by Ella Edon
And, Alexander had an important visitor coming. He and Jane had planned this for a while. It was a visit that they weren’t sure was going to go either well or badly, so they needed to be prepared.
Alexander made his way downstairs and found Jane sitting in the morning room, seated by the window as she read a letter. She gave a little sniff and Alexander was shocked to see a tear trickle down her cheek. He hurried over.
“Jane? What is it?”
Jane looked up. Then she sniffed and reached for her handkerchief.
“Alex.” She dabbed at her eyes. “I didn’t think you were getting up yet.”
“We’ve got a visitor, remember?” Alexander knelt before her, resting his hands on her knees. “What’s wrong?”
“I received this letter from Anthony.” Jane held out the letter. “Father passed away three days ago.”
Alexander took the letter and read it through. Walter Malcolm had died peacefully in his sleep, a mere three weeks after Faith Malcolm had passed away. It was to be expected with their age and ailing health, but it was still a shock. Robert’s scandalous ways and his attempts to cover up his mistakes had taken its toll on both the Earl and Countess. Alexander had seen them once since he and Jane had married, and both of Jane’s parents had been pleased that Jane was married and settled down. It seemed they had warmed to Alexander now, but he had sensed that they were different. They were shadows of their former selves. Robert Malcolm had broken his parents. Alexander wondered if they had died of broken hearts.
“Oh, Jane.” Alexander put the letter aside and drew his wife into his arms. “Come here.”
Jane leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. She was trembling, but she wasn’t crying. Alexander rubbed her back, drawing her back to kiss her.
“I miss him.” Jane swallowed, nuzzling Alexander’s hand. “He was a frustrating old gentleman, but I miss him.”
“You loved him. That’s to be expected. He raised you as his own.”
“I still can’t see him as my grandfather.”
“I know, and you shouldn’t. As far as anyone is concerned, he was your father. And he wouldn’t want you to mourn him or your mother. They would want you to enjoy life as you can.” Alexander kissed her again. “Now that you’re being looked after by someone else who loves you, they have no worries about you now.”
“I suppose.” Jane bit her lip. “I’m glad I have you, Alexander.”
Alexander wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck as he rested his chin on her shoulder. His hands rested on Jane’s belly, feeling her belly tighten under his touch.
“And I you.”
Then Alexander heard the sound of horses' hooves. He rose and went to the window. A grand grey stallion had appeared in the driveway, and a familiar gentleman was dismounting, one of Alexander’s stable lads holding onto the reins.
“It looks like our visitor is here.” He turned back to Jane. “Are you ready for this?”
“I am.” Jane rose to her feet and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m ready.”
“Good girl.”
Alexander headed towards the door, kissing his wife on the way past. He headed into the hallway and reached the door as his footman Andrews opened it. He grinned as Ian Harrison stepped into the house, giving his hat to Andrews. Then his uncle spotted Alexander and a big smile spread across his face.
“Alexander.”
“Uncle.” Alexander hugged Ian before stepping back, clasping his uncle’s hand. “I’m glad you could come and visit.”
“I wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to see you after so long. I mean, you did do me a favor back at my wedding.”
Alexander bit back a smile. He did more than a favor for Ian that day. Then again, Ian had done him a favor as well. He had ended up putting Alexander and Jane together. If it hadn’t been for his fear that Jane would disrupt his wedding, Alexander wouldn’t be married to the love of his life, with a baby on the way.
“I must admit, I was surprised when I got your letter.” Ian went on. “I thought you were still in Scotland.”
“We came back about two months ago. We’ve been visiting relatives all over since.”
“I see.” Ian folded his arms with a slight smile. “I thought you had decided to drop out of Society completely.”
“That is very tempting, but it’s only temporary. I want to enjoy time alone with my wife before the baby arrives. I did tell you that I was married now, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did. But you didn’t say who you married.” Ian arched an eyebrow. “I presume you married her because you finally made a mistake and got her pregnant?”
Alexander laughed.
“I married her because I love her. Is that too much to believe?”
“Coming from you with your past? A little bit. Even a brat like you can fall in love though. I was surprised that you didn’t tell me about it. I thought we could talk about anything.”
“That’s because I wanted to keep it private before I introduced her to my family.”
“Were you expecting an uproar or something?”
Alexander grinned and beckoned his uncle to follow him.
“Come on through. I’ll show you the reason why.”
They entered the morning room, Alexander stepping aside so Ian could see who was in the room. Jane was by the window, looking out into the gardens. She turned as the gentlemen entered, giving Ian a smile and a curtsy.
