The Unforgettable Hero (12 page)
Read The Unforgettable Hero Online
Authors: Valerie Bowman
“I’ll thank you to keep your mouth shut, young lady,” Aunt Selene said, pointing a crooked finger at the girl.
Adam stood and pulled Cece up beside him. He addressed his words to Uncle Herbert, who was making his way as quickly as his size would allow down the aisle to join the melee. “How much do you want for the house?”
“The house?” Uncle Herbert’s jowls shook, and he clutched at his lapels. “What in heaven’s name do you mean?”
“The house you’re living in. Your late sister and brother-in-law’s house? I understand it’s for sale. How much do you want for it?”
“You’re mad!” Uncle Herbert responded.
“Send a bill around to the Duke of Claringdon’s house this afternoon. I’ll ensure you have a bank draft by the end of the day. And don’t even think of overcharging me. I know what the house is worth, and it seems to me that now that you’re losing out on your niece’s dowry, you’ll need every penny you can get. Oh, and I’ve spoken with Viscount Harewood. He sees no reason why I should not be named Mary’s guardian as soon as my wedding to Cecelia has taken place. In the meantime, he’s appointed my brother as her guardian. You need see to her no longer.”
Herbert glared at him, but the look in his eye told Cece that he understood the truth behind Adam’s words. “Fine. You can take the sick little brat. Let’s go, Percy!” he called.
Percy lumbered off the altar to follow his indignant parents. “Those fools in the carriage shouldn’t have missed you!” he sneered as he passed Cece.
“What did you say?” Cece spun around and stared at her cousin in horror.
Percy’s beady eyes glittered with hate. “I said those fools shouldn’t have missed you. I paid them a pretty penny to get rid of you, but they were so stupid they did it on the wrong date. The fifteenth of August, I told ’em. Not the fifteenth of July!”
“You were responsible for that coach hitting me?” Cece still couldn’t believe the words.
“You don’t think I wanted to actually be
married
to you, did you? If it had gone as planned, you’d be dead
after
the wedding, however. Not before. And we’d have your stupid dowry.”
“Shut your mouth, Percy,” Aunt Selene thundered in an ominous voice.
Adam turned around and punched Percy in the face so hard, the huge man stumbled backward and fell. He laid on the floor, clutching his bleeding mouth and sobbing.
Adam’s shirt had come out of his breeches, he was breathing heavily, and he had a murderous look in his eye. He stood over Percy and clenched his teeth as he spoke. “By God, if you ever come around
my wife
or
my family
again, I’ll kill you myself, you vermin. Do you understand?”
Percy scrambled to his feet, still bleeding and crying. Now his nose was running, too. “Yes. Yes. Yes,” he repeated in a high-pitched squeal as he turned and lumbered away.
As the three left the church, Percy could be heard muttering, “We’re still having the breakfast, aren’t we?”
Adam turned back to Cece. “I took the liberty of asking my brother to procure a special license from the archbishop. We can be married tomorrow if you’ll have me.”
Cece squeezed his hand. “Of course I’ll have you, Adam. Of course I will.”
“And I’ve already assured your sister that she’ll live with us. Your aunt and uncle can use the funds they receive in sale of the property to live elsewhere.”
Mary beamed. “Oh, I’m so glad. But what about Esme? You don’t mind rabbits, do you, Mr. Hunt?”
“Not at all,” Adam said to Mary before catching Cece’s gaze and recognizing the tears that welled in her dark eyes. He stopped and searched her face. “What’s wrong, Cecelia? You remember me, don’t you? Please tell me you remember.”
Cece wiped away her tears. “Of course I remember you, my darling, and I’ll never forget again. You’re my unforgettable hero.”
Don’t miss the next Playful Brides novel from
“Sexy, satisfying romance.”—
Kirkus Reviews
THE UNTAMED EARL
Available in May 2016 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Thank you for reading
The Unforgettable Hero.
I hope you enjoyed Cecelia and Adam’s story.
I’d love to keep in touch.
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Valerie Bowman
grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dog, Roo. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. Valerie loves to hear from readers. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and at
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Also by
Valerie Bowman
The Playful Brides
The Secret Brides
SECRETS OF A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE
Novellas
IT HAPPENED UNDER THE MISTLETOE
Anthology
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
“The Unforgettable Hero” copyright © 2016 by June Third Enterprises, LLC.
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Author photo © Mary A Behre
Cover art © Pixelworks Studios
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eISBN 9781466884427
First eBook Edition: February 2016
Contents