Secrets of a Wedding Night (36 page)

Devon clenched his jaw. He searched her face. “I never wrote a letter. I received one from you.”

“I never wrote a letter,” Lily breathed. “I—” Lily doubled over, understanding finally dawning. She squeezed the handkerchief. “Oh, God. It was my mother. I know it. I always wondered how she came to me so swiftly that morning. It was as if she knew I was waiting. She was so quick to tell me I’d been wrong about you, to comfort me, to suggest I marry Lord Merrill.”

Devon clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles cracked. “And my father wouldn’t have been above such a thing as forging a note from me either. I left you that night because my father drew me away.”

Lily put her hand to her throat. “I feel ill,” she whispered.

Devon rested a hand on her shoulder. “We’ve blamed each other all these years, when our parents were at fault.”

Lily stepped away from him, her arms tightly crossed over her chest. “But that wasn’t the only thing separating us.” She breathed in deeply and turned back to face him. “Devon, why did you gamble again if you detested it? Why couldn’t you stop when I asked you to?”

He scrubbed his hands through his hair. “You have to understand, Lily. I made a promise to a dying man—my dying father, no less—that I would reclaim the signet ring.”

Lily reached out and touched Devon’s hand. “Why hadn’t I ever heard of Justin before?”

Devon expelled his breath. “The story we circulated in town was that Justin was my half brother. My father’s second wife had died roughly around the same time Justin was born. It had been during the winter and we simply told everyone she’d died in childbirth. Most of the servants didn’t even know any better. Only Mrs. Appleby, my father’s housekeeper, and a few others knew the truth.”

Lily sucked in her breath. “I’m sorry, Devon. Truly sorry. For everything.”

Devon pulled her into his embrace. Lily rested her head against his chest. His lips grazed the top of her head. Tears slipped down her cheeks and Devon tipped up her chin with his finger and thumb to look into her eyes.

“Why are you crying, my love?”

“I want you to know why it was so difficult for me to trust you. I was so scared for you. My father was always gambling and I never felt safe. It wasn’t about money. It was never about money. It was about security. I never cared that you were penniless.”

“I understand,” Devon replied. “But why the tears still, darling?” He kissed them away one by one.

“Because you said we can never go back. Too much has happened.”

He kissed her forehead. “It’s true. We can never go back.”

Lily’s heart stopped. She knew it. It was still too late.

Devon pulled her down next to him into the nearby window seat. Her brows furrowed. He tilted her face up to look at him.

“We can never go back, Lily,” he repeated, “but we can go forward, together, and build something better, something stronger than the past. I’ve lost you, twice. Once because of our parents’ schemes and again due to my own pride and foolishness. I cannot lose you again. I won’t lose you again.”

He kissed her lips. So softly, so sweetly. Lily wanted to cry harder. She’d been so sure she’d never feel his touch again.

Devon tugged her back against him and cradled her in his arms. “There’s something else I must tell you, Lily.” There was a smile in his voice. “I know you’ve had your heart set on being married to a poor bloke who has no means of income other than his spotty gambling winnings, but the truth is … I’m quite wealthy.”

She grinned against his chest. “Medford told me,” she admitted. “But you should have.”

Devon raised his brows. “When did Medford tell you?”

“A few days ago. He also told me you’d paid off all my creditors.” She glanced at her hands. “When did you discover I was poor?”

“When I saw Mr. Hogsmeade leaving your house that day I came with Bandit. I recognized him from the many visits he’d paid to my father over the years. After that, I looked into it and discovered how many creditors you had.”

Lily sighed. “It’s been a struggle for a very long time. But I still don’t understand. Why do you want everyone to think you’re destitute?”

He shrugged. “You quickly learn who your true friends are in such a situation.”

Lily nodded. “Including me?”

“Oh, God, Lily. The reason I became rich, the reason I worked so damned hard at it, was for you. I believed you’d refused my suit because of my lack of money and it drove me mad. Yes, I did it for Justin and my father, but I also did it for you. I won the Colton signet ring back. But what I almost gave up for that damned ring. The blasted promise I made to my unworthy father was more important to me than what we could have had. I pushed you away to protect myself. I realize that now. I expected the worst of you. Instead, I showed you the worst of myself.” He hung his head. “I’m sorry, Lily.”

