“Love?”
“Mmm, yes?”
“I fear that we must talk.”
“I know.”
Devon heard the fear in her voice and wanted to reassure her. But first they must get dressed. With her naked, it wouldn’t take long for their discussion to become distracted.
When Devon lay there and didn’t make an attempt to talk, Kathleen grew confused. Should she start with an apology or wait for him? He kept calling her love, and his lovemaking was playful, but that could mean anything? Right?
“Love?” he repeated.
“Yes?”
“We need to get dressed.”
“Oh.”
Devon rose from the tub and dried himself off, wrapping the towel around his waist. He helped Kathleen out and wiped the water from her body. When he saw the uncertainty in her eyes, he reassured her.
“If I am to stay sane, then clothes must cover your body. If after our conversation you find happiness in the outcome, I will be more than willing to let you take advantage of me again.”
Kathleen’s face lit up, her doubt fleeing at his wicked, teasing smile. Devon grabbed her hand and guided her to a door through which Kathleen saw the room she fell asleep in the night before.
“I will send a maid to help you dress, and then she will lead you to the gardens where we will talk. Is this all right with you, my lady?”
“Yes, my lord.” Kathleen stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips before closing the door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kathleen found Devon in the garden, sitting at a table with two chairs. On the table rested a pot of tea and a plate of blueberry scones and honey. He rose when Kathleen arrived and helped her into a seat.
“Since I ruined your breakfast, I thought you would enjoy your blueberry scones while we talked.”
“I quite enjoyed the distraction, but I am famished.” Kathleen winked at him.
“Then by all means, my dear, allow me to be your humble servant.”
Kathleen laughed at Devon’s teasing and knew in her heart all would be well with them. She gazed at him adoringly as he poured a cup of tea and served the scones.
After Kathleen finished eating, Devon explained his past actions. He kept touching his fingers to hers. Devon communicated his feelings with soft caresses.
“Kathleen ...”
“I am sorry, Devon, for ever doubting you,” Kathleen interrupted him.
“Shh, love. I need to explain myself. Because of my deceit, I made it possible for you to not trust me. I am sorry. I should have told you the truth from the very beginning.”
“None of it matters anymore.”
“No, it doesn’t. But nonetheless, I want you to know.”
Kathleen nodded, taking his hand.
“It all started many years ago. One day you were this pest, always following Rory and I around. Then next, I was a besotted fool wanting to follow you around. I did not realize when it happened. I only knew you'd captured my heart, and I became smitten.”
“But you never followed me anywhere, you were always so cruel.”
“That was because I did not understand my newfound devotion to you. Plus, I sort of followed you. Do you remember those private acting lessons my father arranged for you?”
“Yes.”
“I convinced my parents to allow me to escort you to the theater and guard against any untoward actions from the actors. It was my chance to be alone with you.”
“But you never were alone with me. You always deserted me to fool around with any girl who would flash a smile your way.”
“That is what I led you to believe. I tried to get any reaction from you, to see if you felt the same way. I never fooled around with them, I sat in a seat in the back and enjoyed your delight at acting. When you would never respond to my flirtations, I kept trying harder.”
“And you said I held no skills in the acting department. But I fooled you. Your disappearances with different actresses crushed my soul. Then when you returned, your hair and clothes were mussed. You sat across from me with a smile full of satisfaction. And every time, I would hurt that you never took notice of me.”
“But I did. I only told you of your inability to act, because I grew tired of escorting you and suffering the indifference you regarded me with.”
“Why did you not share how you felt?”
“You were too young, Kathleen. So I waited until you came of age.”
“And in the meantime?”
“The meantime is my past. I hope you are my future.”
Kathleen pouted. His past relationships had fueled the gossip of the ton for years. Every single woman who played a part in his past, she hated them, envied them, hurt for them when Devon discarded them. Because the hurt they endured was the same as hers. Devon Holdenburg was an addiction from which you could never recover.
She said, “Carry on with your explanation.”
Ahh, he would have to soothe her battered emotions before he was through. Devon only hoped Kathleen would forgive him.
“Then during your first season, I approached your father with my request. My confidence was high and my ego just as high. I never imagined your father would reject my suit. But he did. Only he didn’t reject me, he swore it would never happen. I did not understand why. Our families were longtime friends. Hell, Rory, and I were best mates. Why would he refuse me?”
“Why did he?”
“Because of all the trouble Rory and I had gotten into over the years. He thought I would only bring you trouble and heartache. He saw how I went through woman after woman, and he did not believe I could be faithful to you. I tried to show him how I had changed and would never hurt you, but he refused. Even your mother tried on my behalf, but your father refused her too.”
“They never told me. Why did you not try again?”
“Because shortly thereafter your father passed away and the circumstances surrounding your father’s death did not paint me in a very good light.”
“Mama explained, Devon. I now understand what happened that fateful night.”
