For the first time in days, hope started to trickle through her anguish, washing it away bit by bit.
“Sweetheart, I read my account book.” He wouldn’t let her look away. “As soon as I read it, everything made sense.” He traced one cheek with his thumb. “The sacrifices you made for your family throughout the years are nothing short of awe-inspiring. I should have never doubted you or your belief in me. You make me believe in myself. Make me believe that I could conquer this weakness by understanding it and accepting it. You make me believe I’m worth loving.”
She closed her eyes, fighting to find the right thing to say. What use was it? She still loved him. “I will always love you,” she whispered.
“With your trust monies and Erlington’s bequest of your portion of the woolen mills, you’re an heiress worth close to seventy-five thousand pounds. You can choose any husband you want.” The ocean-blue of his eyes flashed. “Choose me. Let me prove I’m worthy of your love. Let me prove how much I love you every day. I’ll take care of you and your family. Be my wife, March. I’m begging you. Stay with me and raise our family.”
Her heart burst free—free from the chains she’d feared would drown her in a life of misery forever. Her David, the consummate warrior, had delivered her from a purgatory she’d had no way to escape. How could she deny him? She’d loved him from the first time she’d ever laid eyes on him.
If she spoke, her tears would fall in a never-ending stream. Therefore, she did the next best thing. She nodded, then kissed him with a passion that rivaled the force of a meteor striking Earth and exploding. It was exactly the way she felt. All the grief and heartache had shattered, and a blinding lightness filled her heart. Finally, she could answer, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Thank you.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Forgive me for not seeing your trust and faith earlier—”
“Let’s not dwell on the past, but look to our future.” She put her fingers to his lips. “Come to bed.”
The fire in his eyes lit a heat within her that quickly spread to her heart. He was so dear to her. He quickly disrobed, then stood before her, his desire for her apparent. Without any hesitation, she rid herself of her nightgown.
Though the room was quiet except for the occasional crack of the fire, the sweet yearning between them charged the air as they stared into each other’s eyes. Michael came to her, never taking his gaze from hers, and with a natural athletic grace, he joined her in bed. He covered her with his body and consumed her with his kisses.
She touched him everywhere. Ensuring he was real flesh and blood. Ensuring the moment was heartfelt. Ensuring her dream was genuine. She didn’t try to contain her outcry of delight. Their passion and love was a force that neither wanted to control.
They found their shuddering ecstasy together, and slowly their passion melted into heartfelt murmurs and kisses.
As she lay in his arms, she couldn’t deny the truth. The ugly path her life had taken had brought her here, a turn that had led to a future filled with happiness and joy. Michael had given her everything—her family’s happiness, his family’s love and support, and if they were truly blessed, a family of their own.
Whether she possessed the devil’s own luck or she’d created her own with her embezzling made little difference. She’d give the devil his due.
She was the luckiest bride in the world.
Epilogue
The Next Afternoon
Langham Hall
March stood before the vicar with Michael by her side. He inclined his head toward her as he repeated his vows. The rugged strength in his voice made her tremble.
The reflected light in the room glimmered as it kissed his handsome face. Yes, heaven did favor him. The marvelous ocean-blue color of his eyes stole her breath. So magnetic, his gaze held hers, and she was powerless. She leaned near so as not to miss a word.
She squeezed his hand, then repeated her vows. She tilted her head to the ceiling and said a silent prayer. She missed her parents every day but knew they would be pleased for her.
Before the vicar pronounced them husband and wife, she stole a glance at her family. The duke and duchess stood with clasped hands. The duchess smiled with shimmering tears of joy. Even the duke’s eyes glimmered with emotion.
Faith and Julia stood side by side, their blinding smiles brighter than a summer’s midday sun. Beside them, Hart stood with his hands clasped in front of him. Without hesitating, he had postponed his trip to Boston so he could witness their vows. He’d promised to return within a year.
Next to Hart, William caught her glance and smiled. Before the ceremony, he’d apologized for his doubts, then had been the first to congratulate Michael. Without warning, William had picked her up and twirled her in a circle, all the while proclaiming he should have married her. Michael had laughed, but then quickly brought her to his side with his arm wrapped around her waist. The strength in his grip reminded her their love was a bond that even when tested would be unbreakable.
Claire and Alex were present with their three children who were quite well behaved. When the couple looked at each other, their obvious love was breathtaking.
Emma and Nick were there, too. Nick’s arm was around Emma’s thickened waist. March had glanced their way several times and caught Nick kissing the top of his wife’s head as if she was the most precious creature in the world.
Finally, March allowed her gaze to settle on Bennett standing beside the duke. The boy must have grown an inch since yesterday. He’d brought her a copy of this morning’s The Midnight Cryer. Surprisingly, the paper had discovered that Dr. Kennett and Lord Queensgrace truly did have emergencies that had called them both out of town. The article went on to advise that the Lawson sisters should expect a roomful of flowers soon from their respective beaus.
