Wherefore Art Thou.

by Melanie Thurlow

  “I don’t care about money. I only want for you.”

  She smiled faintly, feeling his hands tighten around hers.

  “As do I.”

  Though that wasn’t quite the truth, was it?

  Then she thought, did she mean it? Was he all that she wanted for? Did she not want Andrew? But the point was moot because Andrew was gone and Desmond was here. She loved them both and she couldn’t choose, but there wasn’t a choice to make. She would always love Andrew. He was a part of her. He was half of her child. She would always grieve the loss of him. But that didn’t mean that she had to deny herself love forever. It didn’t mean that she couldn’t be happy, despite her grief. She wasn’t betraying him. She was merely moving on and not permitting herself to wallow in grief for her entire life. Andrew would want her to be happy.

  She smiled warmly at Desmond who was looking hopeful with lips that twitched, not sure yet whether or not to smile.

  “But we must be realistic, my dear,” she said, turning her hands to grip his in return. “We have a responsibility. You have a title and tenants. I have sisters and their reputations. And we have a child. Money isn’t everything. But it is something. Money will not make us happy. But it will allow us to make the lives better for the ones we love, and perhaps they will then find contentment and even happiness.”

  “Are you saying yes?”

  This time she nodded.

  “Yes.”

  And the tears in her eyes were no longer tears of sorrow, but tears of joy.

  Oh, how bitter life could be. But how wonderful all the same.

  Love.

  The word was surely inadequate for the feelings that it represented. Oh, it was so much more than mere feelings. It was everything. It was her heart and soul and body and mind and the blood running through her veins, the air in her lungs, the room, the sky, the world, the child in her womb.

  Love.

  She’d found it once, and it had too quickly slipped away. But by some miracle she had been blessed enough to find it once more. And this time, she was going to cherish every moment, treat each second as though it were her last.

  “Oh, a thousand times yes,” she said throwing her arms about him.

  Love.

  She loved Lord Desmond Daniels, Earl of Thornton. And he loved her. Child withstanding.

  She didn’t have to close her eyes to dream. She was living it.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Wherefore Art Thou… is the second book in my regency romance series titled The Blythe Series. I began writing this book just over a year ago and there have been a lot of people who have helped it become what it is today.

  Thank you to my daughter Annabella. You inspire me every day. I am forever grateful for your witty sayings and unconditional love.

  Thank you to my mom and dad. You truly have been overwhelmingly supportive of me, both with my writing and with life in general. I haven’t always lived up to your expectations, but you’ve never shown me anything but love.

  To my sister, Rachel, you are so dear to me, both for your support and your friendship.

  Thank you to my sister, Amber. Thank you for taking the time out of you busy life to edit this book.

  To all my siblings; Mary, Anna, Bill, Jeffrey, Nathan and Margaret and to all of my relatives. Each of you have helped to shape my life for the better, and I am so thankful to be a part of this large, loud family.

  A special thanks to my Aunt Ann who is constantly supportive and always makes me laugh.

  Thank you to my number one beta-reader, Bailey Stutzman! I can always count on your honest advice, and I

  am so appreciative of that. Thank you for always being there to answer my countless questions! I cannot thank you enough for all of your guidance.

  Thank you to my fabulous cover designer, Fiona Jayde. Once again, you have exceeded my imagination with your creativity.

  Huge thanks to my friends Brianna Merritt and Krystle Kwiatkowski. You two are so kind and encouraging, and I couldn’t ask for more.

  Thank you to all my friends and everyone who has supported me throughout this process.

  Thank you to all my friends and followers on social media. Not only for your support but for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful writing community.

  Finally, thank you to all of you readers! I cannot thank you enough for supporting me by reading my book.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Melanie is the author of Rose by Another Name. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Maine Augusta in 2014 before pursuing a career in writing. She lives in her family’s country home in Maine.

  Melanie finds the time to write in between being a full-time, homeschooling mom of one and working part-time as a administrative assistant.

  Oh, and she enjoys long walks on sandy beaches, and tea. Lots of tea.

  CONTACT MELANIE

  Author’s Website:

  https://www.melanieannthurlowauthor.com

  Twitter:

  @MelanieAThurlow

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