“Mi ángel. I find you on a beach once more.” The words wrapped her in warmth and her heart performed a strange flight in her chest. Hope’s eyes flew open, and she held her breath. “Do you need me to save you from the waves this time?”
Hope turned slowly, afraid she had imagined his voice, afraid she would find the beach empty. Had she slipped too far into her dreams?
Alejandro stood before her, dressed in respectable clothing complete with a cravat and a forest green overcoat that made his chocolate brown eyes stand out. He was completely clean shaven now, and his hair just long enough to curl above his ears as she had thought it might. None of her dreams had prepared her for this moment. She had thought it too far in the future to plan for seeing him again.
His gentle smile faltered somewhat. “Hope?”
A laugh mixed with a sob broke free at last, and she set herself to running the ten steps to him. Alejandro opened his arms, a grin wider than any she had ever seen on his face, and he scooped her up against him, gathering her as close as possible. She buried her face in his coat and held him as tight as she could.
“Oh, Alejandro. You came for me. You came.”
“I told you. I will always find you.” Staring deeply into her eyes, he added softly, “Forgive me for letting you go. I did not see any other way. I regretted it before you were even gone.”
“I forgive you,” she whispered. “With my whole heart. Alejandro. What changed?”
“I have learned my parents are well. They are alive, in Spain with my brother, and I am not destitute. Well. I will not be, once they know I am alive.”
He kissed her forehead, but she had much more in mind. Hope lifted her face to his and wrapped her hands behind his neck. She stood on her toes and pulled him down to meet her lips with his.
His hands held her waist, pulling her tight against him, and he returned her kiss ardently. Their lips collided almost desperately at first, but then their kisses turned more deliberate and gentle. She tangled her fingers in his thick hair and his hands moved up to hold her face. He leaned back enough to examine her again, his eyes flitting across her face.
His lips were swollen from their kisses. His eyes dark and burning. His cheeks had filled out, he no longer looked lean and starved, but she saw the same man from the island. Fierce. Determined. Passionate.
“I love you,” she whispered. “Te amo.”
His eyebrows pulled together, and he bent to brush his lips across hers, a soft acceptance of her declaration. “I did not teach you that, my love.”
“No.” She smiled against his lips. “It was easy enough to learn for myself.”
“Marry me?” he asked quietly. “And I will teach you every word I know.” He kissed her again—a deep, full kiss.
“I will.”
“I must travel,” he warned, pulling back suddenly. His hands locked together at the small of her back. “To my family in Spain. Then someday, back to my country. There is war there. I cannot promise you a peaceful life.”
Hope laid a finger upon his lips, stopping his words. “I want adventure, Alejandro. With you. I will follow you to Spain, to Buenos Aires, anywhere you go. Your people will be mine. I belong with you.”
He swept her up in another kiss, one hand tangling in her loose hair. They stayed upon the beach for quite some time, sometimes speaking with words, more often with gentle touches of the hands and lips. Hope had not felt truly at peace, or at home, until she stood in his arms.
Never again would she part from him. Their love would be the greatest adventure she could ever know.
The day before the wedding, Alejandro held Hope’s hand while driving her phaeton and ponies. “Your animals have a complete disdain for traveling as slowly as they should,” Alejandro told her. His soon-to-be-wife laughed.
“They are used to moving a great deal faster, it is true.” She wrapped her arms around his and leaned into his shoulder, not caring if anyone who passed saw them.
Alejandro cast her a suspicious glance, one eyebrow raised. “Are there to be more races in your future, mi amor?”
“Would you object?” she asked, though Alejandro suspected she already knew the answer well enough.
“As long as I am there to watch you win, I have no objections.” His heart full, Alejandro reveled in her sigh of contentment. Watching her with her family and friends the past three weeks, Alejandro had come to know all those she loved and loved them himself. She introduced him to everyone they met with pride, and everyone told him how fortunate he was to wed Hope Everly.
“You will never have a dull moment,” one matron had remarked, making it sound rather like a warning.
“I can think of nothing more wonderful,” he had responded with complete honesty. Hope had rewarded him handsomely for speaking that truth. Everyone seemed to approve of him, which was a relief. He still could not quite believe he had found her, that she loved him, that she would give up all that was familiar to her to follow him halfway across the world.
Hope bounced in her seat as they entered the gates of the Inglewood property. “That way.” She pointed to a stand of trees. “That is where we must go.”
“In this weather?” he asked, surprised. Alejandro directed the ponies as she instructed. “The countess will not be there?”
“Esther most certainly will. You stop worrying over her. She is with child, that does not make her an invalid.” Hope sniffed and narrowed her eyes at him. “You had better not intend to coddle me so when I carry our children.”
The very thought sent a thrill of fear and excitement through him, the emotions inseparable. “I refuse to reveal my plans for that occasion at the present time.” Hope would never allow coddling, but the way she wrinkled her nose and glared at him made it too much fun to tease her. Of course, he also found such expressions incredibly distracting as they made him wish to kiss her until she smiled again.
