Eve didn’t want to sleep anymore. She hated this feeling of being trapped within her own body.
“Drink this, Mama.”
“No tea!” Eve pushed the drink away.
Her daughter’s eyes pooled with unshed tears. “It’s safe, Mama. I promise. I made it myself.” And then Rhoda leaned forward, resting her head on Eve’s shoulder.
Rhoda had endured so much already in her young life. Eve hated that she was causing her any duress. Mothers were supposed to comfort their children, not the other way around. “Of course, it is. I’m sorry to worry you.”
Eve sipped her tea, relieved at being safe once again. Darius Mossant no longer had any power over her. He never had, in fact. She’d been held captive by the drug.
How had Jean Luc lived his life in such darkness? Had he been imprisoned by the drug all that time?
She’d hated it. It had nearly robbed her of her own free will. And yet… it promised a false comfort.
She now understood its lure. It’s power.
Never again. It was horrid and demonic and… terrifying.
Rhoda sat back and wiped an errant tear. “Mr. Waverly certainly is clever,” she commented, oh, so casually. Her hands shook a little as she returned the cup of tea to the tray beside the bed.
Eve could only marvel at this brave, beautiful girl. Her daughter!
“Don’t you think so?”
Ah, Niles. Clever Niles. “He certainly is.”
Eve smiled at the thought that her man of business could so easily command a room full of gentleman whom society would consider his betters.
“You’ll have to give him a raise, Mama.”
“Give Niles a raise?” Eve nearly laughed. He’d never take it. “He works on commission.”
“When we arrived, he was a man possessed. For all of two minutes, he was in quite the panic. I never imagined he could be anything other than utterly calm and composed.”
He’d worried for all of two minutes. Again, Eve smiled. She had first-hand knowledge of the hidden passions of Niles Waverly
Eve squirmed and Lucy stepped forward to stuff an extra pillow behind her.
“Thank you, Lucy.” Her maid had had a difficult few days as well. “I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve had. You’ve been wonderful with the girls since coming on. You certainly didn’t deserve such treatment, and I’m sorry I was unable to protect you from it.”
The girl was only a few years older than Rhoda.
“I’ll be fine. I was just so worried of what they were doing to you. I knew you’d never send me away like that.” Lucy twisted her hands together.
“And I never will. You have my word on that.” Eve knew that she and her girls were the closest to family Lucy had. Darius Mossant had thought only of himself.
Apparently uncomfortable, Lucy glanced around the room and then asked, “would you care for something to eat, ma’am?”
“Something light, thank you Lucy.” Eve wasn’t hungry, but the maid seemed to need a moment to herself.
And Eve needed some privacy.
Left alone, Eve could ask her daughter a very personal question. Something she’d been contemplating since the moment she realized she’d nearly married her dead husband’s cousin.
“Darling?”
Rhoda’s brows rose at her tone and she sat forward attentively. “Yes?”
Eve cleared her throat. “Would you consider me foolish, I mean. Are you happy?” She hedged.
“I am. You know that I am.” The somber mood fled her daughter for the moment. Lord Carlisle had been perfect for her. Eve had seen it from the beginning.
“Justin can be at times overly protective, and a bit stuffy.” She smiled. “But he’s made me happier than I ever might have imagined. Are you happy, Mama?”
How did one discuss something like this with one’s daughter? She supposed one discussed it as though she were a friend.
“I think I can be.”
“Because father is dead?”
Eve had quite come to terms with her emotions over Jean Luc’s death. “Your father’s death doesn’t make me happy.” She explained. “Although, I am relieved. I am also sad. At one time, he was a good man. At one time…”
Rhoda tilted her head. Again, Eve searched for words.
“I’m in love with Niles Waverly.” The words rang clear and true. “I didn’t think I’d ever feel love again, and I’m uncertain as to whether or not he feels the same…”
A huge grin spread across her daughter’s face. “Oh, Mama, I don’t think you need have any fears there.”
“You’re a Countess now.”
At these words, her daughter broke into a peel of laughter. “Oh, Mama. Are you asking for my approval?”
Was that it? “I don’t want to make a ninny of myself.” This was more embarrassing than she’d imagined. She was past the age of forty!
“Oh, Mama. Remember what you told me when I didn’t know what to do about the bet? Or about Justin?”
Eve remembered. Of course, she remembered. “I do.”
“You told me that we Mossant woman oughtn’t only to survive, but that we deserved to thrive.” Rhoda smiled as she spoke the words.
“I’ve wanted that for you and for Coleus and Hollyhock more than anything, all along.”
“And we want it for you.”
Eve simply stared into her daughter’s eyes. “I’m so very proud of you.”
“Of course, you are,” the little imp supplied. “But what of you? Are you going to allow yourself to thrive? Are you going to be able to live your life in faith that good things await you? Or are you going to allow the bad stuff to rule you?”
This daughter of mine. She knows me all too well.
Not waiting for an answer, Rhoda touched the side of her face with one finger as though contemplating something of great import. “Because there is a gentleman pacing the corridor outside who would like nothing better than to assure himself of your happiness and well-being.”
