He took, and she took, and both of them gave and gave.
They came together, face to face, heart to heart, their hands linked on the mattress.
Afterward, they lay on their sides, tucked together like spoons. Content and drowsy with love, she snuggled against him. “I did warn you that I can be a bit dramatic.”
“Be as dramatic as you want, love.” His voice was a wicked whisper against her ear. “I look forward to a lifetime of your apologies.”
~~~
Quite a few years later
Andrew entered the heart of mayhem.
Given that it was his own home, however, he was used to it. Children—his and Primrose’s as well as those belonging to her family—were everywhere: laughing and playing and generally carrying on like wild animals that had been cooped up too long. He didn’t blame them. The opening ceremony of the new hospital had dragged on for hours, taking place out in the hot summer sun, and, through it all, the bantlings had looked and behaved like little angels.
Now his children and their cousins were making the most of their freedom. The adults sat around the drawing room chatting, enjoying the respite; like him, they knew it wouldn’t last. The children always got on like a house on fire… until they didn’t.
“Papa!” On cue, Miranda, his eldest, dashed over to where he was standing, her beautiful jade eyes full of pique. “Oliver is being a pest again!”
He placed a hand on her sunny curls. “What did he do now, little chick?”
“He’s waving his sword about like a maniac. I told him to stop, but he wouldn’t listen to me. Look,”—she pointed accusingly at a tiny tear in her puffed white sleeve—“he’s ruined my new dress!”
“Oliver.” Andrew crooked his finger at his brown-haired middle child.
Oliver toddled over, lugging his wooden sword with him.
“Yes, Papa?” he said, all innocence.
“What did I tell you about playing with your sword indoors? Now apologize to your sister for ruining her dress.”
“But I didn’t do anything,” Oliver protested.
“Liar,” his sister hissed.
“Tattle-tale,” he shot back.
“That’s enough from both of you,” Andrew said sternly. “Oliver, when you do something wrong, you take responsibility for it. That is what gentlemen do.”
“But I didn’t mean to ruin Miranda’s dress.” Oliver’s brown gaze widened. “I was trying to give her an aclade with the sword—the same way Her Majesty gave one to you, Papa.”
“That’s an accolade, dummy,” his sister said.
“Miranda, a lady doesn’t engage in name-calling.” Crouching, Andrew looked into his children’s adorable faces; from experience, he knew not to give into those pleading eyes. “Now apologize to one another—and mean it.”
“I’m sorry for putting a hole in your dress,” Oliver muttered.
“I’m sorry for calling you a dummy,” Miranda muttered back.
“Good. Now go play with your cousins.”
Peace temporarily restored, the two scampered off, Miranda going to her bosom chum Sophie and Oliver to the pack that included the Carlisle boys, Revelstoke’s eldest, and Harry Kent’s son.
Awareness tingled on Andrew’s nape, and he turned to see his wife entering the room. Even after all the years of marriage, the sight of her never failed to move him. She looked like a dream in her pink frock, and when she came over, he put an arm around her waist, tucking her close.
“Is Lily asleep?” he said.
Primrose gave a rueful nod. “Poor thing went out like a light. I left her with Nanny.”
“The day has been too much for her. For all of us.”
“Nonsense.” His wife smiled at him. “Today was a tribute to you, my darling, and you earned every minute of it.”
“I still can’t believe Her Majesty conferred the honor on a man like me,” he mused.
Of all the things he’d never expected to find, respectability was near the top of the list.
Right under love.
“After all your charitable contributions to society, you deserve no less. Why, Nursery House has become a model of care for women and children, and the hospitals you’ve built, including the new one, help so many in need. You’ve created ‘innovations in social welfare’—and those aren’t my words but those of His Royal Highness.”
His lips twitched at her zealous defense of his achievements. “I had to do something. Idle hands and all that.”
“Your hands haven’t been idle a day in your life.” Her grin turned flirty. “I can attest for that.”
