“Simon!” Addie gasped.
Collin stepped in front of her, blocking her from the madman holding the gun. “You don’t want to do that, Simon,” Collin said slowly.
“Oh, believe me... this is what I’ve wanted to do for quite a while. I need to protect Adeline from men like you.” Simon glared at Collin. “That is why one year ago I had convinced Lord Kentwood that she was only after you for your money. And that’s why I wrote the note and signed your name.” He released an evil laugh. “It was easy to convince the drunken lord that you were planning on meeting Miss Featherstone at the abandoned cottage, and being a true friend, he set out to stop you from falling in the trap.”
Adeline’s chest tightened and tears blurred her vision. Simon had done that? Why...
Collin cussed and lunged for Simon, but the servant had been prepared, and jumped back. His gaze narrowed on Collin as he shook his head.
“You best be careful, my lord, or your fate will be the same as your poor drunken friend.”
Confusion filled her and snapped. “Simon! What in the blazes are you talking about? Lloyd drowned. Why would you possibly think Collin would have the same fate?”
Simon arched a bushy eyebrow. “Forgive me for not making myself clear,” he said. “What I meant to say was that I would dispose of the new Lord Kentwood just as easily as I disposed of his cousin.”
Adeline’s gasp matched Collin’s. “No, Simon. Why?” Her voice broke.
“Because he loves you,” Collin answered.
Simon shrugged as he wore a smug expression. “Yes, I love her, but it’s more than that. You see, I was a little boy when my father worked for the first Lord Kentwood. The lord had no sons, and had promised my father that someday the estate would fall in my hands.”
Collin snorted. “That’s impossible. The lands are handed to the next in line to inherit.”
Simon threw Collin a glare. “You think I don’t know that? But then when I was ten-years-old, the lord’s mistress gave birth to a boy – Lloyd.”
Adeline sucked in another breath. “He was illegitimate?”
Nodding, Simon scrubbed a hand over his chin. “Indeed, but the first Lord Kentwood was so happy to finally have a child that he made everyone believe Lloyd was legitimate.”
Collin folded his hands. “Let me finish this story for you. Now that the lord had a son, you were no longer in the running to get the estate. So then when you saw the opportunity to get closer to Lloyd by causing him and Adeline to get caught, you controlled every step of the way, hoping that one day Adeline would fall in love with you and allow you to think the estate was yours.”
Simon nodded sharply. “Exactly.”
“However, you have overlooked one thing,” Collin continued. “You do not have noble blood, and therefore, will never have an estate of your own. Adeline, being a widow, would have had to live wherever the current Lord Kentwood assigned her to live.”
Simon’s glare turned darker as his steady hand raised the pistol toward Collin. “And, I would kill you, too.”
Collin shook his head. “What about the next one to inherit the title? That would be my brother, Adrian.”
“You don’t know me, my lord. I will do anything to take over my estate. This place should have been mine!”
Bitterness coated Adeline’s tongue as bile rose in her throat. Simon had lost his mind completely. Collin couldn’t say anything to stop him, she just knew it.
Glancing around, she searched for something that might be used to stop Simon, or at least distract him so that Collin could get the pistol. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything she could use as a weapon. There was only one thing she could do to stop him. Simon had always seemed to know her thoughts and feelings. She prayed this time he wouldn’t be able to suspect that she was playacting.
“Indeed, it should.” She moved past Collin. His arm shot out to hold her back, but she gently pushed it away, keeping her focus on Simon. “What the first Lord Kentwood did to you was unforgivable.” She tried to keep her voice sweet even though disappointment for her family’s friend was breaking her heart. Thankfully, Simon allowed her to stand beside him and touch his arm.
“Yes, but do you know what will even be worse?” Simon asked.
“What?” She tried to look at him as if she loved him.
“If you fall for his false charms.” Simon shook his head. “He doesn’t love you like I do, Adeline.”
