A Rogue's Reckoning, page 16
“I am not so difficult, Franny. You simply need to walk in the room and I want you.”
Her brown eyes searched his and he noted doubt and perhaps fear, as if she was no longer certain of them.
“I love you, Franny. With my whole heart, I love you, and have for so long that I can no longer remember when the love of a dearest friend turned to the love of my heart.”
She smiled. “My seventeenth summer,” she said. “That is when I realized that I was in love with you.”
“It was the same for me.” He smiled. “I had returned from London, full of myself, a most mature nineteen-year-old and then you stepped into the cottage where I was waiting for you, and I truly lost my heart.”
“You did not tell me that you loved me until two years later,” she reminded him.
“I was afraid to lose my dearest friend. Afraid that it would change everything between us.”
“Do you not think we have waited long enough?” she asked.
Seth was tempted. He wanted her with a desperation he did not think possible, and as they were to wed as soon as possible, he gave up the fight to act with honor and placed his lips to hers.
Franny immediately relaxed against him. On a sigh, her lips parted and he plundered, pulling her against him as her arms lifted and her fingers feathered through his hair.
Slowly he backed her toward the bed until the mattress met her legs then lifted his head.
“Are you certain?”
“I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
“You will be my wife,” he ordered.
“I would not be here otherwise,” she returned and pulled him down to kiss her again.
Seth made quick work of the fastenings at the back of her gown and as he slid the fabric of her dress and chemise over her shoulders and down her arms, he moved his lips from hers to her jaw, then neck.
He left the gown to drop as soon as her breasts were exposed then lifted them, caressing each erect nipple with the pad of his thumbs.
Frances sucked in a breath and he bent to suck a perfectly formed bud between his lips. Frances began to fall, and he quickly anchored an arm around her waist since her knees seemed to have given out. He then slowly let her sit on the bed and he dropped to the floor, supported by his knees and worshipped her perfect breasts.
Instead of being lost in desire, Frances busied her hands by pushing his suitcoat from his shoulders, which Seth shrugged out of while still trying to remain attentive to her breasts, until he was forced to give up.
She then yanked on his cravat, loosening it before she tossed it aside.
He then unbuttoned his waistcoat and tore it off before Frances reached forward and pulled his shirt from his trousers and then over his head.
Once it was gone, Seth returned to kissing Frances as his hand slid under her skirts and over the silk stockings until he encountered her garters. He smiled as he determined that they would remain. He then caressed higher, stopping only when he reached the apex of her thighs.
Frances sucked in a breath as he lifted his head, his fingers just hovering over her damp heat. He wanted to look into her eyes when he finally touched her.
Her breaths were short, nearly pants, and then he touched her, his fingers meeting the dampness of her desire before he found the point of pleasure and swiped his thumb across it.
Frances let her head fall back as her eyes closed on her moan.
She was nearly ready for him, but it wouldn’t be like this, with her seated on his bed and still partially clothed. And, as much as he hated to draw away from her now, Seth did so and stood, then pulled Frances to her feet and quickly removed her dress and chemise, leaving her naked before him except for the stockings and garters. He then quickly removed his boots and trousers, which freed his painful arousal, before he took her in his arms again and gently lowered her to the bed.
Once again, he caressed her breasts, her stomach and when he reached her curls brought her to pleasure, her moans echoing in his ears and encouraging him until she stiffened and cried out her release. Seth wanted to bring her to pleasure over and over, but his body would not be denied and he moved to rest between her parted thighs.
“Are you certain?” he asked again.
Frances held out her arms, welcoming him to her and Seth pressed forward, her heat surrounding him. He tried to be gentle, but it was too difficult and he surged forward and stopped and waited. Bracing himself above her with his palms pressed against the mattress, he looked down into her brown eyes. She stared up at him, a small smile on her lips. It was as if she gave him further permission and Seth began to move.
Over and over, he thrust, just as he had imagined when he was teaching her billiards until his release came upon him in such a force that he arched and moaned deeply, his seed filling her until he was spent and fell to her side.
Frances could barely catch her breath as she stared at the ceiling of the bedchamber.
