And then there was Susan, the only one of their children who'd married a nobleman, because as she'd once said, someone had to take after Mary.
As for Peter and Eliot, they'd opened a fish shop together and visited Caleb and Mary weekly with supplies. Penelope, who'd married a French sea captain, was often away traveling the world, while Daphne became a governess and ended up marrying her employer, whose brother fell in love with Beatrice the moment he met her. Beatrice and her husband, Geoffrey, spent most of their time in London where he was a rather successful barrister.
“You are still as beautiful as the day I met you,” Caleb said. He squeezed Mary's hand for added assurance.
“And you still make my knees go weak.”
He chuckled lightly. “You always did like a man with capable hands.”
She snorted. “I liked you. There is a difference.”
“Quite so,” he murmured with contentment. He no longer climbed onto roofs, but he hadn't stopped making other less strenuous repairs, both at the cottage and at the manor.
“I love you,” she said as daylight dimmed to a softer evening hue.
“As I love you,” he told her sincerely. Shifting, he tipped up her chin and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
Who knew how many years they had left, but at least they had lived the lives of their choosing. Heedless of gossip and censure, they'd both been thoroughly happy, not only because they'd had each other, but because they knew there was more to life than amassing a fortune. There was sitting on a bench in the evening sun with the person they loved, and nothing in the world would ever make more sense to either than that.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the Killion Group for their incredible help with the editing and formatting of this book. My thanks also go to Chris Cocozza for providing the stunning artwork. And to my friends and family, thank you for your constant support. I would be lost without you!
About the Author
Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, has studied design in Paris and New York, and has a bachelor's degree from Parson's School of design. But most impressive of all - she's been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion - writing. When she's not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.
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Every review is greatly appreciated!
You can contact her through her website at
www.sophiebarnes.com
No Ordinary Duke: The Crawfords Page 23