The thought of Jericho with another woman made her feel ill and caused her chest to ache with emotion rather than physical pain. But Jericho was free to do exactly as he pleased without complaint from her.
Even so… “I forgive you.”
The reply was made too easily for Jericho’s liking, and had seemed to increase the tension between the two of them rather than lessening it. “What are you forgiving me for?”
“I have no idea.” She shrugged dismissively. “But whatever it is, I am sure I shall forgive you.”
Jericho’s frown was pained. “I have treated you abominably these past few weeks. Suspected you of treason. Spanked you. Made love to you.”
“Well. Yes.” Color bloomed in her cheeks. “But at the time, you believed you had good reason for doing so.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I am not sure I could be so forgiving if our roles were reversed.”
She smiled briefly. “I cannot fault you for carrying out a mission you were given by the Crown. If I had been guilty, then I would have deserved your punishments.”
“But you were not guilty.”
“No.”
“Were they all punishments?” Jericho studied her intensely. “I confess I enjoyed spanking you and afterward making love to you.”
Her smile became rueful. “As did I.”
Jericho’s heaviness of heart lifted a little at the admission. “With your permission, I should very much like to do both again. Once you are well enough,” he added to that confession.
Jocelyn’s throat moved as she swallowed before speaking. “You have avoided me all week.”
He could not continue to prevaricate anymore, owed Jocelyn the truth. “I stayed away because I thought you must hate me for having put you in danger.”
Her eyes widened incredulously. “The shooting was not your fault, nor could you have stopped it when the coward stayed in the shadows. Besides, how could I ever hate you when I—” She broke off abruptly, her cheeks paling once again.
“Jocelyn.” Jericho moved quickly to her side to take both her hands in his. “Because of the way my mother was, I have avoided emotional entanglements all my life. But you…” He squeezed her hands. “You now own all of my heart. All of me. I love you, Jocelyn. I love you with all my heart and always will.” He made the last a vow.
The joy that now burst inside Jocey’s heart was in complete contrast to the heaviness she had felt such a short time ago at the thought of leaving Jericho. “I have thought all week that you hated me!”
“Never,” he assured vehemently. “I could never and will never feel anything for you but a deep and abiding love. I want— If you give me permission to court you, to spoil and love you, it is my dearest wish that one day you might even agree to become my beloved wife and the mother of our children.”
If Jocey was asleep and dreaming all this, then she wished never to wake up. She could happily stay in this moment for the rest of her life.
Except…
If Jericho really did love her and want to marry her, to have children with her, then the future was so much more than even this moment.
Her eyes filled with tears of happiness. “Then with your permission, we shall be married as soon as you have acquired a Special License from the Prince Regent. I love you too, Jericho,” she assured at his astounded expression, her fingers tightening about his. “I believe I have loved you, been in love with you, since I was eighteen years old and you rescued me from the Highlands of Scotland.”
“Dear God…”
Jocey smiled so brightly, her cheeks ached. “I love you, Jericho. I love you completely and utterly.”
Jericho tempered his eagerness as he pulled her into his arms, very aware of how fragile she still was. “God, how I love you!” He buried his face in her hair, holding her against him for several relieved seconds before moving back slightly. He fell to his knees but maintained his hold on one of Jocelyn’s hands. He never wished to let her go ever again. “Will you marry me, Jocelyn? I promise to love, honor, and worship you all my life.”
She laughed happily. “Yes, yes, yes I will marry you!”
Jericho’s heart cracked wide open, and he held nothing back as he stood to kiss Jocelyn with all the love and promise of their future life together.
“What is it?” He frowned as Jocelyn’s gaze shyly avoided meeting his.
“It is only… I believe I am already recovered enough for the two of us to make love.”
Jericho gave a relieved laugh. “You would not rather wait until after we are married?”
“No.”
Jericho loved her refreshing honesty. Loved Jocelyn to distraction. “It shall be my pleasure to grant your every wish for the rest of our lives together.” He lifted Jocelyn into his arms.
Her eyes glowed with mischief as her arms encircled his neck. “As it shall be my happiness to ensure your every pleasure.”
Which is exactly what they did.
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About The Author
Carole Mortimer is a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2015, RT Career Achievement Award 2017, RT Pioneer for Romance Award 2014. She was also recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for her ‘outstanding service to literature’. Carole has written over 230 contemporary, Regency and paranormal romance novels.
She is happily married to Peter. They have 6 sons, and live on the beautiful Isle of Man. She also loves to hear from Readers!
Other books by Carole Mortimer
Regency Sinners Series:
Wicked Torment (Regency Sinners 1)
Wicked Surrender (Regency Sinners 2)
Wicked Scandal (Regency Sinners 3)
Wicked Deception (Regency Sinners 4)
Wicked Captive (Regency Sinners 5)
Wicked Temptation (Regency Sinners 6)
More books to come in this series
Dragon Hearts – Contemporary paranormal
Nathaniel (Dragon Hearts 1)
Deryk (Dragon Hearts 2)
Bryn (Dragon Hearts 3)
Dylan (Dragon Hearts 4)
Grigor (Dragon Hearts 5)
More book to come in this series
Regency Unlaced Series:
The Duke’s Mistress (Book 1)
Claimed by the Marquis (Book 2)
Taken by the Earl (Book 3)
Pursued by the Viscount (Book 4)
Desired by a Lord (Book 5)
Captured by a Gentleman (Book 6)
Pleasured by a Duke (Book 7)
Seduced by a Marquis (Book 8)
Tamed by the Earl (Book 9)
Series is now complete
Knight Security Series: Spin-off to ALPHA series
Resisting Alexandre (Knight Security 0.5)
Defying Asher (Knight Security 1)
Challenging Gabriel (Knight Security 2)
Capturing Caleb (Knight Security 3)
Tempting Zander (Knight Security 4)
Enticing Ian (Knight Security 5)
Seducing Ethan (Knight Security 6)
Series now complete
ALPHA Series:
Christmas Alpha (Alpha 1)
Dark Alpha (Alpha 2)
Shadow Alpha (Alpha 3) Author’s 200th Book
Midnight Alpha (Alpha 4)
Renegade Alpha (Alpha 5)
Warrior Alpha (Alpha 6)
Rogue Alpha (Alpha 7)
Savage Alpha (Alpha 8)
Series is no
w complete
Wicked Captive Page 14