Reconciliation [Prometheus in Chains 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) (10 page)

“I’ve decided not to prosecute you. I
will
keep the recording and the pictures of you, and if you bother me again, I won’t hesitate to go to the police,” Gloria said in a calm, steady voice.

“Thank you. I’m going to leave Sheffield and start again. I won’t contact you again. I’m sorry for the upset,” Jim Waverley said.

Then he left. They were all happy to see him go, but Jack said he’d decided to keep an eye on him and see where he went and have a word with the local constabulary, in case Waverley was tempted to try the same trick on another woman.

The day of Llewellyn’s birthday dawned fine and clear. She’d planned a special meal for him and had made Jane’s special chocolate orange marble cake, which he loved, and iced it with his favourite Cadbury’s chocolate. He loved steak, so she had steaks to fry with chips and mushrooms, and a salad. His dessert would be the cake, and she had candles in holders on it. She had bought him books and CDs and had them wrapped and ready. A beautiful card, which expressed all she felt for him, was signed and ready, too. She got up, knelt by the bed, and waited. His eyes opened, he held out his hand to her, and she kissed it. He pulled her to her feet and on top of him on the bed.

“How are you this morning, my gloria?”

She had to pull herself out of his arms and run into the bathroom and was on her knees being sick into the toilet as he came through the door.

“What is it?” he asked her.

He knelt by her side as she stopped heaving and turned to try and stand up.

“Don’t try to stand up,” he said as he lifted her in his arms. Tenderly, he smoothed her hair back from her face. He got a warm, wet cloth and cleaned her face, patting it dry with a soft towel.

“I have an extra birthday present for you, Master,” she said. “I’ve seen the doctor, and I’m pregnant.”

Llewellyn held her close and buried his face in her hair to give himself time to master his emotions. Then he began to sing softly in her ear her favourite of all the hymns, “Ar Hyd y Nos.”

“Sleep my child and peace attend thee,

All through the night

Guardian angels God will send thee,

All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping

Hill and vale in slumber steeping,

I my loving vigil keeping

All through the night.”

She knew he meant not just her, but their child, too would always be safe with his loving vigil.

“gloria,” he said.

“Yes, Master, what is it?”

“The vanilla world doesn’t recognise the Taking Ceremony. I want my children to be in no doubt about who their father is and how much they mean to me. I want them to bear my name. Will you marry me, cariad?”

Gloria couldn’t believe her ears. He wanted her to marry him? He’d never mentioned marriage before. She processed what he’d said and realised he was doing it for two reasons. He wanted to commit to her in a way he hadn’t done ever before to prove, she supposed, that he wouldn’t leave this time. It wasn’t necessary for him to do it. She was sure their future was together. The child was something else. She honoured him for his thought for the future welfare of their child.

“Yes, Master, I will marry you.”

He took a small, black velvet box from his pocket and slipped a ring with a large emerald onto her finger. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on her palm as he looked deep into her eyes.

“Welsh gold, cariad,” he said.

“You’re all the Welsh gold I need, Master.”

THE END

WWW.CLAIRDELUNEBOOKS.CO.UK

I was born in South Yorkshire in England and moved to southwest Scotland more than twenty years ago. I retired from teaching a few years ago and spent my time reading, sewing, cooking, and gardening. I decided that there ought to be more to retirement than that.

Reading has always played a large part in my life, and the house is full of books. My youngest son challenged me to write a novel of my own, and
Initiation
, book one in the Prometheus in Chains
series, was the result.

I found that writing suddenly took over my life. Now, with a head full of Doms and subs, I love to spend a few hours a day writing or researching. Retirement has certainly delivered a lot more.

I go nowhere without a pencil and notebook, and my poor long-suffering husband has got used to having to sit in the car with me, waiting until the notes are finished before we can go and do the shopping.

I believe the world has enough sadness in it, and my characters will always get their HEA, even if the road is rocky.

I am very grateful for all the help and advice I have received from everyone at Siren, especially Alex, for editing, and Christine, for the beautiful covers.

I would love to hear from you, and I always answer e-mails or contacts on Facebook.

[email protected]

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clair.delune.71653

Twitter: [email protected]

For all titles by Clair de Lune, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/clair-de-lune

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com