by Diane Gaston
‘It is not a Turner,’ Genna said, ‘but I have improved since last year.’
‘I do not know what the devil a Turner is,’ Dell said, ‘but this is quite good, I’d say.’
‘It is very good,’ Ross said. ‘I may want to borrow it and get it accepted in the Royal Academy Exhibition.’
‘I have a gift,’ Tess spoke up excitedly. ‘It is mostly a gift for Marc.’ He took her hand and her gaze swept all of them. ‘I am going to have a baby!’
‘Another baby!’ Genna cried. ‘First Edmund, now you.’
‘Lovely news,’ Lorene said, rising to give her sister a kiss on the cheek.
Ross took a small wrapped box out of his pocket. ‘I thought of giving Genna oil paints and watercolours, but those are her tools. She must always have what she needs. So I got this.’
He handed Genna the box and she opened it. It was a lovely diamond pendant. ‘Oh, it is beautiful! I must wear it. Put it on me, Ross.’
He fastened the clasp. His fingers were warm against the tender skin of her neck and, as always, they made her body come alive. But she could wait, because she wanted to spend this precious time with her sisters and these wonderful men who had been so good to them. She could also wait, because she knew Ross would be there for her every night. She’d sleep in his arms tonight in the bed she’d slept in as a young girl vowing to make her own way in the world.
She could have done it, too. She could have made a living with her painting, but she’d found something she wanted even more.
Ross.
* * *
As it got later, Tess was yawning and Marc insisted on having her retire for the night. Dell ordered his carriage for Lorene and offered to accompany her back to Tinmore Hall. Genna and Ross were left alone in the drawing room.
‘I suppose we ought to go to bed, too.’ She fingered her pendant. ‘I believe I shall sleep in my diamond. I do not wish to take it off.’
Ross put his arm around her and kissed the back of her neck. ‘I am delighted it pleases you.’
She turned around and hugged him close. ‘We should go.’
‘One moment.’ Ross stepped away and took a candle from one of the tables. He went to the hidden door and opened it. ‘Let’s take the hidden passage.’
She giggled. ‘Of course.’
By the light of his sole candle she led him expertly to the hidden stairs and up to her bedchamber.
‘The door is here.’ She extended her hand to push the door open.
He seized her hand. ‘Not so hasty.’ He blew out the candle and the only light came through slits where the doors were. ‘I want to do something I wished to do a year ago.’
‘What did you wish to do?’
‘This.’ He pulled her into an embrace and placed his lips upon hers.
She could have stayed like this with him for ever.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781488004513
Bound by a Scandalous Secret
Copyright © 2016 by Diane Perkins
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