The Golden Rules of Love: Western Romance (21 page)

Five years later:

Annie woke slowly;
the rocking of the ship always lulled her into a deep sleep. Being curled up next to Mack didn’t help either. His body still fit hers like a glove and she never felt safer than when she was in his arms.

“You are such a sleepyhead in the morning. Wake up!” His warm, rich voice filled her ears as his hand tickled down her arm. His touch still ignited her skin.

“I don’t want to. I like it here with you.” She stretched like a cat and she heard his sharp intake of breath.

“Little Collin and Juliette will be in here any minute.” But quick as a snake, he rolled on top of her, pinning her underneath him as he kissed her neck and face.

“What time will we reach the harbor?” She swatted at him playfully, even as she arched into his touch.

“Less than hour,” he muttered as his mouth reached her breast.

“You’d better hurry then. Everyone will be waiting for us.”

Mack sighed, “I suppose we should get you ready instead. Tom and Mary Beth will be waiting at the docks.”

“Probably Rake, Fergal, and Cookie too.”

“Most likely Finnigan will be there with a full report of the business. Being gone a month leaves lots to pile up.” He lay next to her again, snuggling her into his side.

“It was worth it though. I know my parents appreciated seeing the kids and I’m glad I got to make amends with my father.”

“Me too, sweetheart. We’ll have to go back after the baby.” He rubbed her tummy, kissing her ear.

“They said they would come to us. My husband does own a shipping company. A rather successful one at that.” She ran her hand down his bare chest, loving the feel of his skin.

“Not to correct you, but we own it together,” he reminded her, as he slid back on top of her.

“We are so very lucky.”

He kissed her lips, long and slow. “Yes, we are.”

THE END

EXCERPT

TAMING A DUKE’S WILD ROSE

England, Autumn of 1854

Lady Rose Evelyn
Wentworth sat by the river that flanked her father’s country estate. She had been coming here for as long as she could remember. Sometimes she would read. Other times, her mind would wander. As a child, she had spent many hours daydreaming in this very spot about the brave soldier who rescued her from some dastardly fiend. If she had a dilemma she couldn’t solve, this was the place she would come.

She bit her lip. It didn’t matter how long she sat on this bank, Rose doubted any solution would come to mind. Her father had seen to that. Turning back, she watched her two guards stare blankly ahead. She knew better than to let their expressions fool her. They were watching her every move. If she tried to run, they would surely catch her.

Lady Rose was the only daughter of Lord Robert Essex, 7th Earl of Essex. As his only child, it was her duty to marry well and increase the family’s standings, both financially and aristocratically. Leastwise, that is what he had told her over and over again.

And so, he had arranged a marriage for her that he found incredibly satisfactory. In one month’s time, she was to marry His Grace, the 11th Duke of Wellington.

Rose shivered despite the summer heat. His Grace was a recluse, who was said to be disfigured. He had a sharp mind for business. Her father said he was wealthy beyond her imagination and the scars were not that bad, her father claimed.

No one knew how he had gotten them. Though everyone liked to speculate. War wounds and bar brawls were popular stories among the ton.

Fingering the ribbons on her bonnet, Rose gave a shiver, despite the warm day. She could not care less how he had gotten them. It only mattered that she not marry those scars or the man who bore them.

Her heart was set on another man, Mr. Carl Lundberg, a true war hero who was handsome and dashing. Sighing, she conjured his image. They had tried to run away, but her father had caught her. Now she was trapped with two body guards and an impending wedding.

Her father said she was a rash fool but she paid him no mind. Though it was more difficult to ignore him when he said she had declared herself in love no less than three times. Or when he said that Carl was exactly like the others. “He’s a handsome piece of fluff. You will do better with a man who will ground your wayward tendencies.”

She huffed her breath at the thought of it.

“What troubles you so, my lady?” a voice called from the shade of the trees. While the sun still warmed her skin, the first autumn colors were beginning to emerge.

Turning her head slightly, she attempted to see who spoke. She couldn’t see his face. He stood in the shadows. She could see that he was quite tall and very broad. She sat a little straighter, eyeing her guards. Why were they letting this man address her?

Her two chaperones were equally engaged as they giggled to each other further down the river. Useless pieces of fluff, she thought to herself.

“My troubles are the plight of women and unlikely to be very concerning to you, whoever you are.” Rose sniffed delicately looking back at the water.

She heard him give a small chuckle. “Perhaps you should try me.” His voice was deep and rich. It mattered not to Rose, she was already in love. But somehow she couldn’t help but note it.

“Forgive me sir, but I do not know you.” She stood and her guards took a step forward.

“Of course, my name is Alexander Cross, a pleasure Lady Rose. And may I say, you have far more sense than your father gives you credit for.”

