The Sweetest Love (Sons of Worthington Series)
Page 27
Tristan stood and waited for her to enter. She looked so lovely in her lavender day-gown with matching bonnet. Her auburn ringlets hung nearly to her shoulders but still showed him a perfect view of her slender neck. When she met his gaze, her eyes sparkled and a smile stretched across her tempting mouth.
“Diana, my dear.” He held out his good hand for her to grasp. “I’m so very happy you came.”
“Really? Why is that?”
“Because I can’t make it through the day without seeing your beautiful face and hearing your gentle, caring voice.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Tell me, Lord Tristan…what is it that you want now? For some reason, you are acting very suspicious.”
Chuckling, he pulled her to the sofa and they sat. He kept her hand in his as he caressed her fingers. “I would be lying if I told you I didn’t want something…because I do.”
“Ah-ha. I knew there was a reason for all the flowery words, my lord.”
“Indeed, there is.” Before saying another word, he leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “I hope you do not mind if I kiss you first.” He didn’t give her time to answer, and pressed his mouth lovingly against hers.
A deep sigh escaped her throat as she threw her arms around his neck and responded exactly how he wanted. He held her close and kissed her like a man starved for attention…or in this case, like a man who was thrilled to have been given a second chance at love. His heart burst in his chest, and he knew for certain she was the woman he wanted to love. Always.
Tristan broke the kiss and only pulled back enough to gaze deeply into her lovely green eyes…the same pair of eyes that caught his attention when they first met. Eyes he has seen in his dreams for three years, from the moment he awakens until he drifts off to sleep.
“Diana, I want you to know how much I love you. Never has there been a woman who has touched me as deeply as you have touched not only my heart, but my soul as well.” He stroked his thumb along her cheek. “Circumstances have kept us away for too long, and I want to rectify that situation now.”
She smiled although moisture filled her eyes. “And pray, how can we rectify that?”
“Marry me as soon as we can obtain the license. I want to claim you as my wife and treat you like a queen. I want you to bear my children and be the wonderful mother I’m confident you’ll become. And I want to love you endlessly and be by your side forever.”
“Oh, Tristan—” her voice broke, “I would love nothing more than to be your wife, but…”
“But?” He held his breath, not knowing if he was going to like what she was about to tell him.
“I cannot give you children. I am barren. One of the reasons Ludlow beat me and hated me so was because I could not give him a child. Although I would love to have your children, I fear I cannot.”
His mind scrambled with thoughts. Having children with her would be wonderful, but he would be happy to be her husband even if the Lord didn’t bless them with a large family. “My love, you will always be special to me whether you are infertile or not. However, I do believe that it was Ludlow who had the problem. Not you.”
Her forehead creased. “What makes you think that?”
“As many times as he had slacked his lust on other women, not one of them became pregnant.” Tristan shrugged. “If he had sired any children—legitimate or not—he would have been boasting all over town.”
She sat in silence for the longest time as her gaze traveled over his face before finally resting on his eyes. Slowly, she smiled again. “Tristan, I do believe you are correct.”
“Of course I am.” He winked and kissed again, wishing this moment never had to end. He broke the kiss and brushed his lips across her cheek and down her neck. “So my sweet Diana, will you consent to becoming my wife?”
“Oh, Tristan,” she sighed. “I have loved you since you first thought I was blowing kisses to you that day we met, and I will continue to love you until I take my dying breath when we are both old and gray. You have always made me feel so special and loved, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel the same joy.”
Love burst inside his chest and emotion filled him so full he could scarcely breathe. He kissed her again, sealing their bargain. Happiness finally flowed through him like he’d always dreamed it would.
At long last, he had found the very thing he’d always dreamed about having…the sweetest love.
*THE END*
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The Sweetest Kiss (book 1)
Lord Trey Worthington isn’t about to give his heart to a woman. He does not want a marriage like his parents. But when his mother brings a childhood acquaintance into the home to sponsor into society, Trey has to get Miss Faraday trained properly. The more he gets to know Judith, the more he yearns for something he doesn’t dare reach for. Judith is after a faithful husband—something Trey has been convinced most of his life he’ll never become.
Judith Faraday is only after one thing—to marry her Naval Officer and enjoy a life full of love. She’s doubtful her dream will ever come true while living as the ward to the dowager duchess. However, the longer Judith is with the dowager’s son, Trey, an attraction blossoms. Judith now wonders if God has different plans for her life, because Trey doesn’t believe in the sanctity of marriage…the very thing Judith cannot do without.
The Sweetest Touch (book 2)
Louisa wakes from a deep heavy fog, surrounded by strangers and horrified to discover she's been the sole victim of a terrible buggy accident. Worse... she remembers nothing.
Trevor Worthington, Duke of Kenbridge, can’t trust women. Yet after nearly killing the amnesiac Louisa, he has little choice but to open his home to her. His heart softens to the straggly woman in beggars garb as he strives to help her regain her memory. As proof of Louisa's scars, both physical and those lurking beneath the surface, come to light, Trevor finds himself more and more drawn to the mysterious woman. However he is hesitant to enter another nightmarish entanglement like his first marriage.
Louisa is all too happy to accept employment in the Duke's household though it quickly becomes apparent she doesn't fit in at all! For starters she speaks French and has no skills to speak of. Bits and pieces of conflicting memories flash through her mind, lending more confusion to the puzzle of her life. Fortunately the duke proves ever patient with her myriad of mistakes and Louisa finds herself falling in love with the kind, brooding man. As their budding relationship progresses from improper to scandalous Louisa's memory begins to return. Dare she tell Trevor the horrible truths of her past? That she belongs to an evil man known only as Macgregor.
As the heartbreaking facts of Louisa's past are exposed and decade old questions come to light, will the truth keep these lovers from happiness? Will Trevor be able to give love another chance? Or will Louisa's sweet touch prove yet another forgotten memory...
Other stories from Marie Higgins
“Winning Mr. Wrong” – Romantic Comedy (LDS novel)
“Heart of a Hero” – Historical romance
“Hearts Through Time” – Time-travel / suspense romance
“Secrets After Dark” - Paranormal / suspense romance
“In the Arms of Danger” – Romantic suspense
“Crazy For You” – Romantic comedy
“Becoming a Lady” – Regency Romance
Christian Historical Series
“A Walk In Heaven” – (book 1)
“Reaching Heaven” – (book 2)
“A Touch of Heaven” (book 3 not out yet)
Regency Romance Series
“The Sweetest Kiss” – (book 1)
“The Sweetest Touch” – (book 2)
“The Sweetest Love” – (book 3)
“The Sweetest Secret” – (not out yet)
Victori
an Romance Series
“Love Me Always” – (book 1)
“Charmed By Knight” – (book 2)
“True Love’s Deception” – (book 3)
“Belong To Me” – (book 4)
“Love Comes Blindly” – (book 5)
Colonial Romance Series
“Take My Heart” – (book 1)
“Falling In Love Again” – (book 2)
“Wonderland By Night” – (book 3)