Seven Rogues for Christmas: A Historical Romance Holiday Collection

by Dawn Brower

  He didn’t bother arguing with her. She was probably right. Her hair would take a while to properly fix. “Miss me while I’m gone.”

  “Always,” she said.

  Grayson left her to her task and went down to the main room. He left the inn and went to the stable first. The carriage hadn’t been outside and he wanted to find out what the delay was. He found his driver inside wrestling with one of the horses.

  “Will the carriage be ready soon?”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” he replied. “One of the horses went lame and I had to trade her for a new mount. He’s being a little feisty about joining the team. I’ll have him ready soon enough. The carriage should be out front at half past the hour.”

  “That’s good. I’d like to leave as soon as possible. The sooner I’m out of Scotland the happier I’ll be.” He studied the horse giving the driver a hard time. “I’ll ask the innkeeper to provide some lads to help with the trunks. You have your work cut out for you with this beast.”

  “Thank you,” he replied. “I appreciate it.”

  Grayson nodded and left the driver to deal with harnessing the horses to the carriage. The morning had gone better than he’d hoped. Juliette loved him. As far as he was concerned all was right in the world. Soon they’d be on their way and headed back to London, albeit much slower than their journey to Scotland. No reason to rush back.

  He found innkeeper immediately. He was writing something in his register. “Can you have some lads help load my trunks onto my carriage?”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” he said. “I trust you had a pleasant rest?”

  “I did,” he replied. “Best night sleep I’ve had in days.”

  “Good.” The innkeeper beamed. “And your wife?”

  “I didn’t realize you’d married,” Payne said from behind him.

  Grayson closed his eyes and cursed silently. Why hadn’t he left already?

  “No reason you would,” Grayson said calmly. “I didn’t shout it to the world I’d intended to wed.”

  He prayed Payne didn’t ask who he’d married. If he didn’t realize Juliette was his wife he might let it go and leave him in peace. What were the chances of that happening?

  “What lucky lady did you make your duchess?”

  “That would be me,” Juliette said, and then glanced at Grayson. “I finished much quicker than I thought. It was boring sitting by myself. How long until we leave.”

  Christ. Why hadn’t she stayed in the room? Maybe Payne wouldn’t realize who she was. As if that was possible. Hadn’t his driver mentioned he had a description of her to show people?

  Payne looked at Juliet and then back at Grayson. He noticed when the realization hit the viscount. He barely managed to avoid being hit by the man’s wild punch. “You bastard,” he screamed. “You knew last night didn’t you.”

  Grayson took a step back. “Jules do me a favor and go back to the room.”

  “What is happening?” she asked. “Why is he trying to hit you?”

  “She was supposed to be mine,” Payne exclaimed.

  Juliette’s gaze flew to the viscount, and then back at Grayson. Her mouth formed opened wide on a silent oh. That’s right—he wanted to scream at her. Lord Payne had planned on marrying her, and now he planned on taking on Grayson for daring to take her away from him.

  “Gentlemen,” the innkeeper said. “We don’t allow fighting in the inn. Take this outside immediately.”

  Grayson turned to Juliette and said, “Stay in here. You’ll be safer.” Then walked out of the inn, Viscount Payne was a short distance behind. It would be better if they didn’t brawl at all, but at least outside they’d be less likely to damage any of the inn’s property. Grayson walked a fair enough distance from the inn, to the side of the entrance and stopped.

  “Payne,” Grayson said. “We don’t have to do this. I have a prior relationship with Juliette that supersedes yours.” He shrugged. “Besides we both know you don’t have an actual claim. You didn’t sign the betrothal contract.”

  Payne’s face turned beet red and his lips curled up in displeasure. “I should’ve realized last night why you were here. You wouldn’t tell me, but I figured that was you being you. But now that I’ve had time to think about it—your estate borders her fathers. How long have you been bedding her?”

  Grayson couldn’t listen to him discuss Juliette’s virtue in vulgar terms. She was innocent of any wrong doing, and he’d not touched her in that way until after they’d married. His fist hit Payne’s face before he realized what he was doing. The viscount hit the ground with a loud thud.

  Viscount Payne wiped a drop of blood from his nose, and then slowly returned to his feet. “For that I’m going to enjoy killing you.” He pulled a pistol out of his pocket and aimed it at Grayson. “You’re correct. I don’t have a claim—yet but that can be rectified. With you gone she’ll be free once again. No need to bother with a mourning period. Her father doesn’t need to know about this unfortunate turn of events.”

  Grayson froze and considered his options. Viscount Payne planned to murder him and return to London with Juliette as if nothing had happened. The man had lost his mind. “And what if she’s already carrying my child? Are you going to claim it as your own?”

  He hadn’t thought about the possibility of a child. Grayson hadn’t ever believed he’d be a father, but everything was different with Juliette. She made the unattainable seem possible. For her he’d fight with every breath in his body. The viscount would not have a chance do sully her in any way.

  “There are ways to rid a woman of a babe.” He shrugged. “If it turns out she’s enceinte I’ll deal with it.”

