by Cheryl Holt
“Not yet anyway.” He reached in his coat and pulled out a key, and he dangled it in front of her. “This is for you.”
“A key? To what?”
“It’s my marital gift to you.”
“You’re awfully sure you’ll convince me, but I haven’t heard a proposal from you.” She paused, then snickered. “I take that back. I heard one previously, and it was completely false.”
“It wasn’t false. I had to chase after Ophelia, and although you aren’t aware of it, I wrote you a note that explained my abrupt departure. My mother found it and burned it, so it was never delivered.”
She gaped at him. She was still seated in the chair, and he was leaned against the desk, his legs stretched out, looking as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
He’d penned a letter about his sudden trip? His mother had burned it? Could the story be true? Could it be that her troubles had been caused by such a paltry misunderstanding? Had his mother and Miss Gordon watched him trot away and viewed it as an opening to be shed of her? Could it have been that simple?
“I might believe you about the burned note,” she cautiously said.
“Ophelia discovered what Mother and Veronica had done, and when she apprised me of their duplicity, I figured you’d be livid so I ought to present you with a bribe that would make you like me again. Or at least one that would force you to consider whether I was worth the bother.”
“You bought me a gift?”
“I didn’t actually buy it. It came into my possession, and I’m giving it to you.”
“You’re speaking in riddles, and I’ve never been adept at unraveling them. What are you telling me?”
“I’ve met your brother-in-law, Cuthbert Maudsen.”
“I’m sorry for you.”
“I didn’t like him.”
“Who does?”
“He has a gambling problem, but I recall that you’re cognizant of the situation.”
“I am.”
“I went around town and purchased his markers—then I foreclosed on him and your sister.”
At the announcement, she was elated and alarmed. “You foreclosed?”
“Yes, and they have a month to vacate the premises. Your sister’s house is mine now, and I’m turning it into an orphanage for the natural offspring of the rich and notorious.”
“But…but…that’s the sort of facility my father built in London.”
“Yes, I know. I had Noah investigate the bedchambers, and he thought we could easily accommodate twenty-four children. I’ve already commissioned the sign we’ll hang over the gate.”
He reached into his coat again, and he pulled out a sketch of the sign: Robertson Home for Orphaned Children. Beneath it were the words: A Sir Sidney Sinclair Charity.
“It’s the name of my father’s orphanage,” she said like a dunce. “It’s where I grew up.”
“Since you’ll be my bride, and we’ll be living at the Haven, you won’t be able to run it yourself, but we can hire some competent people. It will probably be better, won’t it, to have the children raised in the country? They can learn to ride and garden. I think it will be quite a grand endeavor.”
“You did all that for me?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“Can’t you guess?”
“I have no idea.”
“I love you, you silly woman. Why would you suppose?”
She shook her head. “You don’t love me.”
“Yes, I do! Don’t tell me how I feel about you.”
She stared at him, at the sketch of the sign, at the key he was still holding. She took it from him and traced her fingers over the smooth metal, and she burst into tears. She’d never been a watering pot, but honestly! How much more wooing could a girl abide?
“What’s this?” he gently asked. “Tears? You can’t be sad. Not when I’ve exerted such effort to make you happy.”
“I’m not sad, you thick oaf.”
He was a very typical male, and he glowered at her. “You look miserable to me.”
“I’m not. I’m…I’m…”
She stumbled, too overwhelmed to voice her sentiment. She was so pleased, so grateful, so relieved. Noah and Pet were safe. His sister, Ophelia, had had a change of heart about them. His wicked mother and terrible fiancée were vanquished for good. He and Nathan seemed to have mended fences.
She was ensconced in the middle of both families. She was no longer alone.
He dropped to a knee and clasped her hand in his. With the other, he tugged a kerchief from his coat and dried her eyes.
“I’m going to propose again,” he told her, “and I absolutely refuse to have you weeping when I do.”
“I can’t stop. I’m just so glad about everything.”
He dipped in and kissed her, just the slightest brush of his lips to hers. She smiled, and he smiled too.
“I love you, Sarah Blake Robertson, and I want to marry you.” He must have thought she’d decline because, before she could answer, he said, “I won’t claim to be much of a catch.”
“Don’t denigrate yourself to me. I won’t listen.”
“Well, I’ve spent most of my life around swashbuckling, swaggering men. I’ve traveled in foreign locales and lived with native tribes. My manners are often lacking, and I can be bossy and domineering. It’s simply my nature.”
“I’ve noticed that about you,” she said.
“But I’m rich, and my reputation is one of the best in the land. I offer you what I have: my name, my family, my home. I swear I will always protect and cherish you. I will love you until I draw my last breath. Will you marry me?”
She didn’t have to ponder, didn’t have to reflect.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Are you certain? Once you agree, I won’t allow you to back out.”
She studied him, reveling in how handsome he was, how dashing. Yes, he could be bossy and stubborn, but he could also be kind and generous and remarkable. He’d given her shelter when she’d had nowhere to go. He’d saved Noah and Pet from his cruel mother.
He was her brother’s friend, the one man in the world Nathan would choose for her above all others. And to her great delight, he had chosen her—as Nathan had hoped he would.
“I’m certain, Sebastian. I love you so much I’m dying with it.”
He raised a cocky brow. “I like the sound of that.”
“Did you really kick my sister out of her house?”
“Yes. I’ve been extremely busy, doling out penalties to every villain who harmed you. Your sister and her husband were at the top of my list.”
“What will become of her?”
“I don’t care. Do you?”
