Jackal (Regency Refuge 2) (22 page)

Juliana took a deep breath and inspected the chapel. He might not always say exactly what he thought, and she may spend the rest of her days trying to unravel the complexities of this man, but she would always be able to look to his actions and know his heart. "Have the banns been read?"

Rupert nodded, his eyes masking his thoughts. Had he been uncertain how she'd react? Was he surprised she was being agreeable? She would have plenty of time to ask him later.

Juliana rested her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Well, my husband-to-be, let us go take care of this matter straightaway. No dilly-dallying, now. Girls! Eudora and Eleanor, come along! Mrs. Burnham, step to it!"

Then, with Rupert's cravat still askew, and Juliana's hair barely contained by the pins disturbed in the carriage a short while ago, the two of them marched arm in arm – with a slow gate and the help of a sturdy cane – toward the magnificent future awaiting them.

Epilogue

August 1817

"You did WHAT?" Juliana was certain Rupert's bellow could be heard all the way to London. It was a good thing she knew it was more for show than anything else.

"I told her to invite him for a weekend visit."

"Lucien is not to be trusted."

"I agree, but Eudora adores him."

"I don't want him in my house."

"Why, dear?" Juliana trailed her fingers along Rupert's jawline.

"Because Eudora adores him."

"At least they'll be where we can keep an eye on them."

"You have no idea how easy it is for a man who desires a woman to find places to hide so he can express his desire properly."

"I think you mean improperly."

Rupert glowered at her.

"Besides Eudora's fondness for him, is there any other reason you dislike Lucien? Is there something you're not telling me? Something top-secret, perhaps?"

Rupert mumbled.

"What was that, love?"

"I wish I could tell you he's a treasonous fop, but I can't. He's good at his job, loyal to his country, astute, hardworking."

Juliana flashed a flirtatious smile at her husband. "Ah, so he's a younger version of you, then."

He winced. "Where have I been? You've decided to admire young Lucien? I thought you detested him as much as I do."

"Wedded bliss has softened me up a bit, I think. I want Eudora to be happy, too. If you'd ended up being a horrible husband who made me cry myself to sleep every night, then I'd probably agree with you that they should be kept apart. You, however, had to go and ruin it by being the perfect husband."

He snorted. "Perfect? Can I quote you? Maybe leak it to the society pages?"

She swatted his arm.

Rupert reached out and snagged her hand out of mid-air, pulling with enough force to tumble his wife into his lap. He pulled her in close and kissed her temple. "Eudora doesn't know what Lucien does for a living. I'm not sure which worries me more – that she doesn't know, or that he may someday tell her. Both put her at risk."

Juliana kissed the spot on his neck where his pulse beat out a warm rhythm. "I think Eudora knows more than we realize, and I suspect she's stronger than I've ever admitted. We have to give them a chance to find their own path."

Rupert's arms tightened around her.

"Do you miss it? Living on the edge of adventure?"

She felt, rather than saw, Rupert's smile. "I've discovered the joys of married life far outweigh the uncertainties in that line of work. There's no contest. If I had to choose between sleeping in a flea-bitten inn with nothing but my sword and pistol for company or sharing a soft feather-bed with a precious jewel, I'd pick you every single time."

Juliana sighed with contentment. She hardly remembered what life had been like before Rupert had become a part of it. Then a stray thought flitted through her mind, and she giggled.

"I declare my undying love, and you laugh. You're good for my ego."

"I was thinking."

"Please tell me you weren't thinking you'd rather share your bed with a pistol and a sword."

She loved sitting on his lap. It put her at an advantageous height for kissing. Leaning in, she let her lips rest against his and kissed him as she fought a smile. Lips twitching, he pulled back. A single eyebrow rose as he awaited her explanation.

"I'm rather fond of the way you call me jewel, but you do need to know, I'm not likely to ever call you Jackal. I think the word, and all I can picture is a mangy animal with giant ears and a dirty tail."

"Ah, so you find my ears too small to pull it off." The twitch in his lips gave way to laughter, and she pushed on his chest.

"If you're a jackal, and I'm a jewel, then what shall our children be?"

He captured her lips in another kiss. "When we have children, we shall call them only one thing."

"Hmm," she said, distracted. "And what's that?"

"Perfect."

About the Author

Heather Gray
is the author of the Ladies of Larkspur inspirational western romance series, including
Mail Order Man
,
Just Dessert
, and
Redemption
. Other titles include
Ten Million Reasons
,
His Saving Grace
, and
Nowhere for Christmas
– everything from Regency England to modern-day America. Aside from a long-standing love affair with coffee, Heather’s greatest joys are her relationships with her Savior and her family. Years ago, Heather decided she'd rather laugh than yell. This theme is evident in her writing where, through the highs and lows of life, her characters find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her.