She wasn’t certain Seth had recovered either as he nearly panted in her ear, his arm draped over her waist and leg over her thighs.
“That was…”
“Incredible,” he answered.
The act had been explained to her, though it was difficult to truly understand, but she now most definitely understood why Tessa and her husband snuck off so often and when they returned, why Tessa was flushed and her hair slightly mussed.
“I do not want a Special License,” Seth announced.
Frances’ heart nearly stopped before it began thumping against her sternum.
Was this all a ruse? Had he decided to get his revenge on her after she had cheated and won his club?
For five years she hadn’t trusted him. Had she been a fool again?
“If we are going to break the rules, create a scandal—”
“—Scandal! What scandal?”
“The one that will be on everyone’s lips as soon as they learn you won The Emerald Garter from me in a game of chance.” He started to smile. “Therefore, we should only make it more scandalous.”
Was he going to tell everyone what she had wagered and what he took? That would certainly be a scandal and she would be forced to return to Yorkshire and never leave again, and that was assuming her family would let her live with them.
Seth certainly wouldn’t be so cruel, would he?
“How?” Frances asked with hesitation.
“Gretna Green, of course.” He grinned. “It is only fitting after such a wager. A simple Special License is boring, but eloping, far more fun.”
Frances blew out a sigh when she hadn’t even realized that she’d been holding her breath.
Seth rose up and cradled his head in his hand, his elbow on the mattress supporting him. “Franny, what is wrong? You are rather pale. Did I harm you?”
She nearly laughed. “No. When you decided against a Special License, I feared…”
She couldn’t force the words.
“Oh, Franny.” He tucked a curl behind her ear. “I am sorry to have frightened you. Given my poor decisions in the past, I understand why you were suddenly afraid. I promise that we will marry as quickly as possible and I will not leave your side until you tell me to go away.”
She smiled up at him, noting the warmth in his blue eyes. “I cannot imagine doing so,” she whispered while she fought the urge to cry both with relief and happiness.
“I love you,” he insisted.
“I love you,” she returned.
“Then it is settled.” Seth grinned. “As soon as we can put ourselves to rights, we will head off to Gretna Green. I understand that such journeys begin in the middle of the night.”
“It is nearly morning.” She laughed.
“Close enough.” Seth rose from the bed.
“What of my position. Tessa and Bethany are expecting me tomorrow night.”
“They will simply have to do without,” he insisted as he pulled on his trousers. “We will leave them a note after we stop only long enough for you to pack a satchel.”
Her eyes brightened. “Truly?”
“Yes. We have not had an adventure and it is high time that we did.”
The coolness of the room began to penetrate her skin and Frances’ face burned with embarrassment as she realized she had been lying there, completely naked, while he was dressing.
Quickly she sat up and searched for her dress before pulling it over her head, then standing to shake it out.
“Will we stop by your home as well?” she asked. “Lady Blythe should not be left to wonder what happened to you.”
Seth paused for a moment and cocked his head. “I suppose that I should. And I will likely need a change of clothing.”
Frances bent to pull on her slippers, though she had no idea when they were removed, or her cloak either, which was on the floor beside the bed.
Goodness, Seth certainly knew how to muddle her thoughts.
“When we return, I will introduce you as the new owner of The Emerald Garter.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
“Co-owner,” Frances insisted.
“So long as you promise to also always wear emerald garters.”
Epilogue
Three years later
Seth knelt before the flowerbed and pulled weeds while Frances stood over him, bossing as she had done the first day they had met.
“We have gardeners,” he reminded her.
“Your son needs to understand the importance of getting his hands dirty.”
Seth glanced at their two-year-old son who was playing in the mud from a spilled bucket of water. “I believe he has no difficulty with the concept.” His clothing was ruined and it was unlikely that the laundress would be able to remove the stains. Not that he or Frances cared. Rupert, named for Frances’ father, was forever tumbling about when they were outside and it was better to keep him in stained and torn clothing than to ruin a perfectly good set of clothing every single day.
Frances turned and lifted her hand to shade her eyes. “The addition should be complete soon.”
Seth dusted off his hands and stood, then took her in his arms. “I hope that is the case because I do not want workmen around when our daughter arrives.” He smoothed a hand over her large belly.