There had been a great deal of kissing. At least until Hope’s father entered the parlor one evening and caught them at it. He had given both of them a lecture on appropriate behavior the likes of which Alejandro would never forget. But Hope had kept biting her lip as though amused. The next day, she told him she would miss her father’s lectures on decorum, but all she could think on was how the last one he had given her had ended with her pretending to be Grace, bound for the Caribbean.
Alejandro had very nearly kissed her again, out of sheer gratitude. But he honored her father’s wishes and tried for patience.
He leaped out of the cart and then extended his hand to help her down. She wore a cloak and her hands were tucked in a muff. Hope guided them through the trees, until they broke through to a clearing where a rowboat rested near the trees, the wood painted a bright white with blue words painted across its hull.
“The Silver Birch Society,” he read, his eyebrows drawn down. “Ah. Your club.”
The others already stood, except for the Countess of Inglewood. She sat inside the boat, a sketchbook in her lap and her pencil at work.
“Here they are at last,” Sir Isaac said loudly, bringing everyone’s attention to Alejandro and Hope.
The friends met him with smiles and good cheer, though each had made certain to tell him, in private, how he had better take care of Hope or their society would come after him, showing no mercy. Everyone should have such loyal friends, really.
“Welcome.” The Earl of Inglewood waved Alejandro forward, and Hope stayed on his arm. “It seems oddly fitting now that our club was formed around this boat, found by Hope many years ago, abandoned and in need of repair.”
Alejandro regarded the woman he loved with adoration. “Hope certainly makes the most out of damaged boats.”
She blushed and nudged him with her shoulder. “Please, Alejandro, do not curse me so. Finding an old rowboat has nothing to do with being wrecked on a sloop.”
“As long as you stay clear of any more unworthy sea vessels, we shall all be happy,” Grace said with mock solemnity. She had informed Alejandro,
upon their second meeting, that Hope had never entertained callers who could not tell the two of them apart. Alejandro did not see how anyone found it difficult to do so. Hope’s eyes burned with passion and adventure, even when she had polite conversation. Whereas Grace’s eyes held a gentler warmth, reminding him of banked coals in a hearth.
The earl brought them to order again. “We are here today to induct our newest member into the Society. Though there were only five of us as children, it is only right that the club should grow to include the people we love most. Today, Señor Córdoba joins our ranks. Hope has agreed to marry him, and that is the highest recommendation one might receive.”
“Hear, hear,” the baronet and the vicar shouted.
“I second the movement to add him to the club,” Grace said, beaming at her sister.
“I did not call for seconds yet,” Inglewood said, glowering at her. “You are out of order, Grace.”
She waved a hand at him. “Oh, stop. It is freezing out here, and I happen to know your cook has made fresh gingerbread.”
The countess stood abruptly, startling her husband into holding a hand out to balance her. “I carry the motion. Now we vote.” She cast her husband an apologetic smile. “I do adore the gingerbread.”
Everyone laughed, and Alejandro looked about with honest admiration for the people gathered around them. “It is an honor to be considered,” he said.
“All in favor?” The earl asked.
Five “ayes” filled the air. Then Hope threaded the fingers of her gloved hand through his.
“Congratulations, Señor. You are part of the Society.” The earl bowed to him.
“And now we shall adjourn for refreshment,” his countess stated with a lofty tilt to her head. “Before our noses freeze and fall off.”
Alejandro and Hope returned for the ponies, to take them where they might be warm and cared for while the Society visited together.
“Are you sure I can take you from them?” Alejandro asked as he helped her step up into the phaeton. “They adore you.”
“They know I will always be part of the Society,” Hope stated softly. “No matter where I am. My friends want my happiness, and they know I shall never have it fully without you. There are dozens of men who might ask for my hand. Perhaps some I might even come to care for. But I cannot imagine a life without you. There is as much adventure in your soul as there is in mine.”
Alejandro lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss across her gloved fingers. “That is how I feel about you, my love. I will bring you back here as often as possible. Your family, your friends, they will see you many times in the future. I promise.”
He produced his mother’s ring from his pocket. “I believe this belongs to you, my dear. I ought to wait until tomorrow, give it to you with the wedding ring, but I cannot go another moment without knowing it is on your finger.”
Hope’s cheeks turned rosy. Her eyes teared up as she removed her glove and held her hand out to make it easier for him to slip the ring upon her finger. As he had suspected, it fit perfectly. His parents would see that as sign enough that she belonged in the family as her friends had made certain he belonged to theirs.
The journey across the ocean was a small price to pay when he had Hope’s heart and hand as his own.
Epilogue
Ten Years Later
Hope rested one hand over her stomach where her third baby stirred, as though upset he missed all the fun of his older brothers. She knew, somehow, she carried another son. Which was perfectly fine with her. The first two had come out so handsome and vivacious, their charming brown eyes always searching out mischief, that she knew another would make her family absolutely perfect.
Silas and Esther were beneath the trees, Esther holding a babe in her arms while Silas appeared to nap. Their children, all three old enough to manage it, were in the Silver Birch Society rowboat, pretending they were pirates. Alejandro and their sons were rival pirates, using a log for their own vessel and hurling insults at the earl’s children.
