The gift of family.
Epilogue
Three years later.
“Agatha!” Benedict screamed. They were going to be late for the Kringle Ball, and his daughter of two was currently running through the house naked.
Like father, like daughter he supposed.
His valet still hadn’t quit, but he knew one day he would lose his mind. If anything, Benedict’s own nakedness had become worse what with having a wife around all the time.
Clothes? Who needed clothes?
His valet did not agree.
Nor did his butler, but he gave them enough bonuses every Boxing Day not to care, so he figured he was safe.
“Agatha,” he said quietly when she approached him giggling. “You need to go upstairs with Nanna. Mother and I are leaving for the night. Can you do that for us?”
She shook her head no.
Of course.
He swore up and down that Agatha, while in heaven, chatted up God and told him how amusing it would be to gift them with a child who took exactly after both their parents, to a fault.
And God, being in good humor and loving Agatha as he should, granted her this one boon.
Little Agatha smiled up at him and giggled again, his heart thumped with joy. “You must get some clothes on before Mother sees you.”
“Before I see what exactly?” Katherine floated down the stairs looking every inch the duchess, and every inch the seductress. Heavens, how he loved her. It seemed the longer they were married the more their love grew, until most days he felt so stupidly happy that he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face if he tried.
“Happy anniversary, love.” Katherine kissed him on the cheek then looked down. “Agatha, sweetheart, why aren’t you wearing clothes?”
“Papa!” Agatha squealed. “No clothes too!”
Katherine glared at Benedict. He winked shamelessly and then she blushed from the roots of her hair down her glorious neck. He leaned forward to take a peek down her dress.
She pushed him away. “Those are the very things you should not be doing in front of your daughter. She already copies everything else.”
They both looked down at their grinning little girl and laughed.
Nanna came rushing down the stairs and scooped up Agatha, scolding her for running away during bath time.
“She takes after you,” Katherine said.
“Does not.”
“Does too! She runs around naked and ignores anyone’s pleas to do otherwise!”
“She also tried to kill me three times. So who exactly does she take after in that regard?”
“It was four,” Katherine argued. “And she didn’t try to kill you. They were all accidents. It wasn’t her fault you fell into the pond while taking her for a walk, or out of the tree when getting her an apple. You just need to be more careful.”
Benedict grimaced, careful and his daughter were not anywhere near the same thing. The more he coddled her, the more it seemed she wanted to do something daring.
Unfortunately, it reminded him of himself, which frightened him more than words could express.
Luckily, he had Katherine.
And with her, he could do anything.
“Why are you smiling?” Katherine put her hands on her hips, tilting her head.
“Why shouldn’t I be smiling?” His grin grew.
“You look like you’re about to do something…”
He grabbed her hands and ran into the study, shoving the door closed behind them and with little effort lifted her skirts.
“Benedict!” she scolded. “What are you doing! We’re going to be late!”
“Then we’ll be late. I am a duke after all.”
His argument to get away with anything.
She rolled her eyes and squirmed happily beneath his touch. “But it’s our anniversary and everyone is going to want to see us. Oh!” She leaned in and kissed him. “Maybe just this once.
“That’s my girl.” He kissed her firmly across the mouth.
And an hour later, when they arrived at the ball hand in hand, Benedict’s past reputation was merely a shadow on everyone’s lips. Had he really been all that bad? People wanted to know. For what they saw now was a man completely changed from the one he had once been.
And it was all because his aunt had loved him enough to trick him. God rest her soul.
About The Author
Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times Bestselling, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 80 books ranging from contemporary romance to paranormal. With over four million copies sold, she's been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable son, naked cat, and two dogs. For more information about her books and upcoming events, visit www.RachelVanDykenauthor.com.
Also By Rachel Van Dyken
Kathy Ireland & Rachel Van Dyken
Fashion Jungle
Eagle Elite
Elite
Elect
Entice
Elicit
Bang Bang
Enforce
Ember
Elude
Empire
Enrage
Eulogy
Envy
Elite Bratva Brotherhood
RIP
Debase
The Bet Series
The Bet
The Wager
The Dare
Seaside Series
Tear
Pull
Shatter
Forever
Fall
Strung
Eternal
Seaside Pictures
Capture
Keep
Steal
All Stars Fall
Abandon
Ruin Series
Ruin
Toxic
Fearless
Shame
The Consequence Series
The Consequence of Loving Colton
The Consequence of Revenge
The Consequence of Seduction
The Consequence of Rejection
The Dark Ones Series
The Dark Ones
Untouchable Darkness
Dark Surrender
Darkest Temptation
Wingmen Inc.
The Matchmaker’s Playbook
The Matchmaker’s Replacement
The Bachelors of Arizona
The Bachelor Auction
The Playboy Bachelor
The Bachelor Contract
Curious Liaisons
Cheater
Cheater’s Regret
Players Game
Fraternize
Infraction
M.V.P.
Red Card
Risky Play
Kickin’ It
Liars, Inc
Dirty Exes
Dangerous Exes
Cruel Summer
Summer Heat
Summer Seduction
Summer Nights
Covet
Stealing Her
Finding Him
Bro Code
Co-Ed
Seducing Mrs. Robinson
Avoiding Temptation
The Setup
Waltzing With The Wallflower
Waltzing with the Wallflower
Beguiling Bridget
Taming Wilde
London Fairy Tales
Upon a Midnight Dream
Whispered Music
The Wolf’s Pursuit
When Ash Falls
Renwick House
The Ugly Duckling Debutante
The Seduction of Sebastian St. James
The Redemption of Lord Rawlings
An Unlikely Alliance
The Devil Duke Takes a Bride
&
nbsp; Other Titles
The Parting Gift
Compromising Kessen
Savage Winter
Divine Uprising
Every Girl Does It
A Crown for Christmas
A Renwick House Christmas Boxed Set Page 27