She heard Collin’s angry breaths behind her, but she couldn’t look his way. By gazing into Collin’s eyes, Simon would be able to know how much she loved him. “You have always been there for me, Simon.”
Gradually, the arm holding the pistol lowered. “I have, and I always will.”
“That is the kind of man I want to call my husband. That is the kind of man I want sharing my life.”
Simon’s expression relaxed. “Then look no further. I’m right here.”
A loud growl rent through the air, followed by Collin’s fist flying toward Simon. Before he could do anything, Collin hit him in the nose. The sound of breaking bones echoed through the room before Simon crumbled to the ground. In a flash, Collin snatched the pistol out of Simon’s grasp.
“She has already found that man, you imbecile,” Collin snapped, glowering at Simon who held his bloody nose. “How can you make her a good husband when you go around killing people?”
Collin straightened and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his body. She sighed and leaned against him, closing her eyes. Warmth surrounded her, just as it had always done when Collin held her. “I was so scared.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’ve lost you once. I don’t plan on doing it ever again.”
She looked up. When their gazes met, his face relaxed and he smiled.
“I thank you for distracting him.” He winked. “We work well together, don’t you think?”
Happiness filled her and she smiled as she rested her hand on his strong chest. “I’ve always thought that, my love.”
“Then what do you say we make this a permanent arrangement?”
Nodding, she sighed. “There’s nothing in this world that I want more... except maybe to get my former butler arrested for murder and for ruining people’s lives.”
“Don’t worry, my sweet Addie. Your wish is my command.”
EPILOGUE
Collin cuddled on the sofa with his new wife, enjoying their privacy now that the wedding crowd had left. The low burning fire made their surroundings more peaceful.
Although he’d wanted to give her a big wedding – since Lloyd had never given her that – she had wanted a smaller wedding with just a few friends and their families. She also wanted the opportunity to apologize to Adrian and Lyndsey for arriving uninvited at their wedding and causing a dreadful scene. Thankfully, Collin’s younger brother and new wife were very understanding.
Rubbing her cheek on his chest, Addie sighed heavily. “I thought this day would never arrive.”
“I agree. It’s been a very strenuous two weeks.” He plucked the pins holding her hair in a bun, releasing them to allow her glorious hair to fall around her shoulders and down her back.
“I’m very grateful your family was so nice to me.”
He cupped her chin and tilted her head back until her eyes met his eyes. “My darling wife, they know how unhappy I’ve been since you wed Lloyd. They know you are the reason there are stars in my eyes and love in my heart now.”
“Oh, Collin.” She caressed his chest. “Will you ever forgive me for the things I’d said to you out of anger?”
“They are forgotten, my love.” He gently brushed his lips over hers. When he pulled away, her gaze was filled with desire. “Are you ready to go upstairs?” His voice was low as seduction filled his mind.
She grinned. “I thought you’d never ask, but...” Her face reddened. “You must know something first.”
“What is it, my sweet Addie?”
“I’m still a...” She swallowed ha
rd. “You see, I was never...” She cleared her throat. “Lloyd never touched me. Not when we were caught in the cottage, and especially not on our wedding night. He passed out drunk right after we’d reached the house.”
Collin’s heart hammered with excitement. Knowing he’d be her first... He took a deep breath, trying to control the desire rushing through him. “I’m so very relieved to hear that, but... I would love you regardless.”
“I know.” She caressed his cheek. “But I just wanted to make sure there were no surprises on our wedding night.”
Gathering her close, he kissed her again, but deepened the kiss this time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and responded eagerly. Love burst in his chest, knowing they were going to be so very happy together. He never thought he’d be this happy, and tonight – and for the rest of their lives – he’d devote each and every day to making her glad she’d chosen him to love.
Although their relationship had been roguishly matched, they were meant to be together, forever.
THE END
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Author’s Bio
Marie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels that melt your heart and have you falling in love over and over again. Since 2010, she’s published over 65 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat romances. She’s broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her “Queen of Tease” because of all her twists and unexpected endings.
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