Before he could give her a proper answer, the butler entered with a cart of iced champagne for the adults and cold lemonade for the children. Glasses were passed around, and everyone, young and old, gathered in a circle. Even Horace and Fanny Grier were there. Andrew’s throat felt oddly scratchy as he took in the beaming faces of his friends—and of the family Primrose had given him.
“A toast.” Ambrose Kent raised a glass. “To Sir Andrew Corbett.”
“And Lady Corbett,” Marianne Kent added with a smile.
“To Sir and Lady Corbett,” everyone chorused.
They all drank to that.
Leaning over, Primrose whispered, “See? I always knew I married a gentleman.”
Lifting his lady’s hand, Andrew kissed it tenderly. “So you did, sunshine. A gentleman who loves you.”
The End
Dear Reader,
I hope you’ve enjoyed Rosie and Andrew’s story as much as I loved writing it! It is with joy and a bit of sadness that I conclude the Heart of Enquiry series with this book. The Kent family holds a special place in my heart—and I’ve been so touched by the emails I’ve received asking for more of their adventures. While this series is complete, the stories I have to tell are far from over… and what about Harry Kent, you ask? Drum roll, please…
For a sneak peek at The Duke Identity (Game of Dukes #1), click here!
I’m thrilled to announce that Harry will be kicking off my new spin-off series, Game of Dukes! His story, The Duke Identity, will be released in January 2018. This series will offer the same adventure, humor, and steamy passion found in my other books—and you’ll see more than a few familiar faces as well So I hope you’ll keep an eye out for The Duke Identity!
I also love to hear from my readers, so feel free to drop me a line at [email protected]. For updates on my books, prizes, and giveaways, please click on the link below to sign up for my newsletter.
Until next time… cheers and happy reading!
XOXO Grace
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THE HEART OF ENQUIRY SERIES
Grace’s latest series features the adventures of the Kent family. Each of the unconventional siblings finds laughter, steamy passion, and true love while unraveling mysteries and secrets in late Regency England. Join them in their sizzling escapades…
To purchase The Duke Who Knew Too Much (Heart of Enquiry #1), please click here.
When Miss Emma Kent witnesses a depraved encounter involving the wicked Duke of Strathaven, her honor compels her to do the right thing. But steamy desire challenges her quest for justice, and she and Strathaven must work together to unravel a dangerous mystery... before it’s too late.
~~~
To purchase M is for Marquess (Heart of Enquiry #2), please click here.
With her frail constitution improving, Miss Dorothea Kent yearns to live a full and passionate life. Desire blooms between her and Gabriel Ridgley, the Marquess of Tremont, an enigmatic widower with a disabled son. But the road to love proves treacherous as Gabriel’s past as a spy emerges to threaten them both… and they must defeat a dangerous enemy lying in wait.
~~~
To purchase The Lady Who Came in from the Cold (Heart of Enquiry #3), please click here.
Former spy Pandora Hudson gave up
espionage for love. Twelve years later, her dark secret rises to threaten her blissful marriage to Marcus, Marquess of Blackwood, and she must face her most challenging mission yet: winning back the heart of the only man she’s ever loved.
~~~
To purchase The Viscount Always Knocks Twice (Heart of Enquiry #4), please click here.
Sparks fly when feisty hoyden Violet Kent and proper gentleman Richard Murray, Viscount Carlisle, meet at a house party. Yet their forbidden passion and blossoming romance are not the only adventures afoot. For a guest is soon discovered dead—and Violet and Richard must join forces to solve the mystery and protect their loved ones… before the murderer strikes again.
~~~
To purchase Never Say Never to an Earl (Heart of Enquiry #5), please click here.
Despite their outer differences, shy wallflower Polly Kent and wild rake Sinjin Pelham, the Earl of Revelstoke, have secrets to hide—and both desperately fear exposing their true selves. Yet the attraction between them is too strong to deny, and they become entangled in a passionate adventure. Both will have to face their greatest fear in order to win the love of a lifetime... and to survive the machinations of the enemy who lies in wait.
~~~
To purchase The Widow Vanishes (Heart of Enquiry, Prequel Novella), please click here.