Eve bit her lower lip.
Rhoda would not relent. “Would you like for me to send him in?”
But she must look a fright! Did it matter? Of course, it mattered!
“After you’ve done something with my hair.” She glanced down at the horrid black gown she’d been dressed in. “And anything but this atrocity. Something bright perhaps? My cerulean?”
Upon which, allowing Eve a glimpse of the tiny little girl she’d once been, her daughter grinned from ear to ear. “I’ll have Lucy press it as soon as she returns.”
***
Twenty minutes later, Eve sat in the small sitting area of her suite holding a book. She had no idea what it was about and doubted she ever would.
Rhoda had excused herself to go in search of Niles.
What if he didn’t wish to come? What if he was angry with her? From what she’d since learned, Eve had discovered she’d sat mute while Darius Mossant fired her very efficient and most appreciated man of business.
Rhoda had assured her that Mr. Waverly did not hold a grudge against her.
But what if he did?
And what if he didn’t want—
A knock at the door interrupted her misgivings.
“Come in.” She set the book aside and smoothed her skirt in her lap. The air seemed to change the second he stepped inside — and the colors in the room — and the weight in her heart.
“I expected you’d remain abed.” His voice drew her gaze.
He did not look angry. He simply looked like… Niles. When had he come to mean so much to her? Truth be told, she’d always looked forward to their meetings with considerable anticipation.
“I’ve spent far too much time abed as of late.” At his hesitancy, she gestured beside her. “Won’t you sit down?”
Oh, but she felt like a gauche young girl suddenly.
The cushions sank as he lowered himself beside her. And then, instantly alleviating all her concerns, he reached over and covered her hand with one of his.
“Please, give me a moment first… I need to say something.” His voice prevented her from diving headlong into her own practiced speech.
She turned so that she could look him directly in the eye. And as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do, she placed her other hand atop his.
“You will always have my assistance.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll do anything you need. But I can no longer remain in your employ. I’ll protect your assets. I’ll protect your daughters. God help me, I’ll do better to protect you. But not for payment.”
“Surely, you must require some sort of fee?”
His eyes flared at her question.
Oh, but this man. She’d always feel safe beside him. And protected. And desired.
He rubbed his chin. “The only payment I’m willing to accept may be beyond your budget.”
Eve could only smile at such foolishness. “I’m a very wealthy woman. That is, of course, unless you did, in fact, send my money to the bottom of the sea,” she teased, knowing of course, that he had not.
He waved the concern away. “Never.”
But he’d been about to tell her something of import. “Then what is it that I may not be able to afford?” Eve closed her eyes, afraid she’d gotten it all wrong.
“Marriage.”
Her eyes flew open at the word as happiness flared inside her. Joy exploded inside her. She had to press her lips together to keep from smiling. “To you?”
“Yes.” He nodded in all seriousness. “To me.”
“Yes.”
“Yes?” He didn’t move. “You’ll consent to becoming Mrs. Niles Waverly?”
“Aside from my unmarried daughters I’ve quite used up any goodwill I had for my current name. So, yes. Please.” She nodded. “I’d be more than happy to become Mrs. Niles Waverly.”
The dear man remained utterly sober. “I’m more than capable of taking care of you. All your funds will remain yours and your daughters’. Always.”
He looked so earnest. Of course, she knew this about him. “It needn’t, you know. I only have one requirement.”
“Indeed?” He cocked a rakish eyebrow. Because, yes indeed, her dear Mr. Waverly was quite capable of appearing rakish.
“I expect you to make love to me long and often. And I expect you to allow me to love you.”
His throat worked a few times as he swallowed hard. “I never hoped…” Another swallow. “Your love is all I’ve wanted, Eve. Since I met you. So self-assured you were. So absolutely beautiful. So devoted a mother. I’ve been in awe of you every day.”
“So, I’ve not been an annoying client?” She could tease him now. He loved her. He had said he loved her, hadn’t he?”
“Eve, in case you’ve any doubt, you should know that I retired eight months ago. You’re my only client.” And then he touched her face, almost in awe. “I love you.”
She would not cry. He’d seen her do enough of that for a lifetime. This is a time for laughing and loving and new beginnings.
A second chance for both of them. A second chance at love.
“Aren’t you supposed to kiss me now, Mr. Waverly?”
He leaned in and hovered his lips less than an inch from her. “My dear Mrs. Mossant. I thought you’d never ask.
***The end***
Fall in Love with More Sassy Heroines and Dashing Heroes in the Devilish Debutantes Series…
Devilish Debutantes Series
Hell Hath No Fury
(Devilish Debutante’s, Book 1)
To keep the money, he has to keep her as well…
Cecily Nottingham has made a huge mistake.
The marriage bed was still warm when the earl she thought she loved crawled out of it and announced that he loved someone else.
Loves. Someone else.
All he saw in Cecily was her dowry.
But he’s in for the shock of his life, because in order to keep the money, he has to keep her.
