“What did you mean by ‘might be part of our past’?
“That all depends on you. I never cared about the details of your past, but I do care that they are a part of you. And I love all of you.”
Eliza said, “Until I met you I didn’t realize how much my past was weighing down my future. And all along that’s what you were trying to offer me: a playful present and a hopeful future. Only I didn’t see that until it was too late.”
She touched the emerald around her neck.
“It’s not too late,” said Todd, smiling.
Through flowing tears, she said, “I love you, Todd Montgomery.”
“And I love you, Miss Eliza Keating. I’ve been a fake groom for all these months. Would you please do me the honor of turning me into a real one?”
“Oh, Todd. Yes!”
Eliza grabbed Todd’s lapels and crushed her lips to his. “Oh, yes, Sir!”
SIX MONTHS LATER
Eliza finished packing her warm clothes and went downstairs to join Todd, Tatum, and Tori. They were all staying in Oxford for the night before Todd and Eliza left for Christmas. Carmen and Antonio were in Italy for the holidays, and Carmen said she might scope out a second location for Candied Locks while she was there. They were partners now, so they would have to make any decisions together, but Eliza was impressed that Carmen was already thinking big.
Eliza opened another bottle of wine and topped up everyone’s glasses. The cheese plate was half empty and the roast smelled as if was almost done.
Tatum glanced at Todd’s editorial notes of the latest The Racing Post articles he was reviewing. It turned out Todd liked publishing almost as much as raising horses.
“Do you think Dante’s Fire has a chance the Gold Cup again next year?” said Tatum.
“Jimmy’s pretty confident he could do it again.”
“Well, I’m not going to the Royal Ascot next year,” said Tori. “Not after all that brouhaha last season.”
“Not even if I personally design you a hat?” said Eliza. “Something to rival the royals?”
Tori stroked her chin, as if she might be thinking twice.
“Christine and Melissa might make an appearance, just on principle,” said Todd.
“Why bother?” said Tatum. “It’s just an overrated fashion show. No offence, Eliza.”
She laughed. “None taken. Did Todd show you to your room yet?”
“I’ll do that now,” said Todd.
“Are the old pipes sound?” said Tatum. “Don’t suppose there’s any chance of another flood, eh mate?”
“Don’t you even think about,” said Tori whacking his shoulder and shooting him a wicked grin.
“A man can dream, can’t he?” he winked at Eliza.
“You’re incorrigible,” she said, laughing. “Thank goodness all the plumbing was replaced during the renovation.”
Car lights arced in the driveway and a moment later there was a knock at the door.
“That’ll be Stella,” said Eliza going to the door.
“Lizzie!” Stella gave her a big hug despite the massive box she was carrying. She handed the box to Eliza as Tori came to the door.
“Christmas present?” asked Tori, looking at the box.
“Um, no.” Eliza carried it to the counter.
Stella held up a bag as she followed Eliza toward the high-end modern kitchen.
“What’s that clinking noise?” said Tori.
“I brought martini mixings!” said Stella.
“Oh no,” said Eliza and Tori together.
“Come on,” said Stella. “It’s time to show the guys what they’ve been missing.”
“What about your guy? Roger is it?”
“He’ll be here soon. He stopped in Banbury to see his mother. Speaking of guys,” said Stella. “I ran into our good friend, Annabelle the other day.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started.”
Annabelle had indeed been the one to leak the story of Melissa and Christine to the press. Eliza couldn’t exact much revenge except to fire her, which she did.
Stella continued. “I hate to report this news, but she’s found herself a pretty good looking bloke.”
“Oh, yeah. I introduced them,” said Tori nonchalantly.
Eliza stared at her. “After all the trouble she caused you went and set her up? How could you do that?”
“Easy.” Tori shrugged. “Aren’t you going to ask ‘who’ I set her up with?”
Tori grinned like a Cheshire cat.
Eliza narrowed her eyes. “Go on. Spit it out.”
“Taylor Atford.”
Eliza gaped. “The guy who jizzed in my hat?”
“Ewwww!” said Stella.
Tori popped a grape from the cheese plate into her mouth. “See? Annabelle’s all taken care of.”
The three friends burst out laughing, and they hadn’t even poured their first martinis.
After dinner, as they sat around the river rock fire place—one of the few things Todd had opted not to change in his updating of the house—Tori asked, “So what’s in the big box Stella brought? I thought we weren’t exchanging presents.”
Todd went to get the box.
“Well,” said Eliza. “We have some news.”
“Oh no!” said Tori. “Don’t tell me you’re pregnant before me!”
