Epilogue

“Perhaps we should stay on for a couple of extra days until you feel better,” Griffen tried to persuade Jacqueline.

They had been traveling the past few days on their way to spend Christmas at the Forrester’s estate in Scotland. As the day drew to an end, the traveling party settled at an inn along the route. While the rest of the family settled belowstairs in a private room to eat dinner, Griffen and Jacqueline declined, pleading exhaustion. The innkeeper delivered them a meal they enjoyed while stretched out across the bed.

She opened her eyes to his weary expression. While she wanted to continue on with the rest of her family, her husband’s offer sounded most welcoming. She still suffered from nausea at first light, and the pace they traveled made for an uncomfortable ride. The carriage held the luxuries for the rough travel, but her body protested each time they hit a rut in the road, which only added to Griffen’s worries. At this moment, she would agree to anything to help settle his fussy behavior toward her.

“I agree,” she complied.

Griffen didn’t wait for her to say another word before he left their room at the inn. He didn’t stay away long and came back looking lighter on his feet and wearing a satisfactory grin. “Your uncle agrees, too. Ralston and Gemma reached the same conclusion and will also remain behind. We can ride in their carriage instead of finding a lesser mode of transportation to convey in.”

Jacqueline sighed. “Wonderful.”

Relief settled over Griffen at Jacqueline’s compliance. He refused to be one of those husbands who made demands and expected his wife to follow whether or not she approved. But he would have if she didn’t agree on this matter. The farther they traveled, the more distress she grew, not wanting to admit how fragile her continuance was because of her pregnancy. Thankfully, she finally showed her family her vulnerability, instead of pretending all was well.

He bent to give her a kiss and noticed she was fast asleep, a regular occurrence during the past month. He chuckled. While most gentlemen wouldn’t enjoy a marriage of this type, he found it most fulfilling. He wouldn’t trade any part of it. Jacqueline was a dream come true, and he was one lucky bastard. He discarded his clothing and slid underneath the covers, pulling Jacqueline into his arms.

Jacqueline awoke and snuggled closer to the warmth. She yawned and stretched, her body wiggling against her husband.

“Keep still, wench. Your husband is trying to sleep.”

“Wench? Is that any way to address the mother of your child?” Jacqueline tugged on his hair.

Griffen rolled them over, hovering above her. He was careful to keep his weight from causing her any harm. “It is when she lies naked in my arms, tempting me to have scandalous thoughts.”

A seductive smile graced her mouth. “What kind of scandalous thoughts?”

He nipped her shoulder before trailing his lips to her breasts, where he paused and blew out a soft breath. Her nipples hardened, and he stuck his tongue out to lavish them. Her moan declared her approval. “The kind where I ravish your body while you scream my name with your pleasure.”

Jacqueline guided his head to her other breast. “Perhaps you should act upon them, so I have a better understanding. I need more of a demonstration to fully appreciate how your mind works.”

“Something like this?” Griffen asked, sliding his fingers into her wetness, coating them with its warmth.

Jacqueline arched her body. “Yes, but perhaps you might use this instead.” She stroked her hand along his cock, wrapping her fingers around him.

He captured her hands and brought them above her head. His restraint was near to bursting. “Wench, you almost unmanned me,” he growled.

“Mmm,” she murmured, licking her lips.

Griffen dropped her hands and ran them through her hair, bringing her lips to his for a kiss so unforgettable they would remember it to their last dying breaths. He didn’t stop there but spent the evening into the next morning worshipping Jacqueline as the tempting wench she was. Each time they made love, their bond grew stronger, intertwining their souls into one. And each day he showed Jacqueline how much he cherished her, never leaving her in doubt of their love.

Jacqueline saw the sunrise in Griffen’s arms, his fingers tangled in her hair. When they stilled and his breathing grew heavy, she rolled over and propped her hands on his chest, watching him sleep. She was the luckiest lady on earth to land the proper Lord Kincaid. Only she knew how improper he was.

Her fingers feathered through his hair. To think she’d almost let her fear of losing someone she loved to keep her from embracing his love. But to his never-ending pursuit, she realized how dreadful her life would be without his love. And she’d learned to welcome the uncertainty and embrace it with open arms.

After all, love was a madness everyone should succumb to.

The End

Look for Lucas & Abigail’s story in January/February 2022

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Author Laura A. Barnes

INTERNATIONAL SELLING author Laura A. Barnes fell in love with writing in the second grade. After her first creative writing assignment, she knew what she wanted to become. Many years went by with Laura filling her head full of story ideas and some funny fish songs she wrote while fishing with her family. Thirty-seven years later, she made her dreams a reality. With her debut novel Rescued By the Captain, she has set out on the path she always dreamed about.

When not writing, Laura can be found devouring her favorite romance books. Laura is married to her own Prince Charming (who for some reason or another thinks the heroes in her books are about him) and they have three wonderful children and two sweet grandbabies. Besides her love of reading and writing, Laura loves to travel. With her passport stamped in England, Scotland, and Ireland; she hopes to add more countries to her list soon.

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