“Lord Harrison.”
“Jane?”
Ian had stopped short, his eyes widening as he saw her. His mouth opened and closed, making him look like a fish out of water. Alexander almost burst out laughing at the sight. It had been Jane’s decision to keep their marriage quiet, just so she didn’t have Alexander’s relatives whispering in his ear that he was doing a bad thing. Alexander had agreed, although not telling his uncle about what he was doing had been difficult.
“You’re looking well, Ian.” Jane crossed the room, taking Alexander’s hand. “I understand Anna’s pregnant now. Congratulations.”
“Thank you…” Ian was still staring at her. Then he looked up at Alexander. “You married Jane Malcolm?”
“I did.”
“I…” Ian blinked. Then he shook himself. “When I said make sure she didn’t disrupt my wedding day, I didn’t mean that you were to marry her yourself.”
“Let’s just say fate turned for me at the right moment.” Alexander slipped his arm around his wife, his other hand resting on Jane’s swollen belly. “She’s made me realize there’s more to life than hiding behind something I’m not.”
Ian looked like someone had hit him over the head. It was almost comical. Then Ian turned to Jane in a daze.
“I didn’t think Alexander would be someone you would end up with, Jane.”
“I didn’t think so, either. But I saw behind that mask Alex keeps up all the time. And I liked what I saw.” She rested her head on Alexander’s shoulder. “You're not angry, are you?”
“Why would I be angry?” Now Ian was smiling broadly. “I’m delighted. I was hoping a lady would come along to tame my nephew. I just wasn’t expecting it to be you.”
Jane giggled. She glanced at Alexander, who nodded and kissed her head. Jane turned back to Ian.
“The main reason we asked you here is because I wanted to apologize for what I’ve done in the past. I was young and foolish, and I was embarrassing myself. It should have stopped a long time ago. I want to start afresh with you. Can you forgive me for my actions?”
Ian was silent for a moment, but he was still smiling. He held out his arms, and Jane immediately went to him. Alexander watched as his uncle hugged Jane tightly, stepping back to chuck her chin in an affectionate manner.
“All you had to do was swallow your pride, Jane. While you frustrated me to no end, you are still like a little sister to me. You’re forgiven.”
“And Anna?” Jane asked. “I would like to apologize to her as well.”
“I’m sure that
can be arranged.” Ian looked at the clock. “It’s mid-morning. How about I take you two out for lunch? I know of a lovely place where we can eat. Then you can explain to me how you two ended up being married and about to become parents six months after I told Alexander to carry out a simple task.”
Alexander laughed. Jane grinned and took her husband’s hand.
“That sounds like a very good idea.”
The end?
Extended Epilogue
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Afterword
Thank you for reading my novel, The Rogue’s Dangerous Confession. I really hope you enjoyed it! If you did, could you please be so kind to write a review HERE?
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Dangerous Desires
Book#1
The Earl’s Dangerous Passion
Book#2
The Lord’s Dangerous Obsession
Book#3 (this book)
The Rogue’s Dangerous Confession
Do you want more Romance?
Turn on the next page to read the first chapters of my previous best-selling novel and the prequel to this story: The Lord’s Dangerous Obsession
This is the story of Arabella a devoted mother far below the status of David, who discovers his child with her, while uncovering a dark plot against him...
The Lord’s Dangerous Obsession
Chapter One
Kinsale, Ireland
The two horses leapt over the hedge simultaneously, the paler of the two pulling ahead as they galloped along the cliff’s edge. To their right, the River Brandon was calmer, barely a ripple as it glistened under the mid-July sun. David often liked to take this route, strolling along to smell the rich salt in the air. This was one of his favorite places. But when his brother was flying on ahead, intent on making their late morning ride a race, it was hard to stop and admire the view. Peter loved a race.
Then again, so did David.
Peter reached the point where the cliff edge had a steady drop down into a cove. A little private area that was barely used by anyone other than themselves when they were children. He adjusted his hat and gave David a triumphant grin.
“I’ve won!” he declared. “Again! For someone who spends every day in the saddle, you’re rather slow, David.”
David rolled his eyes as he smiled, trotting up to join his brother. “I got distracted with the view.”
“Ha! You’re not willing to admit that I beat you fair and square.”
“And last time I checked, you weren’t always this combative when someone graciously accepted a loss.”
David’s twin smirked and turned his white horse towards the mainland. “When you live a life at sea, you find out things don’t go by the same rules as on land. Speaking of which,” he made a face at the ocean behind them, “I want to get away from here. I don’t want to smell that stench.”
