by Lauren Smith
The puppy took that moment to jump on Lavender’s skirt and bark excitedly sending her young daughter into a fit of giggles.
Drake tightened his arm around Brooke and chuckled. “I dare say I’ve done well.”
“Indeed you have,” Brooke agreed.
Another round of girlish giggles rang out as their daughters sprinted across the lush green grass, the puppy chasing after them.
Brooke’s heart swelled with love at the sound of their jubilation. To think she’d once rejected the possibility of lasting love and happily ever afters.
She glanced up at Drake and smiled. “You have pleased me as well.”
“Is that so?” The corner of Drake’s lip quirked into a half-grin.
She stretched upward to drop a chaste kiss on his lips.
He circled her waist with his arms and hauled her against him. “Is that all I get?”
Drake gave a suggestive look, and she laughed. “Behave,” she said, “and you will get your reward later.”
“What if I want it now?” Drake arched one black brow as he slid his hand down to cup her bottom.
Brooke swatted at his wandering hand and wiggled in an attempt to get free. “Do behave.”
“For a kiss, I might.”
Brooke stilled, smiling down at him. “I suppose I could grant you one.”
“Indeed,” Drake said before capturing her lips with his.
Even after so many years, her body reacted to his touch. Her blood heated and she leaned into him taking as good as she gave.
When he pulled back, he left her breathless and looking forward to the evening hours when he’d deliver all that his kiss promised.
“Your Grace,” the nanny interrupted, “she is ready for her feeding.”
Brooke slid off of Drake’s lap and turned to face the nanny. Her infant daughter, Daffodil, squirmed in the woman’s arms and emitted a shrill cry. Brooke held out her arms to receive her baby.
The nanny placed Daffodil into Brooke’s cradled arms, then asked, “Shall I wait?”
“No, we will bring her in once Lavender and Rose have finished playing,” Drake replied.
“Very good, Your Grace.” The nanny bobbed a curtsey then strolled back toward the house.
Brooke settled her now screaming baby against her breast, then lounged against Drake as their daughter nursed.
He wrapped one arm around Brooke and stroked their daughter’s head with his free hand. “She must be starving,” he said.
“Indeed.” Brooke grinned down at her daughter who hungrily suckled at her breast. “I love watching her feed.”
“Your nursing still drives our Mothers half-mad. Just yesterday my Mother went on a tare over it.” Drake imitated her tone as he went on, “A duchess nursing. It’s unheard of! Can you imagine how such behavior affects me?” He chuckled. “She’s quite overset.”
Brooke found his merriment infectious and laughed along with him. She soon sobered and angled her head to gaze up at him. “Should I cease nursing in front of her?”
Drake shook his head. “Don’t even think of it. I’d not change you a bit. You’re my unconventional duchess, and I love you just the way you are.”
Brooke grinned at him, then said, “I love you too.”
“Mama, Papa, “Lavender called out as she ran toward them, her sister and the puppy chasing after her.
“Yes, poppet?” Drake replied as Brooke gazed out at her daughter’s.
Lavender sank to her knees in front of her parents. “We chose a name.”
“You did. Tell us, what are we to call him?” Brooke asked.
Rose dropped down beside them and scooped the excited puppy into her lap. “Can I tell them?” She asked Lavender, her eyes besieging.
Lavender shook her head up and down, then smiled at Brooke and Drake.
Rose popped up on her knees, holding the puppy to her little chest. “We want to call him Fluff.”
“That’s a wonderful name.” Brooke shifted Daffodil into her lap and pulled her dress back into place.
“He’s our brother now,” Lavender said, joy radiating from her.
Drake chuckled at the girls antics. “I suppose he is.”
“You mean I am to be the mother of a four-legged fir-ball?” Brooke teased.
The girls nodded, “Of course, you are.”
“Come on, Fluff,” Lavender called as she sprinted back across the lawn.
Rose took off after them, calling out, “Wait, wait for me.”
“Wa, wa,” little Daffodil cried out as her sisters raced away.
Brooke lifted Daffodil, cradling the babe to her chest and bouncing her. “Shh... Don’t fret little one. You will soon be big enough to frolic and play too.”
The baby settled, and Brooke leaned back against Drake. “Do you wish I’d given you a son?”
“What?” Drake stared down at her.
Brooke sighed. “I know you love our girls, but I feel bad that I haven’t given you a son.”
“I have all I need,” Drake said, then dropped a kiss to her forehead.
“Truly?” Brooke stared back at him, her eyes slightly narrowed.
