While Andrew and Teddy, linking elbows and laughing, jigged about like two drunken sailors, Lesley reined Lucifer beneath the beech tree in the farthermost corner of the garden, where a lantern lit and hung from one of the lower branches made a soft pool of tallowy light.
“No more masks,” he said firmly, untying the ribands securing the one Charles had sent with Amanda’s costume.
He loosened the tight coils Marie had put in her hair as he did so, then tossed the mask away, and tenderly cupped her face in his hands.
“I love you, Amanda Gilbertson.”
“I love you, Lesley Earnshaw.”
“Even though I deceived you? Twice?”
“Yes,” she replied, a mischievous glint coming into her eyes. “But there’d better not be a third time.”
“Never again, my darling,” he promised, and kissed her.
It was the kiss he’d never thought to give her, the kiss that had tormented him until Charles’s messenger had found him earlier that day at their father’s hunting box. Being there had been torture; torture he’d thought he deserved, and that now made the quiver of Amanda’s mouth against his even sweeter.
“My dearest darling,” she sighed contentedly, once he’d released her and folded her into his arms.
“I was terrified you wouldn’t come to me when you saw it was my face behind the mask,” Lesley murmured into her hair.
“I might not have,” Amanda admitted, tipping back her head to smile at him, “if Charles hadn’t told me it was you, and Mr. Fisk hadn’t explained your pact with him.”
“But how did Charles—”
“He recognized Lucifer.”
“You are aware, are you not,” Lesley asked with a grin, “that this is the second time I’ve compromised you?”
“And you are aware, are you not,” Amanda returned happily. “that you absolutely must marry me this time?”
“Oh, definitely,” he returned agreeably. “It’s why I made sure the whole of the ton was present to witness your ruination.”
“You are a wicked man, Lesley Earnshaw,” Amanda laughed.
“I was a wicked man,” he corrected her. “For tonight is the last time Captain Rakehell will ride.”
“Before you go, captain, I have one last question.” Amanda smiled up at him playfully. “Just exactly where were you wounded?”
“Why, Waterloo, of course.”
“Not that where.” Amanda made a face at him. “The other where.”
“Never you mind, for now.” Lesley kissed the tip of her nose and chuckled. “You’ll find out on our wedding night.”
Copyright © 1989 by Lynne Smith
Originally published by Fawcett Crest
Electronically published in 2005 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.RegencyReads.com
Electronic sales: ebooks@regencyreads.com
This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title page
CAPTAIN RAKEHELL
Lynn Michaels
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen