The Trouble With Misbehaving
Page 32
“The Redemption?” he said questioningly. “You brought her back?”
C.C. took his gloved hands. “My love, I never formally asked you to marry me.”
A droll smile lifted one side of his mouth. “And you wanted to propose on the Redemption?”
“It is fitting, isn’t it? You designed her and I had her made. Without such a magnificent vessel, we wouldn’t be standing here.”
She led him up the gangplank and onto the ship. The metal deck plates underfoot made the same sturdy, familiar sound as when they’d left it in Nassau.
Guiding him to a spot amidships, she removed both their gloves, grasped his warm hands and gazed up. “My most precious love, will you marry me?”
A gleam formed in his eye. She could see him bite the inside of his lip. He looked around the river, around the ship and finally back to her. “You know, I’m not the easiest man to live with. Some might even tell you I specialize in mischief.”
She couldn’t help smiling at the ornery rogue. “Perhaps you need further enticement? You might recall I promised the ‘Highest Rewards and Benefits.’ Let me show you the ship’s new name.” She took him down the gangplank and pointed to the ship’s stern. Beauford’s Run was printed on the nameplate. “The ship is a present to help you decide.”
He whistled softly. “Quite the reward to turn any mariner’s head.” He led her back onto the ship, sat her on a bench and knelt down on one knee. Taking her hand, he kissed it and held it over his heart. “Luv, you drive a hard bargain. How could I turn down such a gorgeous ship, I mean, woman?” One side of his lips curled. “If you think you can put up with me, I’m all yours.”
He rose to his feet and pulled her into his arms. “Now, my dear, about the benefits…”
Epilogue
Beau sank back against the bed pillows in their new Liverpool home to read the letter. “Dearest,” he said to his wife nestled at his side. “Miss Priddy sends her congratulations on our recent nuptials. Now that the war has ended, she says she’s resettled at her farm outside of Wilmington. She also sends warm praise for our charity and how it’s helping people who lost everything in the war.”
“I’m glad we could do something for those poor souls,” C.C. murmured.
He picked up a newspaper and turned to the society page. “Oh, and here’s something you should hear.” He glanced at his beautiful wife beside him. “Remember when I told you I had our marriage announcement sent to the New York City newspapers?”
“Mmmhmm.” She snuggled closer.
“I must say they’re certainly hungry for copy.” He added a note of incredulity. “It’s in all of them. I particularly like the way this one is written. Listen to this!” He snapped the paper for emphasis.
“After an exhaustive, decade-long search of England’s drawing rooms, assembly halls and darkened pleasure gardens, our very own Miss Calista Caroline Collins has taken matrimony by storm and exults in her good luck. Although her mother thought she should’ve hooked a bigger fish, she didn’t know Miss Collins had been biding her time for one very special man. A man who swore if she’d take him, he’d make sure everyone in New York City knew she’d finally landed herself an aristocrat.”
“What? Let me see that!” C.C. snatched the paper from Beau’s hands and scanned it. “You rascal.” She laughed. “It says nothing of the sort. All it says is, ‘Marriage Announcements: Miss Calista Caroline Collins to Captain Honorable Beauford Tollier, son of the Earl of Grancliffe.’”
Beau slid down beside her, pulled her tight against him and nuzzled her neck. “I don’t know why they insisted on editing our announcement. They’re such sticklers for the bare facts. I suppose it says all that’s needed, except for one last thing.” He sank his fingers into her hair and brushed heated kisses around her lovely face. “Captain Honorable Beauford Tollier can’t keep his hands off his darling wife C.C.”
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ISBN: 978-1-474-04745-6
The Trouble with Misbehaving
© 2016 Pat Eckhoff
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