Love.
It always came down to love.
If not for Jessica and the scars she’d left behind, Justin had no doubt he would have already pledged his heart to Cadence. Because he did love her. How could he not? She was everything he’d always wanted and everything he’d never known he needed.
She challenged him. Angered him. Made him want to curse one second and kiss her breathless the next. She wasn’t afraid of him. More than that, she wasn’t impressed by him. And that made all the difference in the world.
He could be himself around her. Could let his armored shield of sarcasm and cynicism fall away to reveal the man behind the mask. The man he’d been before Jessica came along and showed him how truly vicious and deceptive women could be. The man he’d been before he shoved all his feelings away in that damn box.
Jessica’s deception still angered him; more so now than ever before because he knew that what he’d felt for her hadn’t been love. Lust? Most certainly. Infatuation? Definitely. But love? No. Whatever they’d had between them…it hadn’t been love. He could see that now. As clearly as he’d ever seen anything.
Love did not manipulate. It did not make bargains. It did not lie.
Love was having your sanity questioned by a pint-sized mermaid with hair the color of a raven’s wing and eyes that sparkled like stars. Love was having your entire world upended by a single kiss. Love was going out to cut down a tree and forgetting the bloody axe because it was never about the tree. It was always about her. It was always going to be about her. It was always meant to be about her.
And it was past time he bloody well told her so.
“Are you awake, Cat?” Sitting up in the bed they’d shared every night since the library, Justin gently stroked a fingertip down the length of her bare arm. Underneath the coverlet she wore only a thin white shift, the hem of which had ridden up while she slept curled against him, exposing a plump creamy thigh for his viewing pleasure.
God, she was beautiful. Not just on the outside, as Jessica had been, but on the inside as well. She wasn’t perfect – neither of them were – but it was her flaws that endeared her to him the most. She was perfectly imperfect, and as he gazed down at her he was filled with so much love he ached.
“What time is it?” she murmured sleepily.
“Time to wake up.” Lowering his head, he started to nibble her ear until her eyes flew open and she shot upright, the top of her head connecting with the bottom of his nose in an unexpected blow that sent him reeling.
“Bloody hell woman,” he complained, running a finger under his nostrils to check for blood. “A little warning next time.”
“What is it?” she asked in a panicked voice. “What’s wrong? Have my sister and Wycliffe returned?” Flipping around, she sat up on her knees and tried to peer out the window. Heaving an exaggerated sigh, Justin wrapped his arms around her and hauled her back to the middle of the bed.
“Nothing is wrong,” he murmured against her hair. “I’ve simply something I would like to tell you.”
“Oh.” Relaxing, she let her head fall against his chest. “I thought that since you were awake before noon the sky was falling down on us.”
Justin scowled. “I don’t sleep that much.”
Twisting in his arms, she regarded him with an arched brow. “You’re like an overfed cat languishing on a windowsill. All you do is sleep.”
“That’s as insulting to me as it is cats.”
Cadence lifted her shoulder in an elegant shrug. “Sometimes the truth hurts.”
It wasn’t exactly the romantic opening he’d been hoping for, but it was better than nothing. He cleared his throat. “Speaking of which, there’s something I–”
“Did you hear that?” Fighting her way out of his embrace, she went back to her knees and pressed her face against the frosted glass window pane. Whatever she saw immediately caused her entire body to freeze. “Oh no,” she whispered. “No, no, no.”
“What?” Justin demanded. “What is it?”
“Wycliffe’s carriage. It’s in the drive.”
The tension that had started to rise within him immediately subsided. “Is that all? Well, we knew they’d return sooner or later.”
“Yes.” Worrying her bottom lip between her teeth, she slid back beneath the covers. “But I was hoping it would be later instead of sooner. What if they come in here and see us?”
“Come into my private chambers?” he scoffed. “Wycliffe wouldn’t dare.”
But no more had he spoken aloud than a knock sounded at the door.
