Never Trust a Scoundrel (26 page)

“Thank you for allowing me to borrow this,” he said.

Edward's expression was guarded, and Grace held her breath, but gradually he relaxed and smiled. “You're welcome. But whatever else you've borrowed, you have to keep.”

Grace knew her face flamed red.

Daniel looked right at her, not bothering to hide the way his dark eyes smoldered at her. “I intend to.”

She didn't know what to do with herself, how she should behave. She had no secrets left to weigh her down, and she felt like she was floating, waiting for an anchor to claim her.

Daniel took both her hands in his.

“Oh, you shouldn't do this,” she said, feeling suddenly shy, knowing how many people were watching them. “You've done too much for me
tonight. I feel like it's my fault that you and your mother tried to renew an old scandal.”

“That wasn't a scandal. It was just my family, doing what we do best.” He smiled tenderly at her. “Why don't you marry me and join two scandalous families? Maybe we could even be the normal couple. Unless you're too afraid to start a new scandal by marrying me?”

Beverly was waving her offer of a handkerchief, and Grace realized that tears were still streaming down her face, but she didn't care who saw.

“Oh, Daniel, if you love me,” she said softly, “then I can bear anything.”

He cupped her face in his hands. “Sweet Grace, I
have
fallen in love with you, with your generous heart and the way you care about everyone more than yourself. You would do anything to protect your family, and I would be proud to be one of them.”

“But you've spent your life trying to protect your own family—perhaps not the same way I did,” she added, grinning. “But you've made me see that I've been trying to please other people, as if I had to fix everything, as if I didn't deserve to be happy.”

His eyes searched her face. “Will you be happy with me, Grace?”

“Oh yes,” she whispered, and when he kissed her, she gladly leaned into him.

Someone cleared his throat, and they both looked up into the face of the duke of Madingley.

“Is this correct behavior for a ball?” he asked, his expression impassive, even though his dark eyes twinkled.

“It is for a Madingley Ball,” Lady Elizabeth piped up. “It's everything I ever dreamed of!”

Grace and Daniel laughed, accepting the well wishes of the family and friends gathered around them. When they had a moment to breathe, she turned to him and said, “You know, life with me won't be easy. You forget that I have a mother, too.”

“How could I forget your mother after such a memorable introduction? Don't worry, I have the perfect little property picked out for her. I'll even give her a little spending money.”

“Do you trust her with a home of yours?” Grace asked in disbelief.

“I have to reward her—she's the reason I have you.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “But we can't possibly have her living with us—she'd teach the children how to gamble.”

Grace laughed. With Daniel's arm around her shoulders, she felt sheltered from the world—and loved.

After a detour through fitness instructing and computer programming, GAYLE CALLEN found the life she'd always dreamed of as a romance writer. This
USA Today
bestselling author has written thirteen historical romances for Avon Books, and her novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award.

Gayle lives in central New York with her three children; her dog, Apollo; and her husband, Jim, the Romance Hero.
Visit her website at www.gaylecallen.com.

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