Stella, leaning against her recent beau, Roger, laughed at Tori. “Not everything’s about you, honey.”
Tori fake-pouted. “And you’re not even married yet.”
Todd carried in the box. “It’s a present for Eliza but not really a Christmas present.”
“Plus I know what it is.” Eliza set down her wine glass. “You know how we’re going to spend Christmas in Canada with Melissa and Christine…”
“They bought this great little ranch in British Columbia,” said Todd, who explained for Roger’s benefit since the rest of them knew that already. “So it’ll be a white Christmas.”
Eliza lifted up the lid of the box and slowly withdrew a lacey, white dress.
“We’ve decided to elope and get married there.” She held the stunning wedding dress in front of her so everyone could see.
Stella had taken apart Todd’s mother’s wedding dress but she’d kept all the parts except for the bits of lace she’d given Eliza. At Todd’s hinting, Stella had reworked them into a completely new gown.
“Good god, you look like Snow White,” said Tatum.
Eliza beamed.
Todd said, “Tori? Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Oh, right.” She grabbed her handbag and dug around in it.
“See, Stella, some things are about me.” She pulled something out and then couldn’t seem to decide whether to give it to Tatum or Todd. Finally, she handed it off to Tatum, who then handed it to Todd.
“He wanted to be my best man,” said Todd holding up a black velvet box that said Monarch jewelers.
Eliza gulped. She was getting a second chance. She looked up from the box and gazed into Todd’s sexy blue eyes. She smiled and, without hesitating, reached for the box, but Todd opened it before she had touched it. When he pulled back the lid, he revealed a sparkling diamond cut in almost the same shape as the emerald she still wore around her neck. Eliza gasped at the stone’s brilliance and beauty.
Todd removed the ring and slipped it on her finger. Eliza heard a cork pop as she kissed Todd, not only with her lips but with her whole body. Tatum whistled as Todd and Eliza wrapped around each other.
Champagne was poured and glasses were raised.
“To love!” said Todd, still embracing Eliza.
Everyone echoed his words. “To love!”
AUTHOR'S NOTE
London Lace represents my first foray into erotic romance writing. What an adventure it’s been! I had no idea how much fun it would be to write erotic romance. I’ve written other adult contemporary stories (under a different name) but something always seemed to be missing. Apparently, it was the s
ex! Maybe because sex is so personal, yet so universal, it’s not surprising that it was my missing literary link. Now that I’ve found it, I can’t wait to see where else it takes me.
The goddesses at Orly Press are truly kindred spirits. I wouldn’t have written this story without their support and encouragement. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to share my stories with you, the reader-goddesses who make this writing worthwhile.
What I discovered writing London Lace…
…. is how much I love my characters and how alive they are to me even though they’re only words on paper inspired by an active imagination.
Eliza and Todd sprang from my imagination when I wondered: what if two seemingly different people who actually shared a lot of similarities stumbled into one another and had to navigate their differences to discover their similarities and then learn to celebrate both? That’s often the crux of every love story, in books and real life. Throw in some hot sex, a fun location like London (and its environs) and, Voila! there’s a recipe for an afternoon (or a day or a week) of juicy entertainment.
I also discovered what a pleasure it is to write about people looking for love and pleasure in their lives, their struggles to find what they’re seeking, and their courage to finally open up to their vulnerabilities and allow love to blossom. Most of us are on this kind of journey, and engaging with others—in real life or in fiction—fosters insight, strength, and faith to keep journeying toward an open heart.
But do you know what my best discovery was? Finding readers like you. Your curiosity, enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to experiencing your own pleasure is what truly inspires me to wake up and write everyday. Thank you for that.
With pleasure and joy,
Catou
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Catou
Catou Martine
London Lace 1-5 - erotic romance series
Mimi Strong
Kissing Coach - romance novel
Pretty Girls - romance novel
Her Teddy Bear 1-3 - romantic series
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Borrowed Billionaire 1-5 - erotic romance series
Typist / Billionaire Novelist 1-4 - erotic romance series
Kandi Kayne
Red Hot Rose - erotic series
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Table of Contents
London Lace #1
The Blind Date
Drinks With Friends
A Gentleman Caller
London Lace #2
Second Date
A Day at the Races
Meet You in the Stables
London Lace #3
A Second Chance
London Lace #4
Farewell Jezebel
A Sea Change
Alone Together
London Lace #5
Mad Dash to London
The Show Must Go On
Weekend Surprise
No Place Like Home
Race of Hearts
Six Months Later
Author's Note
London Lace, Series Complete Set Page 27