“You must be acquainted with him. He tells everyone he knows that I have no sense.” Rose took another step towards the man. With an intensity she didn’t quite understand, she longed to see his face but it was still shadowed.

“He also spoke of your beauty and your intellect.”

“You are most certainly making that bit up. He hasn’t said a kind word about me since the age of thirteen.”

“What happened when you were thirteen?” His voice was softer than it had been before and it pulled at her like an invisible force.

She took another step closer. “I met the first boy I thought was handsome and dashing.”

He laughed again. “Well, that would send a father into a tizzy. And why do you think he no longer holds you in his esteem?”

“Hmmm… I am headstrong, fickle, rash, and one mustn’t forget disobedient.”

“Do you get any points for honesty?” His voice rolled over her and his broad shoulder’s shook as he laughed.

“One would think but I seriously doubt it. How do you know my father, Mr. Cross?” Her guard still had not moved and she could only assume that they knew who she was talking to or that they thought she had gone daft. She took another step closer. His chiseled jaw came into focus. Her curiosity intensified.

“We have intimate business relations.” He cleared his throat.

Her eyebrow’s lifted as she perched her gloved hand on one of her hips. It was an elusive answer. “I have been very honest with you, Mr. Cross.”

“You have me there but a woman always prefers a man who is a mystery.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

She took yet another step in his direction and then cocked her head to the side. “Am I supposed to prefer you, Mr. Cross? I find it unlikely as my father has already chosen a husband for me.”

“And how do you feel about your father choosing a husband for you?” Rarely was Rose asked such a question. It both put her at ease with this man but gave her the vague sense she was slowly being drawn into a web. She wanted to get closer but it seemed dangerous to do so. The hair on her arms lifted as a slight chill ran down her back.

“What I want matters not. It is my duty to do as I am told. In case I forget my duty, these two lovely gentlemen are here to remind me.” She gestured toward the guards.

“It seems excessive for such a delicate woman to have such men standing guard.”

“Well, now we are back to the part where I am rash and disobedient.” She took another half step toward him until his piercing eyes and full lips came into view. A little flutter in rose her stomach. He was right, mystery was exciting. Especially when it involved a tall, dark, and handsome man.

“It has been a pleasure my lady. I would love to stay and chat longer but I have business with your father. Perhaps, I will see you later.” His words were abrupt and he took a step back further into the shadows.

Rose took another step toward him. He turned his head to the right and his profile came into view. Rich chocolate brown hair curled at his neck and around his ear.

“Are you staying for dinner, Mr. Cross?”

“Yes, I believe I am.”

“Well then, I am certain I will see you tonight.” She took one more step in his direction. Despite being close enough to touch him, she was still in the sun while he was in the shade, and his features became even less distinguishable, but Rose caught a hint of his scent. He smelled of pine and horse and leather. It was masculine and rich, making her itch to get closer and investigate his heady aroma further. Had she ever noted a man’s scent before?

“May I ask you one more question my lady?”

Her eyebrows rose again. “I have told you all about myself and you have shared nothing. It hardly seems fair for me to answer another question.”

The corner of his lip that she could see turned up into a smile. “No wonder you have left a string of broken hearts. Smart, charming, and beautiful.”

“You flatter me sir, but it will not grant you anymore answers. If you would like information, you will have to tell me something of yourself.”

“I do not flatter you, I speak the truth. I will most certainly share something of myself but regretfully, I must go. Perhaps, we can continue this conversation another time?” He turned away from her and mounted his horse. While it would have been easier for him to come into the sun and follow the river, he rode his horse into the trees remaining in the shade. She wished desperately to see the rest of his face.

Rose shook her head. He had intrigued her when most bored her to tears. Not even Carl had piqued her interest quite so much and her soldier talked of little else than his bravery on the battlefield. Hopefully, her curiosity would soon be satisfied and she would learn more about the mysterious Mr. Cross.

***

Alexander Cross trotted slowly up to the Earl’s manor. He was in no rush now that he was almost here. His eyes closed for a second as he pictured Lady Rose. She was even more beautiful than he could have imagined.

Blond hair and luminous blue eyes topped full lips and perfect features. Her skin was a flawless shade of cream with pale pink lips. Gentle curves had swayed perfectly as she had approached him. A small smile resting lightly on her lips as she bantered playfully with him. By God, she was stunning.

The real challenge would be keeping her attention. Even the bonds of marriage wouldn’t secure her feelings. If a man was going to make Rose his, he would have to do it in a way that completely captured her heart. Her father had been honest about her past. She fell easily in love and then lost interest after a time.

He had every intention of, not only marrying her, but truly making her his. That much was assured. It was not just her hand that he wanted but a woman he could trust with his heart.