The Rake of Glendir (7 page)

Amelia looked shocked. The words had been going round and round in her head while she had sat by his side, but she had put them down to delirium. ‘I thought you never wished to marry?’ she gasped.

‘I didn’t. Or I thought I didn’t. But then I met you, and you have changed everything. When I thought I would never see you again… I want you to be mine, and all mine. I know you said you did not want to marry either, but I will not take away your freedom, Amelia. I don’t want some pampered society wife. Unless, after all this, you have decided you do want that life?’

Amelia shook her head. ‘No, I want you, too, Jasper. I love you. You’ve set me free. But what of your work?’

‘It’s time I came home. This is my land and my responsibility. The English government will have to get along without me for a while.’ He smiled weakly.

‘You know my father is all but impoverished? I have no dowry—only Trevan House.’ Amelia felt a surge of possessiveness over this little piece of land she had so quickly come to love.

‘The Glendir fortune can easily rival that of Lord Winters. I will let your father know that you are with me, and safe. I don’t want your money, Amelia, and you can gladly keep Trevan. I want you.’

Amelia’s eyes glistened with tears as she realized what he was offering her.

‘Yes,’ she said, and leaned down to kiss him again. He buried a hand in her hair and tentatively reached for her with the other. Gently she slid her hand down the front of his body, smiling with pleasure as she felt him growing under his breeches in response to her touch.

‘You’re a wicked woman,’ he murmured in her ear, nipping at her lobe.

‘Now that,’ she chided as she slipped into bed next to him, ‘is no way at all to speak to your future wife.’

Then she proceeded to make love to him, slowly and carefully, and it was perfect.

Michelle Kelly
is a former English teacher living in the beautiful Amber Valley countryside in the heart of England with her own real-life hero, two rug rats and a rodent. She is a hopeless romantic with a passionate interest in history, and so writing historical romances is a dream come true. Her first historical novel was written at the age of twelve, tied together with string and still kept in her grandmother’s dresser. She is also a published author of contemporary romance, poetry and memoir, and this is her third story for the Harlequin Historical Undone line.

ISBN-13: 9781460334058

THE RAKE OF GLENDIR

Copyright © 2014 by Kelly Lawrence

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