Gambling for the Governess: A Victorian Romance (The Seven Curses of London Book 9)

by Lana Williams

  “I remember very well. But I wanted to take the gamble of asking you again in front of the people whose reaction caused you concern. That way, you would be sure of what you wanted and realize I had no doubts.”

  “Gambling for the governess?” She laughed, unable to believe this amazing man was hers. Her gaze swept over the people she’d been so worried about, only to see faces smiling with approval. “You are a treasure, Christopher. A prize I never dreamed possible.”

  “I shall endeavor to make all your dreams come true.”

  “You already have,” she said as he swept her into another waltz.

  Epilogue

  Two Months Later

  Christopher opened the inner door of the bedroom that adjoined his then closed it behind him. The room was just as he’d requested—a brightly burning fire to take off the evening’s chill. A bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses at the ready. The coverlet on the bed was drawn back. Several floral arrangements brightened the room, the one with lilies closest to the fire to sweetly scent the air.

  Amelia turned from where she stood by the fire, dressed in a thin white silk nightgown that hinted at her curves. Her bare toes peeked out from below the folds, teasing him. “Good evening, husband.”

  “Good evening, wife.” Her smile eased his own nerves as he came forward to take her hands in his. “I shall never grow weary of saying that.”

  “You have my permission to say it as often as you’d like if I can do the same.” Her hair was drawn back from her face but fell in loose curls well past her shoulders. She wore the sapphire necklace he’d given her earlier in the day right after the wedding ceremony, the sparkling stones a perfect match for her eyes.

  She smoothed her hand over the lapel of his robe, pausing over his heart.

  He chuckled. “Can you feel how hard it’s beating?”

  She took his hand and placed it over hers. “It matches mine.”

  The warmth of her skin spiked his desire, and he took her lips with his in a long, sweet kiss. Though he wanted to carry her to the bed, he drew back, determined to make the evening memorable.

  “Shall we toast with a glass of champagne?” He released her to open the bottle, the pop of the cork causing them to laugh.

  He poured them each a glass and handed one to her. “To my beautiful wife.”

  “To my handsome husband,” she replied.

  He lifted his glass only to have her raise a finger to halt him.

  She looped her arm through his. “To us.”

  They each took a drink, but the delightful bubbles couldn’t compete with the love dancing inside him.

  Amelia took his glass and set it with hers on the table then turned to wrap her arms around his neck. “I love you, Christopher. More with each day that passes.”

  “And I love you, my sweet. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”

  Amelia rose on her toes to kiss him, and he realized the evening he’d planned would have to wait. Passion pulsed through his body until he could hardly think. He deepened the kiss, her sweet scent increasing his need for her. His hands ran along her curves, her low moan adding to his desire.

  She slid her hand under his robe to caress his bare chest then eased back enough to kiss his chest above the opening of his robe.

  He wanted to explore every inch of her but reminded himself to go slow. He moved his hands from her waist up to the bottom of her breasts then took the weight of them in his palms, gently caressing. He moved his thumbs across her firm nipples, and her head tipped back as she sighed.

  After several enjoyable moments, she stepped back to lift her gown over her head leaving her bare before him. The firelight danced along her flesh, a delightful feast for his eyes.

  He unbelted his robe and shrugged out of it, allowing it to fall to the floor. Her eyes widened at the sight of his body before he drew her into his arms once more.

  “Your skin is so soft,” he murmured as he ran his hands slowly over her.

  “I can’t wait to be yours.” She reached between them to trail her fingers along his hard shaft.

  He trembled at her touch then bent low to kiss the tip of her breast, lathing the point until she moaned once again. He eased his hands lower, then lower still until he reached the curls at the apex of her thighs. He cupped her heat then stroked a finger along her slick folds.

  Amelia bucked at his touch even as she reached out to caress him again. They explored each other, sharing kisses, until he couldn’t wait any longer.

  He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed and laid her down gently before joining her. Need made his movements jerky as he kissed her then settled between her legs.

  “Yes,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. “Now.”

  “My sweet.” He centered himself in her warm passage and took her with one slow push only to hold there to allow her to adjust to the feel of his body.

  “Oh.” She wiggled her hips slightly, which was his undoing.

  He withdrew then thrust forward as their joined movements took them to the edge. He braced himself on one elbow and reached between them to touch her once more.

