by Anna Bennett
“I didn’t think it possible to be jealous of a journal,” he said. “But I’ve proven myself wrong.”
“I thought you’d burned this!” she exclaimed.
He shook his head. “I only wanted Singleton to believe I had.”
“Thank you.” She leaned forward and kissed him, warming his chest and completely thawing the frozen center of his heart.
Reluctantly, he pulled away. “We’ll be at Warshire Manor soon. Let me help you straighten your gown.”
He did his best, but it turned out he was far more adept at unlacing than lacing, and after a few failed attempts, all he’d succeeded in doing was making Sophie giggle. Which, he decided, was definitely not a bad thing.
“Stop,” she chuckled, wiping her eyes. “I’ve laughed so much my belly hurts.”
“I never claimed to be a lady’s maid,” he grumbled, even though his heart felt lighter than ever before.
“I should say not,” she teased, circling her arms around his neck. “My gown is falling off, my hair is a disaster, and I’m in an utter state of dishabille.”
He gazed into her bottomless blue eyes. “If it makes you feel any better, I can state with absolute authority that you have never, ever looked more beautiful.” He shrugged off his jacket and slipped it around her shoulders.
She gratefully snuggled into it and pressed a tender kiss to his cheek.
As the coach rolled to a stop in front of the manor house, he took her hand and laced his fingers through hers, marveling at the rightness of it. “How long can you stay?”
“I told my parents I’d be spending the night with Fiona and Gray,” she said, leaping out of the coach and into his arms. “Which means we have all night.”
“In that case,” he drawled, “would you like to go for a walk in the garden?”
“I would.” She flashed him a smile so bright it lit up the evening sky. “How did you guess?”
* * *
After stopping in the house briefly to drop off the journal and pick up a couple of lanterns and a quilt, Sophie and Reese slipped out of the back door, joined hands, and strolled toward the garden.
As they crossed the quaint footbridge over the sparkling moat, all the happiness inside her bubbled up and escaped in a blissful sigh. “I’ll never tire of spending time here,” she said. “Especially at night, when everything from the rustling leaves to the fragrant flowers feels otherworldly and magical.”
“This place never felt magical to me,” Reese said. “Not until you came here. You’ve changed the way I look at everything.”
She gazed at his handsome profile, wondering at the physical differences in him. The hollows had disappeared from his cheeks; the haunted look had vanished from his eyes. “How have you been sleeping?” she asked.
“I still wake up in a cold sweat occasionally, but not as often as before.” They stepped up onto the pavilion and paused by the railing to take in the view. Twisted black poplars to one side, pale grey asphodels to the other, and a glimpse of paradise beckoning in between.
“That’s good.” She leaned her head on his shoulder, drinking in his sturdy, solid comfort. “Maybe the nightmares will continue to lessen over time.”
“Maybe,” he mused. “Maybe not. But I think the best way I can honor Conroy and the others we lost is to live each day to the fullest—and to take care of the families they left behind.”
She slid a hand over his muscled biceps. “Have you seen Sarah and the girls recently?”
“I have.” He turned toward her and circled his arms around her waist. “She, Rose, and Julia were here a couple of days ago.”
“Here?” Sophie tipped up her chin so she could meet his eyes. “In the garden?”
“Not exactly. I was showing them a cottage on the edge of my property. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks improving it. The girls seemed to like it.”
Sophie blinked, stunned. “Did they?”
“They ran around the house like heathens.” Reese’s mouth quirked, softening the harsh angles of his face. “Sarah had a difficult time prying them away from the rope swing I hung in the yard.”
“You hung a…” She shook her head, wondering if she’d heard him correctly. “Are Sarah and the girls going to live in the cottage?”
He nodded slowly. “Along with Violet and the babe, once it’s born. Violet wants to return to her old position in a few months, and Sarah was thrilled at the prospect of watching the little one while Violet is working at the manor house. And, selfishly, I’m looking forward to watching my niece or nephew grow up. Conroy’s girls too.”
“That’s wonderful,” Sophie breathed. It felt as though her heart would burst with happiness. “I’m so proud of you, Reese.”
He shrugged. “It took me a while to realize that Edmund wasn’t perfect. That none of us is. I can’t change decisions I’ve made in the past, but I can try to do the right thing now.” He gazed at her, his dark eyes unexpectedly shy. “I was thinking that, since you have a talent for bringing people together, maybe you could help me with a new project.”
