plunged into hers. His cries mingled with hers.
He rocked against her and the pressure built. Sensations she could have never imagined travelled through her. He was hers now, just as she’d always dreamed.
She was his, just as she’d always wanted.
The pleasure spiralled through her until it burst forth into a conflagration that had her calling out his name. She was aware of her name escaping through his clenched jaw as he thrust into her one last time, his body taut, his muscles quivering.
He lowered himself to her, buried his face in the curve of her shoulder. He pressed his lips to her dew-covered neck. “Arianna.”
Her name was a whispered benediction.
And she knew that love wouldn’t be far behind.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES
Leah Ball
Mammoth debut author and second-prize winner in the R.W.A. Royal Ascot’s Hot & Wild Regency category, her first novel, Secret Possessions, is currently on submission.
Sara Bennett
Bestselling author of historical romance for Avon, she writes passionate Victorian- and Regency-set romances. She has just finished the second book in her latest series, The Husband Hunters Club, and also writes paranormals as Sara Mackenzie.
www.sara-bennett.com
Elizabeth Boyle
New York Times bestselling author of fifteen Regency-set historical romances, including the popular Bachelor Chronicles series, she is also the winner of the R.W.A.’s RITA award, a voracious knitter and an occasional seamstress.
www.elizabethboyle.com
Anna Campbell
Multi-award-winning author writing passionate, emotional Regency-set historical romance for Avon, she lives in Australia and loves to travel, especially to the United Kingdom.
www.annacampbell.info
Robyn DeHart
Three-time Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award nominee, her Legend Hunters series is a favourite among reviewers and fans alike.
www.robyndehart.com
Amanda Grange
Bestselling author of Mr Darcy’s Diary, she has written seventeen Regency-set novels including her popular series of Jane Austen retellings.
www.amandagrange.com
Lorraine Heath
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has penned more than twenty-five historical romances, including her popular Scoundrels of St James series. She is also a recipient of R.W.A.’s prestigious RITA award, a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and several other literary accolades.
www.lorraineheath.com
Candice Hern