“It was one of my own men at the door,” he reported briskly. “They have been keeping watch on the house of the man who disappeared at the docks in the hope he might return there eventually. Late yesterday evening, their vigilance paid off, and they were able to apprehend and arrest him. He has admitted his accomplice is responsible for hiring men to kill Pricilla and Worthington, and for the accidental killing of Parker. That bullet was apparently meant for me.”
“That’s—that is marvelous— Not that they shot and killed three people and seriously injured you,” she added hastily. “But that you now have someone in custody in connection with those murders.”
“It is and it isn’t,” Titus allowed with a grimace.
She stilled, her smile fading. “The accomplice is the Duchess of Stonewell?”
“Yes.” Titus knew he would never forget the look on Stonewell’s face when the man they had in custody named Nik’s wife as his contact and informant.
All The Sinners had hoped Angelique would be found to be as innocent as their own wives, despite Titus’s own investigations having confirmed that there were indeed only eight ladies who had been present at all the balls where the treasonous information had been passed to another French spy. Even Wessex’s threat to kill the person who had dared to harm his beloved Jocelyn had now been forgotten in the knowledge that person was Stonewell’s wife.
He sighed heavily. “Nik is now on his way to his estate to deal with the matter.”
“I am so very sorry for that.” Tears glistened in Pru’s expressive eyes. “He must be devastated.”
“Yes.” There was no avoiding acknowledging his friend’s feelings of betrayal. “I expect he and the duchess will return to London in the next few days, and she will be arrested and tried for her crimes.”
“So it’s all over? Really over?”
Titus nodded. “Once the duchess has given up the names of her cohorts and they have also been arrested, yes.”
Pru gave a shake of her head. “I feel so for the Duke of Stonewell.” She knew him to be a proud and haughty man, one of the Crown’s valued spymasters. She could not even begin to imagine how stricken he must be to learn his own wife was a traitor to the country he served so selflessly.
“We all do.” Titus nodded.
Pru drew in a ragged breath. “So what happens now?”
He shrugged. “I visited St. George’s this morning. Our wedding is arranged to take place three days hence.”
“I— No.” She gave a definitive shake of her head. “I have told you I prefer to—to wait and see if there are any repercussions from out lovemaking yesterday.”
His mouth thinned. “And I believe I told you the outcome was irrelevant and that we would be marrying immediately.”
“Titus, please,” she groaned. “Leave me with a little pride.”
“To do what?” he demanded. “To walk away from me, shut me out of your life, when you learn you are not with child? I think not,” he stated forcefully “If necessary, I shall make love to you again and again until you are expecting our child.”
She looked at him incredulously. “I… But… Why would you do such a thing?”
“Because I am in love with you, and you will be my wife!” He thundered his frustration with her stubbornness.
Pru stilled, her heart beating so loudly, she was sure Titus must be able to hear it too. “You’re in love with me?”
He glared at her. “Have I not shown it, time and time again?”
She stared back at him. “Well… I… How did you show it?”
“Dear God, woman! By being unable to stay away from you. By protecting you. Taking a bullet meant for you. By staying apart from you, even though not seeing and being with you was physically painful for me.”
“It was?”
“Yes, it was,” Titus bit out through gritted teeth. “You are the most stubborn, unreasonable, affectionate, beautiful, passionate, brave woman it has ever been my misfortune to meet, and I fell in love with you weeks ago even though I did not wish to admit to that emotion, even to myself.”
Her face fell. “You didn’t?”
He chuckled. “But now I am quite resigned to having my life led a merry dance for the next fifty years or so by your antics and heroism if or when you decide something or someone is in need of your protection or help. And to administering the chastisement we both enjoy so much once I have saved you from yourself,” he added throatily.
Pru frowned. “That does not sound like a romantic reason for marriage.”
He raised dark brows. “Perhaps I am still being cautious because you have not told me how you feel about me?”
She looked startled. “Surely it is obvious that I am madly in love with you.”
His eyes widened. “You are?”
Pru nodded. “Do you think I go around seducing every viscount I meet?”
Titus threw back his head and gave a shout of laughter. “You are beyond incorrigible!” He stepped forward to sweep her up into his arms. “I love you from the depths of my soul, darling girl,” he told her gruffly. “I always will.”
Her eyes glowed with happiness. “I love you in the same way.” Her hands moved to gently cup his cheeks. “I love you so very much, Titus. You are my hero, and the man I shall love until the end of my days.”
“As I shall love you to my dying breath and beyond,” he vowed.
Pru laughed. “Now kiss me, you annoying man, before I expire from happiness here and now!”
He chuckled. “That’s my darling Pru.”
It was true, she did belong to and with Titus, as he belonged to and with her.
Forever.
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About The Author
Carole Mortimer is a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2015, RT Career Achievement Award 2017, RT Pioneer for Romance Award 2014. She was also recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for her ‘outstanding service to literature’. Carole has written over 235 contemporary, Regency and paranormal romance novels.
She is happily married to Peter. They have 6 sons, and live on the beautiful Isle of Man. She also loves to hear from Readers!
Other books by Carole Mortimer
Regency Sinners Series:
Wicked Torment (Regency Sinners 1)
Wicked Surrender (Regency Sinners 2)
Wicked Scandal (Regency Sinners 3)
Wicked Deception (Regency Sinners 4)
Wicked Captive (Regency Sinners 5)
Wicked Temptation (Regency Sinners 6)
Wicked Sinner (Regency Sinners 7)
More books to come in this series
Dragon Hearts – Contemporary paranormal
Nathaniel (Dragon Hearts 1)
Deryk (Dragon Hearts 2)
Bryn (Dragon Hearts 3)
Dylan (Dragon Hearts 4)
Grigor (Dragon Hearts 5)
Garrett (Dragon Hearts 6)
More book to come in this series
Regency Unlaced Series:
The Duke’s Mistress (Book 1)
Claimed by the Marquis (Book 2)
Taken by the Earl (Book 3)
Pursued by the Viscount (Book 4)
Desired by a Lord (Book 5)
Captured by a Gentleman (Book 6)
Pleasured by a Duke (Book 7)
Seduced by a Marquis (Book 8)
Tamed by the Earl (Book 9)
Series is now complete
Knight Securit
y Series: Spin-off to ALPHA series
Resisting Alexandre (Knight Security 0.5)
Defying Asher (Knight Security 1)
Challenging Gabriel (Knight Security 2)
Capturing Caleb (Knight Security 3)
Tempting Zander (Knight Security 4)
Enticing Ian (Knight Security 5)
Seducing Ethan (Knight Security 6)
Series now complete
ALPHA Series:
Christmas Alpha (Alpha 1)
Dark Alpha (Alpha 2)
Shadow Alpha (Alpha 3) Author’s 200th Book
Midnight Alpha (Alpha 4)
Renegade Alpha (Alpha 5)
Warrior Alpha (Alpha 6)
Rogue Alpha (Alpha 7)
Savage Alpha (Alpha 8)
Series is now complete
Wicked Temptation Page 13