He shook his head. ‘You will be the death of me.’
‘It seems to me that you are very capable of engineering your own downfall. It was the height of folly to go into the glassworks so unprepared.’
‘We are both of us governed by our emotions at times.’
‘But I am a grown woman, while you are just an overgrown schoolboy spoiling for a fight.’
‘You are every bit as thirsty for adventure.’
‘I don’t deliberately seek it out, Jake, but I will not be told how to behave. You have to understand that.’
‘And you have to understand that I want to keep you safe. You matter to me more than anyone else in the world. What sort of man would I be if I allowed you to put yourself in danger and did nothing to try and prevent it?’
‘Well, since you are no longer planning to work for Thorndike, we are both less likely to be confronted by danger.’
‘I shall accept no further assignments from him. I intend to see him tomorrow and make that abundantly clear. However, there are still my enemies to be concerned about.’
Olivia sighed. ‘I might be run over by a carriage tomorrow. We none of us know what is around the corner so let us enjoy what we have and let the future take care of itself.’
‘You are a wise woman, Mrs Grantley,’ he said, wincing as he hoisted himself onto one elbow to kiss her brow.
‘And you would do well to remember it,’ she replied with a serene smile.
‘I am sure you will not permit me to forget it.’
‘Certainly I shall not.’ Olivia finished tending to his bruises and lay with her head resting cautiously on his shoulder. ‘Anyway, I am glad it all turned out for the best. Young Henry Armitage has come into his own and, unless I mistake the matter, Fergus is on the point of offering for Amelia. We shall have a lot of weddings to look forward to, given that Eva and Isaac will soon be able to wed as well.’
‘Is that what you want, Olivia?’ He pushed a lock of hair away from her eyes and sent her an intent look. ‘Would like for us to marry?’
‘Good heavens, no! If you though I was hinting you are quite wrong. My views in that regard have not changed. I could not tolerate your tyranny. We are much better off the way we are.’
He was quiet for a long time. ‘Very well,’ he said eventually. ‘But you must promise me that you and Tom will join me in Torbay for the summer.’
‘Good heavens, Lord Torbay, whatever will the neighbours say?’
‘Hang the neighbours!’ he said, looming over her as he bent his head and made a thorough job of kissing her.
The End
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About the Author
Thank you for reading Heirs and Graces. If you enjoyed the novel check out the other titles in the Victorian Vigilantes series, listed below along with all my other offerings.
I was brought up on the Isle of Wight in southern England, surrounded by castles, stately homes and history at every turn. I must have unwittingly absorbed the vibes like osmosis and so write mostly about bygone days, living vicariously alongside my heroes with heart and independently-minded heroines.
When not letting my imagination flow over a hot keyboard I spend my time walking my beloved dog – a rescued mutt of indeterminate pedigree – and make half-hearted efforts to hold back the years through regular visits to the gym.
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Regency and Victorian Series
Mrs Darcy Entertains Series
Miss Bingley’s Revenge
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma
Miss Darcy’s Passion
Kitty Bennet’s Despair
Lydia Wickham’s Journal
Pemberley: The Next Generation Series
Emma Bingley’s Romantic Nature
Naomi Sanford’s Compassionate Nature
Bella Darcy’s Impulsive Nature
Eleanor Bingley’s Rebellious Nature
Rosie Turner’s Contrary Nature
Susie Darcy’s Tenacious Nature
Ducal Encounters Series One
At the Duke’s Discretion
With the Duke’s Approval
Portrait of a Duke
For the Duke’s Pleasure
In the Duke’s Estimation
Captivating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series Two
Reunited with the Duke
Christmas with the Duke
Representing the Duke
Acting for the Duke
Emulating the duke
Ducal Encounters Series Three
Conspiring with the Duke
Dedicated to the Duke
Impugning the Duke’s Honour
By Order of the Duke
The Forsters
Compromising the Marquess
Beguiling the Barrister
Finessing the Contessa
Romancing the Runaway
Victorian Vigilantes Series
Saving Grace
Heirs and Graces
With Good Grace
Fall From Grace
Social Graces
Elegance and Grace
Riley Rochester Investigates Series
Death of a Debutante
Death of a Courtesan
Death of a Prosecutor
Death of a Scoundrel
Stand-Alone Regencies
To Defy a Duke
The Duke’s Legacy
Lady Hartley’s Inheritance
Duty’s Destiny
A Duke by Default
A Scandalous Proposition
Of Dukes and Deceptions
The Perfect Impostor
Forgotten Heiress
For Want of a Reputation
Christmas at Castleray
Ava’s Passion
Lady Mysterious
Divided Loyalties
Disinherited
Game of Dukes
Contemporary Titles
The Hunter Files
Unfinished Business
Risky Business
Lethal Business
Stand-Alone Contemporaries
Topspin
Downsizing
A Class Apart
Shalimar
Silver Lining
The Name of the Game