“You do not know that it is a girl,” Frances chastised.
“It most certainly is,” he insisted. “I already told you that you carry this child differently than you did Rupert.”
“It doesn’t feel any different.” She braced a hand at the small of her back.
“Trust me, you do, because I have every curve of you memorized. Nothing goes unnoticed.”
“Which is why I am in this state.” She laughed.
“I do believe that you seduced me because you wanted a second child.”
“Are you certain?” She cocked her head and studied him. “Sometimes it is difficult to tell who is seducing whom.”
“As it should be.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
“I wish you did not need to be away tonight.”
“As do I,” he said. “I really wish that you would come to Forester Park with Rupert so I know that you are not alone.”
“The cottage has servants, so I will not be alone.”
It had been a remarkable three years, which began with what was to be an elopement but turned out to be a quest that ended with a Special License because Blythe had insisted that they all travel to Laswell, Tessa and His Grace with them. Bethany remained behind because someone had to oversee Athena’s Salon.
However, Seth waited to tell his family of their betrothal because he had grown worried about why he had been summoned home. It turned out that his father had slipped down the stairs leading to the caves, injuring his back. He recovered but decided that it was time for him to no longer work in the caves.
Seth was relieved that his father had not been injured more seriously and once he was assured that the rest of his health was good, advised his family that he and Frances were to wed as soon as the vicar could be fetched since he had also brought along a Special License.
That afternoon, and after the vows, he and Frances had snuck away from Forester Park and made their way to the cottage. It was exactly as they had left it and even though Seth would regret the day he walked away from Frances for the rest of his life, he was thankful that she had forgiven him and allowed him to love her. It was there that they consummated their marriage and returned often just to be alone and remember.
They had thought to eventually return to London, but Seth was needed more in the caves or to assist with the loading of wagons or unloading of the boats so they decided to remain in Laswell. The decision wasn’t at all difficult, especially when they approached the owners of the estate that had been Frances’ former home and asked to purchase the wooded land and cottage. After Frances had explained that it had at one time been her parents’ home and it was where she and Seth had fallen in love, the owners settled on a price.
They then returned to London where Jonathan purchased The Emerald Garter, and both Frances and Seth packed their belongings to move back to Laswell. The only other property Seth owned was his home in Mayfair. That is where Blythe decided to live and it was their home when she and Seth wished to return to Town, which was not very often.
Once settled into their new home, builders were hired to increase the size, which turned out to be nearly double what it had been, which gave them plenty of room for their growing family and servants.
“You need not worry about me,” Frances insisted. “Go see to your illegal smuggling, just do not get caught, and I will await your return.”
“If you were at Forester Hall, it would be easier to get word to me if our daughter decides to arrive tonight,” he argued.
“Our child will wait until you are home. I promise.”
Frances then went up on her toes to kiss him but stilled and gasped.
“What is it?” he asked anxiously.
Frances smiled weakly and stepped away from Seth then looked down at the water on the ground. “Perhaps we should have one of the servants go into Laswell for the doctor.”
“You said only your lower back pained you,” he said. “Were you having any other pains?” Seth demanded.
Frances put a hand against her belly and winced. “Not until this very moment.”
“I will see you inside, then have a servant go for a doctor, and another to Forester Park to alert my family that I will not be present when the boats arrive,” he said as he placed an arm around her waist in order to offer support. “Come along, Rupert.”
The little boy looked up then scrambled to his feet, his legs covered in mud.
Once inside, Seth nearly barked instructions as a maid took Frances off to their chamber and another promised to see Rupert bathed, and then he waited.
Eight hours later, just as the boats were expected to arrive with illegal cargo, Seth paced in the corridor outside of his wife’s chamber. With each scream he grew more anxious, afraid for both wife and child, and then he heard the babe cry and nearly dropped to his knees with relief. Moments later, the door was opened by a maid and he was ushered into the room where Frances rested against pillows, the babe in her arms.
Seth leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead, his heart swelling with more love than he thought it was possible to hold.
“Was I right or was I wrong?” he asked.
“You were right.” She grinned. “Now to decide what we will call her.”
