Harlequin Historical May 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Unwed and UnrepentantReturn of the Prodigal GilvryA Traitor's Touch
Page 69
‘With no regrets.’
* * *
Arriving at Simon’s residence in Paris where he lived with his mother and two brothers, Henrietta stood for a long moment in the doorway to the salon and observed Simon with his family. His brothers, two dark-haired, handsome youths, were laughing heartily at something amusing their elder brother had said. Then this elder brother raised his gaze to her, and she saw all the love she had ever desired within those deep-blue eyes. He came to her and took her hand to lead her to his mother.
‘Mother, I would like you to meet Henrietta.’
Lady Mary, a small, slender woman with pale blonde hair, rose and clasped her future daughter-in-law’s hands. Tears filled her eyes as she drew back and smiled with satisfaction. ‘God answered my prayers and sent a beautiful young woman for my son at last. Welcome to the family, my dear.’
Simon stepped to Henrietta’s side and slipped his arm about her as she smiled into his warmly glowing eyes. ‘And I have reason to be grateful to him. I could not have wished for a more worthy protector on my journey to Scotland.’
‘I suppose I was, in truth,’ Simon agreed, gazing lovingly down at his soon-to-be wife. ‘Once found, I couldn’t bear to think of losing you.’
‘And you must love my son very much to have given up everything to be with him.’
‘Yes, I do, but it has always been rather hard for me to tell him that.’
‘Well, you needn’t worry about it any more, Henrietta. You proved your love far better with your actions.’
Taking her uncle’s arm, Henrietta drew him forward. ‘Lady Mary, I would like to present my uncle, Matthew Brody. It was at my uncle’s house that Simon sought shelter after he was wounded at Culloden.’
Lady Mary flicked a quick, hesitant glance upwards, but upon meeting eyes that were calm and as clear as the sky on a summer’s day, she searched his lean, still-handsome visage. Interest lit and softened her eyes and she smiled sublimely, holding out her hand to him. ‘I am indeed happy to make your acquaintance, Mr Brody.’
Matthew took her hand and raised it to his lips, a merry twinkle lighting his eyes. They roamed across her delicate, refined, still-youthful features and he smiled with the same cajoling charm his niece had mastered. ‘Enchanted, madame.’
Lady Mary inclined her elegant head ever so slightly, but the shine in her eyes was dazzling. ‘I must thank you for the hospitality you showed Simon after Culloden. You will never know how indebted I am to you. Come, sit by me. I think you and I have much to talk about.’ She gave no time for replies and took her smiling admirer gently by the arm and led him to a sofa by the window.
Their minds traversing along the same track, standing side by side Henrietta and Simon looked at each other and smiled.
Henrietta’s lips mouthed a silent question. ‘Do you think...?’
Simon pressed his lips near her ear and spoke in a hushed whisper. ‘Indeed I do. But for the time being we will bide our time and watch.’
They were to be proved right. But that was for another day.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460331682
A TRAITOR’S TOUCH
Copyright © 2014 by Helen Dickson
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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ISBN-13: 9781460335857
Copyright © 2014 Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
Unwed and Unrepentant
Copyright © 2014 by Marguerite Kaye
Return of the Prodigal Gilvry
Copyright © 2014 by Michèle Ann Young
A Traitor’s Touch
Copyright © 2014 by Helen Dickson
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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