She was too inundated with joy to think straight, let alone worry about Temperance. Was that a horrid attitude to have? Would she feel guilty later on? At the moment, she couldn’t decide. She could only gaze at Sebastian and wonder why she’d ever doubted him.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
“Why would you be sorry?”
“I didn’t believe in you. Your mother fed me a pack of lies, and I swallowed them all.”
“Yes, and as penance, you should have to make it up to me. I shall expect you to spoil me rotten each and every day until I’m old and decrepit.”
She grinned. “I promise I will do exactly that.”
“Aren’t I lucky?”
He leapt to his feet, and he scooped her off the chair and into his arms. Then he was kissing her and kissing her, and they were laughing, twirling in circles, careening round and round until they were crashing into furniture and could barely keep their balance.
Vaguely, she noted that the door had opened, and her brother said, “What’s going on? Are you fighting?”
“This is not us fighting,” Sebastian told him. “This is us agreeing.”
“Lord have mercy,” Nathan muttered.
He marched in, and a group of people entered behind him until the space was ver
y full. Nell was there with Ophelia. Noah and Pet were there too, as were Mr. Dobbs and the upper level servants. It also appeared that most of Sebastian’s expedition team had arrived.
“Have you asked her?” Noah said to Sebastian.
“I asked.”
“And…?”
The whole room held its breath.
Sebastian puffed himself up. “And…she said yes.”
A rousing cheer went up, the spectators shouting and clapping.
“What’s happening?” she said to Sebastian. “Why has everyone come?”
“We’re having a wedding,” he responded.
“Who is getting married?” she inquired, not understanding.
“You and I are getting married,” he informed her.
Her jaw dropped in surprise. “You and I? Now?”
“Yes. There’s no reason to wait, is there? I’m not about to give you a minute to deliberate where you might change your mind.”
She smiled with exasperation. “You were definitely sure of yourself.”
“Ha! You’ve never been able to resist me.”
“No, I never stood a chance.”
“Will you have me, Sarah Blake? Will you marry me, right here, right now?”
Had there ever been any real choice?
“Yes, I’ll marry you right now, and could we please hurry? I suddenly find myself eager to be a bride.”
He kissed her again, in front of the crowd, as they cheered and clapped even louder.
She hugged him as tightly as she could—Sebastian Sinclair, the man of her dreams, the one who’d always been meant just for her—and she would never let him go.
THE END
* * * *
Don’t Miss Book #3 of
CHERYL HOLT’S ALWAYS Trilogy
ALWAYS MINE
The story of
Miss Rebecca (Blake) Carter
and Mr. Raven Shawcross
Available now!
* * * *
CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published over fifty novels.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
* * * *
Praise for New York Times Bestselling Author
CHERYL HOLT
“Best storyteller of the year…”
Romantic Times Magazine
“A master writer…”
Fallen Angel Reviews
“The Queen of Erotic Romance…”
Book Cover Reviews
“Cheryl Holt is magnificent…”
Reader to Reader Reviews
“From cover to cover, I was spellbound. Truly outstanding…”
Romance Junkies
“A classic love story with hot, fiery passion dripping from every page. There’s nothing better than curling up with a great book and this one totally qualifies.”
Fresh Fiction
“This is a masterpiece of storytelling. A sensual delight scattered with rose petals that are divinely arousing. Oh my, yes indeedy!"
Reader to Reader Reviews
Praise for Cheryl Holt’s “Lord Trent” trilogy
“A true guilty pleasure!”
Novels Alive TV
“LOVE'S PROMISE can't take the number one spot as my favorite by Ms. Holt—that belongs to her book NICHOLAS—but it's currently running a close second."
Manic Readers
“The book was brilliant…can't wait for Book #2.”
Harlie’s Book Reviews
“I guarantee you won't want to put this one down. Holt's fast-paced dialogue, paired with the emotional turmoil, will keep you turning the pages all the way to the end.”
Susana’s Parlour
“…A great love story populated with many flawed characters. Highly recommend it.”
Bookworm 2 Bookworm Reviews
BOOKS BY CHERYL HOLT
ALWAYS MINE
ALWAYS YOURS
ALWAYS
JILTED BY A ROGUE
JILTED BY A SCOUNDREL
JILTED BY A CAD
FOREVER
FOREVER AFTER
FOREVER MINE
FOREVER YOURS
ONLY MINE
ONLY YOU
HEART’S DEBT
SCOUNDREL
HEART’S DEMAND
HEART’S DESIRE
HEART’S DELIGHT
WONDERFUL
WANTON
WICKED
SEDUCING THE GROOM
LOVE’S PERIL
LOVE’S PRICE
LOVE’S PROMISE
SWEET SURRENDER
THE WEDDING
MUD CREEK
MARRY ME
LOVE ME
KISS ME
SEDUCE ME
KNIGHT OF SEDUCTION
NICHOLAS
DREAMS OF DESIRE
TASTE OF TEMPTATION
PROMISE OF PLEASURE
SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL
DOUBLE FANTASY
FORBIDDEN FANTASY
SECRET FANTASY
TOO WICKED TO WED
TOO TEMPTING TO TOUCH
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
FURTHER THAN PASSION
DEEPER THAN DESIRE
MORE THAN SEDUCTION
COMPLETE ABANDON
ABSOLUTE PLEASURE
TOTAL SURRENDER
LOVE LESSONS
MOUNTAIN DREAMS
MY TRUE LOVE
MY ONLY LOVE
MEG’S SECRET ADMIRER
THE WAY OF THE HEART
ISBN: 9781543976281 (E-version)
Copyright 2019 by Cheryl Holt
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Thank you.
Cover Design Angela Waters
Interior format, Book Baby
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