  “Fly, my sweet,” he urged. “I’ve got you.”

  She stiffened before her body shuddered with release. He kissed her, then quickly followed her.

  Their hearts beat as one as bliss fell over them before he shifted to the side, bringing her with him.

  “Oh, Christopher.” She lifted up to look at him, her fingers gently touching his face. “I’ve never felt like that before.”

  “Nor have I.” He loved the wonder in her eyes, for it matched his own. “I will love and cherish you forever, Amelia.”

  She smiled as she blinked back tears. “As will I, darling husband. Forever.”

  ###

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  ~*~

  Have you started The Rogue Chronicles - where rogues meet their match in the most delightful way? This series, set in Regency London, begins with ROMANCING THE ROGUE. Buy your copy today!

  One enchanted evening.

  One irrevocable moment.

  Two lives changed forever.

  Caroline Gold is desperate to save her family from financial ruin with a proposal from a wealthy duke. But one misstep has her betrothed to the wrong man--Richard Walker, the Earl of Aberland, a handsome but cynical rogue with barely a farthing to his name.

  Richard spies for the Crown under the guise of a rogue but is intent on revenge. Offering for the beautiful Caroline creates an unwelcome distraction. Yet the desire he finds with her makes him wonder if a life--and love--after he claims justice is possible.

  Caroline quickly sees there is more to Richard than she expected, and his kindness toward her ailing father melts her heart. But marrying him won’t save her family despite the surprising passion she discovers in his arms.

  A French spy posing as an English lord is on the loose. Can Richard unveil the man’s identity and stop him before he destroys all Richard holds dear, including Caroline?

  Available now on Amazon.

  Other Books By Lana Williams

  Victorian Romances

  The Seven Curses of London Series:

  Trusting the Wolfe, a Novella, Book .5

  Loving the Hawke, Book I

  Charming the Scholar, Book II

  Rescuing the Earl, Book III

  Dancing Under the Mistletoe, a Christmas Novella, Book IV

  Tempting the Scoundrel, a Novella, Book V

  Romancing the Rogue, a Regency Prequel

  Falling For the Viscount, Book VI

  Daring the Duke, Book VII


  Wishing Upon A Christmas Star, a Novella

  Ruby’s Gamble, a Novella

  Gambling for the Governess, Book IX

  Book X Coming Soon

  The Secret Trilogy:

  Unraveling Secrets, Book I

  Passionate Secrets, Book II

  Shattered Secrets, Book III

  Regency Romances

  The Rogue Chronicles:

  Romancing the Rogue, Book 1

  A Rogue’s Reputation, a Christmas Novella, Book 2 (in the Winter Wishes Anthology)

  A Rogue No More, Book 3, Coming Soon

  A Match Made in the Highlands, a Novella

  Medieval Romances:

  Falling for A Knight Series:

  A Knight’s Christmas Wish, Novella, Book .5

  A Knight’s Quest, Book 1

  A Knight’s Temptation, Book 2

  A Knight’s Captive, Book 3

  The Vengeance Trilogy:

  A Vow To Keep, Book I

  A Knight’s Kiss, Novella, Book 1.5

  Trust In Me, Book II

  Believe In Me, Book III

  Contemporary Romances:

  Yours for the Weekend, a Novella

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  About the Author

  Lana Williams is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, and a pinch of paranormal to stir things up. Filled with a love of books from an early age, Lana put pen to paper and decided happy endings were a must in any story she created.

  Her latest series is The Seven Curses of London, set in Victorian times, and shares stories of men and women who attempt to battle the ills of London, and the love they find along the way that truly gives them something worth fighting for.

  The Rogue Chronicles - where rogues meet their match in the most delightful way - are set in Regency London and begin with Romancing the Rogue.

  Her first medieval trilogy is set in England and follows heroes seeking vengeance only to find love when they least expect it. The second trilogy begins on the Scottish border and follows the second generation of the de Bremont family.

  The Secret Trilogy, which shares stories set in Victorian London, follows three lords injured in an electromagnetic experiment that went terribly wrong and the women who help heal them through the power of love.

  She writes in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two growing sons, and two labs, and loves hearing from readers. Stop by her website and say hello! Join her VIP Readers Facebook Group. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and BookBub.

  Copyright © 2019 by Lana Williams

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  Cover Art by The Killion Group