He tugged at Sharla’s hand again. This time, he pulled her in front of him and turned her to face Ben. “There is just one condition,” he said, his hands on her shoulders. “The two of you must love each other wholly and completely, with no reserves. No guilt must touch you. No recriminations and no reservations.”
Ben’s gaze met hers. The heat was there in his eyes, making her shiver. “I have loved Sharla since before you met her,” he said, his voice low. “I knew I could never have her, commoner that I am.”
“While I, the lord, could not keep her if you weren’t here.” Dane squeezed her shoulders. “Sharla, you must have your say in this, too.”
“I think,” Sharla said, her voice shaking, “that I am too overwhelmed to put a coherent thought together. Can I really stay your wife and have Ben, too? Is that even possible?”
“There’s a saying in our family, Dane,” Ben said, pulling her toward him. “Inside the family—”
“We do as we please,” Sharla finished.
“We’re all family now,” Dane pointed out.
Ben kissed her, right there in front of him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Great Family Gathering. Cornwall, October, 1864.
Everyone gathered around Lilly and Jasper’s twin baby girls, while Blanche tried to catch Neil’s eye as she admired his new captain’s uniform.
From among them, Ben drew Sharla aside. “At least take off your bonnet and shawl, my love,” he told her, tugging on the bow under her chin. “There will be lots of time to coo over babies.”
“I’m sorry. I know we just arrived, yet there are so many people to speak to… Where is Dane?”
Ben lifted his chin and pointed with it toward the other side of the big drawing room. Dane was sitting on the top of the two steps down into the drawing room from the front hall, next to Jack. Jack sat with his head hanging, a telegram held limply in his hand.
“What happened?” Sharla asked, alarmed.
“Jenny eloped this morning,” Ben said.
“Eloped with who?” Sharla asked, stunned. “She never spoke of a man in her life! I always assumed that she and Jack…”
“The wire doesn’t say. It only says Jack should go marry his lady.”
As she watched, Dane patted Jack’s shoulder.
Jack turned and hugged him. His eyes glittered with unshed tears.
Sharla drew in a startled breath.
“Dane is winning everyone over, isn’t he?” Ben asked, with pride in his voice, picking up her hand and stroking the back of it.
Sharla was enjoying the extra attention Ben was paying her. Here on the estate, they were free to be themselves. Dane was jovial and relaxed and dispensing his advice and wisdom to anyone who cared to listen…which seemed to be a great many of the family. Ben was free to kiss her and hold her and she was free to love him back. No one was shocked. Everyone took it in stride, another family oddity that pleased them.
Dane came up to them and settled his hands on their shoulders. “We may have to spend some time propping Jack up, this week,” he said, his voice low. “He’s reeling.”
Ben nodded. “Jack and Will used brandy on me, when Sharla got engaged to you.”
“A good start,” Dane declared. “Ready?” he asked Ben.
“For what?” Sharla asked.
Ben wrapped his arm around her waist, and Dane did the same. “Come along,” Dane told her.
They led her out of the house and around to the maze.
Elisa was sitting on the garden bench that faced the entrance to the maze, with her face turned up to the sun. When she heard their steps on the path, she turned to look. Her lips parted, as she got to her feet.
Sharla didn’t realize she was trying to pull backward, until Ben and Dane coaxed her forward once more.
“No, you don’t,” Ben said.
“Time to pull the sting,” Dane added.
“I can’t!” Sharla whispered. “I was wrong. Cruel!”
Elisa hurried forward, her hands both held out pleadingly. “Oh, Sharla,” she said brokenly. “Look at you!”
Sharla grew still. Both men were too strong to resist. Neither of them removed their arms.
Elisa stopped in front of her. Her worn eyes filled with tears. “You’re happy!” Elisa breathed. “You are glowing with it! I was so wrong…!”
Sharla’s eyes stung, too. “No, you weren’t wrong. Oh…this is…I’ve never had to explain to anyone until now…” She looked up at Dane, then at Ben, silently begging them to help her.
Elisa grew still. “You are all together?” she breathed, surprise widening her eyes.
“Ben is the real husband,” Dane said.
