Averting her gaze to the sea, Grace said, “I had to find you.”
“And so you did. Now allow me to take care of you.” He swept her into his arms, cradling her against him like a babe.
Her blood roared in her ears, her breath coming in pants as a new fear overwhelmed her. She had to say what she’d come to say. Had to make thing right between them. She could not allow him to simply carry her off. Send her away. She found her voice, demanding, “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking you to the carriage. See that you are returned to the castle.”
“You cannot.” She clutched his shoulders a bit tighter than necessary. “I must speak with you, Lewis. I’ve been a cake. A complete ninny—”
“Hush, now. You need to recover from your ordeal.” He continued toward the carriages with long confident strides. “Your safe return is the only thing that matters.”
“No. You don’t understand.” Grace placed a hand on his chilled cheek, guiding his gaze to meet hers. “I love you.”
His eyes clouded over, his emotions shielded. “We’ve already discussed this.”
She gazed deeper into his green eyes, searching, hoping to convey her meaning, her feelings. “I choose you. Regardless of where we live, Lewis, I choose you.”
He stopped his forward motion, his gaze softening—filling with love. “You want to come to America?”
“I want to be wherever you are.” She stared at him, her belly fluttering. “I want to be your wife.”
She held her breath for long heartbeats until at last he lowered his mouth to hers. A deep kiss that conveyed all they felt for one another. A kiss that made her knees weak and her insides quiver. A kiss meant to claim and brand. And she was his—heart, body, and soul, forevermore.
“I love you too, Grace,” Lewis said, wiping a rogue tear from her cheek. “We can reside in England if that is your wish. Or we can visit England as often as you please. We’ll live in both places. My overseer is more than competent enough to run the plantation for long stretches of time.”
She beamed, her heart near to overflowing. “I’d like that. Living in both countries--com ing and going as it suites us.”
“Then you shall have it, along with anything else your heart desires. I’ll even sell the plantation and settle in England if thats what you wish for. Now that I know I can trust your love for me, I’m willing to do anything to have you by my side.”
“I have all I need with you.” She trailed one finger over his lips. “Everything I could ever want and more.”
“There is one thing I require…” His eyes lit up with amusement.
She bit her lower lip as she stared at him. “What?”
“Marry me.”
“Yes, my love.” She laughed, her head falling back in joyous abandon. “Today, tomorrow, as soon as we can arrange it.” Sobering, she met his gaze. “I choose forever. An eternity with you at my side.”
“Forevermore,” he said.
He brought his lips back to hers and Grace knew she’d found her everything, her soulmate, her eternity, her forevermore.
EXCERPT: SCANDALOUS ENDEAVORS
AMANDA MARIEL
CHAPTER 1
London, 1842
Amelia stood as still as a hollowed out tree as drizzle coated her body in cool little beads. Dark clouds hung stationary overhead. Water spattered into a small, deep hole carved out of the rain-soaked ground. She surveyed the surrounding landscape speckled with memorial stones and decorated in wilted flowers. Why?
Uncle Lewis placed his arm around her shoulder, and she gazed up at him. His face, full of grief and sorrow, matched the heaviness in her heart. He did not say anything, just stretched his lips into a semblance of a smile. What could he say? Honestly, no words mattered; none could heal her broken heart.
At long last, the minister stopped eulogizing as the casket was lowered into the cold, soggy earth. The family’s servants stood behind the small gathering of relatives and close friends all waiting for the descent to end. Once it came to a rest, the gathering stepped forward one by one and dropped flowers into the deep abyss. The red roses Amelia clutched to her breast as if they could soothe her soul needed to be released from her numb fingers. She opened her hand, never taking her gaze from the casket. They landed with a quiet thud upon the polished surface. Uncle Lewis grabbed her hand, giving her the same pitiful look she had been getting from everyone for the past two months.
Were they all watching and waiting for her to shatter into a million pieces like delicate china. Maybe that is what people in her position were supposed to do; perhaps something was amiss with her. If so, she could not help it. She simply felt numb, like she had disappeared into a hellish oblivion. Her world spun out of control, with nary a semblance of what it used to be. She had become completely lost and abandoned. The only certainty was that her life had changed forever.
Tears stung her eyes and tightened her throat. She inhaled sharply and steeled herself against the emotions welling up within her. Her stomach clenched as she watched the first scoop of earth being tossed into the burial plot. Lightheadedness threatened to overpower her. She tucked her shaking hands into the folds of her shawl, hoping to still them.
She should not be here, but she’d begged Uncle Lewis to allow her to attend. Something deep within compelled her to see it with her own eyes. Amelia knew it would be scandalous, but did not care what the ton thought. Perhaps she should have cared. If she had followed proper etiquette her heart might not have been so shattered by the finality of it all.
“Amelia, it is time for us to go.” Her Uncle’s sorrowful voice drifted through her fog-muddled brain.