David laughed. “You work on a ship!”
“Doesn’t mean I have to enjoy my job when I have shore leave. Come on!”
Peter set his horse off at a quick canter. David urged his horse after him, not willing to be left behind. He and Peter only had a few days before Peter went back to sea again, this time sailing to the Caribbean, transporting people heading to live on the many islands out there. David didn’t want to waste time squabbling. Then again, Peter liked a good argument.
It was good to have his brother back. Kinsale wasn’t the same without him, especially with their father in such a subdued state. Peter had been at sea when their mother died after a long illness. David and his brother Geoffrey had to watch as their mother, who had been the peacemaker, the one who tempered the boys’ fiery behaviour with her calm approach, withered away in her bed. She passed away in their father’s arms, and Ian Harrison hadn’t recovered from it.
David was still struggling from his mother’s death himself, but it was nothing compared to Viscount Harrison. Ian was a shadow of his former self. They had been married for twenty years, and their marriage had been strong, solid. Now Ian was on his own, and he didn’t seem to know how to cope. Geoffrey was the most worried about their father, and he was close to tears whenever his attempts to cheer Ian up failed.
David felt like he was stuck in the middle. Now, at least Peter had come back. With a few days for a bit of fun and distraction, it was like they were children again.
“What’s going on?”
“Hmm?” David hadn’t realized he had slowed down. Now Peter was slowing his pace to fall in beside David, giving his brother a curious look.
“You went off in your own world there. What’s wrong?”
“I was thinking that we need to do something about Pa.”
“Like what?”
“Stop him moping.” David winced. “I know that sounds callous, but Ma’s been dead for two years now and yet Pa is still mourning her. I don’t think I’ve seen him crack a smile in months. Geoffrey’s noticed as well.”
Peter snorted.
“Geoffrey always was a soft one. He is always about feelings.”
“He’s only sixteen.”
“And that doesn’t bode well for him as a man. Women might find him sympathetic to their feelings attractive, but it’s not going to get Geoffrey anywhere, is it?”
“Leave off on Geoff. This is about Pa.” David shook his head. “I think he’s slipping away from us. The strong man who was once in charge of this family is not there anymore.”
“Of course he’s there. He’s just preoccupied.” Peter sighed. “Look, David, you needn’t worry so much. I’m sure Pa will be fine. He’s stronger than you think. And two years is the appropriate time to mourn a spouse, you know that.”
“I know that, but…” David sighed. “I just don’t like seeing him so sad.”
The three Harrison sons had inherited Ian’s fiery temper. They were all similar, in that respect. As they grew up, the three boys learned to deal with it in different ways. Peter had struggled the most, which was why Ian had suggested signing him up as a midshipman when he was twelve. Peter had protested, but life at sea had tempered him. He wasn’t as fierce as before, but the light in his eyes had never gone away. If anything, it had grown.
As Ian grew older, he became more somber. David wasn’t sure what to make of the new gentleman sitting at the head of the table. Hopefully, they could get the old Ian Harrison back.
“Well, we’ve got a dinner party to go to tonight.” Peter suggested. “I’m sure we can find a way to cheer him up there.”
David found himself laughing. “At the O’Reilly estate? Are you sure about that?”
“Maybe you’re right. That’s more likely to make him even worse.”
David couldn’t argue with that. The O’Reilly family were their neighbors, and they were absolute bores. But, Ian never turned an invitation down because he was a gracious man. He wasn’t about to be rude to their neighbors, even if Ian rolled his eyes whenever he got a letter from them. There had been talks about arranging a match between David and their eldest daughter Lady Eveline, but that had been quickly scrapped. David was glad about that. Lady Eveline was just as boring as her parents.
“Look, how about we take him out riding next time we go?” David said. “He’s coming with us, no arguments; along the clifftops, just as he used to when he was teaching us to ride. He always love a race.”
“I know.” Peter grinned. “And I always win.”
“Only because Pa lets you. He’s always going to be the best horseman.”
“I’m going to overtake him very quickly. I know it.” Peter nodded out ahead of them. “Just as I know I’m going to be making introductions with that girl
.”
“Huh?”
David hadn’t noticed that they were now on the outskirts of Kinsale, in an area called Compass Quay. It was where most of the fishermen lived as it was easier access to the boats to get out and collect their wage in the Atlantic Ocean. Even further inland, the smell of fish was enormous and it was making David’s eyes water. People were going on about their business, barely giving them a glance.