“What’s this?” Charles asked quietly. He moved and Sarah squirmed on top of Gideon. Then she sighed and let out a little hiccup. “Why are you both crying?” Charles whispered.
“I never thought to have this sort of happiness,” Sarah said tearfully. “To have not just one man but two love me so thoroughly. To belong to someone at last.”
“Yes,” Gideon said. “Yes. To belong to someone at last.”
Charles climbed from the bed and returned a moment later. He cleaned Sarah with a cloth and then climbed into bed beside them. He tucked a strand of Sarah’s hair behind her ear and then tweaked Gideon’s earlobe. “From the moment I met you, Sarah, I knew you were the one.” Gideon turned to look at him and Charles wiped a tear off his cheek with his thumb. “I knew that you would bring us together. That you would break through Gideon’s defenses at last and make everything work.”
Sarah slid off Gideon and he missed her warmth. But he couldn’t be upset as she climbed on Charles with a sob. Charles shushed her with laughter in his voice. “I knew the minute I saw Gideon that my life would never be the same. I had the same feeling when we met you.”
Gideon nodded and soothed a hand down her back. “I had built up my defenses. You’re right, Charles. I wasn’t letting you or anyone else in. But Sarah chipped away at that until I couldn’t resist anymore. And suddenly the gates were open and there was no turning back.”
“I want to go home,” Sarah sniffed. “I came to London. I did it. But I don’t like it here and I want to go home to the farm. Where we are strong together and we are building something. Something wonderful.” She looked at Gideon from the shelter of Charles’ arms. “You shall get a better leg and a new Arabian and then you are taking me home.”
“Yes,” Charles and Gideon said at the same time. All three of them laughed. “Yes,” Gideon tried again. “We shall go home. You told me that our house was filled with love and I was at the center of it. But you are, Sarah, darling, and I want to watch you blossom there. I want to make a future there with you and Charles.”
“A future I have waited a very long time for,” Charles said quietly.
Gideon leaned over and kissed Charles’ shoulder. “Your wait is over,” he whispered. He could feel the twinkle in his eye. “My defenses are down and the gates are open,” he added with a heavy dose of innuendo.
Charles caught the back of his head and dragged him close while keeping the other arm wrapped around Sarah. “Good,” he whispered against Gideon’s lips. He softly kissed him. “Because I find that I really, really like being in the back, no matter who’s in the middle.”
Gideon laughed softly as Sarah exclaimed “Charles!” and hit him on the chest. Then she snuggled up to him. “I’ll let Gideon be in the middle next time, but then it’s my turn again.”
Both men laughed, but the look they exchanged was heated. “I agree,” Gideon murmured, and Charles nodded.
“And when we get home, it’s Charles’ turn,” Sarah said with a wicked smile at Gideon.
“I agree,” Gideon said again, staring at Charles.
“Absolutely,” Charles replied. “And about time.”
Epilogue
“I’m going to have a baby,” Sarah told Anne without preamble.
They were in the gazebo watching Charles and Gideon down in the paddock. They were arguing over a horse, of course. Gideon was too soft on them according to Charles, and Charles was too hard on them according to Gideon. She smiled. She didn’t mind the fighting. The making up was extremely enjoyable. Fights usually meant Gideon was in the middle. She liked that almost as much as Gideon.
“What?” Anne yelled in astonishment. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Sarah turned from watching her men to smile at Anne. “That’s what I’m doing.”
“Have you told Gideon and Charles yet?” Anne asked, coming over to give Sarah a one-armed hug while bouncing little baby Bertie in the other.
Sarah shook her head. “No. I think Charles suspects, but Gideon has no idea.” She glanced over her shoulder as Gideon yelled loudly at Charles. She saw him pointing angrily to the barn and Charles glared back at him, hands on hips.
“Why?” Anne demanded. “You have to tell them.”
“I plan to,” she said. “Tonight.” She turned and put her hands on the railing as Gideon turned and waved. She waved back. He tugged on the lead of the horse he was training and resumed walking it around the paddock. He didn’t even need a cane now. She was continually amazed at the mobility Derek Knightly’s prosthesis gave him. It was weighted perfectly to Gideon. He said it felt almost like his own leg. His gait was still ungainly, but he looked beautiful to Sarah.
“I am afraid that it is all too perfect,” she whispered.
Down in the paddock the grooms came and took the horses. Charles ran over and put one hand on the top rung as he vaulted over the fence. He started walking backward toward the gazebo, clearly taunting Gideon who calmly walked over and used the gate. Charles stopped and waited for him on the path and threw his arm around Gideon’s shoulders affectionately. They headed toward the ladies with a wave.
“I suppose because it is perfect,” Sarah mused. She hadn’t asked for a good day for a very long while. They came without asking now.
“Yes,” Anne agreed. “Yes, it is.” Anne laughed as they heard the duke hail Gideon and Charles as they walked past Sarah’s bench under the tree where he was reading a book, Mr. Haversham dozing beside him.
Sarah couldn’t wait for them. She turned and dashed down the stairs and ran to meet Gideon and Charles on the path, her arms flung wide.
The End
About the Author
Samantha has a Master’s Degree in History, and is a full-time writer and mother. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children.
Samantha welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at [email protected].
Also by Samantha Kane
A Lady In Waiting
Brothers in Arms 1: The Courage to Love
Brothers in Arms 2: Love Under Siege
Brothers in Arms 3: Love’s Strategy
Brothers in Arms 4: At Love’s Command
Brothers in Arms 5: Retreat from Love
Brothers in Arms 6: Love in Exile
Cougar Challenge: Play it Again, Sam
Ellora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile II anthology
Hunters for Hire: Tomorrow
Islands
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
Love's Fortress Page 26