With nothing to lose, Cecily sets out to seduce her husband’s cousin, Stephen Nottingham, in an attempt to goad the earl into divorcing her. Little does she realize that Stephen would turn out to be everything her husband was not: Honorable, loyal, trustworthy…Handsome as sin.
Stephen only returned to England for one reason. Save his cousin’s estate from financial ruin. Instead, he finds himself face to face with his cousins beautiful and scorned wife, he isn’t sure what to do first, strangle his cousin, or kiss his wife. His honor is about to be questioned, right along with his self-control.
Amid snakes, duels and a good catfight, Cecily realizes the game she’s playing has high stakes indeed. There are only a few ways for a marriage to end in Regency England and none of them come without a high price. Is she willing to pay it? Is Stephen? A ‘Happily Ever After’ hangs in the balance, because, yes, love can conquer all, but sometimes it needs a little bit of help.
Hell in a Hand Basket
(Devilish Debutante’s, Book 2)
Sophia Babineaux has landed a husband! And a good one at that!
Lord Harold, the second son of a duke, is kind, gentle, undemanding.
Perhaps a little too undemanding?
Because after one chance encounter with skilled rake, Captain Devlin Brooks, it is glaringly obvious that something is missing between Lord Harold and herself… pas-sion… sizzle… well… everything. And marriage is forever!
Will her parents allow her to reconsider? Absolutely not.
War hero, Devlin Brookes, is ready to marry and thinks Sophia Babineaux might be the one. One itsy bitsy problem: she’s engaged to his cousin, Harold.
But Devlin knows his cousin! and damned if Harold hasn’t been coerced into this betrothal by the Duke of Prescott, his father.
Prescott usually gets what he wants.
Devlin, Sophia and Harold conspire to thwart the duke’s wishes but fail to consider a few vital, unintended consequences.
Once set in motion, matters quickly spiral out of control!
Caught up in tragedy, regret, and deceit Sophia and Devlin’s love be-comes tainted. If they cannot cope with their choices they may never find their way back once embarking on their journey… To Hell in a Hand Basket…
Hell’s Belle
(Devilish Debutante’s, Book 3)
There comes a time in a lady’s life when she needs to take matters into her own hands…
A Scheming Minx
Emily Goodnight, a curiously smart bluestocking – who cannot see a thing without her blasted spectacles – is raising the art of meddling to new heights. Why leave her future in the hands of fate when she’s perfectly capable of managing it herself?
An Apathetic Rake
The Earl of Blakely, London’s most unattainable bachelor, finds Miss Goodnight’s schemes nearly as intriguing as the curves hidden beneath her frumpy gowns. Secure in his independence, he’s focussed on one thing only: evading this father’s manipulating ways. In doing so, ironically, he fails to evade the mischief of Emily’s managing ploys.
Hell’s Bell Indeed
What with all the cheating at parlor games, trysts in dark closets, and nighttime flights to Gretna Green, complications arise. Because fate has limits. And when it comes to love and the secrets of the past, there’s only so much twisting one English Miss can get away with…
Hell of a Lady
(Devilish Debutante’s, Book 4)
Regency Romance between an angelic vicar and a devilish debutante: A must read if you love sweet and sizzle with an abundance of heart.
The Last Devilish Debutante
Miss Rhododendron Mossant has given up on men, love, and worst of all, herself. Once a flirtatious beauty, the nightmares of her past have frozen her in fear. Ruined and ready to call it quits, all she can hope for is divine intervention.
The Angelic Vicar
Justin White, Vicar turned Earl, has the looks of an angel
but the heart of a rake. He isn’t prepared to marry and yet honor won’t allow anything less. Which poses something of a problem… because, by God, when it comes to this vixen, a war is is waging between his body and his soul.
Scandal’s Sweet Sizzle
She’s hopeless and he’s hopelessly devoted. Together they must conquer the ton, her disgrace, and his empty pockets. With a little deviousness, and a miracle or two, is it possible this devilish match was really made in heaven?
Hell Hath Frozen Over
(Devilish Debutantes, Novella)
The Duchess of Prescott, now a widow, fears she’s experienced all life has to offer. Thomas Findlay, a wealthy industrialist, knows she has not. Can he convince her she has love and passion in her future? And if he does, cans she convince herself to embrace it?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Married to the same man for over 25 years, I am a mother to three children and two Miniature Wiener dogs After owning a business and experiencing considerable success, my husband and I got caught in the financial crisis and lost everything; our business, our home, even our car.
At this point, I put my B.A. in Poly Sci to use and took work as a waitress and bartender. Unwilling to give up on a professional life, I simultaneously went back to college and obtained a degree in Energy Management. And then the energy market dropped off.
And then my dog died. I can only be grateful for this series of unfortunate events, for, with nothing to lose and completely demoralized, I sat down and began to write the romance novels which had until then, existed only my imagination. I am happy to have found my place in life. Finally.
Ms. Anders loves to hear from readers! Please contact her at:
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https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B073ZLRB3F
A Lady’s Guide to Marriage
Tabetha Waite
A Lady’s Guide to Marriage
Second Chance Love: A Regency Romance Set Page 18