“I had to, Kathleen, I refused to allow your father to hand you over to that bastard. He had no right. All for a win. Lord Velden’s obsession with you was known by all. Your father refused him too. Because of the very reason he refused Lord Velden, he allowed Velden to swindle him.”
Kathleen rose and slid onto Devon’s lap, wrapping her arms around him. Devon still held onto anger toward her father that he needed to let go.
Devon took comfort in Kathleen’s affections, but needed to finish his story.
“Once I won the hand, I made it clear to Lord Velden to never go near you or I would destroy him. I had no words for your father. A man I once admired now only held my disgust. A few days later, your father passed away. The guilt from that game ate me alive, so I paid a visit to your mother. The devastation your mother was subjected to because of your father angered me. I told her of the card game and tried to give back your father’s money. But she refused. When I tried giving back the marker for your hand, she shocked me with her reaction.”
Kathleen said, “My mother has told me you won the hand with honesty, and one day you would win my hand with the same true integrity.”
“Yes, your mother has always been my strongest supporter.”
“Then why did you allow her to convince you to court Dallis?”
“Because she called on a favor. She decided it was time to move forward in life. That her family had suffered enough from your father’s disgrace. I was to court Dallis to make Rory jealous enough to act, and to make you jealous enough to admit your feelings toward me. She also hoped along the way that Rory and I would repair our friendship. Once he had discovered his father’s bet, Rory never forgave me. He would never listen to my explanations.”
“He will now. We both have opened our eyes to see how we have misjudged you. I am sorry, Devon, for sending you away.”
“You know your reason for sending me away was beca
use of my actions to love you?”
“Yes, but I believed you did not know who I was. That you had fallen for Scarlet.”
“Ah love, Belle told me of your plans before I introduced myself to Scarlet. But she wouldn’t have had to say a word, I would have known you anywhere, no matter how you disguised yourself.”
Devon kissed Kathleen on the shoulder, his lips leaving a trail of fire. She arched her neck to give him better access. When Devon pulled away, Kathleen pouted.
“I am not finished.”
“You are a tease, Lord Holdenburg.”
He smiled. “I gave Dallis those coins, hoping for any sign of your understanding or forgiveness. I never imagined last night’s outcome.”
“When Dallis presented our family the coins, she made us open up to be honest with one another. Mama explained why we needed to forgive you. Then we came up with a plan to bring Lord Velden to his knees. Rory called in his favors with the help of Sheffield and Wildeburg. I could not tell you I had forgiven you, because I needed your hurt and anger toward me to fool Lord Velden. Then when you started drinking heavily and your anger grew out of control, I realized that not confiding in you about our plan was a mistake.”
“Kathleen, love. I was not drinking.”
“But you finished an entire bottle of vodka. I watched you.”
“No, the barkeep switched the bottle out with water. When Rory whispered to trust you, I started to watch you closely. You were acting. It was then I decided to play along. I wanted to tear that man apart when you flirted with him.”
“My skin still crawls from his touch. But it worked. Velden is out of our lives, isn’t he?”
“Yes, love, he will no longer be a bother.”
“Can you ever forgive me for not trusting in you?”
“If you will forgive me for not being honest with you?”
Kathleen placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed him gently on the lips, then put her head on Devon’s shoulder. They still had much to discuss, but Kathleen knew in her heart they would have a lifetime to share their thoughts and feelings. For now, Kathleen only wanted to enjoy the comfort of Devon’s love.
Devon held Kathleen close, her kiss giving him the answer to all his doubts.
“I need to return you home before Rory sends out a search party.”
Kathleen stiffened. He was sending her home? But she had thought ...
“Please, Devon, do not send me away. Not yet.”
He tipped her chin up.
“I'm not sending you away. I only spoke those words last night, because I wanted you to myself and I did not want to fight Rory. And, I admit, a part of me wanted to see your reaction. Your trust humbled me. Believe me, I have no intention of ever sending you away.”
“But you said you were returning me home.”
“Only long enough for our mothers to plan a wedding.”
“A wedding?”
“Yes, love.”
“Whose?”
“Ours.”
“Mmm, you never mentioned a marriage. I do not recall that being part of the bet.”
“Perhaps you did not hear the terms of the bet clearly?”
“No, I heard them very clearly. You declared I was yours until you tired of me, then and only then would release me.”
“Well, my lady, I will never release you. You are mine for eternity.”
“Eternity is quite a long time, my lord.”
“Kathleen,” Devon growled. “You cannot renege from the terms.”
“Double or nothing? If I win, you agree to renegotiate the terms.”
“And if you lose?”
“I will not lose, my lord.”
“You cannot cheat this time.”
“As if I ever would.”
Devon waved a footman over and requested a deck of cards. Once he held the cards, he shifted Kathleen on his lap and pulled the deck out. This time he would control the cards.
“We will make this simple. We each will draw from the middle of the stack. High card wins.”
“Agreed.”
“Ladies first.”
Kathleen pulled out her card and showed it to Devon.
