His hands rose to frame her face. “I was living half a life before I met you, Amara. I thought I was happy. I had my job, my machines.” He waved a hand toward the computers lining the living room. “But I wasn’t. I was hiding. Determined not to get hurt again like Wendy hurt me. Like my father hurt me. And in doing so, I avoided everything. Until you.”
“Oh, Matthew. I did the same. I told myself I wanted to come here for independence, for a new future. But mostly I was running from my past. Hiding from my mistakes, too. When I repeated them here, I ran again.” She traced his jaw with her hand, her fingers trailing over the stubble. “I wish I’d realized sooner you weren’t what was sabotaging my desires. I was.”
She leaned up to press her lips against his but released him again quickly. “I thought I couldn’t have love. On occasion, I wanted it, after seeing Deveric and Eliza. But it wasn’t for me, not if it meant losing my freedom. My independence. Myself. When Eliza described this future, her education, the choices available, I had to come. But I thought the last thing I wanted, the last thing I needed, was love.”
She gave him a grin that quickly turned saucy. “I admit freely, I liked the benefits this freedom gave me. My time with you here. But I couldn’t see a way to make a relationship work without giving up my own dreams. I thought love meant entrapment. Like it had with Drake Evers.”
She ran her fingers over his eyebrow, then smoothed them into his hair again. “But you ... you are not Drake. You are not like any man I have ever known. You let me be me. And I love you for it.”
Matt’s pupils flared. “Say it again.”
“I love you, Mr. Matthew Goodson.” A meow at their feet interrupted them as Matt dipped to kiss her again, and they laughed, the insistent feline weaving her way in and out of Amara’s legs.
“Guess I’m not the only one who missed you.” He swung her into his arms, carrying her down the hallway.
“Matthew,” Amara said, her eyes anxious. “I can’t yet. I’m still bleeding, and ...”
“It’s all right, Amara. I wasn’t expecting anything. We have a lifetime for that. I just want to hold you ... and never let you go.”
She relaxed into him, delighting in the warmth of his body against hers, the soft texture of his robe tickling her cheek. He laid her on the bed, then shed the robe as she settled herself under the blanket.
“You’re naked!” she shrieked, though her eyes drank in the sight of him.
“So I am. You know I sleep like this. Just in case a sexy siren should slip into bed with me.” He crawled onto the mattress, sliding under the blanket with her, and rolled onto his side, pulling her against him so that his large frame encircled her, his arm settling over her waist, his hand resting just below her breasts.
“And does that happen often?” she challenged.
“Once in a lifetime, dearest Amara. Once in a lifetime.”
Together, they fell asleep.
Epilogue
February 14, 2017
“It’s been exactly a year. Have you finally forgiven me?” Cat arched a brow at Matthew, who was helping himself to a second serving of the lasagna before him.
“Forgiven you? I celebrate you. Without you, I wouldn’t have found the love of my life.”
Amara beamed at him before taking a sip of her water.
“How are classes going, Amara?” Taylor asked.
“Without a doubt, they are challenging, but it’s helpful to have a live-in tutor. Though I’m a wee bit better versed in the history of England than he.” She blew a kiss at Matthew.
From the other side of the table, Wash beat a steady rhythm with his spoon on his plate, grinning when his mom and dad turned to him. “More bread!”
“Washington, banging your spoon is not polite.” Cat chastised, but love shone from her eyes.
Ben reached over and handed his son a breadstick. “Ben, that’s his second one.”
Ben winked. “The boy knows what he likes, and he likes bread. I can hardly fault him. Plus, it will keep him quiet while Matt and Amara talk their future plans.”
Amara’s gaze flew to Matthew. “Er, well,” she stammered. “We haven’t ... I mean, we’re taking things one day at a time.”