“Of course I’m willing to help,” she said, humbled by his trust in her. “What did you have in mind?”
“A regular gathering for soldiers who’ve returned from war—and their families too. A place where they can talk if they want to … and not feel so alone.”
Sophie found herself on the verge of tears again. She placed her palms on either side of his face and beamed at him. “That is a beautiful idea. I’d be honored to play a part in bringing it to life.” Grinning, she added, “I happen to know of an excellent meeting location. It’s booked on Friday evenings, but available any other day of the week.”
“Is that so?” he asked, flashing a wry grin of his own.
“I’ve been thinking about making some changes too,” she said.
“Oh?”
“I’ve been keeping secrets from my family, my friends, even you. Maybe it’s time for the Debutante Underground to come out of the shadows.”
“I understand why you’ve kept the meetings a secret up until now,” he said earnestly. “But I can also see how that would create its own set of problems. Sometimes revealing your secrets releases you from their power … and frees you. Whatever you decide, I’ll stand by you.”
“I’ll have to ponder it for a bit, and speak with all the other members,” Sophie said, but she was already warming to the idea. “In the meantime, I think we should head to the garden.”
He picked up the quilt and one of the lanterns, then handed the other to her. “Let’s go.”
They strolled down a winding walkway, past lushly blooming flower beds populated with charming stone statues of woodland animals, sprites, and nymphs. They heard the cheerful splash of the waterfall before they saw it, and when they reached the clearing, Reese set their lanterns near the reflecting pool and spread the quilt on the grass.
“It’s so warm,” Sophie said, frowning at the skirt of her gown, which stuck to her legs like a gauzy cobweb.
“I know how we can cool off,” Reese said. He was already shrugging out of his jacket and pulling off his boots. Sophie gleefully attacked the laces of her gown, and before long, they had both stripped off every stitch of their clothing.
His eyes turned dark with desire, and something like a growl escaped his throat. “You’re gorgeous, Soph.”
“So are you.” To be precise, he looked like a god. Her very own Prince of Darkness. And she never, ever wanted to leave him again.
He moved behind her and slowly removed the handful of pins left in her hair, running his fingers through the honey-colored strands as he kissed the column of her neck. “You’re mine,” he murmured, sending a shiver through her limbs. “Always and forever.”
His wicked hands cruised up her sides, beneath her swollen breasts, and over the curves of her hips. When her knees wobbled, she leaned into him, and he easily scooped her into his arms. “I have another special place to show you.”
He carried her t
oward the edge of the pool and behind the fall, where they were surrounded by cool rock on one side and clear water on the other. She snuggled against his hard, warm chest as she stuck a toe through the chilly, wet curtain.
He arched a dark brow. “How does it feel?”
“Perfect.”
He shot her a grin that made her belly flutter. “Want to walk through with me?” he asked.
“Of course,” she said, holding on a little tighter. “I want to go everywhere with you.”
Deliberately, he eased his back below the sheet of water, and it sluiced over his tanned, chiseled body, splashing on his broad shoulders and spraying cool droplets on her head. She held her breath as he carried her under the smooth, rushing water. Savored the way it slid over her breasts, down her belly, and between her legs. Sighed when he set her on her feet and pulled her against him.
They moved in and out of the falling water, kissing, laughing, and clinging to each other. And when they both were dizzy with desire, they ran, dripping, back to the quilt and made love so slowly, so sensuously, that hot tears trickled down Sophie’s cheeks.
Afterward, as they lay on their backs, gazing contentedly at the starlit sky above, Reese plucked a daisy, placed it on her belly, and kissed her forehead.
When she giggled, he propped himself on an elbow and looked down at her, love shining in his eyes. “Miss Kendall,” he said, his voice husky and low, “why are you laughing?”
She picked up the daisy, twirled the stem between her fingers, and playfully brushed the petals beneath his chin. “I was just thinking of all the flowers you’ve given me. And now I have one more for the collection in my diary.”
“Your diary?” He shot her a rakish grin and lazily trailed a fingertip between her breasts. “You’re going to write about this?”