Grace sat on the blanket next to Hope, her two daughters with them, pretending to be above such raucous play. Even though they kept peeping with interest at the louder children. Jacob had not joined them yet, as he had business to attend to with one of his parishioners.
“When did you say Isaac will join us?” Hope asked, watching one of her little lads tumble off the log. Her three-year-old son wailed as though he’d fallen out of an oak, but Alejandro made a show of jumping off their ship and into the imagined sea to save him. The boy started to giggle, though he pointed toward Hope rather than the log.
“Tomorrow,” Grace answered, leaning forward to correct the hold of her daughter’s needle and thread. “With his wife and their little brood.”
Hope directed her attention to her husband and son. Alejandro placed little Diego on the ground in front of her. “Tell your mama.”
“Me caí del bote.”
Alejandro chuckled and ruffled the boy’s hair, his lips turning up in a fond smile. “In English, Diego.”
“I fell,” the boy said, pointing backward. “Out. Of el bote.”
Hope barely managed to keep a straight face, nodding in as serious a manner as possible. “Qué lástima, mi hijo. What a shame. Are you going to be brave and try again?”
“If you kiss me,” he said in perfect English.
Grace laughed aloud. “Oh, he will be a dangerous gentleman someday with that sort of charm.”
“Inherited directly from his father,” Hope stated, then she turned adoring eyes on her son. “Yes, come here.” She kissed his little round cheek. “Go now.” The boy grinned and skipped away, all his hurts forgotten.
Alejandro collapsed beside her, leaning back against the tree. “I think I would rather be marooned on your island for a time, my Hope. If you do not mind.”
She leaned down and kissed him, her heart full and happy. “My dear Alejandro, I could think of no place better for you.”
If you enjoyed this novel, make certain you read the others in the series, Rescuing Lord Inglewood and Discovering Grace. If you have already enjoyed those love stories, perhaps you would like to order your copy of the next book in the series, Engaging Sir Isaac.
Readers can connect with Sally in a variety of places. The best place to say hello is Sally’s Sweet Romance Fans on Facebook. You can also sign up for Sally’s email list.
Author Notes
Dear Reader,
The events which take place in this book are fictional, but I put in a great deal of time researching every detail of this book. While no such island as the one on which my characters are stranded exists, and I cannot be certain which seabirds and plants coexist together happily on small bits of land in the Caribbean, I did my best to be true to the area and the knowledge that would have been available to my 19th Century cast.
On several occasions, I have wished to devote more time and energy to the question of the slave trade during this era. Sadly, I feel I cannot do that aspect of history the justice it deserves in my novels. I highly recommend a curious reader search out books and articles devoted to the study of slavery in the Caribbean. In this regard, I have hinted at the struggle only, though my heart has often ached with the details my personal studies have uncovered. Thankfully, there were many who fought against this grave evil, and in 1834 all slavery ended in the British Caribbean.
Thank you for reading my novel. I hope you enjoy many more.
-Sally Britton
Acknowledgments
As always, I must thank the other authors in my life who have encouraged me, listened to me bemoan the difficulties of writing, and set me straight when I wandered into tangents and unhelpful attitudes. These women are incredible and you should read all their books! Joanna Barker, Arlem Hawks, Shaela Kay, Heidi Kimball, and Megan Walker.
I also want to thank my family, because they are absolutely patient, supportive, kind, and understanding. My children proudly tell everyone they know that their mo
ther is an author, which is a humbling thing to learn when at a parent-teacher conference. My husband manages to slip my profession into many conversations as well, and he has proven time and again to be my most enthusiastic fan.
I greatly appreciate the ladies who do the difficult work with me at the end of each book, my editor Jenny Proctor, proof-readers Carri Flores and Molly Rice, and my team of ARC readers.
A big thank you also goes to the members of Sally’s Sweet Romance Fans on Facebook. They’re always kind and encouraging. They make this writing thing an absolute joy!
Also by Sally Britton
The Inglewood Series:
Book #1, Rescuing Lord Inglewood
Book #2, Discovering Grace
Book #3, Saving Miss Everly
Book #4, Engaging Sir Isaac
The Branches of Love Series:
Prequel Novella, Martha’s Patience
Book #1, The Social Tutor
Book #2, The Gentleman Physician
Book #3, His Bluestocking Bride
Book #4, The Earl and His Lady
Book #5, Miss Devon’s Choice
Book #6, Courting the Vicar’s Daughter
Forever After:
The Captain and Miss Winter
Timeless Romance:
An Evening at Almack’s, Regency Collection 12
Entangled Inheritances:
His Unexpected Heiress
About the Author
Sally Britton lives in the desert with her husband and four children. She started writing her first story on her mother’s electric typewriter, when she was fourteen years old. Reading her way through Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and Lucy Maud Montgomery, Sally decided to write about the elegant, complex world of centuries past.
Saving Miss Everly: A Regency Romance (Inglewood Book 3) Page 24