His grief was understandable. Papa and Uncle Lewis had been close friends since childhood. Amelia did not answer; what was there to say? He helped her up, and she settled on the plush black velvet seat of Papa’s favorite covered carriage.
Papa ordered it from London a few years ago as a gift for Mama. She never got to see it; they buried her the very day it arrived. Mama had been out riding at their country estate when her mount became spooked. The horse reared up, throwing her. She died instantly from a broken neck. The memory of her mother’s death deepened the hole inside Amelia. She looked at Uncle Lewis. What would become of her? Both Mama and Papa were now in their graves. She had no siblings. Her only surviving relative, Uncle Lewis, lived in America. She inhaled deeply and bit her lower lip to keep it from quivering.
Uncle Lewis arrived just in time to witness Papa’s passing. He had only returned to England for his brother-in-law’s funeral and to see after her. Would he stay until she reached majority? Or did he plan to take her to America? He remained a bachelor, so he had no family to return to. But he did have a plantation to worry about. By all accounts, he enjoyed success and happiness there. She slanted her glance at him. Of course, he would wish to return to his life. What reason would he have for remaining in England?
Amelia drew another shuddering breath and looked down at her gloved hands, which lay in her lap. Leaving her home, friends, and country behind had never been a part of her plan. England was all she had ever known. She had no power over her life. If only she were one-and-twenty. Then, she would have control over her inheritance and be able to make her own decisions.
As things stood, Uncle Lewis had been appointed her guardian. Papa placed the estate and family fortune in trust until she either married or reached majority. None of Papa’s property had been entailed, enabling him to will everything to her. Even his title, Viscount of Everthorne, transferred to her due to the method of its creation. She was now a wealthy and titled lady, but none of it mattered a whit if she were forced to emigrate. Amelia swallowed the knot in her throat. “Uncle Lewis…”
He regarded her once again with sympathy firmly ensconced in his eyes.
“What happens now?”
“Let us not worry about it at the moment. It has been a long day, and we are both exhausted.” He turned his gaze back to the carriage window.
What was he looking for? Perhaps he did not know what came next either. If only she could make the decision for them, she would tell him to stay in England. Amelia loved her family’s London townhouse and could not imagine leaving their country estate behind. She had never left England and did not want to do so now. Even if it would only be for two years...it might as well be for a lifetime.
The carriage jolted to a stop, pulling her from her musings and back into the real world. She glanced through the carriage window at the ornate facade of her townhouse. The large windows appeared the same as ever, but her life would never be the same again.
After departing the carriage, Uncle Lewis put out a hand to help her down. Edwin, the family’s butler, stood near the open oak door, ready to usher them inside. Several familiar carriages were parked in view, and voices drifted from within the townhouse. Amelia shoved back the emotions welling up in her. It would be undignified to cry in front of all these people.
She tightened her fingers on Uncle Lewis’s strong hand. “I do not think I can face them.”
He drew her to a stop in front of the first porch step. A small smile tugged at his lips. “Amelia, dear, no one expects you to interact. They know you are in mourning. I will see to our guests. You retire to your chambers and rest.”
Amelia gave him a weak grin of her own. “Thank you, Uncle Lewis.” Her emotions were overwhelmed with grief for Papa and the memories of Mama only added to her depression. When she considered her bleak-looking future on top of losing Papa…it was all too much. Rest, and the sleep that came with it would be most welcomed.
ALSO BY AMANDA MARIEL
Ladies and Scoundrels series
Scandalous Endeavors
Scandalous Intentions
Scandalous Redemption
Scandalous Wallflower
Coming soon to the Ladies and Scoundrels series
Scandalous Liaison
Fabled Love Series
Enchanted by the Earl
Captivated by the Captain
Enticed by Lady Elianna
Delighted by the Duke
Lady Archer’s Creed series
**Amanda Mariel writing with Christina McKnight**
Theodora
Georgina
Adeline
Josephine
Lady Archer’s Creed boxset
Scandal Meets Love series
Love Only Me
Coming soon to the Scandal Meets Love series
Find Me Love
A Rogue’s Kiss Series
Her Perfect Rogue
Coming next to the A Rogue’s Kiss series
Her Perfect Scoundrel
His Perfect Hellion
Stand alone titles
Love’s Legacy
One Moonlit Tryst
Coming soon
One Enchanting Kiss
Wicked Earls’ Club
**Titles by Amanda Mariel**
Earl of Grayson
Coming next to the Wicked Earls’ Club
Earl of Edgemore
Connected by a Kiss
**These are designed so they can standalone**
How to Kiss a Rogue (Amanda Mariel)
A Kiss at Christmastide (Christina McKnight)
A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss (Dawn Brower)
Coming soon to the Connected by a Kiss series
Stealing a Rogue’s Kiss (Amanda Mariel)
A Gypsy’s Christmas kiss (Dawn Brower)
A Duke’s Christmas Kiss (Tammy Andresen)
Box sets and anthologies
Visit www.amandamariel.com to see Amanda’s current offerings.
