To Seduce a Scoundrel (43 page)

ONE month later, Ambrose rode into Gerrans, his wife at his side. They dismounted in the churchyard and left their mounts to graze. In one hand, she clutched a bouquet of roses from Beckwith’s gardens. With the other, she twined her fingers through Ambrose’s.

He smiled down at her, still marveling almost constantly at how she’d changed his life. How she’d changed him.

They’d visited Nigel’s grave a few times. She always brought him flowers and always spoke to him as if they’d been acquainted. She settled the roses next to his headstone. “Good afternoon, Nigel. ‘Tis a beautiful day. We finished the new gate yesterday. Now Beckwith has a fine entrance to the keep and stables.”

Ambrose imagined his brother admiring the work, even though he couldn’t have helped build it. Strangely, he was able to see Nigel’s face more clearly now, but maybe that was because Philippa had insisted upon hanging the portrait of them as children in Ambrose’s study.

With her at his side, forgiveness for his sins was coming, at last. He still had dark moments, but she guided him through them with love and care. He’d never deserve her, but he’d spend his life trying.

Just as he’d pledged to shepherd Beckwith to its fullest potential. For Nigel.

She turned to him. “Ready?”

He nodded, and they turned from the grave and walked back to their horses.

She curled her hand around his forearm. “I meant to ask you about Hopkins’s letter last night, but you quite distracted me.” She narrowed her gaze seductively, clearly recalling their post-dinner activities in the solar when he’d made love to her on the settee facing the gardens at sunset.

And now he was the one distracted. “Pardon?”

“The letter you received yesterday from Hopkins?”

He dragged his thoughts from disrobing her. Such inappropriate meditations in a churchyard. “Ah, yes. All is well at the Black Horse.” Hopkins had taken over the club and Ackley’s training.

They reached their horses and walked them out to the High Street.

“Do you miss it?” she asked.

Shockingly, he didn’t. “No.” After rescuing her from Swan, Ambrose hadn’t once had the urge to fight. He leaned over to her and brushed his lips against hers. “All of my physical urges are currently being met, and I don’t anticipate that changing any time soon.”

She arched a brow. “‘Any time soon?’”

“Ever,” he clarified. He’d never get enough of her. With that in mind, he said, “There’s a little cove not too far past Portscatho. We could go down and watch the sea. Among other things.” He trailed his lips along her jaw.

“You want to do that on the beach? With all that sand?” She wrinkled her perfect nose. “That sounds frightfully uncomfortable.”

He snagged her earlobe between his teeth. “Actually, there’s a rock. I thought I might sit you on the edge—“

“You’re not trying to seduce me in public again, are you?”

He raised his head. “Sweetheart, that’s what scoundrels
do
. But make no mistake—you seduce me with every look, every touch, every breath. And I humbly beg you to never stop.”

She sighed in mock exasperation. “All right, if I must.” She traced her finger along his crooked nose. Her eyes shone with adoration. “I love you so, Ambrose.”

“I love you.”

She grasped his lapels. “Don’t ever stop.”

Just before his lips met hers, he whispered, “Never.”

Coming Winter 2013

NEVER LOVE A SCOUNDREL

Lord Lockwood and Lady Lydia Prewitt’s story.

and

SCOUNDREL EVER AFTER

Jagger and Miss Audrey Cheswick’s story.

About the Author

Darcy Burke wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. An RWA Golden Heart® Finalist, Darcy loves all things British (except tomatoes for breakfast, or any other time of day, actually) and happy ever afters.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and three cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. Visit Darcy online at
http://www.darcy-burke.com
, follow her on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/darcyburke
, or like her Facebook page,
facebook.com/darcyburkefans
.