“Very smart of you,” Roreck praised mockingly. “If you wish to see the girl live through the next five minutes, you will do as I say.”
Turning to the king he said, “I wish to be compensated for the loss of my brother.”
“You can't be serious! How dare you have the gall to extort me,” Terric roared. “Your brother killed my wife's parents, the former king and queen of the Southwest. You will receive no compensation for the loss of that traitor. None.”
“Very well,” Roreck leered, “Your sister's life in exchange for my brother's. I say that is fair.”
Gavin screamed as the dagger sliced into the delicate skin above Gwendolyn breast. Fear and fury warred within him as he sprang forth, his sword at the ready. He would kill Roreck. But just as he reached the man, he watched in awe as he crumpled to the ground, shrieking in agony. The dagger slid from his hand, dropping to the ground and sliding across the floor towards the bed.
Gavin dropped his sword, barely catching Gwendolyn before she hit the floor. He held her to him with one arm as he glanced back at Roreck. Apparently Millicent had not been dead, for she was lying on the floor on her stomach, a bloody poignard clasped firmly in her hand. Gavin's eyes darted to Roreck who was writhing in agony on the floor, blood oozing from the deep puncture wound on the back of his leg.
Terric wasted no time pulling Roreck from the ground, trapping him firmly and securely in his embrace. “Your pitiful efforts to avenge your brother's death will be rewarded with the same fate he received. You are hereby sentenced to be executed.”
Turning to his wife he said, “Go fetch the dungeon guards. I want him locked up immediately.” Rosalind nodded her head, then quickly transported out of the room.
It took several seconds for it to sink in that they were safe. Gavin held firmly to Gwendolyn, unable to utter a word until she spoke. “I need to see if my mother is well.”
“Nay. I'm not letting you go, now or ever.”
“But...”
Millicent rose and chuckled. “Do not worry about me, child, I am well. I think there is somebody who needs you more than I at the moment.” Her eyes were sparkling with amusement, as if she hadn't just cleverly saved her daughter's life.
Gavin looked into Gwendolyn's eyes. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her firmly on the mouth, to feel her heart-shaped lips mold to his own. Holding her slight body in his arms did nothing to tamper the desire he felt for her, only inflamed it. If her brother and mother had not been present, he was sure he wouldn't have been able to control himself.
He brushed his thumb across her skin where a small trickle of blood was flowing from the superficial dagger wound, smudging the blood across her smooth, pale skin. “I love you,” he murmured softly in her ear, so only she could hear.
Gwendolyn's eyes locked on his, not even blinking. “I love you too. Did you find Clarice? Is she—“
“Dead. We got to her right as Rosalind was about to drink the poison. The poison was knocked all over her instead.”
“Was it the same poison she used on you?”
“The very same. Only she was unfortunate to receive a much larger quantity to her person. Her death was agonizingly painful and grotesque.”
Gwendolyn shuddered in his arms. “I'm just glad that she is gone, that she can no longer hurt anyone I love and that we are all safe.”
“Aye, I am as well.” He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to her brow, though he hungered for more, much more.
All heads turned as two surly guards, followed by the queen, stormed into the room. Terric thrust his prisoner into their arms, grateful to be rid of the man. “I want a guard set in front of his cell at all hours. I will arrange for his execution to take place as quickly as possible.”
The two men nodded at the king before retreating with their prisoner. The heavy tension in the air seemed to dissipate as Roreck disappeared from sight.
“There is only one matter of business left to attend to,” Gavin proclaimed.
“What is that?” King Terric asked, wearily.
“I need to ask you for your sister's hand in marriage.”
All the women in the room gasped, including Gwendolyn.
“If you think you can handle her, you can have her,” Terric said with a smile, winking at Gwendolyn as he answered. “But in all truthfulness Gavin, you saved the queen's life and for that I would grant you anything you wished.”
Gavin pulled Rosalind tightly to him, both of her arms wrapping around his waist.
