Her bonnet fell back, her cloak swirling around her as she picked up speed. Running harder, closer, ever closer. She veered suddenly right—and so did Nick—as the gatekeeper swung open the small gate set into the wall next to the carriage drive.
She was through, his arms tight around her, his chin resting on her head. She made one last half-hearted attempt to explain she was unworthy, and he laughed. Nick Black actually laughed out loud, declaring as he swung her in a triumphant circle, “By God, we are well-matched—two sinners in search of redemption!”
And then he was once again clasping her tight, murmuring an admonition never to leave him ever again, and she heard herself murmuring something equally as emotional in return. Then right there in front of the gatekeeper, the coachman, Nick’s bodyguards, and all the traffic on the London Road, he kissed her. Long and deep and heart-felt. And Cecy’s last niggling doubts disappeared. She had finally found her true home.
Juliana Rivenhall, her skirts spread over the blue and green brocade sofa, had no trouble picturing the joyful reunion at her front gate. She was pleased. Another pupil successfully placed.
She wasn’t jealous, of course she wasn’t.
A tear rolled silently down her cheek, dripped onto her green silk skirt, slowly spreading into a coin-sized spot. Juliana stared at it, her mind churning.
She was so adept at giving advice . . . yet woefully unable to see her way through her own muddle.
If Cecilia and Nick Black could forgive each other’s sins . . .
No, never! What lay between herself and her wolf was insurmountable.
But Darius had amply demonstrated his ability to penetrate the walls of Thornhill Manor any time he liked. He’d be back, blast him.
Oh yes, he’d be back.
~ * * * ~
About the Author:
Below is a list of my books. In addition to Regency-set stories, I write Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Steampunk, and Futuristic.
The Golden Beach (GB) books are not a classic series. Some have connected characters; others, only a connected setting, a very real Florida Gulfcoast resort and retirement community whose name has been changed because the residents would like to keep its uniqueness a deep, dark secret.
Twitter: @blairbancroft
Books by Blair Bancroft:
The Aphrodite Academy series (in order)
Belle
Cecilia
Holly (coming soon)
Juliana (2015)
The Regency Warrior series (in order)
The Sometime Bride
Tarleton’s Wife
O’Rourke’s Heiress
Rogue’s Destiny
Other Regencies & Historicals
The Captive Heiress (Medieval)
The Mists of Moorhead Manor (Regency Gothic)
Lady of the Lock
The Courtesan’s Letters
The Temporary Earl
The Harem Bride
A Season for Love
A Gamble on Love
Lady Silence
Steeplechase
Mistletoe Moment (Christmas novella)
The Last Surprise (Christmas novella)
Steampunk/Alternative History
Airborne - The Hanover Restoration
Romantic Suspense, Thrillers & Mystery
Florida Wild
Death by Marriage (GB)
Orange Blossoms & Mayhem (GB)
Shadowed Paradise (GB)
Paradise Burning (GB)
Limbo Man
Contemporary Romance
Florida Knight (GB)
Love At Your Own Risk