He nodded firmly.
“Will you still feel that way if I never give you a son?”
Drake gave her a little squeeze. “I shall always feel that way. You are perfect, and so are our daughters.”
Brooke glanced at the baby then back to him. “But what about an heir?”
“Lavender will be my heir,” Drake said.
Brooke gave a little grin and a shake of her head. “A girl can’t inherit.”
“Sure, she can. I’ll see to it.” Drake dropped a kiss on Brooke’s head. “Now stop fretting and just love me.”
“You are my heart.” Brooke’s grin turned to a full smile. “I always love you.”
“You do?” Drake asked mischief, dancing in his gaze.
“Most certainly.”
“How much do you love me?” Passion filled his gaze.
Brooke placed her palm on his cheek and stared into his green eyes. “Too much for words.”
“The same is true for me.” Drake took Daffodil from her arms, then stood and stretched his hand out to help Brooke up. “Let us go inside, and we can show each other instead.”
“It shall be my pleasure,” she said as she took his hand, and she knew without a doubt that it would be. Every moment she spent with her husband was magic. It always had been, since that first summer so long ago.
He was her perfect match. Her soul mate, and her every desire.
Also by Amanda Mariel
Ladies and Scoundrels series
Scandalous Endeavors
Scandalous Intentions
Scandalous Redemption
Scandalous Wallflower
Scandalous Liaison
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Fabled Love Series
Enchanted by the Earl
Captivated by the Captain
Enticed by Lady Elianna
Delighted by the Duke
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Lady Archer’s Creed series
**Amanda Mariel writing with Christina McKnight**
Theodora
Georgina
Adeline
Josephine
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Scandal Meets Love series
Love Only Me
Find Me Love
If it’s Love
Odd’s of Love
Believe in Love
Chance of Love
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A Rogue’s Kiss Series
Her Perfect Rogue
Coming next to the A Rogue’s Kiss series
His Perfect Hellion
Her Perfect Scoundrel
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Standalone titles
One Moonlit Tryst
One Enchanting Kiss
Christmas in the Duke’s Embrace
One Wicked Christmas
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Mists of Babylon series
Love’s Legacy
On
e Wanton Wager
Forever in Your Arms
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Wicked Earls’ Club
**Titles by Amanda Mariel**
Earl of Grayson
Earl of Edgemore
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Fated for a Rogue
A Wallflower’s Folly
Coming next to the Fated for a Rogue series
One Fateful may Day
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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)
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.
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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USA Today bestselling author
~Heartwarming historical romances that leave you breathless~
The Hellion and the Highwayman
Rebecca Lovell
Chapter 1
London, 1805
With less than a week before the Season began, the Sellars house was abuzz with excitement. They would no doubt be entertaining guests and every corner of the house had to be cleaned so they could be received. The lady of the house was on edge to the point that any stray bit of dust could send her into a lecture that could be heard in the palace itself, and her husband was hiding in his office under the pretense that he had a great deal of paperwork to complete before Parliament opened.
In the center of the madness, Emma Sellars was reading a book in the sitting room. It had been the first room to be cleaned so she had picked it in the hopes that she wouldn’t be bothered, but she was having to deal with maids dusting surfaces that had already been dusted, and people walking in and out of the room. She was considering going up to her room to read when the front door closed and Emma heard the click of high-heeled shoes on wood. Hoping that her little sister would bypass the study, she turned the page of the thick book she was reading.
“Emma!” A girl with golden blonde hair hurried into the room and made a beeline for the settee where Emma was trying to read. Defeated, Emma put an envelope into the book to save her place and looked up at her little sister.
They were as different as night and day in almost every way. Katherine Sellars was petite, blonde, and cheerful as a sunny day. Meanwhile, Emma was quiet and calm, not quite of a height with a man but taller than her sisters by far. Her dark hair lay over her shoulder in a braid that was very unlike Katherine’s messy updo, and her smiles were much more conservatively given unless they were for her sisters’ eyes. The only thing all three of the Sellars girls shared were eyes blue enough to shame the ocean waves.
“What is it that’s got you so excited?” Emma closed her book on the envelope. “Wait, let me guess. Something to do with a ball?”
“Yes!” Katherine clapped her hands and dropped onto the settee hard enough to make the cushions bounce. “I just got word that my dress for the Opening Ball is ready! Can we go pick it up? Please? Mother said I wasn’t to go on my own.”