“Nothing worked for any of us, until there was three of us,” Sharla added.
“A fact for which I give thanks to God every day,” Ben added. “I’d be dead without them.”
“Me, too,” Dane added. “In spirit, at least.”
“And I would be lost,” Sharla added, recalling her flirtation with Laudanum and drink, when the guilt had been overwhelming.
Elisa took her hands. “Oh, my dear. You did it. You took one of life’s most bitter lessons and you turned it into something good. I’m so proud of you!” Her tears spilled.
Sharla hugged her and Elisa held her tightly.
“Do you love him?” Elisa whispered.
“I love Dane for his wisdom and his kindness. I love Ben with every bone and breath and fiber in me. Yes, I love them.”
“Then I am happy for you, my darling daughter.”
____________________________
The next set in the Scandalous Scions series.
Scandalous Scions Two
The second three novels of the beloved historical romance series in one set.
The sexy historical romance series, Scandalous Scions, brings together the members of three great families, to love and play under the gaze of the Victorian era’s moralistic, straight-laced society.
Mask of Nobility
He’s royalty. She’s a commoner. Their association has no future.
Law of Attraction
Her husband will divorce her for adultery, no matter the cost or the ruin it will deliver.
Veil of Honour
Bridget’s downfall at the hands of a duke forces Will to save her.
Buy Scandalous Scions Box Two now:
https://tracycooperposey.com/scandalous-scions-two/
If you would rather buy individual titles, the next book in the series is:
Mask of Nobility
Book 4.
He’s royalty. She’s a commoner. Their association has no future.
Bronwen Davies is not only disinterested in marrying well, she has turned her back upon society, to live as freely as she can in the wilds of Northallerton, where she lives with her cousin Lilly and Lilly’s husband, Jasper.
Jasper’s half-brother, the Archeduke Edvard Christoffer of Silkeborg, arrives at Northallerton without warning, asking for temporary sanctuary from the pressures of his public life. There, he finds Bronwen, a most distracting diversion. Only, Bronwen’s unexpected opinions and forthright manner prove to be far more seductive than a simple distraction should be…
Reading this book gave me another very late night since I couldn’t stop reading it. I really should know better than to start one of Tracy’s books at night. –Reader Review
Buy your copy of Mask of Nobility now:
https://tracycooperposey.com/mask-of-nobility/
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About the Author
Tracy Cooper-Posey is a #1 Best Selling Author. She writes romantic suspense, historical, paranormal and science fiction romance. She has published over 100 novels since 1999, been nominated for five CAPAs including Favourite Author, and won the Emma Darcy Award.
She turned to indie publishing in 2011. Her indie titles have been nominated four times for Book Of The Year. Tracy won the award in 2012, and a SFR Galaxy Award in 2016 for “Most Intriguing Philosophical/Social Science Questions in Galaxybuilding” She has been a national magazine editor and for a decade she taught romance writing at MacEwan University.
She is addicted to Irish Breakfast tea and chocolate, sometimes taken together. In her spare time she enjoys history, Sherlock Holmes, science fiction and ignoring her treadmill. An Australian Canadian, she lives in Edmonton, Canada with her husband, a former professional wrestler, where she moved in 1996 after meeting him on-line.