“And I'm also promoting you to lead defender.”
Gwendolyn stepped forward and protested. “Don't do that Terric, please.”
“But whyever not?” he asked, confused.
“Because I will never have my husband to myself if he is constantly by your side.” She knew all too well the sacrifices that lead defender's made to the kingdom, and she was not willing to sacrifice Gavin to such a cause.
“Very well, if that is what you wish.”
“Aye, 'tis truly my wish. But please cease giving him the most horrible jobs in the castle. We do owe him our deepest gratitude, afterall.”
Terric laughed. “I see that you are marrying a woman who is very prepared to fight all your battles for you. I hope that marriage will not make you go soft. I still need you as a defender around here.”
“'Tis my honor, Your Highness.”
Then, despite the observers, he pulled Gwendolyn into his arms and kissed her. She was going to be his wife, and he had never been happier.
Epilogue
A cold, blustery wind blew Gwendolyn's hair across her face. She shivered as she reached up and pushed it back behind her ears. Gavin's solid arms came firmly around her. She leaned back against his chest and breathed deeply of his scent.
“Have I told you how much I love you and need you?” His warm breath glided over her neck as he whispered in her ear. Her skin tingled with awareness.
“Aye, but I will never tire of hearing it.”
All around them the crowds began to cheer. Gwendolyn cast her eyes towards the executioners block up ahead as a hooded guard led Roreck to the guillotine.
“Do you want to get a closer look?”
Gwendolyn shook her head. “Nay. I never want to see his evil face again.”
Gavin turned her in his arms so that she was facing him. “Then look at me instead.”
Gwendolyn traced his face with her eyes—he was so handsome and he belonged to her. As her eyes rested on his lips, she felt a prodigious desire to kiss him. She went up on her tip-toes, their lips just seconds apart when she felt something nudge between their legs, forcing them to part. Gwendolyn reluctantly pulled back and looked down at the intruder. Talbot was standing between them, his tail wagging excitedly.
“Get out of here, you insolent beast.” Gavin tried to shoo the dog away but he refused to budge.
Gwendolyn laughed as she bent down to scratch him behind the ears. The dog panted excitedly at her touch.
Gavin stared in shock. “I thought you hated the dunce as much as I.”
“I used to, but that was before he saved your life.”
“Clearly you jest.”
Gwendolyn giggled. “Nay. 'Twas he who found me and brought me to you while you lay in the gardens dying from poison.
Gavin's brows rose sharply above his eyes. Gwendolyn wanted to laugh at the look of disbelief on his face.
“The blasted mutt. Mayhap he isn't worthless after all,” he mumbled, in awe.
“Gwendolyn!”
Gwendolyn's head snapped up at the sound of her name. She quickly rose and craned her neck to see who had called after her. Gavin spotted Jarin first and growled. She placed her hand on his arm and willed him to calm.
Jarin approached, his breathing labored from his run across the square. “I had hoped I would see you today.” His eyes never left Gwendolyn, completely ignoring Gavin all together.
“'Tis a pleasure to see you as well, Jarin. I'd like to introduce you to my
fiancé.” Her eyes turned towards Gavin as Jarin gasped.
“Your fiancé?” he stuttered. “You are marrying that ill-bred halfwit?”
Gwendolyn stiffened, afraid Gavin would kill the poor lad. “Jarin, do not speak so vilely of the man I love,” she chastised sternly.
“But you can't marry him, I thought that you would come home from the magic festival and we could start anew.”
“But I love Gavin, Jarin, not you.” It was painful for her to watch as his face fell dejectedly. “Someday you will find someone who will return your love and be everything that you ever hoped for and dreamed about.”
Jarin searched her face. “Is he everything you ever hoped for and dreamed about?”
“Aye, he is all that and more.”
“Very well,” he said, his voice sadly resigned. He turned to leave then quickly stopped. Looking back over his shoulder he asked, “Did you find your gift at the festival?”