Devon closed his eyes at her card. An ace of hearts. Her smile was full of gloating. He pulled out his card at threw it on the table face-down.
Kathleen said, “As I told you, I never lose.”
“Mmm. What are your terms?”
“That you call off the terms of your bet.”
“Never.”
“But I won.”
“Did you? You have not seen my card.”
Kathleen reached for his card and flipped it over. An ace of hearts. How?
“It would appear we have a draw, my lady.”
“You cheated.”
Kathleen grabbed the deck out of his hands and turned them over. Every single card was an ace of hearts until she reached the end of the deck. Where a king and queen of hearts rested.
He said, “I will cheat every day for a chance to awaken with you in my arms. I will cheat for any chance to have your sweet lips touch mine every day. I will cheat to have your love as your husband.”
“You will never have to cheat, for I will awaken you every day with a kiss full of love as your wife.”
Kathleen kissed Devon with her promise.
Epilogue
Finally, their guests had departed. After Devon dismissed the servants for the evening, he went in search of his wife. Today was their six-month anniversary and Devon wanted to give Kathleen a surprise.
Devon found Kathleen in their bedroom. She was wearing nothing but a robe. He smiled, pleased that she shared the same idea. Kathleen gazed out the window to the garden below their balcony. The moon lit the frozen ground. He came behind her, wrapping his arms around and pulling her in close.
“Devon, what is that resting between our benches?” She pointed to where they would sit and enjoy the outdoors.
“I had a swing built for next summer. I thought Morgan would enjoy it.”
Devon used Rory and Dallis’s daughter as an excuse. It would be for their own child. But he didn’t want to ruin Kathleen’s news. Devon waited patiently for Kathleen to tell him.
Kathleen turned around. “You are a sweetheart, Devon Holdenburg.”
She pulled his head down for a kiss. Kathleen held such love for this gentleman. While he had portrayed himself as a scoundrel to the ton, he was anything but that. The love Kathleen held for Devon grew with each day.
One kiss was all it took for Devon to want Kathleen. He undid the ribbon on her robe and spread it apart. She stopped him.
“Not now, love. I want to play one hand of cards before we retire.”
“Ah, Kathleen, later. I only want to love you now. I promise we will play cards all day tomorrow. While we entertained our families this evening, I waited patiently to have you to myself. I wanted to share our anniversary alone.”
“You must learn patience, my love.”
Kathleen pulled herself out of his arms. “We can even play in bed.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him.
Devon sighed. He could never refuse Kathleen.
Kathleen crawled into bed and pulled a deck of cards out of the drawer. Devon frowned when she unwrapped a new box. Kathleen had a pack made special for this evening. They were not your usual cards; each was blue or pink with a matching color of an ace on the front of the card.
Devon slid in next to Kathleen and saw the odd color of cards. Then he realized this was how she would share her news. Barely containing her excitement, Kathleen’s hands shook. She was adorable.
“What does high card win this time?” he asked.
Kathleen didn’t answer but held out the deck to him, and he pulled out a card. Kathleen didn’t pull one out. Devon lifted the card to see the king and queen of hearts holding a baby ace in their hands.
“A lifetime of happiness.” Devon answered, pulling Kathleen into his arms, the cards falling all around them. “I adore you, my sweet wife.” He
unwrapped her and rested his hand on her stomach.
Kathleen gazed into Devon’s soulful eyes, lost to the magic of his love.
“I love you, Devon. Are you thrilled?”
“More than you can imagine. We can begin to fill our garden with running urchins.”
“Our children will not be urchins. Hustlers perhaps, but never urchins.”
“Ah, I will love every rascal and minx as much I love you, my darling Kathleen.”
Devon took Kathleen’s lips into a passionate kiss displaying to her all the love he felt. They celebrated their anniversary long into the night and early morning with each of them secure in the trust they had built and continued to build. With every game they played together neither one of them came out the loser. They both were winners at heart.
The End
I cannot end this series without giving Belle her own happily ever after. If there was ever a lady who deserves this more, it is her. She has watched all her friends find true love, now it is time for Belle to find hers.
Belle’s story coming September 2020
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Author Laura A. Barnes
International selling author Laura A. Barnes fell in love with writing in the second grade. After her first creative writing assignment, she knew what she wanted to become. Many years went by with Laura filling her head full of story ideas and some funny fish songs she wrote while fishing with her family. Thirty-seven years later, she made her dreams a reality. With her debut novel Rescued By the Captain, she has set out on the path she always dreamed about.
When not writing, Laura can be found devouring her favorite romance books. Laura is married to her own Prince Charming (who for some reason or another thinks the heroes in her books are about him) and they have three wonderful children and two sweet grandbabies. Besides her love of reading and writing, Laura loves to travel. With her passport stamped in England, Scotland, and Ireland; she hopes to add more countries to her list soon.
The Scoundrel's Wager (Tricking the Scoundrels, #4) Page 18