ABOUT AMANDA MARIEL
USA Today Bestselling author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.
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INFINITELY MY MARQUESS
DAWN BROWER
Sometimes we’re lucky enough to find a real life fairytale. It doesn’t have to be as simple as meeting your one true love; however, if you do hold tight and never let go. Sometimes it is having located your “tribe”. The people you know you can always depend on. That is something to celebrate. This series is about uncovering what makes a person who they are and the people that help them along the way. This book is for everyone who needs something to hold on to. We all need an anchor from time to time.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always thanks to my cover artist, Victoria Miller. You are fabulous as always. Also thanks to Elizabeth Evans—you make writing fun. Thank you for helping me and reading all my rough drafts.
Special thanks to all the authors in this anthology for working with me. It is nice to work with so many talented authors. It’s been fun and I appreciate all of you.
PROLOGUE
ENGLAND 1795
Wedding Bells echoed through the countryside, announcing the impending wedding of Lord Victor Simms, the second son of the Duke of Ashthrone, and Lady Penelope Everly. It wasn’t the first marriage for either one of them. Little Ryan Simms was excited to finally have a mother. It had been his father and him for as long as he could remember. Soon, he’d have a mother and two sisters as well—Delilah and Mirabella. Delilah was two years older than Ryan and had the blackest hair he’d ever seen. Mirabella had red hair and was a year younger than him. Ryan had celebrated his seventh birthday a month before the wedding.
“How are you doing, my boy?” His father leaned down and ruffled his hair. “Are you happy?”
“Yes, Papa,” he answered. He wanted to tell his father he’d never been happier, but he didn’t know if he could. His father seemed to have a lighter mood, and he didn’t want to remind him of sadder times. His touch had always been gentle, but he’d been gloomy more often than not. Even a boy of seven recognized grief, and though he’d never known his mother, Ryan still missed her every day. Lady Penelope couldn’t replace that hole, but she could fill it partially.
“I’m glad,” his father said. “It feels wonderful to have joy in our lives. Now run off to sit with the nanny. Be a good boy.”
Ryan did as his father said and ran to sit with his nanny in the pew. Delilah and Mirabella were already there. They sat with their back straight and somber expressions on their faces. Were they not glad to be a part of a whole family again? Why did they seem so—unhappy?
Lady Penelope walked down the church aisle and joined Ryan’s father. The vicar said a lot of things Ryan didn’t fully understand, but he didn’t really care. All that mattered was he’d have a family at the end. One that would always be there for him, shower him with love, attention, and lots of hugs. He really wished he had someone who hugged him more often. He’d seen a mother and son once. He hadn’t known what he missed until that day. The woman had pulled her boy into her arms, hugging and kissing him as if he were the most precious thing to her.
The vicar asked his father to repeat some words, and then Lady Penelope. They both had done as he asked. At the conclusion, he declared them wed. Everyone in the church clapped their hands. A smile filled Ryan’s face, and he clapped along with them.
“He’s a foolish boy,” Delilah said, turning her nose up in the air. “I can’t believe we have to deal with him every day now.”
Mirabella nodded, but Ryan didn’t think she even understood Delilah. Girls were an enigma he couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever figure out. Especially since he’d never had
to deal with any of them before. “What is foolish?”
“He doesn’t even realize what an insult is,” Delilah scoffed. “I suppose that might make things more interesting.
Ryan didn’t think so, but at the moment he didn’t care to decipher what she meant. He shrugged and tugged nanny’s sleeve. “Is it time to leave yet? I’m sleepy.” He was seven, and he’d already done more than he usually did. His father didn’t let him leave the house much. It was as if he feared he’d lose Ryan if he lost sight of him. Nanny coddled him at his father’s behest.
“As soon as the happy couple leaves, we can follow behind them.”
Ryan nodded and waited for his father and his new mother to depart the church. Then nanny could take him home. Maybe he could play with his toy soldiers in his room. He rather liked the peace and quiet. There’d been too much noise of late in his home. Everyone had to come to visit for the wedding. He even had a new cousin—Lady Estella. She was a tiny baby and couldn’t play with him, but he liked looking at her. Nanny helped take care of her while they visited so he got to peek at her often.
Finally, his father and Lady Penelope headed down the aisle. After they exited the church, everyone stood to follow them out. Nanny took his hand and turned to Delilah and Mirabella. “Come with me, girls.”
“We don’t have to listen to you,” Delilah said haughtily.
“Yeah, no listen,” Mirabella echoed.
Nanny let out an exasperated breath. “I don’t have time for a temper tantrum. You two come with me now, or I’ll wring your ears.”
Delilah stood and turned her head defiantly. “I am walking out, but not because you told me too. I want to go home, and I shall.” Mirabella ran after her as they exited the church.
Ryan placed his hand in nanny’s. “Do they know the way?”
“I don’t know, poppet,” she said. “We best follow after them. Those two are going to make me crazy. Pretty soon we will long for the quiet, and have trouble recalling what it was like.”
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