To Love a Thief
Page 13
He caressed her cheek. “I’d do anything for you.”
She nuzzled his hand. “Just love me.”
“I do.”
Epilogue
September, 1818, London
AFTER ALLOWING his valet to put the finishing touches on his cravat, Daniel went back into the bedchamber he shared with his beautiful wife intending to kiss her goodbye before he left for an appointment at the Home Office. But when he went inside, he stopped short at the sight of Jocelyn sitting in bed, her hair still sleep-tousled, her lips parted as she read the newspaper. Perhaps he had a little time…
She tipped her head up and smiled upon seeing him. “There you are. Ready for your appointment, I see.” Her gaze raked him provocatively. “Pity, that.”
He suddenly didn’t give a fig if he was late. He moved toward the bed.
She rattled the paper in her hands. “I’ve just been reading about Lord Lockwood—you know, that viscount who hosts those vice parties?”
And now she was talking about vice? Good Lord, he was never going to make that appointment. He perched on the edge of the bed and leaned over to press a kiss to her shoulder, exposed by her nightrail, which was hanging askew. “Mmm-hmm,” he said, far more concerned with the heat of her flesh and her tantalizing apple scent than with bloody Lockwood.
“Well,” she said, sounding frustratingly unmoved by his advances, “it seems Lady Margaret has declared his bastard brother has come to London.”
That was enough to make Daniel sit up straight. He tilted the paper so he could read the article.
Lady Margaret has declared Mr. Ethan Locke to be the bastard brother of Lord Lockwood. Unlike his infamous, titled brother, Mr. Locke is both charming and elegant. He is already a favorite among the ladies.
Son of a bitch.
Before Daniel could pursue further thought on that surprising revelation, Jocelyn’s lips were trailing along his jaw and then her teeth were nibbling at his earlobe. “Mmm, you smell so good,” she said, inhaling deeply. “Must you leave already?”
The Home Office had requested the meeting. It seemed likely they wanted to offer Daniel an appointment, something he wasn’t sure he wanted. He was quite happy at present with his new wife and their life together. “This is an important appointment, unfortunately.”
Even so, he couldn’t resist cupping her cheek and kissing her senseless. She tasted of chocolate, which she drank most mornings, and desire. Sadly, he didn’t have time to take it further. A few moments later, he pulled back.
She sighed against his mouth. “I was planning to call on Lady Aldridge later.”
He stroked his thumb along her jawline. “That’s very kind of you.”
She tossed the newspaper aside. “Not as kind as you telling the authorities that Aldridge let us go.”
The earl’s body had been found the day after he’d been killed, but Daniel had already reported Jocelyn’s abduction, Aldridge’s crimes, and Daniels’s attempt to save her. To keep Jagger out of the story, Daniel had also told Bow Street that Aldridge had let them go. He figured it would give Lady Aldridge comfort to believe her husband had performed an act of compassion before he’d died. What it meant, however, was that Aldridge’s murder was unsolved.
The decision to protect Jagger had been difficult, but Daniel’s gut told him it had been the right thing to do. Without the criminal’s assistance, both he and Jocelyn would be as dead as Aldridge. Daniel hoped he wasn’t wrong, but after reading that newspaper article he would need to be diligent.
Daniel tipped his wife’s chin up and kissed her softly on the mouth. “I should go. Please convey my best to Lady Aldridge.”
“Of course.” She slid her hands beneath his coat and encircled his waist. “Is there any way I can convince you to stay?” She smiled coyly up at him and then licked the top of his throat above his suddenly too-tight cravat.
He stifled a groan. “Only about a thousand. Promise me you’ll save all of them for later.”
She slid her hands down his hips and stroked over his fall. His cock, already stirring, jerked against his small clothes. This was going to be a very long appointment.
Her hazel eyes glittered in the morning light streaming from a small gap in the draperies. “You have my solemn vow to ravish you within an inch of your life.”
He grinned down at her. “I can think of no better torture. Now, give me your mouth so I may sample what you have in store for me.”
She cradled the bulge in his breeches and kissed him with hot, wicked intent. Yes, it was going to be a long appointment indeed.
The end
Coming Winter 2013
NEVER LOVE A SCOUNDREL
Lord Lockwood and Lady Lydia Prewitt’s story.
and
SCOUNDREL EVER AFTER
Jagger and Miss Audrey Cheswick’s story.
About the Author
Darcy Burke wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. An RWA Golden Heart® Finalist, Darcy loves all things British (except tomatoes for breakfast, or any other time of day, actually) and happy ever afters.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and three cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com, follow her on Twitter at Twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, Facebook.com/darcyburkefans.
Contents
Title page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Table of Contents
Title page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
About the Author