Mr. Hunt, I Presume (Playful Brides, #10.5)(33)
“What took you so long?”
“I’ve been a fool,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips, “but I intend to make up for it with all due haste.”
She watched, hypnotized, as his tender kiss brushed across her knuckles. Then she swallowed and said, “You thought I was married in Shropsbury, didn’t you?”
Collin gave a solemn nod. “Your mother told me you were.”
“What?” Horror washed over her. How could her mother spin such a lie, and one that would destroy her own daughter’s future for so very long?
“I came for you that Christmas,” Collin said. “The Christmas after you left. Your mother told me you’d married a viscount and moved to Shropsbury.”
Erienne pressed a hand to her throat, tears welling anew on her lashes at the thought of him, so young and hopeful, arriving at her family home and meeting with the impenetrable brick wall of righteousness that was her mother. “That’s horrible. I never knew.”
“At the time, I assumed it was for the best. I thought I wasn’t good enough for you, Air. I still think that. But I intend to spend the rest of my life attempting to become good enough.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck again. “You only have to be yourself, darling.”
“Yes, well, as to that. I intend to stop working so much and take a great many more holidays.”
She laughed as he nuzzled her neck. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” he said lightly, and with complete certainty. “I find I’m quite preoccupied with my new pastime.”
“Which is?” She leaned her head back against the velvet squabs of the coach and closed her eyes.
“Making love to my beautiful wife.”
“Hmm. I like the sound of that.”
“Lord Treadway is just going to have to manage without me.”
“He’ll be fine,” Erienne replied.
“I agree,” Collin declared, pushing the sleeves of her gown over her arms to kiss the tops of her breasts.
“Are you going to make love to me in a carriage of all places?” she asked, slightly scandalized.
He arched a brow. “Any objections?”
“None whatsoever,” she said with a laugh. “Carry on, General.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The wedding took place exactly four weeks later, after the banns had been read in Brighton. Erienne’s parents both attended, even though she’d had strong words with her mother for her deception all those years ago. Her parents were quite willing to accept Collin into their family now that he was a general, a highly valued spy, and an official at the Home Office. Not to mention he was wealthy. He’d set about paying all of the bills for Peter’s surgery; and had even given her father money to perform some much needed restorations to their family home. Derek sent a virtual army of craftsmen to complete the work. Seemed the Hunt boys from the small cottage on the wrong side of town were the pride of Brighton these days.
Little Lady Mary and Lord Ralph were dressed in finery for the wedding, and Lucy hugged both the bride and groom an inordinate amount of times. “I must admit,” she told them after the ceremony, “you two frightened me more than any couple in the history of my matchmaking endeavors.”
“Yes, well, it seems we’re going to be in need of a new governess ... again,” Derek said with a sigh.
Lucy smiled and patted her husband’s arm. “Don’t worry. I kept all the letters from Mrs. Griggs.”
Derek’s brows shot up. “That confident, were you, that these two would get back together?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,” Lucy replied with a nonchalant shrug.
Her arm resting comfortably in Collin’s, Erienne leaned in and confided to her friend, “Your unswayable romantic convictions are nothing short of admirable, dear Lucy.”
“Indeed.” Collin added dryly, but then shared a gentle smile with his bride.
Derek looked less certain. “Very well, Lucy, but next time, can you please find a governess who is already married, or perhaps a nice widow?”
“I can make no promises.” Lucy winked at him.
“Seriously, Lucy, when will you stop matchmaking?” Collin asked.
Lucy tapped a finger against her cheek. “I suppose I’ll die eventually. Perhaps at that time I’ll consider retirement. Until then ... my friend Delilah Montebank has made her debut, and hers shall be the match of the century.”
*
Thank you for reading Mr. Hunt, I Presume. Please page forward to see a complete booklist, an author’s note, my biography, how to contact me, and the first chapter of No Other Duke But You!
Also by Valerie Bowman
Playful Brides
The Unexpected Duchess (Book 1) The Accidental Countess (Book 2) The Unlikely Lady (Book 3) The Irresistible Rogue (Book 4) The Unforgettable Hero (Book 4.5) The Untamed Earl (Book 5)
The Legendary Lord (Book 6) Never Trust a Pirate (Book 7) The Right Kind of Rogue (Book 8) A Duke Like No Other (Book 9) Kiss Me At Christmas (Book 10) Mr. Hunt, I Presume (Book 10.5)
No Other Duke But You (Book 11)
Secret Brides
Secrets of a Wedding Night (Book 1) A Secret Proposal (Book 1.5) Secrets of a Runaway Bride (Book 2) A Secret Affair (Book 2.5) Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage (Book 3) It Happened Under the Mistletoe (Book 3.5)