Rupert didn’t attend the ceremony. When he approached the duke to offer glad tidings for March’s innocence and felicitations for her and Michael’s wedding, the duke had cut him directly by ignoring him—causing Rupert to be ruined socially. This morning, the duke’s barrister brought charges against Rupert for perpetrating a fraud against the Marquess of McCalpin and the Duchy of Langham.
However, Rupert wasn’t getting off that easy. With the duke’s help, Bennett had hatched a plan to eliminate Rupert as his heir. Yesterday, with the Prince Regent’s blessing, a special session of Parliament amended the original letters patent of the viscountcy. If Bennett died before providing an heir, then the title would go to March’s second-born son, making all future viscounts descended from the House of Langham. If the title failed to pass, then the peerage became extinct.
Earlier, she and Michael had decided not to punish Jameson. Though the man had committed the crime, he’d readily admitted it. Macalester had been so impressed with Jameson’s embezzling talent, he decided to hire him to help investigate other suspected financial ne’er-do-well dealings. She and Michael had settled a large enough sum on Jameson that he could move his son to London and afford full-time care.
She’d made the front page of the paper again. Only this time, the article retracted all their earlier posts. It declared she’d been a victim of a huge scandal and the handsome Marquess of McCalpin had used his clever mind to defend her honor in words and actions. Of course, always ready to start a scandal, the publisher lamented the fact that not a single drop of blood had tinted the ground.
“My lovely wife,” he whispered.
“I adore you,” she answered.
“Have I ever told you thank you for embezzling from your dowry?”
“Hush, David.”
His blinding smile stole her breath, but that wasn’t what caused her heart to explode in an effort to reach his.
His eyes spoke with love.
An endearing perfect love.
As the vicar pronounced them husband and wife, she gladly relented her earlier title of the luckiest bride.
She was now the luckiest wife.
Don’t miss the next sparkling
novel in the Cavensham Heiresses series
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE
Coming December 2018 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Also By Janna MacGregor
THE BAD LUCK BRIDE
THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY
Praise for THE BAD LUCK BRIDE
“With its beautifully defined, exceptionally appealing protagonists, intriguing secondary characters, and graceful writing deftly leavened with wry wit, this classic romantic story line becomes something marvelously fresh and new, thus making MacGregor’s stellar debut a must-read.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“An enjoyably complex treat.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Sparkling. The book’s promise of a delicious story is well realized, building anticipation for future installments.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
“MacGregor delivers a well-paced, powerfully plotted debut. MacGregor’s characters are carefully drawn, their emotions realistic and their passions palpable. Watch for MacGregor to make her mark on the genre.”
—RT Book Reviews
“The Bad Luck Bride is a deftly woven Regency romance, interspersed with plots and plans and passion. Ms. MacGregor is now at the top of my automatic buy list.”
—Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick!)
“Readers, rejoice! We have a new writer to celebrate. Janna MacGregor writes with intelligence and heart. Smart, smart romance.”
—New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell
“Delightful! Janna MacGregor bewitched me with her captivating characters and a romance that sizzles off the page. I’m already a huge fan!”
—New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James
“The Bad Luck Bride is a stroke of good luck for readers—the intricate plot, arresting characters, and rich emotional resonance will leave you swooning.”
—New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries
“Janna MacGregor’s The Bad Luck Bride is a seductive tale filled with suspense and unforgettable characters. A must-buy for historical romance readers.”
—USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Hawkins
Praise for THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY
“MacGregor once again demonstrates her remarkable gift for effortlessly elegant writing, richly nuanced characterization, and lushly sensual love scenes in the second brilliant installment in her new Cavensham Heiresses series, following The Bad Luck Bride.”
—Booklist (Starred Review)
“MacGregor has a real talent for developing every facet of a romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A heady mix of action, wit, and sexual tension. Readers will eagerly turn the pages to see how this intense story concludes.”
—Publishers Weekly
“MacGregor is well on her way to becoming a fan favorite.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Deliciously provocative in historical detail … there is everything in this novel and more. This is definitely a keeper! The Bride Who Got Lucky is absolutely brilliant!”
—Romance Junkies (5 stars)
“This book is truly enchanting.”
—Bookriot
About the Author
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the boot heel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her at www.JannaMacGregor.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
Also By Janna MacGregor
Praise for The Bad Luck Bride
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE LUCK OF THE BRIDE
Copyright © 2017 JLWR, LLC.
Jacket illustration by Jon Paul Studios
All rights reserved.
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eISBN: 978-1-250-11617-8
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / May 2018
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
The Luck of the Bride--The Cavensham Heiresses Page 32