Matthew grinned at Ben, sending him a brief nod. Pulling his napkin from his lap, he set it on the table before carefully kneeling on one knee before Amara. He grinned as her eyes grew wide, her hands flying to her face. “What are you—”
“Amara Mattersley, you’re right. We are taking things one day at a time. But I’d like to do it together, for every day of the rest of our lives. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Amara’s mouth dropped open, and her glance skittered to Cat and Ben, then Taylor. Had they known Matthew was planning this? Cat’s watery eyes and Ben’s wide smile gave her the answer. Taylor pumped a fist in exultation. Amara looked back at Matthew, those ice-blue eyes wide, love—and nervousness—written across his face.
Her own eyes prickled suspiciously, and her skin tingled with exhilaration, and fear and hope and love. “Yes. Yes, of course.”
Cat whooped, Taylor hollered, and Wash banged his spoon again as Matthew bounced up and pulled her into his arms, his mouth finding hers and searing it with a kiss.
After a moment, Ben cleared his throat. “If you don’t mind,” he said, his voice teasing. “There are children present.”
Amara broke apart from Matthew, a giggle escaping her.
Matthew snickered in return, before diving in for another kiss. “I hope it’s okay I did this in front of Cat and Ben,” he whispered. “But I thought since they were the two who hatched the plan to bring us together ...”
“... It’s only fitting they see their success.” Amara nodded. Cat and Ben clapped, Wash following suit.
Taylor bounded over and hugged Amara. “Now we’ll really be sisters.”
“Thank you,” Amara said to Cat. “Thank you for sending Eliza to my brother. She brought him light when he was lost in the darkness. And thank you for bringing me to Matthew. Without him ... ” A tear slipped out of her eye. “Without him, I wouldn’t have seen that the past is not the future.”
Matthew pressed his lips to her forehead. “And without you ... I shudder to think. I had no future. Not really.”
“Oh, you do,” Ben broke in. “I got word today the department unanimously approved your tenure application, and that the dean’s ready and anxious to send it to the higher ups right away. I’m not supposed to tell you that.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But I don’t think you’ll be giving away our secrets ... ”
Matthew’s face broke out into the widest grin. Amara hugged him. “Your future is secure,” she said, love shining from her eyes. “Though I have enough money that we never have to worry, you know.”
Matthew pursed his lips. “A kept man,” he said. “I could get used to that. But my future was secured the minute you said yes. I love you, Amara Mattersley. For all of your past, present, and future.”
“Yes,” she breathed against his lips. “Our past, present, and future.”
Acknowledgments
“Here’s the thing: the book that will most change your life is the book you write.” – Seth Godin
That has certainly proven true for me. The list of people to whom I am indebted grows longer, not shorter, with each successive book. I count this as the highest of privileges, to have so many friends, fellow writers, and readers supporting me and cheering me on.
To the Shenandoah Valley Writers Critique Group for their insights and encouragement as I whipped this book into shape from its humble 2015 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) beginnings.
To beta readers Phyllis A. Duncan, Vanessa Hinman, Josette Keelor, and Heather Raffa, for their sharp eyes and highly valued feedback.
To my bestie, Kary Phillips, for, well, being my best friend, and for possessing editing and proofing skills of the highest caliber. To my brilliant editor, Tessa Shapcott, for her invaluable guidance in honing and shapin
g my stories and characters so that they shine brighter than anything I could ever formulate on my own.
To Joy Lankshear of Lankshear Design, for her eye-catching covers and interior formatting that make me—er, I mean my books—look exquisite.
To Emily June Street, for working her formatting magic to ensure the ebook is as beautiful as the print book.
To RWA’s Beau Monde, for constantly offering helpful answers to my many naïve questions. I quest to get it right, but of course, any errors remain my own.
To my kids, for putting up with me when I’m on deadline.
To Brett, for the same. And for being my own Captain Obvious. I love you, Schmuck Boy.
About the Author
Margaret Locke, 2018 RITA® Finalist and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Magic of Love and Put Up Your Dukes series, writes binge-worthy romance that keeps you up past your bedtime. She delights in making readers laugh, cry, and think. Because love matters.
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You can usually find her in front of some sort of screen (electronic or window); she's come to terms with the fact she's not an outdoors person. Newly obsessed with coffee, she also fangirls over Jane Austen, history, cats, books, and Colin Morgan.
