Monique had always believed so, and nothing that she had learned since her father’s death had changed the deep love and respect she felt for him. “That does not alter the fact that I have no real connection to the duchess.”
“And yet it was to the Stonewells you turned for help when you were falsely arrested.”
“There was no one else!”
“Is that really true?” Martin probed, his gaze searching the pallor of her face. “Or did you instinctively think of your sister and her husband once you realized the severity of your dilemma?”
Had she?
Possibly.
There was no doubting that the guards at Newgate could be bribed into releasing a prisoner, if there was enough coin to cross their greasy palms. But rather than give the guard all her money, Monique had sent him to ask for the help of the Stonewells instead.
Had she wanted a reason to see Angelique again?
Was that also why she had not fought too strenuously against Angelique’s decision Monique would accompany them into Kent for Christmas?
Because she had wanted to be a part of their family again, if only for a short time?
“Monique.” Martin now stood in front of her. “I can think of another way in which you might feel more comfortable claiming Angelique as your sister.”
She looked at him blankly.
He took both her hands in his. “I realize we have not known each other for very long. That this might be too sudden for you. But I wish that you would, sometime in the future, consider becoming my wife.”
Her eyes widened. “I… You… Why?”
Whatever reaction Martin had been expecting to the only marriage proposal he had ever made, this was not it.
“I do not mean to sound ungrateful.” Monique pulled her hands free of his to take a step back. “It is only… I am not in need of anyone’s charity.” Angry color now burned her cheeks. “Oh, this is too much on top of everything else I have suffered today!” She shot him angry glances as she began to pace the room. “To even suggest I might think of marrying you so as to become a legitimate member of Angelique’s family is not only hurtful but insulting—”
“I love you.”
“—and I—” She came to an abrupt halt. “What did you say?”
“I love you,” Martin repeated softly. “I believe I have done so since the moment I first saw you. Most certainly after you brought me to task for flirting with you.”
“And then I proceeded to do the same thing in regard to you,” she acknowledged self-derisively.
He smiled. “Both the flirting and being flirted with were new to me. Everything with you is new to me, Monique,” he added with an intensity of emotion. “I enjoy your wit as much as your beauty. Admire your fortitude and strength of character. Merely being in your company is as much a pleasure to me as our lovemaking.” His expression softened. “My marriage proposal has absolutely nothing to do with anyone or anything else but the two of us. I have fallen in love with you, Monique. I realize that you will need more time to know if you can ever love me in return, but I wanted you to know how—”
“I do not.”
The light died out of the darkness of his eyes, his expression becoming as remote as it had been the first evening they had met. “I apologize for embarrassing you by declaring my own love for you,” he said stiffly. “If you will excuse me—”
“You misunderstood me,” Monique cut in quickly. “I do not need more time to know if I can ever love you,” she assured huskily, tears of happiness blurring her vision. “I believe I fell in love with you that first evening too. Quite possibly because I am a very discerning woman,” she added teasingly.
Martin’s mouth opened. Only to close again. Before opening a second time. But still no words escaped past his lips.
Monique gave a shaky laugh. “Goodness, surely I have not managed to strike dumb the younger brother of the arrogant Duke of Stonewell?”
“Are you teasing me again?”
“Only in regard to your connection to the duke.” She stepped forward to wrap her arms about Martin’s waist, able to hear the steady beat of his heart as her cheek rested against his chest. “I already love you, Martin,” she stated with certainty. “And I would enjoy nothing more than to become your wife.”
“Thank God!” His arms moved about her to hold her tightly against him as he kissed her.
They were extremely late joining the duke and duchess and the rest of the guests downstairs for Christmas family luncheon.
The following Christmas once again saw Stonewell Park full to overflowing.
With the Duke and Duchess of Stonewell and their two sons.
Viscount and Viscountess Romney and their exactly one-year-old twins, Patrick and Priscilla.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Wessex and their three-month-old daughter.
The Earl and Countess of Carlton and their seven-year-old and six-month-old sons.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Deveril and their young son.
The Duke and Duchess of Huntley and their son and daughter.
The Duke and Duchess of Wolferton, and the baby daughter Wolferton’s valet and their butler both doted upon.
Dr. and Mrs. Easton and their two-month-old son.
It was the first of many Christmases they all enjoyed together as the family they were to each other, and always would be, both by blood and by choice.
For news on upcoming releases in the Regency Lovers, Regency Sinners, Dragon Hearts, Regency Unlaced, Knight Security, and Alpha Series please sign up to my mailing list/newsletter: http://www.eepurl.com/2rfzz
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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 240 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)
Wicked Sinner (Regency Sinners 7)
Wicked Christmas (Regency Sinners 8)
NEW Regency Lovers:
INDECENT (Regency Lovers 1)
OBSESSION (Regency Lovers 2)
CRAVING (Regency Lovers 3)
FORBIDDEN (Regency Lovers 4)
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)
Garrett (Dragon Hearts 6)
Aeran & Rhys (Dragon Hearts 7)
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
Kn
ight 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 now complete
Wicked Christmas (Regency Sinners 8) Page 11