Chapter Eleven
“Colebrook? Are you in here? My wife is looking for her sister and – what the devil is going on?” Wycliffe roared when he opened the door all the way and saw Cadence and Justin in bed together.
Grabbing the edge of the blanket, Cadence yanked it up to her chin and pinched her eyes shut, desperately wishing she was in the midst of a nightmare and Hannah and Wycliffe weren’t standing there staring at her with shock on their faces.
“Yes,” Hannah piped up from beside her husband. “What is going on here?”
Cadence winced. Not a nightmare, then.
Drats.
Her cheeks as red as the holly berries decorating the window sills, she peeked sideways at Justin. He, of course, did not look the least bit embarrassed. If anything, he appeared amused.
“What does it look like, old chap?” Curving his arm around Cadence’s shoulders, he drew her protectively against his side and kissed her temple. “Just count yourself lucky you didn’t pop in five minutes later. Then you really would have – ouch,” he complained when she kicked him underneath the covers. “What was that for?”
“They don’t need details,” she hissed, beyond mortified.
“They did ask,” he said mildly.
“You really are incorrigible!” And she was a fool – a fool! – for having fallen in love with him. Now there was nothing to do about it but face the music. Or, in this case, the looming disapproval of her sister and brother-in-law.
Truth be told, she’d always known this day was coming. She’d known it from the moment she and Justin made love for the first time. She just hadn’t been expecting it quite so soon.
The end, she thought as a heavy ache settled in her chest and tears threatened the corners of her eyes. They were already at the end and she’d hardly had any time to enjoy the beginning.
But maybe it is better this way, she told herself even as Justin reached for her hand beneath the covers and squeezed her fingers tight. She was ruined, of course. Completely and utterly ruined. But there was always a steep price to pay when one dared dance too close to the sun, and even though her wings were burned beyond measure it had been worth it. He had been worth it.
And I will not apologize, she thought, steeling herself against the shame that threatened. I followed my heart and I have nothing to be sorry for.
Except for the number of cats I’m going to own.
“How long has this been going on?” Wycliffe demanded.
“I believe we started at half past ten last night.” Justin rubbed his jaw. “Or was it eleven? I’ll admit, I wasn’t keeping track of the time. Ah,” he grinned when Wycliffe growled. “Do you mean how long I’ve been having an affair with your delightful sister-in-law? That began a week or so after you left for your honeymoon. How was it, by the way?”
“Very nice,” said Hannah. “Thank you for asking. The weather could have been a bit warmer, but given the time of year–”
“You bloody bastard,” Wycliffe snarled as he lunged forward. With a surprised squeak his wife grabbed his arm and dragged him back.
“Stop that,” she scolded, wagging her finger at him. “This is no time or place for fighting.”
“You’re right. It’s time for pistols. Pick your second, Colebrook.”
Cadence exchanged an alarmed glance with her sister.
“Now, now,” Hannah said in a low, soothing murmur. “I am certain this can be resolve
d without violence. What would I do if something happened to you, my darling?”
As if by magic Wycliffe’s knotted shoulders relaxed and the glint of murderous rage faded from his eyes. Cadence felt a lump form in her throat when he looked down at his little wife with what could only be described as complete and total adoration. What she wouldn’t give to have Justin look at her like that. As if she were his entire world, and nothing existed inside of it except for the two of them.
“Nothing is going to happen to me,” Wycliffe assured Hannah. Then he looked up at the bed and the corners of his mouth tightened. “But something is going to happen to that damned scoundrel. For once, he’s going to held responsible for his actions. Get dressed, Colebrook. You’ve a wedding to attend.”
“Oh?” Justin lifted a brow. “And whose wedding is that?”
Wycliffe smiled grimly. “Yours.”
“There’s really no need for that,” said Cadence. Three months ago she would have leapt at the opportunity to become a duchess. Now the thought of forcing Justin into a marriage he didn’t want turned her blood cold. “I will be fine.”
