Dancing With A Devil (46 page)

“
I decided then and there to teach him a lesson about repaying his obligations that he would never forget. Bridgeport will be back once he pays the debt he owes me. I am keeping tabs on him and calculating how much money I think he earns each day for the labor he is doing. When I think he has learned his lesson about the dangers of gambling and not paying I’ll return him only mildly scathed.”

“
I applaud your strategy, but I would like to see him home by my wedding as a gift to my bride. I’ll pay his debt to you and I vow he will understand the dangers you spoke of when I am done talking to him.”

“
You have a bargain, Davenport. I never turn down a chance to obtain more money, and I am not one to intentionally cause a lady pain, even if I suspect your betrothed is better off without her brother.” Wolverton picked up the quill on the table, wrote something down and slid the paper toward Trent. “This is the amount of the debt.”

“
Excellent.” Trent glanced at the paper and folded it without a word. The money meant nothing compared to making Audrey happy. “I’ll send the money around this afternoon once you have sent me written notes on where he is and how to go about getting him.”

“
I can do that, but I would be happy to have my men return him and spare you the trouble.”

Trent shook his head. “I prefer to have the control.” An old habit left from spying.

“
Very good, then. You have not only paid his debt, you have saved me the expense of bringing him home. Next time you are in here, you will have a credit.”

“
That is not necessary. I will not be visiting hellfire clubs anymore.” He had no desire to and he knew Audrey would not like it. With a wave, he departed the building and headed across to town to see his future wife. She wanted him to help decide the menu for their wedding breakfast and he wanted nothing more than to spend every second with her.

Two months later

Trent stood among the bustle of the guests at his wedding brunch and grinned. He had been smiling like a fool all morning, but he could not seem to stop himself. Across Whitney’s dining room, Audrey knelt, her hair falling over one side of her face, with Julian on her hip, and gestured animatedly to a group of children surrounding them.

Trent’s heart constricted with joy. Julian and Audrey had taken to each other as if they were meant to be mother and son. He could have stood staring at them all day and counting his blessings, but Dinnisfree entered the room and giving Trent a slight nod strode toward him and clapped him on the shoulder.

The duke leaned close to Trent. “I have Bridgeport in Sutherland’s study, as you instructed.

“
Thank you for collecting him at the shipyard. I would have done it myself―”

“
And miss your wedding breakfast? I think not. I was happy to do it for you. In fact, I have to admit I was eager to. I much preferred watching Bridgeport’s face drain of all color as he read the letter you wrote to him outlining the conditions of his staying in England to sitting in church and watching you marry. Sorry.”

Trent laughed. “No apologies necessary. Did the marquess readily agree?”

“
Surprisingly, he did. I suppose being kidnapped and made to work under slave conditions has made him willing to do anything to have a fresh start.”

“
Excellent. My relationship with him will be far more pleasant if I am not constantly having to threaten him to keep out of trouble and become a respectable man worthy of his sister’s love.”

“
Marriage has softened you,” Dinnisfree accused.

Trent chuckled. “Audrey softened me. Marriage has made me happy, my friend. You should try it.”

Dinnisfree shook his head. “I’ve nothing to offer a woman but heartache.”

“
I don’t think I’ve ever heard you admit a flaw, Dinnisfree.”

“
And you won’t again.” Dinnisfree darted his gaze around the guests close to them, and Trent could not help but notice, let it linger on the widow Lady Claremont. She smiled invitingly at Dinnisfree.

“
If you do not need any further assistance…”

“
No.” Trent smiled. “Go and have fun with Lady Claremont. I’m going to fetch Audrey and present my surprise to her.”

With a nod, Dinnisfree walked away and Trent strode across the room to the cake table where Audrey now stood talking to her aunt. Every time his gaze landed on her in her delicate dress of lace and silk with the ring of white flowers in her flowing hair, he wanted to take her away from the celebration and strip off her wedding finery and show her with his body how much he loved and desired her. That would have to wait for tonight. As he approached Audrey and her aunt they both smiled at him. “Pardon me for interrupting, ladies, but I would like to speak with my bride for a moment. I have a surprise for you.” When she looked as if she might protest being taken away from her wedding breakfast he added, “Well, not a complete surprise. We have been discussing it. Remember, I told you I was unsure when it would arrive but I hoped very much by today.”

Audrey gasped, understanding immediately that Richard was home. Trent had confided in her over a month ago that he was bringing Richard home to her, but he could not say for certain the exact day of his arrival because of the uncertainty of travel times when one traveled by sea.

Immediately, she took Trent’s hand and said to her aunt, “We will not be long.”

“
Come.” Trent tugged on her hand. “We can slip out quickly and be back before anyone notices we are both gone.

Audrey nodded and they darted around the edge of the foyer toward the hall. She giggled as they slipped behind a plant and ducked out. Once well into the hall Trent slid his arm around her waist and hauled her close as they walked. Her heart thumped with happiness and a touch of nervousness. “Have you seen him?”

Trent shook his head. “Not yet. I imagine since he came straight from the ship that he is not fit to come into the breakfast, though.”

“
Yes.” She bit her lip. “I already thought of that. It does not matter. I’m so happy he is back. That is all that matters.” She stopped in the dark hall before the door to the parlor and faced her husband.

Her heart flipped as she stared into his loving eyes. Standing on her tiptoes she pressed her lips to his and drew away to look at him. “Thank you for all you have done. For unraveling the mystery of what happened to my brother, for going to see Mr. Wolverton, for paying Richard’s debt and for bringing Richard home to me. Most of all, though, thank you for trusting me enough to tell me the entire truth about Richard rather than keeping me in the dark as my father did.”

“
Darling.” Trent traced a finger over her lips and his touch set her body to flames. He leaned down and kissed her neck, then withdrew. “I trust you completely. Implicitly. With all my heart and with all my soul.”

Audrey’s heart swelled with love. She slipped her hand into the crook of Trent’s arm and nodded for him to open the door. It had taken a bit longer than she hoped, but in the end she had captured her prince and married for love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Johnstone is the bestselling author of Regency romance and paranormal romance. She has been a voracious reader of books since she was a young girl. Her mother would tell you that as a child Julie had a rich fantasy life made up of many different make believe friends. As an adult, Julie is one of the lucky few who can say she is living the dream by working with her passion of creating worlds from her imagination.

When Julie is not writing she is chasing her two precocious children around, cooking, reading or exercising. Julie loves to hear from her readers. You can send her an email at
[email protected]
or visit her at
www.juliejohnstoneauthor.com
.

OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE BY JULIE JOHNSTONE

BARGAINING WITH A RAKE
(A Whisper of Scandal Novel Book 1)

CONSPIRING WITH A ROGUE
(A Whisper of Scandal Novel Book 2)

WHAT A ROGUE WANTS
(Lords of Deception Book 1)

THE REDEMPTION OF A DISSOLUTE EARL

ECHOES IN THE SILENCE (THE SIREN SAGA)
BOOK 1

ANTHOLOGIES

A Summons From Yorkshire (Regency Christmas Summons Collection 1)

A Gentlemen’s Pact

All books are available as e-books at all major e-book retailers.