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When not writing, Margaret adores spending time with her fabulous husband, two fantastic kids, and three funny felines. And chocolate. Don't forget chocolate.
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LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!
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Margaret loves to interact with fellow readers and authors! You may find her here:
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Blog/Website:
http://margaretlocke.com
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The Demon Duke
Put Up Your Dukes Book One
Readers love RITA® Finalist and USA Today Bestseller The Demon Duke, the first in Margaret’s historical Regency series.
Behind every good man is a great secret.
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Banished to Yorkshire as a boy for faults his father failed to beat out of him, Damon Blackbourne has no use for English society and had vowed never to return to his family’s estate at Thorne Hill, much less London. However, when his father and brother die in a freak carriage accident, it falls on Damon to take up the mantle of the Malford dukedom, and to introduce his sisters to London Society–his worst nightmare come to life. He never planned on Lady Grace Mattersley. The beautiful debutante stirs him body and soul with her deep chocolate eyes and hesitant smiles. Until she stumbles across his dark secret. Bookish Grace much prefers solitude and reading to social just-about-anything. Her family may be pressuring her to take on the London Season to find herself a husband, but she has other ideas. Such as writing a novel of her own. But she has no idea how to deal with the Duke of Malford. Will she betray him to the world? Or will she be his saving Grace?
The Legendary Duke
Put Up Your Dukes Book Two
Don’t miss the newest title in Margaret’s Put Up Your Dukes Regency historical series!
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http://margaretlocke.com/books/the-legendary-duke
For a Knight to win the Princess, he first must slay his dragons…
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A tragic event in his youth led Gavin Knight’s mother to whisk him to Rome, where he lived a simple but secluded life—until, on her deathbed, she revealed who he truly was: the Duke of Cortleon.
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Now twenty-nine, Gavin has returned to England, determined to learn what happened all those years ago. Despite charming his fellow lords and ladies alike, the new duke disregards any notion of nuptials, as his honor first demands resolution--and retribution.
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Then he meets Lady Elinor Greene.
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For seven years, renowned beauty Elinor has refused all proposals, fearing marriage would curb her freedom. But when her family falls on hard times, Nelle must sacrifice herself to save them by marrying a man of means. A wealthy widower seems the logical choice, a passionless union perfect. Until she meets the Duke of Cortleon and learns one Knight can be legendary.
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Soon Gavin and Elinor must each decide which quest is worth more: that for honor, or that for love...
While second in the series, The Legendary Duke can easily be read as a standalone novel - especially because this story turned out to take place one year before that of The Demon Duke (oops).
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Loosely based on the Arthurian legend Gawain and the Green Knight, The Legendary Duke provides adventure, mystery, desire, and betrayal in this satisfying blend of Regency historical romance with a hint of medieval flavor...and Arthurian Easter eggs pop up throughout!
Thank You for Reading
What did you think of the Magic of Love series?
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Word-of-mouth is the best way for authors to reach readers, and the online version of word-of-mouth is reviews.
Thanks so much!
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- Margaret
MAGIC OF LOVE SERIES
Copyright © Anne Tjaden, 2016
Three-Book Boxed Set Electronic Text
ISBN: 978-0-9963170-6-1
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A MAN OF CHARACTER
Copyright © Anne Tjaden, 2015
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A MATTER OF TIME
Copyright © Anne Tjaden, 2015
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A SCANDALOUS MATTER
Copyright © Anne Tjaden, 2016
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Except for use in review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part, by any means, is forbidden without permission from the author/publisher.
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Locked On Love, publisher, Harrisonburg, VA
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Cover designs by Lankshear Design
www.lanksheardesign.com
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Edited by Tessa Shapcott
www.tessashapcott.com
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Box set cover and formatting by Emily June Street for Luminous Creatures Press
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Box set cover image © Vitaliy licensed from stock.adobe.com
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These books are works of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit this book or portions thereof in any form or by any means whatsoever.
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Manufactured in the United States of America
The Magic of Love Series Page 91