“I’ve written about all our nights together,” she admitted. “And I’ve dried and pressed the flowers from each encounter. I have the yellow rose from Lady Rufflebum’s garden and the crown of asphodels. I have the peony bouquet from our night at the lake and the violet aster you tucked behind my ear. They’re all precious to me because they remind me of the way you made me feel. I never want to forget those feelings.”
“I won’t let you forget,” he said earnestly, brushing a kiss across her lips. “I hope your diary has a lot more pages, because we have a lifetime together. A lifetime of feelings … and more flowers than you’ll know what to do with.”
She swept the daisy’s soft petals across the planes of his chest and lower, over the ridges of his abdomen, then shot him a sultry smile. “I feel certain I’ll think of something.”
Look for these other novels in the Debutante Diaries series
FIRST EARL I SEE TONIGHT
THE DUKE IS BUT A DREAM
And don’t miss Anna Bennett’s delightful Wayward Wallflower series
MY BROWN-EYED EARL
I DARED THE DUKE
THE ROGUE IS BACK IN TOWN
Available from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Also by Anna Bennett
The Debutante Diaries
FIRST EARL I SEE TONIGHT
THE DUKE IS BUT A DREAM
The Wayward Wallflowers
MY BROWN-EYED EARL
I DARED THE DUKE
THE ROGUE IS BACK IN TOWN
Praise for Anna Bennett’s Debutante Diaries series
The Duke Is But a Dream
“The pace of their story is steady and the flow is smooth, with plenty of chemistry and passion … A deeply satisfying tale of love persevering despite social constraints.”
—Publishers Weekly
“In this story of finding yourself, it’s the family the central characters create together that’s the most satisfying discovery of all.”
—BookPage
“Again she creates relatable heroines similar in force and tone to those created by her sister historical romance authors Tessa Dare and Sophie Jordan.”
—Booklist
“A wonderful read, one that is hard to put down.”
—Affaire de Coeur
“Anna Bennett is a fantastic storyteller … A delight of a read with characters you will love and subplots that add to the fascinating tale of old memories, new beginnings, and a happily-ever-after that made me smile.”
—Fresh Fiction
“A finely crafted historical romance novel and a wonderfully entertaining read from cover to cover.”
—Midwest Book Review
First Earl I See Tonight
“Will win readers’ hearts.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Sexy, clever … will bring smiles to its readers.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for the Wayward Wallflower series
The Rogue Is Back in Town
“Fans of Regency romance authors Eloisa James, Tessa Dare, and Mary Jo Putney will go wild for the final installment of Bennett’s Wayward Wallflowers trilogy.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Smart and sassy romance … simply a joy!”
—RT Book Reviews (A Top Pick)
“A standout historical romance novel … truly delightful.”
—Romancing the Bookworm
“Bennett’s gift for writing a page-turner of a plot is on full display … a solid Regency story of true love.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Entertaining … [offers] plenty to satisfy Regency fans.”
—Publishers Weekly
I Dared the Duke
“Sharply drawn characters, clever dialogue, simmering sensuality, and a dash of mystery make this well-crafted Regency thoroughly delightful.”
—Library Journal
“Readers will enjoy this sassy Regency take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale.”
—Booklist
“A captivating page-turner that will become a new favorite among romance enthusiasts!”
—BookPage
“Will truly win readers’ hearts.”
—RT Book Reviews (A Top Pick)
“Bennett brings new life to traditional Regency stories and characters.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Scrumptious … I devoured every word! A hot and wounded hero, a heroine you wish could be your friend in real life, and witty scenes that sparkle with life … The Wayward Wallflowers just keep getting better!”
—Laura Lee Guhrke, New York Times bestselling author
My Brown-Eyed Earl
“Heart, humor, and a hot hero. Everything I look for in a great romance novel!”
—Valerie Bowman
“One bliss-giving read … witty and whimsical.”
—USA Today
“Delightful historical romance.”
—Night Owl Reviews (A Top Pick)
“Heartwarming and joyous … a delightful read.”
—RT Book Reviews
About the Author
Anna Bennett started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided that books with balls, dukes, and gowns were the best. So when she had the chance to spend a semester in London, she packed her bags—and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart®. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen.
Visit her website at: annabennettauthor.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Also by Anna Bennett
Praise Page
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.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Paperbacks, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE
Copyright © 2020 by Anna Bennett.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781250199515
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by email at [email protected].
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / 2020