A MERRY CHASE
Page 23
When Laurel slid her leg onto his, he decided in an instant that he could strategize tomorrow. Tonight belonged to passion.
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Chapter 24
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"It's a wonderfully romantic tale," sighed Harriet. "I hope someday I have one of my own to tell."
"I'm certain you will," Laurel assured her.
"You're truly happy then?"
Smiling at her friend, Laurel nodded, ignoring the prick of doubt she still felt. Oh, he'd told her often enough in the past two days since their wedding, but part of her couldn't believe him. What if she allowed herself to believe that he was as vulnerable to her as she was to him, only to discover that she'd been mistaken? Her heart would surely break in two.
"I'm surprised to see you this evening." Harriet glanced around the crowded ballroom. "I thought for certain that the two of you would remain secluded for at least a few weeks."
Shrugging, Laurel explained, "Royce insisted we come this evening." She hid her smile at the thought that they very nearly hadn't made it at all. He'd come upon her in her chemise and it had been all she could do to get dressed in time after he'd seduced her in her dressing room. Her life was more than she ever dreamed possible and Royce had proved to be an incredible husband.
If she could finally overcome her nagging doubts, her life would be perfect.
Loud clapping brought her from her thoughts.
"Might I have everyone's attention?"
It was Royce. Curious to see what he was up to, Laurel lifted onto her tiptoes to see him standing on the riser for the string quartet. Immediately the room quieted for the man who had provided them with so much delicious gossip.
"What is he doing?" Harriet asked, leaning close.
Laurel shook her head. "I don't have any idea."
Lifting both his hands, Royce smiled at everyone. "I appreciate your allowing me this opportunity to speak, for I have something very important I'd like to share with everyone."
As his gaze met hers, his smile grew intimate. "As you know, I have recently wed, but I'm not certain if everyone knows all that led up to the wedding. You see, I arrogantly believed that marriage was a simple, straightforward matter. If a man chose his mate wisely and researched the habits and interests of his chosen lady, he could easily claim her for his own." Laughing, Royce shook his head. "What a fool I was."
Laurel couldn't believe her ears. Royce, her Royce, was admitting he'd been mistaken in public? The action was so out-of-character for him that Laurel was certain she'd heard him wrong.
Yet when he continued, it was more of the same. "I was so certain that my theory would work that I accepted a wager … even going so far as to allow others to chose my future bride. Luckily for me, they choose well, for I couldn't ask for better than Lady Laurel Simmons." He raised both of his hands again as a loud murmur rose in the room. "I know that most of you must be thinking that my theory was proven correct, especially since I just married the lady in question." His hands dropped to his sides and he met Laurel's gaze once again. "But you'd be dead wrong … for my clever plan failed miserably."
Why was Royce exposing himself like this? she wondered again. Ignoring the curious gazes trained upon her, she concentrated upon Royce.
"The lady was far too clever to be caught in my trap. By evading me, she forced me to take a closer look at my strategy. It was only then that I realized the truth about love." His smile touched her across the expanse of the room. "Love isn't a neat concept you can tuck into an allotted place and only think about when you wish to secure an heir. No, love is a twisting, living thing that demands more from you than you know you have to give, yet somehow love, true love, brings out the best in you."
Shifting on his feet, Royce cleared his throat. "Laurel," he began, speaking to her from his heart, "you made me into a far better man than I ever knew I could be and I shall thank God every day that I accepted that wager."
The entire room seemed transfixed by the scene playing out before them, but Laurel only had eyes for Royce.
One corner of his mouth quirked upward. "I love you, Laurel Van Cleef."
Dear God, he'd done this for her. He'd exposed his innermost emotions to the ton in order to convince her that his love was true. Heaven knew, he didn't have to do it, not now, not when he had everything already. She was wed, bedded, and fitted into his life, but he wanted more.
He wanted her to know he truly loved her. Pure happiness burst within her as Laurel took one step toward him, then another, and another, until she was flying across the room and into his arms.
Enfolding her close, Royce whirled her around as applause thundered through the room. Setting her back onto her feet, he kissed her.
Pulling back, he cupped her face in his hands and gazed deeply into her eyes. "I love you," he rasped, his voice tight with emotion.
Blinking back tears, she gave him a tremulous smile. "I know."
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Epilogue
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One year later
Sitting in White's, enjoying his brandy, Royce bit back a groan as William and James approached him. He'd been looking forward to a peaceful evening.
"Evening, Royce," greeted William. "May we join you?"
"Yes, we're both in desperate need of some male companionship."
At James's announcement, Royce laughed, gesturing toward the seats. "Have a seat."
"Thanks," James returned as he beckoned for a brandy. "My life has so few peaceful moments these days."
William nodded. "As does mine. Such is the life of a husband and father." William rubbed his hand along his forehead. "I vow my head pounds at the end of each day while I listen to my child demand one thing after another."
"And my wife has become quite unreasonable now that she is expecting," James added, leaning back in his chair with a huff. "Just last night, she expected me to head down to our kitchen and fetch her something to eat. Can you imagine?"
"At least you still see your wife at night," William retorted. "Mine is always so blasted tired from overseeing the house and the nanny that she wants nothing at all to do with me."
Taking a sip of his brandy, Royce shook his head. "The two of you are completely pitiful," he announced. "You lament about matters that could easily be taken into hand."
"And just how is that?" James asked, straightening in his chair.
"By creating a daily regimen within your home and ensuring that it is strictly followed."
Laughing, William slapped his knee. "That is a good one, Royce."
"I am utterly serious."
"It's beginning to sound as if another wager is in order," James said, "and if I remember correctly, you lost the last one."
"Indeed, I did," Royce conceded without a trace of embarrassment. "But I'm quite certain I'm correct in this matter."
"Would you care to make that a wager?"
James's question caught Royce's attention. "As I am not a father, I fail to see how I could accept the wager."
"Come now, Royce, surely you've figured out by now how this whole baby thing works," William said with a laugh.
Indeed he had, Royce thought, remembering his wife's hungry hands just last night. If anything, it would certainly be a pleasurable pursuit.
Lifting his brandy glass, Royce smiled at his friends. "I accept your wager."
* * *
"…and that is how this wager came about," Royce told Laurel.
Smiling at her husband, Laurel just shook her head. He would never change. "So now you need my help in securing this wager?"
"I didn't think you'd mind the trying."
A shiver overtook her. "Not at all."
"Besides, the last wager I made turned out perfectly."
"After a few bumps," Laurel pointed out.
"True, but as I always say, nothing worth getting is ever gotten easily."
"Ah, but you're wrong, Royce." Laurel stepped closer to her husband and pressed a lingering kiss upon the tender skin beneath hi
s ear. "It will be quite easy to catch me now," she whispered in sensual promise.
Tossing a smile over her shoulder, she sauntered from the room and up the stairs, fully aware of Royce's heated gaze following her every move.
Royce charged after her, catching her easily, and swept her into his arms. Grinning down at her, he murmured, "Let the game begin."
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