Fate throws beautiful widow Annabel Foster into the arms of William McLeod, her enemy’s most ruthless soldier. When an unexpected and explosive night of passion ensues, she must decide: should she run for her life—or stay for her heart?
~~~
THE MAYHEM IN MAYFAIR SERIES
Welcome to Mayfair, where passion and intrigue go hand-in-hand. This steamy romance series brings to life a Regency London of refinement–and depravity. From bawdy houses to Vauxhall, rakish heroes and plucky heroines discover that the path to true love can take some exciting and decidedly naughty turns…
To purchase Her Husband’s Harlot (Mayhem in Mayfair #1), please click here.
How far will a wallflower go to win her husband's love? When her disguise as a courtesan backfires, Lady Helena finds herself entangled in a game of deception and desire with her husband Nicholas, the Marquess of Harteford ... and discovers that he has dark secrets of his own.
~~~
To purchase Her Wanton Wager (Mayhem in Mayfair #2), please click here.
To what lengths will a feisty miss go to save her family from ruin? Miss Persephone Fines takes on a wager of seduction with notorious gaming hell owner Gavin Hunt and discovers that love is the most dangerous risk of all.
~~~
To purchase Her Protector's Pleasure (Mayhem in Mayfair #3), please click here.
Wealthy widow Lady Marianne Draven will stop at nothing to find her kidnapped daughter. Having suffered betrayal in the past, she trusts no man—and especially not Thames River Policeman Ambrose Kent, who has a few secrets of his own. Yet fiery passion ignites between the unlikely pair as they battle a shadowy foe. Can they work together to save Marianne's daughter? And will nights of pleasure turn into a love for all time?
~~~
To purchase Her Prodigal Passion (Mayhem in Mayfair #4), please click here.
Sensible Miss Charity Sparkler has been in love with Paul Fines, her best friend’s brother, for years. When he accidentally compromises her, they find themselves wed in haste. Can an ugly duckling recognize her own beauty and a reformed rake his own value? As secrets of the past lead to present dangers, will this marriage of convenience transform into one of love?
~~~
CHRONICLES OF ABIGAIL JONES
To purchase Abigail Jones (Chronicles of Abigail Jones #1), please click here.
When destiny brings shy Victorian maid Abigail Jones into the home of the brooding and enigmatic Earl of Huxton, she discovers forbidden passion… and a dangerous world of supernatural forces.
~~~
Abigail Jones and the Asylum of Secrets (Chronicles of Abigail Jones #2): Coming Fall 2017
More details and pre-order information here.
About the Author
National & International Bestselling Author Grace Callaway writes steamy historical romances set in the Regency and Victorian eras. Her debut book, Her Husband's Harlot, was a Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist and a #1 Kindle Regency Bestseller. Her subsequent books have hit Top 100 Bestselling lists, and she's a finalist for the National Reader's Choice Awards® and the Daphne du Maurier Award® for Excellence in Mystery/ Suspense.
As a child, Grace could often be found with her nose in a book—and not much has changed since. She set aside her favorite romance novels long enough to get her doctorate from the University of Michigan. A practicing clinical psychologist, she lives with her family in California, where their adventures include remodeling a ramshackle house, exploring the great outdoors, and sampling local artisanal goodies.
Grace loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at [email protected].
Other ways to connect:
Newsletter: www.gracecallaway.com/newsletter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GraceCallawayBooks
Website: www.gracecallaway.com
Acknowledgements
For those who have been asking tirelessly for Andrew’s story over the years—this one’s for you!
I’ve been so touched and humbled by the support I’ve received from you, my lovely readers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my books, caring about my characters, and cheering me on during this wonderful—and sometimes challenging—journey of writing. I couldn’t be doing this without you.
To the usual suspects—Tina, Diane, Brian, Brendan, all of my family, and the Montauk 8: Your support, expertise, love, and friendship make everything possible. Love always!
Copyright
The Gentleman Who Loved Me © Grace Callaway, 2017.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
~~~
Cover Design: © Carrie Divine/ Seductive Designs
Cover Image: © Hot Damn Stock
~~~
License Notes
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
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