Kate would be the center of his life, however.
During a brief lull in the congratulations, Brandon took her hand and brought her fingers to his lips for a tender kiss—and then found himself captured by her enchanting gaze.
He could see everything she felt, every nuance of raw emotion in her eyes. But most satisfying was how she looked at him as if he were the most fascinating, wonderful man alive. There was no defense against that.
He wanted no defense, either. She made his world a better place. She made him feel again; she made him complete. He wanted to share every part of himself with her. And he was counting the minutes until he could get her alone and express his desire in more reassuring ways.
—
Kate felt a similar urgency to be alone with Deverill. Yet when the company moved to the elegant manor where a lavish wedding breakfast was to be served, she paused to drink in the moment, surrounded as she was by family and friends. Once again a lump clogged her throat and tears blurred her eyes as she gazed around the room at so many happy married couples: Ash and Maura, Jack and Sophie, Skye and Hawk, Quinn and Venetia, Rachel and Cornelius. She was thrilled that her dearest relatives and friends had found wedded bliss, most recently Nell with her husband of barely two months.
And then there was her own handsome husband. Deverill looked more relaxed and content than she had ever seen him. He no longer had the uncivilized appearance of a pirate, either, although his elegant coat of blue superfine cloth only partly disguised the width and power of his shoulders.
A short while later when libations were poured, Ash raised his glass to the newlyweds and followed with a toast to Kate specifically.
“I wish to thank my sister for her dogged persistence. As much as it pains me to acknowledge it, Kate, my love, we are all deeply indebted to you for your hounding. And we are doubly grateful that you have finally met your match.”
“As am I,” Deverill said, his mouth curving. “Even if she wanted to mold me like a Greek statue.”
Kate felt warmed by the fire in his eyes. She no longer wanted to change him. On the contrary, she wanted Deverill exactly as he was: exasperating, provoking, stimulating, loving. He was her ideal match and his bold brand of love was perfect for her, even if it had taken time for her to see it. They were good for each other, they completed each other.
She endured her family’s ribbing with good grace. Evidently they expected her to abandon her attempt to inspire more legendary lovers, but she could have told them that she hadn’t given up her matchmaking in the least.
Daphne Farnwell was among the guests also, and Kate had someone particular in mind for Daphne, although she would wait to share her plans when they were better formed.
As for her immediate family, the first children of the new generation of Wildes had been born, which meant in fifteen years or so, she could begin searching for a new crop of legendary lovers.
Meanwhile, she had her own romance to nurture. At the thought of her future with Deverill, Kate was swamped again by a surge of pure happiness. She had dreamed of a once-in-a-lifetime, passionate love, and he had fulfilled her dream in spades.
A half hour later, Deverill took her hand and pulled her out of the drawing room, down the corridor to the library. He was reaching for her before the door shut completely, capturing her in his arms.
“I couldn’t wait. I want you all to myself.”
His warm fingers gripped her chin, and he lowered his head. He could work magic with his mouth, so his kiss silenced her for several enthralling, pulse-pounding moments. And when at last he let her up for air, he made clear his purpose.
“I intend to have you now, Kate.”
His promise made her feel faint, but she felt obliged to make a token protest. “Deverill, we have a house full of wedding guests.”
The gleam was back in his eyes, a distinct challenge in his gaze. “What does that matter? I am not waiting until tonight to consummate our union.”
Kate hesitated. They planned to spend their wedding night at the nearby Valmere country estate. Shortly after returning to England, she’d visited there with Deverill and seen the enormous amount of work to be done. The grounds and land and tenant farms appeared in good order, but several years of his late uncle’s invalid status had left the manor in disrepair. They had started hiring more staff, but refurbishing the main rooms would happen while they travelled certain regions of England for their wedding trip, beginning with the Cotswolds and the Lake District—remaining on dry land for now.
A fortnight ago she had asked Deverill if he minded the vast change in his circumstances. “Will you be truly content to give up the sea?”
“For a life with you? Without question. It is only fitting for a man to settle down with the woman he loves. Besides, I expect to share any number of adventures with you.”
The prospect appealed greatly to Kate. She was even willing to sail again with him, in no small part because Deverill kept her fears at bay. She hadn’t suffered a single nightmare about sinking ships since that stormy night on board the Galene.
They would be leaving in the morning on the first stage of their journey, so he would have her all to himself then. However, she shared his impatience for the consummation.
Looping her arms around his neck, Kate contemplated Deverill with a provocative smile. They were learning to trust, learning to love with open hearts, with only occasionally a clash of wills. This, however, was one of those moments when they were in complete accord.
“I don’t wish to wait, either,” she said huskily as her gaze settled on his mouth.
Reaching up, Kate slid a hand into his dark hair and dragged him down for another kiss. His taste was hot and heady and infinitely satisfying. When his embrace tightened and his kiss intensified, desire washed over her like warm honey, while joy whispered through her.
This was what it meant to truly love, this sweet, soul-deep ache.
Deverill was her husband now, and she had absolutely no doubt that their love would be legendary, a lifelong adventure of the heart, with every moment to be savored.
To my wonderful readers, for faithfully sticking with me over the years. You make the long hours at the computer worthwhile.
A special shout-out to Charlene and Jennara. Your two cents on Kate and Deverill’s story was worth many, many times more!
And finally, my heartfelt appreciation for my superb editor, Junessa Viloria. You always make my stories and characters better, and I thank you.
BY NICOLE JORDAN
Legendary Lovers
Princess Charming
Lover Be Mine
Secrets of Seduction
The Art of Taming a Rake
My Fair Lover
The Courtship Wars
To Pleasure a Lady
To Bed a Beauty
To Seduce a Bride
To Romance a Charming Rogue
To Tame a Dangerous Lord
To Desire a Wicked Duke
Paradise Series
Master of Temptation
Lord of Seduction
Wicked Fantasy
Fever Dreams
Notorious Series
The Seduction
The Passion
Desire
Ecstasy
The Prince of Pleasure
Other Novels
The Lover
The Warrior
Touch Me with Fire
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
NICOLE JORDAN is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous historical romances. She lives with her real-life hero (her husband) in the Rocky Mountains of Utah, where she is at work on her next enthralling tale about the sparks that fly when Regency lovers play the matrimonial mating game.
nicolejordanauthor.com
Facebook.com/nicolejordanauthor
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