“You heard the lady,” Justin said mildly. “She’ll be fine. Now I don’t mean to be rude, but could you please get the hell out of my bedchamber?”
“So you can escape out the nearest window?” Wycliffe snarled. “I think not.”
“Really,” Cadence began, “there’s no cause for all–”
“As tempting as jumping out the window sounds,” Justin interrupted, “I need you to leave so I can tell Miss Fairchild how much I love her.”
“–of this dra…what did you just say?” Cadence gasped, looking at Justin with wide, startled eyes. He couldn’t have just said what she’d thought he’d said.
Could he?
“Oh my,” Hannah said, bringing her hands up to her mouth. “I knew it. I just knew it.”
“You knew what?” Wycliffe asked.
“I knew they were going to fall in love.” She elbowed her husband in the ribs. “You’d have known it too if you had a romantic bone in your body.”
“I’m romantic,” he growled. “Who said I wasn’t romantic?”
“Come on. Let’s give them some time alone.” Taking her husband by the hand, Hannah half led, half dragged him out the door and closed it soundly behind them.
Cadence stared at Justin. Justin stared at Cadence. For a few seconds there was only a heavy, awkward silence and then they both tried to speak at once.
“What do you mean you love–”
“That wasn’t the way I wanted to–”
They broke off. Sweeping an agitated hand through his hair, Justin stood up and began to pace back and forth at the foot of the bed, his bare feet sinking silently into the thick rug.
“I’m sorry, Cat. That wasn’t the way I wanted to tell you.”
“Tell me what?” she whispered.
He stopped short. “That I love you, of course.”
“Of course,” she repeated faintly.
“I have for quite some time,” he continued. “Maybe from the first moment we met, even though you did think I was Wycliffe.”
“A terrible mistake.” She desperately searched his face, looking for some sort of sign that he was joking, or that she was dreaming, but what she saw instead stole the breath from her lungs and brought tears, the happiest of tears, to her eyes.
He was gazing at her as if she was the only woman in the world…and he would never let her go.
“You love me,” she said hoarsely. “You really do love me.”
Justin stopped and frowned. “I know I do. Did I not make myself – don’t cry,” he exclaimed in alarm. “Why are you crying?”
“B-because I’m so happy,” she sniffled as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Vexing, quarrelsome woman,” he said affectionately. Climbing back into bed, he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her neck. “How could I not love you? You’re the only one who would ever dare tell me how beastly I am to my face.”
She twisted to face him. “You are beastly.”
“See?” he grinned. “I’d be mad with arrogance without you. Marry me, Cat, and save the ton from another conceited, self-entitled duke.”
“You’re always going to be conceited and self-entitled. I don’t think marriage will fix that.” She dashed her fingers across her cheeks. Now wasn’t the time for tears. It was the time for happiness and celebration. Her duke loved her. He loved her. And she loved him back. Madly. Deliriously. Wildly. She loved him with everything that she had. Not because he was a duke, or because he was wealthy. But because he was him. And there wasn’t a single thing she would change.
“Well?” he asked. “Will you?”
“Will I what?”
“Marry me, Cat. Will you marry me or not?”
Her lips twitched. “With a romantic proposal like that, how could I refuse?”
“It’s Wycliffe’s fault,” he scowled. “It was going to be romantic until that great big ox came barging in here.”
“Why?” she said softly. “Why do you want to marry me now? I thought you didn’t believe in marriage.”
He was quiet for a long moment. “I didn’t. But then I finally opened the box.”
Her brow knitted in confusion. “What box?”
“It isn’t important. The only thing important is how much I love you.” Tilting her chin up, he captured her mouth in a long, slow kiss. “Which is more than I ever thought possible. Marry me, Miss Cadence Fairchild. Make an honest man out of this hopeless rogue.”
“All right,” she said, her eyes shining. “I’ll marry you. But only if you promise to never stop being a rogue.”