Seth glanced down into the blue eyes right before they drifted shut and was in awe that they had created this creature who had grown in his wife’s body. It had been the same sensation when Frances had delivered their son. Truly a miracle.
“I can think of no name for such a perfect child.”
“I can,” Frances whispered. “Amelia.”
About LADY LUCINDA’S LORDS
Ten Leaping Lords, one imperious grandmother, and a Mister from Louisiana were her Christmas fate.
Much to Lady Lucinda Claxton’s dismay and irritation, her father’s house party only includes bachelors ready to wed. With her siblings off celebrating Christmas elsewhere, Lucinda is left to fend for herself. A new arrival, however, changes everything, and soon Lucinda decides the next ten days may not be so tedious after all.
Mr. Caleb Copeland agrees to accompany his great-aunts to the home of the Duke of Arscott on one condition: He’ll not participate in any of the entertainments. He is simply their escort, not an invited guest. However, as much as he tries to keep his vow, his path often crosses Lady Lucinda’s while she is hiding from her court. Before long, Caleb knows none of her leaping lords will ever be worthy of her. Unfortunately, neither is he.
Read LADY LUCINDA’S LORDS.
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Observations of a Wallflower
Lady Lucinda’s Lords
Courtship of Convenience
Scandalous Wager
Duke in Training
Also, the first Claxton family story:
The Ghost & Miss Miranda (Magic & Mayhem series)
About Jane Charles
USA Today bestselling author Jane Charles is a prolific writer of over fifty historical and contemporary romance novels. Her love of research and history lends authenticity to her Regency romances, and her experience directing theatre productions helps her craft beautiful, touching stories that tug at the heartstrings. Jane is an upbeat and positive author dedicated to giving her characters happy-ever-afters and leaving the readers satisfied at the end of an emotional journey. She is a lifelong Cubs fan and lives in Central Illinois with her two huskies and a mellow cat. She is currently writing her next book and planning her dream trip to England.
Her brown eyes searched his and he noted doubt and perhaps fear, as if she was no longer certain of them.
“I love you, Franny. With my whole heart, I love you, and have for so long that I can no longer remember when the love of a dearest friend turned to the love of my heart.”
She smiled. “My seventeenth summer,” she said. “That is when I realized that I was in love with you.”
“It was the same for me.” He smiled. “I had returned from London, full of myself, a most mature nineteen-year-old and then you stepped into the cottage where I was waiting for you, and I truly lost my heart.”
“You did not tell me that you loved me until two years later,” she reminded him.
“I was afraid to lose my dearest friend. Afraid that it would change everything between us.”
“Do you not think we have waited long enough?” she asked.
Seth was tempted. He wanted her with a desperation he did not think possible, and as they were to wed as soon as possible, he gave up the fight to act with honor and placed his lips to hers.
Franny immediately relaxed against him. On a sigh, her lips parted and he plundered, pulling her against him as her arms lifted and her fingers feathered through his hair.
Slowly he backed her toward the bed until the mattress met her legs then lifted his head.
“Are you certain?”
“I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
“You will be my wife,” he ordered.
“I would not be here otherwise,” she returned and pulled him down to kiss her again.
Seth made quick work of the fastenings at the back of her gown and as he slid the fabric of her dress and chemise over her shoulders and down her arms, he moved his lips from hers to her jaw, then neck.
He left the gown to drop as soon as her breasts were exposed then lifted them, caressing each erect nipple with the pad of his thumbs.
Frances sucked in a breath and he bent to suck a perfectly formed bud between his lips. Frances began to fall, and he quickly anchored an arm around her waist since her knees seemed to have given out. He then slowly let her sit on the bed and he dropped to the floor, supported by his knees and worshipped her perfect breasts.
Instead of being lost in desire, Frances busied her hands by pushing his suitcoat from his shoulders, which Seth shrugged out of while still trying to remain attentive to her breasts, until he was forced to give up.
She then yanked on his cravat, loosening it before she tossed it aside.
He then unbuttoned his waistcoat and tore it off before Frances reached forward and pulled his shirt from his trousers and then over his head.
