Shev (14 page)
Authors: Tracey Devlyn
“No, Anne.” He cradled her face, urging her gaze up to his. “Sweet Anne, no. Don’t ever wish that for yourself. Never again.” He brushed his thumb over her chin. “If you had perished in the fire, Jacqueline would still be a lost and angry child.” He dropped his voice. “And I would not have met the love of my life.
“What happened all those years ago was nothing more than a tragic accident. An
accident,
Anne. One I wish to God I could erase from your past. But I can’t.” He eased her away so she could see the determination in his eyes, the love. “What I can do is help you through this. Help you remember the loveliness of your mother, the strength of your father, the mischief wrought by your brother.”
“How can you be so accepting of this? Of what I did?”
“Because I love you. What happened was not your fault.”
She shook her head as if unable to accept such a simple answer to a complex issue. “If the
ton
ever finds out about my past, they will ruin me and everyone I love.”
“You were a child, Anne. A ten-year-old girl who lost her family during a horrible accident. I think it more likely that they will express their sympathy.”
“Even if you’re right, there will be those who will not like seeing the eligible Marquess of Shevington associating with a mere governess. Do not underestimate the power of malicious gossip.”
“Considering how I’ve spent the last decade, I know all too well the harm a well-placed comment can do.”
“Then you agree. We cannot take the chance.”
“No, I don’t. As it happens, I’ve amassed a fair amount of intelligence on the
ton
’s gossips while listening for treacherous conversations.”
Her eyes widened.
“And I won’t hesitate to use the information if the gossips try to sink their venom into my wife.”
“You still wish to marry me?”
“More than ever, Anne. For the longest time, my mother was the strongest woman of my acquaintance. But you have usurped her position.” He grinned. “She won’t be pleased by that fact.”
“I don’t know, Marcus.” She rubbed circles into her temples. “I’m afraid that when the dust of my revelation settles, you will come to your senses and regret your foolish decision.”
“I’ve been a fool on many occasions. But not now. Not about loving you and wanting to spend the rest of my life with you.” He dropped down on one knee and took her hand into his. “You also deserve a proper proposal.” He kissed the back of her knuckles and placed his other hand over hers. “Anne Crawford, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? My marchioness?”
The smile she sent him wobbled. “Yes.” Then she dropped into his arms, kissing him with a passion that staggered him.
When she began loosening his cravat, he said, “Um, Anne. Do you think we could move this to the daybed? I think my knee has gone numb.”
She popped up and glanced down to where he kneeled on the folly’s stone floor. “I’m so sorry. Here, let me help you rise.”
Shev tapped her nose. “That, you have already done, sweet Anne. Now, about that daybed…”
Anne gifted him with a beautiful, seductive smile. She grasped his hand and led him into the secluded depths of the folly. “As you wish, my lord spy.”
THE END
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Thanks so much for selecting
Shev
. I really appreciate the support and hope you enjoyed the final installment of my
Nexus
series.
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Links to My Other Books
:
Bones and Gemstones Series
Nexus Series
Shev (Novella)
Tea Time Novellas and Short Stories
Coming Soon
Night Rain
About the Author
Photo by: Lisa Kaman Kenning, Mezzaluna Photography
Tracey Devlyn
is a
USA Today
bestselling author of historical romantic suspense (translation: a slightly more grievous journey toward the heroine’s happy ending). She’s co-founder of Romance University, a group blog dedicated to readers and writers of romance, and Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville, Chicagoland’s exciting new reading salon devoted to romantic fiction.