A Lady to Remember
Page 15
“If he had known I was the buyer,” Marcus explained, “he would have demanded a higher price. Knowing how desperate he is for funds, I was able to negotiate to our advantage.”
A shocked laugh erupted from Adele. “You beat him at his own game.”
Marcus shrugged, a pleased grin spreading across his face. “He showed me his cards in Paris. Is it any wonder he loses at the gaming tables?”
Adele took the deed and glanced at it once more. “Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher, for your part in making this possible.”
Marcus echoed his appreciation.
“It was the least I could do.” Mrs. Fletcher stretched her hand palm up toward her son, and he held it. “I am sorry for all the times I looked the other way when your father behaved abominably or I excused his actions. I realize one good deed cannot erase the past, but I hope it shows you that I do care.”
Marcus squeezed his mother’s hand. “I know you care, Mother, and I forgive you.”
Forgiveness fell from his lips with ease. It was the second time he had spoken the words in the last week, and Adele could see the last link in the chain of his shackles breaking in the relaxing of his shoulders.
“Thank you again, Mrs. Fletcher,” Adele said. “Your gift means the world to us.”
“It does. Thank you, Mother.” Marcus winked at Adele. “We have much to celebrate today, the least of which is marrying my beautiful wife. Shall we join the others?”
“That sounds like a splendid idea,” Adele said.
Marcus’s mother stood and walked from the room ahead of Adele and Marcus, who followed hand-in-hand.
“We have a home of our own,” Adele uttered in amazement. “It is the second most perfect gift I’ve ever received.”
“Only second? What could possibly be better than a home?”
She stopped him outside of the dining room, smiling up into his handsome face. “Why, you of course. Your heart is the most perfect gift of all.”
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Claudine & Russell’s love story
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After years of trying to escape a relationship with a controlling duke, actress and aspiring playwright Claudine Bellerose is free and ready to return to center stage. The small London playhouse where she is about to premiere her first production cannot compare to the glory of Drury Lane, but she is surrounded by friends, which makes the Drayton the perfect place to begin rebuilding her life—until she learns the theatre is being sold out from under the manager.
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When gentleman landowner Russell Hawke inherits a failing playhouse, the only reasonable action is to sell the property to the highest bidder. After the intriguing Claudine ambushes him at the Clarendon Hotel and demands he let the manager purchase the Drayton, however, Russell is enticed into reconsidering the theatre’s future. Soon he finds himself portraying the role of leading man opposite the lovely Claudine, but can he become her Romeo after the curtains close?
Also by Samantha Grace
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel (Beau Monde 1)
Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half (Beau Monde 2)
Miss Lavigne’s Little White Lie (Beau Monde 3)
Lady Vivian Defies a Duke (Beau Monde 4)
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One Rogue Too Many (Rival Rogues 1)
In Bed with a Rogue (Rival Rogues 2)
Kissed by a Scottish Rogue (Rival Rogues 2.5)
The Best of Both Rogues (Rival Rogues 3)
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Secrets to a Gentleman’s Heart (Uncle Charlie’s Angels 1)
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Resisting Romeo (Drayton Theatre Production 1)
About the Author
RITA-nominated historical romance author, Samantha Grace, discovered the appeal of a great love story at the age of four, thanks to Disney’s “Robin Hood”. She didn’t care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience, and she didn’t want the warm fuzzies to end. Now that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher’s Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever. Part-time medical social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.
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@SamanthaGraceAuthor
www.samanthagraceauthor.com
samantha@samanthagraceauthor.com