  Horror froze Grayson’s tongue in his mouth. If he did as he proposed—it could kill Juliette, but why should he care about murdering a mother and child? Clearly the idea of ending a person’s life didn’t bother him as he was fully prepared to shoot Grayson. The time for thinking was at an end, and actions had to be taken to stop his evil. Grayson leapt at Payne and fought for control of the pistol. It went off, the echo ricocheting through the air. Viscount Payne’s scream followed shortly after, and then he slumped to the ground in a heap, the pistol lying out of his reach.

  Grayson wanted to be sorry, but he couldn’t. The man had threatened him, and his wife. The constable would have to be called to handle the situation. Payne wasn’t dead, but he was gravely injured. He’d go to the inn and have them take care of him. A doctor would need to be sent for. He turned to head to the inn and halted. Juliette and the innkeeper were standing not far in the distance. How long had they been watching?

  “I was frightened. I didn’t know it was Lord Payne you were talking to. He was the last person I expected to see here.” Juliette ran to him and hugged him tight in her embrace.

  That partially was his fault. He should have told her the viscount was in Scotland searching for her. A lesson learned the hard way—he’d not keep anything from her ever again. It could lead to disastrous results.

  “It’s all right,” he said soothingly.

  “Is he dead?” The innkeeper asked.

  “No,” Grayson shook his head. “But he might be if he doesn’t get some care. Can you take care of everything for me?”

  The innkeeper nodded. “Aye, I’ll see to everything. The constable will have questions, but I’ll give him your direction.”

  “Thank you,” Grayson said. “I appreciate it.”

  “The lass and I saw everything. The man’s intentions were clear. You’re entitled to defend yourself.” He stared at Viscount Payne’s prone form. “He got what he deserved.”

  Viscount Payne was capable of a lot of evil. He’d hoped to protect Juliette from it. Maybe now they could go on and not think about what the viscount might do. He would be facing the constable, and whatever charges he seemed fit. They could put the whole fiasco in the past and move forward. He hugged Juliette against him and said, “We’re leaving as soon as the trunks are loaded in the carriage.”

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nbsp; She nodded and let him lead her to their carriage, and supervised the loading of the trunks. Grayson kept her close by his side until it was time to depart. It didn’t take long for the carriage to be ready. They were settled in the carriage and well on their way out of Scotland before he breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You too?” She asked.

  “What?”

  “Viscount Payne,” she shuddered. “He meant to kill you. I’m relieved to leave him behind and head home.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I’d make it out of that situation alive, but I had to do everything I could because the alternative was unacceptable. He would have hurt you, and I couldn’t allow that.”

  “I never want to go through that again. It’s made me realize something else to.” She laid her hand on his chest and met his gaze. “It’s been an adventure, and while I look forward to our life together—I want to stay home for a while. I’ve discovered I don’t particularly enjoy excitement as much as I thought I would.”

  “So my plans for our wedding trip to Rome are out?” He hadn’t actually made any plans. Where would he have found the time? But he couldn’t help teasing her. “I had high hopes of finding out if I compared to your fantasies about those gladiators.”

  Juliette scrunched her nose up. “Maybe one day, but as long as your with me, I’m content. We don’t need to go anywhere.”

  He leaned down and kissed her lightly. “My heart is happiest with you near too.”

  “There was a time I believed no gentlemen would want to kiss me. Wallflowers find it hard to imagine a happily-ever-after. ” Her whole face brightened as she met his gaze. “But now I know I was waiting for you. No other man’s kiss would have been right.”

  He’d kiss her every day, more than once if necessary, if that was her desire. But this year would always hold a special place in his heart. It was their first one as husband and wife, and kissing Juliette was a gift he’d always hold dear. Christmastide hadn’t gone as he’d planned—it’d been so much better…

  Epilogue

  Grayson was sitting in his study going over some of the paperwork his steward had sent over for him to examine. So far he hadn’t found anything out of the ordinary and wasn’t sure why the man thought it needed his attention. He had to be missing something, but finding it was proving impossible. He’d have to leave it for another day.

  Christmastide had started and he’d promised Juliette he’d spend the evening with her. It was the anniversary of their first year as husband and wife. It was a celebration he hoped to cherish every year. Not every man had the pleasure of loving his wife. Grayson considered himself lucky he’d married her. He’d almost been foolish enough to refuse.

  He set the papers on his desk in a neat pile. They’d wait for him there. When the time was right he’d look them over with fresh eyes, and possibly then he’d figure out what his steward wanted him to see. He flipped through a set of invitations—only one peaked his interest. It was from his good friend the Marquis of Knightly and his wife. The invitation was for him and Juliette to attend a dinner they were holding over Christmastide. It was an intimate affair that would only have their closest friends in attendance. Grayson assumed it would include Bradford, the marchioness’s brother, along with her friend Pippa and her husband. He scribbled a quick note to be delivered accepting the invite on behalf of himself, and Juliette. He couldn’t wait to see his friends and hoped everyone would be there.