“If I must.” Emma sighed. No matter how boring or mundane the request, Emma couldn’t deny Katherine, especially when she was so excited. Different though they were, she loved her sister. “Did she say why you need a chaperone?”
“Girls, are you in here?” Their mother’s sharp voice came through the sitting room door and Emma rolled her eyes. When her mother was looking for both of them, the news was rarely good. Though neither of the girls responded, Beatrice came into the sitting room. “Good, you’re both here so I don’t have to repeat myself.”
“What is it, Mother?” Katherine’s smile was bright, even when Emma was certain they were about to be lectured for the hundredth time that week.
“As you know, the Season is about to open. I know you’re both excited –” Emma made a ‘tsk’ sound and her mother narrowed her eyes. “--both excited,” Beatrice continued. “There is something important about this year in particular.” She turned to Emma. “Can you tell us what, Emma?”
“We’re both aunts now?” Emma knew this was a dangerous game to play with her mother, especially since she knew the least little thing could set her off, but she didn’t care for Beatrice’s condescending tone.
“This isn’t the time for your insolence,” Beatrice snapped. “You know precisely what I’m talking about. It’s about your being twenty and still unmarried.”
“That’s because I don’t intend to be married. Years of young men and their disastrous attentions have confirmed my belief that I’d much rather remain a single woman and continue my studies.” She patted the book on her lap. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Katherine’s normally bright face fall. “What about Katherine? She’s come of age, I’m sure she’ll be very popular at the dances.”
“You know very well that your sister can’t marry until you do. Would you have her be a spinster like you?” It was a dirty move, but one that stung Emma all the same. “It would be disastrous for her, since I know she adores the Season rather than tolerates it like you.”
“Why can’t she just find a husband and leave me out of it? You can’t force me to marry.” The urge to open her book again to close the conversation hit her but it would only make the lecture go on longer and she held it back.
“Don’t take that tone with me, young lady. If you’re so set on ruining your future, you can leave our house and let your sister have her pick of suitors.” Beatrice turned a smile to her youngest daughter. “Katherine is more like Frances, anyhow.”
“Oh, yes, perfect Frances! I’ll never be anything like either of your other daughters, so why not just let me be?” Emma shot up off the settee and her book fell to the floor. It bounced and fell open, sending the envelope she’d put into it fluttering onto the floor. Emma snatched up the book and envelope and stormed out of the sitting room with her mother calling behind her. She didn’t particularly care to hear any more of her mother’s tirade, even if it meant locking herself in her room.
Emma’s bedroom was on the far end of the upper floor and she stomped toward it, hoping her mother could hear her footsteps through the ceiling. When she got to it, she slammed the door and threw her book on the bed. She’d already lost her place, it meant nothing to her what page it fell open to once she started reading again.
Her mother’s words had made Emma angrier than expected. For the last three years she had complied with her parents’ wishes and sat through tea after tea, bored out of her mind, and danced with enough dandies to give her blisters on her feet. Nothing had come of it but confirmation that mos
t of the men in their social circle were boring at best and irritating at worst.
The thought of Katherine being held back from searching for a husband because of her made Emma angrier than she should have been, and with no other way to let it out, she kicked her dressing table as hard as possible. She immediately regretted it as a shock of pain went up her leg and she stumbled back to drop onto her bed. While she was rubbing her ankle, where the pain seemed to have collected, the door to her bedroom opened. Not particularly ready to have another argument with her mother, Emma flopped back onto the bed and curled up in the hopes Beatrice would think she was asleep.
“I know you’re not asleep, sister, so you might as well sit up and talk to me.” A chiding voice that was clearly not her mother’s caught her attention, and Emma sat up straight.
“Frances!” Emma slid off the bed, excited to see her older sister, only to have her ankle shriek at her in protest. She pulled her foot up and cursed, making her sister gasp.
“Where on earth did you get that language?”
“Father,” Emma said with a shrug. She sat back down on the edge of the bed and took off her shoe. Her ankle was already swelling and she rubbed it again. “If you want a hug, come over here. I seem to have injured myself.”
“What did you do?” Frances went to her bedside and hugged Emma tightly.
“Kicked my dressing table.” Emma hugged her sister back. “Mother was giving me one of her lectures, so I excused myself from the conversation. I may have lost my temper.”
“You mean you stormed out and had a tantrum,” Frances sighed. “Ah well, at least it shall have mended itself in time for the Opening Ball. Unless you’ve broken the thing.” She let go of her sister and sat on the bed beside her. “I need not ask what you were being lectured about.”