Justin had her flat on her back and her shift pulled up past her waist before she could blink. “That’s a promise I will be happy to keep.”
And, much to Cadence’s wicked delight, he proceeded to do just that.
Epilogue
Cadence and Justin were married on the first day of spring. The groom wore black. The bride wore pale blue. From the beginning of the ceremony to the end, they both wore smiles. And they only had eyes for each other.
As the months and years went by, it was clear they weren’t the perfect husband and wife. They argued and fought and disagreed. But that was what made their marriage perfectly imperfect. And even though there were days when Cadence wanted to toss Justin out the nearest window and he would have loved to throw her in the snow, they always mended their differences because the only thing better than fighting was making up.
On their third anniversary they welcomed a daughter, and then shortly thereafter a son. The children both had their mother’s eyes but their father’s sense of humor, and before long little Anne and James were driving their parents crazy in the best possible way.
“Do you remember our very first Christmas tree?” Leaning against Justin’s hard chest as she watched their children throw snowballs at each other out the window, Cadence tilted her head back and smiled up at him.
My husband, she thought happily. My wonderful, handsome, roguish husband. How I love you.
“You mean the one we couldn’t cut down because you forgot to bring the axe?” Time had brought a sprinkling of gray to Justin’s blond hair, but it had done nothing to dull his sharp wit.
Cadence rolled her eyes. “For the hundredth time, you were supposed to bring the axe.”
“I don’t remember that part.”
Of course he didn’t.
“What part do you remember?” she asked.
“I believe, if memory serves, there was a lot of this.” Spinning her around in his arms, he drew her earlobe between his teeth. “And this,” he murmured as his hands traveled up to cup her breasts.
“Stop that,” she said, swatting half-heartedly at his arm. “The children might see.”
“The only thing they’ll see is how much their father loves their mother. Besides, James was quite clear what he would like this year for Christmas.”
“Oh?” she said, n
oting the devilish glint in his eye. “And what’s that?”
“A baby brother.”
“Justin!” she squealed as he scooped her up in his arms and headed for the stairs.
“Yes?” he said, pausing at the bottom step.
All these years later and she still burned for him as much as she ever had. Looping her arms around his neck, she pressed her lips to his neck. “Hurry.”
The Winter Wish
Lady Sarah Dawson has one simple wish for Christmas: to gain the attention of Devlin Heathcliff, the handsome viscount who she has loved for as long as she can remember. Unfortunately for Sarah she is plain, quiet, and embarrassingly shy – the exact opposite of the type of woman Devlin is attracted to. All hope seems lost… Until one afternoon fate steps in and Sarah learns that sometimes, with a little magic, winter wishes can come true.
Chapter One
“Sarah, you are doing it again.”
Glancing sideways at her best friend, Sarah made a face and sighed. “I know,” she admitted, twisting her hands anxiously on her lap. “But I simply cannot help it. He is so very handsome, Lily. Do you not think he is handsome?” With another little sigh, this one dreamier than the last, Sarah returned to staring unabashedly at Lord Devlin Heathcliff as he waltzed across the ballroom floor.
Strikingly tall with a well-muscled physique to match, the Viscount of Winswood had been blessed with glossy brown hair, piercing blue eyes, and two matching dimples. His jawline was strong, his nose straight. From the top of his head to the tips of his boots he was sheer perfection in every way, shape, and form. It was a fact he knew very well and used to his full advantage at every opportunity, especially where women were concerned.
As Sarah watched, her face all but green with envy, the slender brunette in his arms threw back her head and tittered. The Viscount drew her close to whisper something in her ear and she laughed again, this time loudly enough to cause a few heads to swivel. Fearing she could be caught gaping Sarah turned in the uncomfortable wooden chair she had been sitting on since the ball began some hours before and exchanged a rueful smile with Lily.
My Winter Rogue: A Regency Holiday Collection Page 8