Tears flowed down Lily’s cheeks. She smiled through them. “I love you, Devon. I always have.”

Devon wrapped his good arm around her. “I love you, too, Lily. I’ve loved you since we danced in the gardens at your debut ball. I’m sorry for the last five years, how difficult your life has been.”

“It’s not your fault, Devon.” She squeezed his hand.

“No, but I’m partially to blame.” He fell to his knees on the floor next to the window seat. He clasped her hand. “Lily, I love you, and I’ll never let you forget it. I’m asking for the third time, the last time. Will you marry me?”

She smiled through her tears. “Yes, Lord Colton. For the third time, the last time, I will marry you.”

EPILOGUE

“We could not have chosen a more perfect day for a wedding.” Devon winked at his new wife as they strode arm in arm around the grounds of Colton House. They’d spent the whole day celebrating with their friends and family and had just finished a late dinner on the lawn. The smell of summer jasmine floated through the summer air. Stars twinkled in the sky above.

“Without a doubt.” Lily smiled and squeezed Devon’s arm. Justin ran across their path, a puppy nipping at his heels. He waved happily at them.

Lily laughed and waved back. “Justin is such a wonderful boy and he loves the new puppy you gave him for a birthday present.”

Devon tucked her hand closer into his arm and escorted her toward a walking path. “No doubt you’ll have the whole ragtag group of dogs out here before long.”

Jordan Holloway caught up to them, a crooked smile on his face as he gave them a jaunty salute. “Congratulations, Lord and Lady Colton.” He shook his head. “I must say you two took your time getting together, even after all of my machinations.”

“Machinations?” Lily furrowed her brows.

Devon crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you talking about, Ashbourne? Do you mean to imply you attempted to matchmake?”

“Attempted?” Jordan slapped gloves against his thigh. “I did everything short of abducting Lily and tossing her into your bed.”

Devon shook his head. “I seem to recall you gave me a speech about how Lily had tossed me over and it was time to take my revenge.”

Jordan flashed them both a grin. “Perfect. Wasn’t it? Starting the rumors and the bet at the club was only the first part of my plan. So dedicated, I was even willing to take a beating for it.”

Devon put his hands on his hips. “Now I know you’ve gone mad. You’ve been staunchly against marriage for years.”

“A fact I cannot deny,” Jordan answered. “But you were so determined to get yourself leg-shackled, I couldn’t very well allow you to do so with the wrong lady. Could I?”

Lily laughed. “What was the second half of your ploy then, Jordan?”

“Why, getting this bloke to realize he couldn’t live without you, my dear. And it worked, perfectly if I do say so myself.”

Devon rolled his eyes. “Don’t let us keep you, Ashbourne. I hear Lord Hawkins is working up the nerve to propose soon. Perhaps you should save him from that dreadful institution.”

Jordan’s grin widened. “Perhaps I should.” He tipped his hat to them and headed off across the lawn.

Lily snuggled against Devon and he wrapped an arm around her. “Devon, look, Anne appears to be having a wonderful time, doesn’t she?” Lily pointed across the lawn to where her sister was dancing along with a merry group of partygoers. She sighed. “Oh, I do hope Anne finds the kind of love we have. Mr. Eggleston’s not remotely right for her, of course, but I’m waiting for Anne to realize that in her own time.”

Devon squeezed her shoulders. “She’s a strong young woman, much like her sister. I’m sure she’ll make the right decision.” He stopped and turned Lily to face him. “Now, Lady Colton, I have a question to ask you.”

Her eyes widened at his sudden seriousness. “Yes, Lord Colton?”

He arched a brow. “Admit it. You sent that copy of
Secrets of a Wedding Night
straight to Miss Templeton, didn’t you?”

Lily worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “Well, the truth is … I, ah … had a copy personally delivered to Miss Templeton.”

Instead of the anger she’d expected, Devon shouted with laughter, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“As I suspected,” he replied. “But, why did you do it?”

Lily ducked her head against his chest. “I read your engagement announcement in the
Times
. I couldn’t let you get married. Not when I loved you so desperately … and especially not to a ninny like Amelia Templeton. Good heavens. She would have bored you silly.”

Devon gave her a tender kiss. “Thank you for sending her a copy.”

Lily cleared her throat. “I didn’t just send it to her, Devon. I wrote it for her.”

Devon’s eyes widened. “Are you jesting?”