Once it was gone, Seth returned to kissing Frances as his hand slid under her skirts and over the silk stockings until he encountered her garters. He smiled as he determined that they would remain. He then caressed higher, stopping only when he reached the apex of her thighs.
Frances sucked in a breath as he lifted his head, his fingers just hovering over her damp heat. He wanted to look into her eyes when he finally touched her.
Her breaths were short, nearly pants, and then he touched her, his fingers meeting the dampness of her desire before he found the point of pleasure and swiped his thumb across it.
Frances let her head fall back as her eyes closed on her moan.
She was nearly ready for him, but it wouldn’t be like this, with her seated on his bed and still partially clothed. And, as much as he hated to draw away from her now, Seth did so and stood, then pulled Frances to her feet and quickly removed her dress and chemise, leaving her naked before him except for the stockings and garters. He then quickly removed his boots and trousers, which freed his painful arousal, before he took her in his arms again and gently lowered her to the bed.
Once again, he caressed her breasts, her stomach and when he reached her curls brought her to pleasure, her moans echoing in his ears and encouraging him until she stiffened and cried out her release. Seth wanted to bring her to pleasure over and over, but his body would not be denied and he moved to rest between her parted thighs.
“Are you certain?” he asked again.
Frances held out her arms, welcoming him to her and Seth pressed forward, her heat surrounding him. He tried to be gentle, but it was too difficult and he surged forward and stopped and waited. Bracing himself above her with his palms pressed against the mattress, he looked down into her brown eyes. She stared up at him, a small smile on her lips. It was as if she gave him further permission and Seth began to move.
Over and over, he thrust, just as he had imagined when he was teaching her billiards until his release came upon him in such a force that he arched and moaned deeply, his seed filling her until he was spent and fell to her side.
Frances could barely catch her breath as she stared at the ceiling of the bedchamber.
She wasn’t certain Seth had recovered either as he nearly panted in her ear, his arm draped over her waist and leg over her thighs.
“That was…”
“Incredible,” he answered.
The act had been explained to her, though it was difficult to truly understand, but she now most definitely understood why Tessa and her husband snuck off so often and when they returned, why Tessa was flushed and her hair slightly mussed.
“I do not want a Special License,” Seth announced.
Frances’ heart nearly stopped before it began thumping against her sternum.
Was this all a ruse? Had he decided to get his revenge on her after she had cheated and won his club?
For five years she hadn’t trusted him. Had she been a fool again?
“If we are going to break the rules, create a scandal—”
“—Scandal! What scandal?”
“The one that will be on everyone’s lips as soon as they learn you won The Emerald Garter from me in a game of chance.” He started to smile. “Therefore, we should only make it more scandalous.”
Was he going to tell everyone what she had wagered and what he took? That would certainly be a scandal and she would be forced to return to Yorkshire and never leave again, and that was assuming her family would let her live with them.
Seth certainly wouldn’t be so cruel, would he?
“How?” Frances asked with hesitation.
“Gretna Green, of course.” He grinned. “It is only fitting after such a wager. A simple Special License is boring, but eloping, far more fun.”
Frances blew out a sigh when she hadn’t even realized that she’d been holding her breath.
Seth rose up and cradled his head in his hand, his elbow on the mattress supporting him. “Franny, what is wrong? You are rather pale. Did I harm you?”
She nearly laughed. “No. When you decided against a Special License, I feared…”
She couldn’t force the words.
“Oh, Franny.” He tucked a curl behind her ear. “I am sorry to have frightened you. Given my poor decisions in the past, I understand why you were suddenly afraid. I promise that we will marry as quickly as possible and I will not leave your side until you tell me to go away.”
She smiled up at him, noting the warmth in his blue eyes. “I cannot imagine doing so,” she whispered while she fought the urge to cry both with relief and happiness.
“I love you,” he insisted.
“I love you,” she returned.
“Then it is settled.” Seth grinned. “As soon as we can put ourselves to rights, we will head off to Gretna Green. I understand that such journeys begin in the middle of the night.”
“It is nearly morning.” She laughed.
“Close enough.” Seth rose from the bed.
“What of my position. Tessa and Bethany are expecting me tomorrow night.”
