A Duchess to Remember (31 page)

Her heart twisted. The loss of his reputation in scientific circles had been hellish for Jonathon. In his shoes, she would feel the same. She understood the need to be reckless when one’s life seemed to have lost purpose and meaning.

She worried about him, nevertheless. He wouldn’t listen to her, of course. She was a mere sister and a much younger one, at that. At Cecily’s entreaty, her cousin Beckenham had tried to persuade Jonathon to moderate his behavior, but Beckenham’s warning had gone unheeded.

She must simply hope her brother did not damage himself before he came to his senses—or anyone else, for that matter. The Duke of Montford watched over him and so did Rand. That was a small comfort. Their subtlety might succeed where Beckenham’s straightforward reprimands failed.

She turned her head a little to look up at her husband. “Do you think Jonathon will ever be happy?”

He kissed her crown, running his hands up and down her arms to grasp her shoulders. “Give him time, my love. It is a big adjustment for him.”

“Yes. But I cannot help the feeling that he is about to do something reckless.” She shivered. “Even more reckless, I mean. Something irreversible.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” said Rand.

“Yes,” she said, comforted. “I know you will.”

Rand turned her in his arms. Framing her face with his palms, he fell into those dark eyes. “Any regrets on your own account?”

He knew the answer, but he never tired of hearing it.

She shook her head. “I am more myself with you than with anyone else. You challenge me, excite me, you make me feel safe. You make me want to give you all of that in return. I am so very happy. I cannot believe I ever contemplated a life without you. How utterly dreary, how empty that would have been.”

Emotion bloomed in his chest. Regardless of everyone present, he kissed her, deeply, thoroughly, ignoring the whistles and catcalls from his newfound family.

“I love you,” he said against her lips.

“Oh, my dearest, darlingest duke,” sighed Cecily, shining up at him. “I love you, too.”

Don’t miss the first two novels in the Ministry of Marriage series from Christina Brooke

HEIRESS IN LOVE

MAD ABOUT THE EARL

Available from St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Also by

Christina Brooke

Heiress in Love

Mad About the Earl

Praise for Christina Brooke’s
Heiress in Love

“Each scene is more sensual and passionate than the last.”

—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“Riveting tale of life, loss, convenience, and heart-wrenching love! Superbly written!”

—
Fresh Fiction

“With this delightful debut Brooke demonstrates her ability for creating a charming cast of characters who are the perfect players in the first of the Ministry of Marriage series. Marriage-of-convenience fans will rejoice and take pleasure in this enchanting read.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Clever, lush, and lovely—an amazing debut!”

—Suzanne Enoch,
New York Times
bestselling author

“A delightful confection of secrets and seduction,
Heiress in Love
will have readers craving more!”

—Tracy Anne Warren

“One of the most compelling heroes I’ve read in years.”

—Anna Campbell

About the Author

CHRISTINA BROOKE
is a former lawyer who staged a brilliant escape from the corporate world and landed squarely in Regency England. She lives in Australia with her husband, two sons, and an ancient Great Dane cross called Monty. Christina loves travel, window-shopping in antique stores, pink champagne and fine Swiss chocolate. She especially loves hearing from readers. You can find Christine on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or “at home” on
www.christina-brooke.com
.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER

Copyright © 2012 by Christina Brooke.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

www.stmartins.com

eISBN: 9781466816008

St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / July 2012

St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.