“Not at all,” Lily admitted with a catlike smile on her face.

Devon laughed and pressed his lips into her hair. “Ah, my darling, don’t ever change.” He drew back. “Since you made a confession, I suppose I’ve one to make as well.”

Lily glanced up at him. “Yes?”

“I was the one who started the rumors about us eloping to Gretna Green.”

Her jaw dropped. “Devon Marcus Sandridge Colton. How dare you?” But her smile belied the tone of her words.

“What? Aren’t you happy with the outcome?”

She shoved one hand against his broad shoulder. “Of course, but I cannot believe you would have the audacity—”

He quirked his lips. “Can’t you?”

She shook her head. “You’re right. I should have assumed it was you from the start.”

“You cannot blame me, can you, love?”

Lily snuggled back into his arms. “No, I’m glad you did.”

Devon reached into his inside coat pocket and pulled out something. “And now for the true reason I took you for a walk this evening. This is for you, my love.” He held it out to her.

Lily gingerly took the leather-bound case from Devon’s hand. “What is it?”

He grinned at her. “Open it.”

She cracked the lid and squealed. Lying on a bed of dark blue velvet was a little diamond brooch in the shape of a—she blinked—raccoon.

“It’s Bandit,” Lily said, tears filling her eyes.

“Seems I’m just as big a fool in love as my grandfather was.”

Lily reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you so.” Kissing his cheek, she sighed. “I’ve found such happiness with you, Devon. I suppose I’ve done a grave injustice to the young women of the
ton
by writing
Secrets of a Wedding Night
. But don’t worry. I shall do the right thing.” She nodded. “I shall write a retraction posthaste.”

Devon kissed her fiercely. “That reminds me. As it is officially our wedding night, there are some more
secrets
I want to show you.”

He kissed her neck and Lily closed her eyes, shuddering. “Mmm. That, my love, is an entirely different pamphlet.”

Read on for an excerpt from
Valerie Bowman’s next book

Secrets of a Runaway Bride

Coming soon from St. Martin’s Paperbacks

London, Late September, 1816

Annie Andrews was halfway up the side of her neighbor Arthur Eggleston’s town house—scaling an oh-so-convenient and strong ivy vine—when the telltale clip-clop of horse’s hooves stopped her. She squeezed her eyes shut. Oh, this was
not
good.

Despite the fact that she was in the alley at the back of the house and it was dark as pitch, she’d just been discovered. She knew it.

Please let it be a servant
.

But even as she wished it, she knew it wasn’t true. A servant in the alley on horseback? No.

And the odds of it being Aunt Clarissa were decidedly low as well. Annie had ensured that that lady had been well into her cups and asleep before she’d even attempted tonight’s little escapade. Besides, Aunt Clarissa was horribly frightened of horses.

Annie bit her lip. Then she slowly turned her head.

She gulped.

It was worse than a servant. Much worse.

“Lost?” The arrogant male voice pierced the cool night air.

Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, swung his leg over his saddle and dismounted.

Oh, drat. There was absolutely no plausible way to explain this. Annie lifted her chin in an attempt to retain her dignity. As much as one could when one was clinging precariously to a vine.

The moon peeked from behind the clouds, casting a bit of its glow upon the scene as Lord Ashbourne strode up the steps and stood regarding her, his arms crossed over his chest. He leaned back against the stone balustrade, crossed his booted feet negligently at the ankles, and watched her with a mocking look on his oh-so-handsome—too handsome if you asked her—face. The man was easily two inches over six feet tall, possessed wide shoulders, narrow hips, a straight nose, dark slashes for brows, dark, ruffled hair, and the most unusual knowing gray eyes.

“If it isn’t the runaway bride.” He grinned. “What are you up to this time, Miss Andrews?”

Annie gritted her teeth. She hated it when Lord Ashbourne called her by that ridiculous name. The Runaway Bride. Hrmph. As the closest friend of her new brother-in-law, Lord Ashbourne had just so happened to have been involved in coming after her after an unfortunate incident in which she’d run away to Gretna Green with Arthur last spring. But that had been months ago and things were different now. Ahem, present circumstances notwithstanding. And it was so like Lord Ashbourne to mock her while she wasn’t in a position to kick him or at the very least give him a condemning glare. It was exceedingly difficult to conjure condemnation while perched on a plant.