Gwendolyn's face fell. “Nay, I did not.” She was oddly touched by the sympathy she saw in Jarin's expression, for he knew how much having a gift meant to her.
“I'm sorry,” he muttered as he turned to leave once more.
“Jarin,” Gavin called after him. The lad stopped and turned. Gavin pulled something out of his pocket and tossed it to the boy. Jarin reached out and caught it. He held up the object in his hand—it was the necklace he had given Gwendolyn. The meaning was clear, Gavin needn't explain. Jarin tucked the necklace into his pocket then turned and became lost in the crowd.
For a brief moment Gwendolyn was lost in her thoughts. How she hated seeing the disappointment on Jarin's face. She sent a prayer heavenward that he'd find somebody someday that could return his affections, that would love him for all that he was.
Gavin twined his large hand in hers, pulling her out of her thoughts. “Come with me,” he urged as he gently pulled her away from the crowd.
“But we will miss the execution.”
“You didn't want to see it anyway, now come on.”
Gwendolyn smiled as she allowed him to pull her along, past the throngs of people, through the gardens, and onward. She had no idea where he was taking her. She began to wonder if he had any idea either when they came to a stop in front of a charming stone cottage with a small rose garden in front.
“I've never seen this place before, what is it?” she asked curiously.
“'Tis an early wedding present from your brother and Queen Rosalind. This will be our new home.”
“Truly?” she squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. She took in the cottage once more with new eyes. She had assumed that they would live in the castle once they wed, but found she was even more excited to know that they would have a place of their own to call home.
“Your mother will be relocating to Herfordshire Castle so she doesn't have to live alone.”
Gwendolyn paused. In her excitement she had failed to think of her mother. “That's a splendid idea, but what will happen to our home, to Emerson Castle?”
“She means for your brother Aeden to inherit it. When the time comes for him to retire and take a wife, he can make it his home.”
“Perfect,” she cooed, “everything is nearly perfect.”
“Nearly?”
“I never found my gift,” she whispered as she looked at the ground.
Gavin stepped forward, palming her head in his hands. He brought her face up so that he was staring into her eyes. “But you do have a gift, Gwen. You are a healer.”
“Nay, Gavin. I have already explained it to you.” Her lower lip trembled. “I am only moderately talented at the healing arts, nothing more.”
“Gwen, I want you to listen to me,” he said in all seriousness. “You are a healer of hearts, my heart. God knew it would take somebody extremely special to make me love again, and he sent you to work your magic. Do not ever think you are merely ordinary, because to me you are not. You are my personal giver of hope, a balm to my wounded soul, and I am desperately, madly, and completely in love with you. If that isn't magic, then I don't know what is.”
Gwendolyn let his words sink in, filling every crack of her insecure spirit. He was right—she didn't need a magical gift, not when she had him. His love was worth more to her than any gift could ever be.
She used all the strength in her body to pull him to her. “Gavin Dekever, you are my gift and you are enough, more than enough.”
He smiled.
“Now kiss me,” she demanded boldly.
“You will never have to ask me twice,” he said as he lowered his head and they sealed their love with a kiss.
About The Author
Ginny Hartman has always loved writing, and when her love for the regency era blossomed, she decided to combine the two, resulting in her first published novel, Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington, which became an Amazon Historical Romance bestseller. After completing her first Regency Romance Trilogy, she decided to venture into other eras of historical romance, enjoying the journey back in time.
Ginny's favorite thing about writing is the escape it gives her and the people who read her stories. For a behind the scenes look at the creation of Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington, Misleading Lord Martineau, Betraying the Highwayman, and To Guard Her Heart, as well as a sneak peek at her upcoming projects, visit her website www.creatingromance.blogspot.com. You can also keep up to date by liking her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorginnyhartman.
Besides writing, Ginny enjoys reading and spending time with her favorite people: her husband and three beautiful children. She also enjoys traveling the world with the love of her life and gaining inspiration for her books. She currently resides in Northern Idaho.
To Capture Her Heart Page 18