Sari Robins - [Andersen Hall Orphanage 05] (27 page)

“It doesn’t have to be. We can still be a family. Seth and Felix need more than just a father and mother. They need a grandfather, too.”

Benbrook stared out the window. “By all accounts the boys are happy here…I suppose I could buy a house in London…to be close…I am getting on in years…”

Inhaling a deep breath, Benbrook squared his shoulders and then stood. “I’d best be on my way then and allow you to get on with it.” He moved toward the door, but then stopped and turned. “Just so you know, I expect to be invited to the wedding.”

Steele inclined his head. “Of course. You’re family.”

Benbrook’s lips lifted into a small smile. “Well then.” Nodding to himself, he strode from the room.

After he’d gone, Steele looked down at the woman he adored. “Will you marry me, Abigail, and make me the happiest man in the world?”

Sudden tears filled Abigail’s eyes, and she looked so positively miserable, his heart ached for her. “What’s wrong, darling?”

“I don’t know that you’ll want to marry me,” Abigail’s voice quaked as tears spilled down her cheeks. “When you hear what I have to tell you.”

Shaking his head, he wiped her tears with his thumb. “I love you with all my heart. Whatever you have to tell me won’t change my mind.”

Squaring her shoulders, she swallowed. “I’m…
I’m…the woman in black…the one you know as the widow…from Charing Cross.”

Steele felt his jaw drop and his eyes bulge.

Then the pieces fell into place like a flawlessly crafted puzzle. Reggie…The widow was searching for a man…who was involved with Lucifer Laverty. The widow’s quick thinking and fighting skills…How Abigail had neatly handled Carlton, and then Devonshire last night. Steele’s desperate hunger for the widow and the passion Abigail inspired in him.

Shaking his head, Steele chuckled.

Abigail sniffed. “What’s so funny?”

“The bloody universe!” He hugged her close, inhaling the familiar scent of heather and woman he adored. He laughed out loud. “No matter which life I chose, no matter which way I turned, you were there for me. I had to be blind not to see it before!”

“See what?”

“You, my dear, are
meant
to be my wife.”

She pulled back, her gaze searching his, her lovely face beset by doubt. “But I’m a wanton, improper—”

“You’re my perfect match, in the day and the night. You’re mine, and not a word you say will convince me otherwise.”

“Truly?” Tears spilled down her cheeks, but she was smiling.

“Absolutely!”

Raising her palm to his cheek, she beamed through her tears. “I swear, I’ll burn that widow’s costume, the veil, the boots, all of it!”

“Please don’t.” His smile was wicked, his tone
filled with mischief. “At our wedding I want you to wear a white veil, but in the bedroom…the black might be nice, too.”

Her eyes darkened with desire, igniting his hunger. Her breasts rose and fell with a breathy sigh. Arching her back, she leaned into him, pressing her soft body into his. She fit him perfectly. His body hardened.

Her lips lifted playfully. “I love you dearly, even though you are a
wicked
,
wicked
man.”

Grinning, his lips claimed hers, making love to her mouth. Abigail was engulfed by a passion that demanded to be sated. He moved to her neck, nipping, teasing, tasting.

Closing her eyes, she sighed. “I do love you…”

“Jason,” he murmured. “To you, it’s Jason.”

She smiled, feeling happy enough to float away on a cloud. “I love you, Jason. So very much.”

“And I love the sound of my name on your lips,
Abigail
.” His tongue traced the inside of her ear, and she quivered with yearning. “You are, by far, the most incredible woman I have ever known.”

“I can get my veil…” Her voice was a husky purr.

He was on fire, his passion so great, his love so deep, he couldn’t wait to claim her. He lifted her into his arms. “There’s no need.” Then he carried her into the bedchamber.

I
am grateful to my husband and children, who make every day more meaningful and more beautiful for me. They give me so much encouragement and joy.

Thank you to all my family and friends, especially my mother, who continue to enthusiastically champion my efforts. Thank you to Susan Grimshaw, Frances Drouin, Dorothy Rece, Bill Eubanks, Laura Goeller, Vladimira Vojta, Willa Cline, Barb at RF Designs, Nancy Yost, Deb Brink, Becky Rose, Jan Epstein, Marilyn and Normie Blumenthal, Esther Levine, and Martha Jo Katz. Special thanks to Jennifer Linowes and Jennifer Hartz.

My gratitude to the incomparable Avon Books team! Thank you to Pam, Buzzy, and Adrienne!!! Tom, Gail, and Patricia—thanks for my gorgeous covers! I appreciate the awesome sales force—Brian, Donna, Judy, and the entire Merch Sales Team; Mike, Carla, and the whole Field Sales Team; International Sales; Foreign Rights/Sub Rights. Special thanks to Lyssa Keusch and May Chen—I adore working with you!

Thank you very much. Your support means the world to me.