  For now he’d go in search of Juliette. Grayson left his study and headed to the sitting room. They’d chosen to spend the season at his London townhouse. That way she could remain close to her father. The earl had been more worried about Juliette than angry, and welcomed her home with open arms. He’d been surprised she’d run away to marry Grayson. Her father hadn’t realized just how opposed Juliette had been to marrying Lord Payne, and apologized for not listening to her, and following Eloise’s advice. For her part, Juliette was glad she didn’t have to see her step-mother every day. There would never be any love between the two women, but they’d learn to tolerate each other for the earl’s sake. Riverdale had been horrified to learn of Lord Payne’s crimes. Payne survived his injury and was deported for his actions. His title had been stripped from him and given to the next person in line to inherit it. In the end it had all worked out.

  When he entered the sitting room he found Juliette staring out a window. It was similar to the memory of their last Christmastide as children. She even had a similar expression on her face. Her eyes were wide, her mouth opened a touch, and her cheeks slightly reddened.

  “Wishing on stars again are you?”

  Juliette turned from the window and faced him. “Not many stars to see in the city.” She crossed the room to him and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. He held her against him as she laid her head on his shoulder. “Besides all my wishes have come true. What could I possibly hope to gain that I don’t already have?”

  He kissed the top of her head. “What did you wish for all those years ago.”

  She glanced up at him and met his gaze. “I wished to spend all of my days with you by my side. It took longer than I expected, but better late than never.” Her lips tilted upward. “What would you have wished for.”

  “The same thing,” he replied. “Although I’m more greedy than you. I want more.”

  His life was more than he could have imagined it could be, and it was all because of her. Happiness had seemed so elusive at one time in his life. Now that he had it he couldn’t imagine how he’d managed without it for most of his life. There was only one thing that would make it better.

  “Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “What do you want? Maybe I can give it to you.”

  “I’m counting on it,” he replied. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Please make me a father.”

  She jerked back, surprise filling her eyes. He’d believed he’d make a horrible father. His own had been a terrible role model. The more time he spent with Juliette he believed it could be possible.

  “In that case,” Juliette said. The corner of her lip twitched. “I have good news for you, Your Grace.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “It’s my pleasure to inform you that you will be a father sometime in early summer. I hope that meets with your approval.”

  He couldn’t have asked for anything more. “You’re perfect.”

  When he looked into her eyes every wish he’d ever dared to hope for came true. She was his everything. He’d been a fool and gave up on her. At least she’d had the good sense to come to him in her moment of need. They took the long way around, but it worked out how it was supposed to. She was the brightest part, and the shooting star he’d made the biggest wish of his life on. When she crossed his path again it was the best thing that happened to him. He’d never give up her, on them, ever again.

  They’d come so far in their lives. Life could do its worst and throw anything at them, and through it all he’d have faith in the strength of their love. Because Juliette was what held it all together. He finally understood the importance of the knots at their wedding. It was more than a string tied together in a fancy way. It was their love knotted together for eternity, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Excerpt

  A Kiss At Christmastide:

  Connected by a Kiss

  Book One

  Christina McKnight

  La Loma Elite Publishing

  Prologue

  Lady Pippa Godfrey, the only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Midcrest, sat in the front row of Lord and Lady Sheridan’s musicale recital, awaiting her turn at the pianoforte. It was the final evening of entertainment, thrown in Lady Natalie’s honor on the eve of her introduction to society. The room was crowded, overly hot, and the competing voices were deafening as Pippa waited for the next debutante to be called to the dais to apply her talents to her chosen instrument—some played the harpsichord or another stringed instrument, while others favored singing.


  Pippa’s fingers ached, and her head swam at the thought of standing before the large crowd—mostly strangers and only a few she could greet by name—and playing the complex piece her music tutor had requested she perform. It was then that she looked to her lap and realized her hands were clenched tightly, clutching the fabric of her gown, wrinkling the delicate material and causing pain in her fingers.

  Forcing her eyes shut, Pippa took a calming breath and pleaded with her hands to release their death grip on her gown. The delicate material would likely be creased beyond her lady’s maid’s ability to straighten it. It was as if her hands had a mind of their own—and Pippa feared they’d take over once more when she settled behind the pianoforte.

  She mustn’t make a spectacle of herself before so many people—it certainly would not do to start her first London Season being the topic of gossip in every salon and ballroom.

  A raspy female voice cleared not far from Pippa, the sound quieting the room instantly as everyone held their breaths.

  When Pippa opened her eyes, Lady Natalie stood on the raised dais with a coy smile as she surveyed the audience. They were all staring at her as if she were about to announce something far grander than the next young girl to massacre a piece written by a great composer—or worse yet, pierce every eardrum in the room as she sang a note far too high. Her friend, Lady Natalie, was certainly at ease in her place as hostess and honoree of this grand three-day-long celebration.

  In no way did she envy Natalie’s effortless grace, for all Pippa wanted was for this evening—and her first Season—to be complete. For the moment, she’d settle for her time at the pianoforte to be over, for then she’d be allowed to depart the Sheridan townhouse for her own home in Mayfair. A few hours spent gowned in her night shift while reading a book by candlelight far into the morning hours, sounded much more pleasing to Pippa than standing before this crowd and announcing the piece that had been chosen for her to play while every set of eyes scrutinized her every move.