Lady Revealed (25 page)

Acker turned to her. “I thought you would want to go back as soon as possible to speak with your mother.”

“Of course,” she sighed. “I was simply caught up with the school and my betrothal.”

“We have plenty of time for the school,” Acker assured her. “Plans are already drawn up of each floor and rooms to take with you and you can design as you wish.”

Her eyes lit with excitement.

“We can study them back at Bentley Manor and orders will be sent to the workmen.”

“I can do whatever I wish?”

“Of course,” he kissed the end of her nose. “Besides, I have no idea what all is needed in a school. Only you can decide.”

It was almost too much. She would have a school and could design it the way she wished. “Oh, Drake, this is the most wonderful gift anyone has ever given me.” Not only that, but she would be able to dance and was marrying the man who held her heart.

Juliette glanced back at her brother and sister-in-law. “Did everyone know what Acker was about?”

“No,” Acker answered. “Only Jordan and Audrey.”

Why only those two she wondered.

“Acker knew I would understand,” Jordan explained. “I had to hide what I was doing, what I really wanted to be until father died. I know what it is like to be denied what you want most because others determine what is best for you.”

Tears flooded her eyes. “Thank you for understanding.”

“The rest will in time. They may be a bit slower than I, but they will come around.”

“The important thing,” Acker added. “Is that I don’t care what anyone else thinks or does. You will shortly be my wife and if anyone has an objection, they can go hang.”

Juliette laughed.

Drake looked into her eyes. His were deep cobalt, filled with love. “I hope you don’t want a drawn out betrothal.”

It was the last thing she wanted. If it were possible, she would marry him this instant. “I would like to be married as soon as possible.”

“Then it is a good thing I have a special license.”

Juliette grinned up at him.

“Well, come along. There is much to do so we can leave tomorrow,” Jordan announced.

“We will be there in a moment,” Acker said

Jordan stood his ground and glared at Acker. Audrey grabbed his arms. “Come along. There is no harm in leaving them alone.”

“No harm? Are you mad?”

“I only wish for a few moments alone with my intended,” Acker assured him.

Jordan studied him for a moment. “Very well, but only for a short time or I will be back.”

With that he allowed Audrey to pull him from the room and Juliette could hear them retreating toward the stairs.

“Thank you,” Juliette said once they were alone. “The only thing that could make me happier at this moment was if maman regained her health.”

They both knew that was not going to happen.

“I love you,” she said.

“And I love you.” With that Acker kissed her again, as thoroughly as he had earlier until Jordan yelled from below.

“Let’s return you to Bentley Manor to be married as soon as a vicar can be summoned.”

Juliette grinned. “I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“And dance,” Acker reminded her.

“And dance,” Juliette sighed.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series

His Impetuous Debutante

His Contrary Bride

His (Not so) Sensible Miss

The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies Series

To Walk in the Sun

To Love a Governess Series

Sacked – Regency Short

Handfasted – Regency Novella

Ruined – Regency Short

Anthologies

A Summons from His Grace –
Compromised for Christmas

The Betting Season
– Landing a Laird

A Season to Remember
– Devil in Her Dreams

The Tenacious Trents

A Misguided Lord

A Perfect Gentleman

A Lass for Christmas (Novella)

A Reluctant Rake

Compromised for Christmas

Lady Revealed

Compilations

Scots, Spies and Salacious Lies

Timeless Collection

Jane Charles has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love. She long ago lost count of how many fiction novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion, which has been fully supported by her husband, three children and three cats.

JaneCharlesAuthor.com

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