“They will simply have to do without,” he insisted as he pulled on his trousers. “We will leave them a note after we stop only long enough for you to pack a satchel.”
Her eyes brightened. “Truly?”
“Yes. We have not had an adventure and it is high time that we did.”
The coolness of the room began to penetrate her skin and Frances’ face burned with embarrassment as she realized she had been lying there, completely naked, while he was dressing.
Quickly she sat up and searched for her dress before pulling it over her head, then standing to shake it out.
“Will we stop by your home as well?” she asked. “Lady Blythe should not be left to wonder what happened to you.”
Seth paused for a moment and cocked his head. “I suppose that I should. And I will likely need a change of clothing.”
Frances bent to pull on her slippers, though she had no idea when they were removed, or her cloak either, which was on the floor beside the bed.
Goodness, Seth certainly knew how to muddle her thoughts.
“When we return, I will introduce you as the new owner of The Emerald Garter.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
“Co-owner,” Frances insisted.
“So long as you promise to also always wear emerald garters.”
Epilogue
Three years later
Seth knelt before the flowerbed and pulled weeds while Frances stood over him, bossing as she had done the first day they had met.
“We have gardeners,” he reminded her.
“Your son needs to understand the importance of getting his hands dirty.”
Seth glanced at their two-year-old son who was playing in the mud from a spilled bucket of water. “I believe he has no difficulty with the concept.” His clothing was ruined and it was unlikely that the laundress would be able to remove the stains. Not that he or Frances cared. Rupert, named for Frances’ father, was forever tumbling about when they were outside and it was better to keep him in stained and torn clothing than to ruin a perfectly good set of clothing every single day.
Frances turned and lifted her hand to shade her eyes. “The addition should be complete soon.”
Seth dusted off his hands and stood, then took her in his arms. “I hope that is the case because I do not want workmen around when our daughter arrives.” He smoothed a hand over her large belly.
“You do not know that it is a girl,” Frances chastised.
“It most certainly is,” he insisted. “I already told you that you carry this child differently than you did Rupert.”
“It doesn’t feel any different.” She braced a hand at the small of her back.
“Trust me, you do, because I have every curve of you memorized. Nothing goes unnoticed.”
“Which is why I am in this state.” She laughed.
“I do believe that you seduced me because you wanted a second child.”
“Are you certain?” She cocked her head and studied him. “Sometimes it is difficult to tell who is seducing whom.”
“As it should be.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
“I wish you did not need to be away tonight.”
“As do I,” he said. “I really wish that you would come to Forester Park with Rupert so I know that you are not alone.”
“The cottage has servants, so I will not be alone.”
It had been a remarkable three years, which began with what was to be an elopement but turned out to be a quest that ended with a Special License because Blythe had insisted that they all travel to Laswell, Tessa and His Grace with them. Bethany remained behind because someone had to oversee Athena’s Salon.
However, Seth waited to tell his family of their betrothal because he had grown worried about why he had been summoned home. It turned out that his father had slipped down the stairs leading to the caves, injuring his back. He recovered but decided that it was time for him to no longer work in the caves.
Seth was relieved that his father had not been injured more seriously and once he was assured that the rest of his health was good, advised his family that he and Frances were to wed as soon as the vicar could be fetched since he had also brought along a Special License.
That afternoon, and after the vows, he and Frances had snuck away from Forester Park and made their way to the cottage. It was exactly as they had left it and even though Seth would regret the day he walked away from Frances for the rest of his life, he was thankful that she had forgiven him and allowed him to love her. It was there that they consummated their marriage and returned often just to be alone and remember.
They had thought to eventually return to London, but Seth was needed more in the caves or to assist with the loading of wagons or unloading of the boats so they decided to remain in Laswell. The decision wasn’t at all difficult, especially when they approached the owners of the estate that had been Frances’ former home and asked to purchase the wooded land and cottage. After Frances had explained that it had at one time been her parents’ home and it was where she and Seth had fallen in love, the owners settled on a price.
They then returned to London where Jonathan purchased The Emerald Garter, and both Frances and Seth packed their belongings to move back to Laswell. The only other property Seth owned was his home in Mayfair. That is where Blythe decided to live and it was their home when she and Seth wished to return to Town, which was not very often.