Other books by Tracy Cooper-Posey
For reviews, excerpts, and more about each title, visit Tracy’s site and click on the cover you are interested in: http://tracycooperposey.com/books-by-thumbnail/
Scandalous Scions
(Historical Romance Series – Spin off)
Rose of Ebony
Soul of Sin
Valor of Love
Marriage of Lies
Scandalous Scions One (Boxed Set)
Mask of Nobility
Law of Attraction
Veil of Honor
Scandalous Scions Two (Boxed Set)
Season of Denial
Rules of Engagement
Degree of Solitude
Ashes of Pride
Risk of Ruin
Year of Folly
Queen of Hearts
Once and Future Hearts
(Ancient Historical Romance—Arthurian)
Born of No Man
Dragon Kin
Pendragon Rises
War Duke of Britain
High King of Britain
Battle of Mount Badon
Abduction of Guenivere
Downfall of Cornwall
Vengeance of Arthur
Grace of Lancelot
The Grail and Glory
Camlann
Kiss Across Time Series
(Paranormal Time Travel)
Kiss Across Time
Kiss Across Swords
Time Kissed Moments
Kiss Across Chains
Kiss Across Time Box One (Boxed Set)
Kiss Across Deserts
Kiss Across Kingdoms
Time and Tyra Again
Kiss Across Seas
Kiss Across Time Box Two (Boxed Set)
Kiss Across Worlds
Time and Remembrance
Kiss Across Tomorrow
More Time Kissed Moments
Kiss Across Blades
Kiss Across Chaos
Kiss Across The Universe
Even More Time Kissed Moments
Kiss Across Forever
Project Kobra
(Romantic Spy Thrillers)
Hunting The Kobra
Inside Man
Vistaria Has Fallen
Vistaria Has Fallen
Prisoner of War
Hostage Crisis
Freedom Fighters
Casualties of War
V-Day
Romantic Thrillers Series
Fatal Wild Child
Dead Again
Dead Double
Terror Stash
Thrilling Affair (Boxed Set)
Beloved Bloody Time Series
(Paranormal Futuristic Time Travel)
Bannockburn Binding
Wait
Byzantine Heartbreak
Viennese Agreement
Romani Armada
Spartan Resistance
Celtic Crossing
Beloved Bloody Time Series Boxed Set
Scandalous Sirens
(Historical Romance Series)
Forbidden
Dangerous Beauty
Perilous Princess
Go-get-‘em Women
(Short Romantic Suspense Series)
The Royal Talisman
Delly’s Last Night
Vivian’s Return
Ningaloo Nights
Blood Knot Series
(Urban Fantasy Paranormal Series)
Blood Knot
Southampton Swindle
Broken Promise
Vale
Amor Meus
Blood Stone
Blood Unleashed
Blood Drive
Blood Revealed
Blood Ascendant
The Sherlock Holmes Series
(Romantic Suspense/Mystery)
Chronicles of the Lost Years
The Case of the Reluctant Agent
Sherlock Boxed In
The Kine Prophecies
(Epic Norse Fantasy Romance)
The Branded Rose Prophecy
The Stonebrood Saga
(Gargoyle Paranormal Series)
Carson’s Night
Beauty’s Beasts
Harvest of Holidays
Unbearable
Sabrina’s Clan
Pay The Ferryman
Hearts of Stone (Boxed Set)
Destiny’s Trinities
(Urban Fantasy Romance Series)
Beth’s Acceptance
Mia’s Return
Sera’s Gift
The First Trinity
Cora’s Secret
Zoe’s Blockade
Octavia’s War
The Second Trinity
Terra’s Victory
Destiny’s Trinities (Boxed Set)
Interspace Origins
(Science Fiction Romance Series)
Faring Soul
Varkan Rise
Cat and Company
Interspace Origins (Boxed Set)
Short Paranormals
Solstice Surrender
Eva’s Last Dance
Three Taps, Then….
The Well of Rnomath
Jewells of Tomorrow
(Historical Romantic Suspense)
Diana By The Moon
Heart of Vengeance
The Endurance
(Science Fiction Romance Series)
5,001
Greyson’s Doom
Yesterday’s Legacy
Promissory Note
Quiver and Crave
Xenogenesis
Junkyard Heroes
Evangeliya
Skinwalker’s Bane
Contemporary Romances
Lucifer’s Lover
An Inconvenient Lover
The Indigo Reports
(Space Opera)
Flying Blind
New Star Rising
But Now I See
Suns Eclipsed
Worlds Beyond
Non-Fiction Titles
Reading Order
(Non-Fiction, Reference)
Reading Order Perpetual
Copyright Information
This is an original publication of Tracy Cooper-Posey
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.
Copyright © 2018 by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Text design by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Cover design by Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs
; http://wickedsmartdesigns.com
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
FIRST EDITION: December 2018
Cooper-Posey, Tracy
Scandalous Scions One/Tracy Cooper-Posey—1st Ed.
Romance—Fiction
Historical– Fiction
Scandalous Scions One Page 58