Once settled into their new home, builders were hired to increase the size, which turned out to be nearly double what it had been, which gave them plenty of room for their growing family and servants.
“You need not worry about me,” Frances insisted. “Go see to your illegal smuggling, just do not get caught, and I will await your return.”
“If you were at Forester Hall, it would be easier to get word to me if our daughter decides to arrive tonight,” he argued.
“Our child will wait until you are home. I promise.”
Frances then went up on her toes to kiss him but stilled and gasped.
“What is it?” he asked anxiously.
Frances smiled weakly and stepped away from Seth then looked down at the water on the ground. “Perhaps we should have one of the servants go into Laswell for the doctor.”
“You said only your lower back pained you,” he said. “Were you having any other pains?” Seth demanded.
Frances put a hand against her belly and winced. “Not until this very moment.”
“I will see you inside, then have a servant go for a doctor, and another to Forester Park to alert my family that I will not be present when the boats arrive,” he said as he placed an arm around her waist in order to offer support. “Come along, Rupert.”
The little boy looked up then scrambled to his feet, his legs covered in mud.
Once inside, Seth nearly barked instructions as a maid took Frances off to their chamber and another promised to see Rupert bathed, and then he waited.
Eight hours later, just as the boats were expected to arrive with illegal cargo, Seth paced in the corridor outside of his wife’s chamber. With each scream he grew more anxious, afraid for both wife and child, and then he heard the babe cry and nearly dropped to his knees with relief. Moments later, the door was opened by a maid and he was ushered into the room where Frances rested against pillows, the babe in her arms.
Seth leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead, his heart swelling with more love than he thought it was possible to hold.
“Was I right or was I wrong?” he asked.
“You were right.” She grinned. “Now to decide what we will call her.”
Seth glanced down into the blue eyes right before they drifted shut and was in awe that they had created this creature who had grown in his wife’s body. It had been the same sensation when Frances had delivered their son. Truly a miracle.
“I can think of no name for such a perfect child.”
“I can,” Frances whispered. “Amelia.”
About LADY LUCINDA’S LORDS
Ten Leaping Lords, one imperious grandmother, and a Mister from Louisiana were her Christmas fate.
Much to Lady Lucinda Claxton’s dismay and irritation, her father’s house party only includes bachelors ready to wed. With her siblings off celebrating Christmas elsewhere, Lucinda is left to fend for herself. A new arrival, however, changes everything, and soon Lucinda decides the next ten days may not be so tedious after all.
Mr. Caleb Copeland agrees to accompany his great-aunts to the home of the Duke of Arscott on one condition: He’ll not participate in any of the entertainments. He is simply their escort, not an invited guest. However, as much as he tries to keep his vow, his path often crosses Lady Lucinda’s while she is hiding from her court. Before long, Caleb knows none of her leaping lords will ever be worthy of her. Unfortunately, neither is he.
Read LADY LUCINDA’S LORDS.
Thank you for reading A ROGUE’S RECKONING. I hope you enjoyed the story of Seth and Frances and will want to tell your friends. I have enabled lending on all platforms where it is allowed to make sharing easy. If you leave a review of A ROGUE’S RECKONING on the site from where it was purchased or on Goodreads or your blog, I would love to read it, so let me know at janecharles522@gmail.com.
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Observations of a Wallflower
Lady Lucinda’s Lords
Courtship of Convenience
Scandalous Wager
Duke in Training
Also, the first Claxton family story:
The Ghost & Miss Miranda (Magic & Mayhem series)
About Jane Charles
USA Today bestselling author Jane Charles is a prolific writer of over fifty historical and contemporary romance novels. Her love of research and history lends authenticity to her Regency romances, and her experience directing theatre productions helps her craft beautiful, touching stories that tug at the heartstrings. Jane is an upbeat and positive author dedicated to giving her characters happy-ever-afters and leaving the readers satisfied at the end of an emotional journey. She is a lifelong Cubs fan and lives in Central Illinois with her two huskies and a mellow cat. She is currently writing her next book and planning her dream trip to England.
