The Perfect Lady Worthe (9 page)

Epilogue

The Next Day

Jane had never had such a sleepless night, but she wasn’t one to complain when her dreamless state had been interrupted for such pleasurable activities. She flushed. Gareth had made very good use of their marriage bed on their wedding night… and the following morning. Her face grew warmer.

“Marriage suits you, Jane,” Michael said from the opened door of the drawing room.

Jane would have blushed again if all of her blood wasn’t already in her face. “Gareth went to talk to his butler, he’ll be back in a minute.”

Michael waved her off. “I didn’t come to talk to Worthe.” He took a seat in the chair closest to her. “I came to see you.”

“You did?”

“You act surprised,” he commented, raking a hand through his hair. His lips thinned. “I only wanted what was best for you.” He swallowed audibly. “To protect you.”

Instinctively, she reached forward and patted his forearm. “I know.”

He blew out a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For being so wretched about Worthe.” Michael bit his lip and lowered his lashes. “And being so overbearing and protective all of these years. I think when I came home and saw you lifeless on that bed at Christmastime when I came to visit just days after your accident, I went from needling brother to strong protector. When I came back and saw you in your chair…” He shrugged. “To me, I still saw you on that bed. In need of someone to take care of and protect you at all times.”

Jane didn’t know what to think of his admission. So much made sense about how he’d treated and worried over her.

“I know you don’t need as much protecting as I thought, but if you do—” he grinned— “Worthe is as good as they come.”

“Better than you?” she teased.

“Actually, yes,” he allowed solemnly. “He saw what I couldn’t.” His grin returned. “And I’m glad for it.”

“So am I,” Gareth said, coming into the room. He sat on the settee that was next to Jane and took her hand in his. “Can I assume this is your blessing?”

Michael nodded.

“Dare I ask what persuaded you to see sense?” Gareth asked not unkindly.

“Females,” Michael said, scowling. “I ought to challenge you to a duel, you know.”

“Whatever for?” Jane asked.

“He took you and left me with his cousin, Mrs. Fairchilde.” His sour look made Jane laugh. “That blasted woman is bold, Worthe.”

Gareth chuckled. “She made you see sense, didn’t she?”

“I suppose,” Michael allowed. He stood and placed his hat back on his head. “Take care of her, Worthe.”

“My pleasure.” He dropped a kiss on Jane’s lips. “Now and always.”

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Coming Soon!

Gentlemen of Honor Series

Regency set series that is coming in 2014-2015!

Secrets of a Viscount
—One summer night, Sebastian Gentry, Lord Belgrave hauled the wrong young lady to Gretna Green. When her identity is exposed, the only obvious solution is to get an annulment. Only, just like his elopement plans, things didn’t go as planned and while she has reason to believe they are no longer married, he knows better. Wanting to make things right for her, he offers to help her find a husband—what neither counts on is it just might be the one she’s still secretly married to.

Desires of a Baron
—Giles Goddard, Lord Norcourt is odd. Odder still, he has suddenly taken a fancy to his brother’s love interest, the fallen Lucy Whitaker. Lucy was once thrown over by a lord and she has little desire to let it happen again, but she’s about to learn that his desires just might be enough for the both of them.

Passions of a Gentleman
—Having been thrown over twice already, Simon Appleton has given up his pursuit for a wife—especially if his only choice is the elusive Miss Henrietta Hughes. But when he discovers a secret about her, he’s not above helping to protect her...

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Other Books by Rose Gordon

Fort Gibson Officers Series

American-set historical romance series that takes place in Indian Territory in the mid-1840s.

The Officer and the Bostoner
—While on her way to meet her intended, Allison Pearson was abandoned by her traveling party at a desolate Army fort in the middle of Indian Territory. It’s a good thing there is a handsome, smooth talking officer named Captain Wes Tucker will to temporarily marry her until her intended can reclaim her.

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Captain Grayson Montgomery's mouth has landed him in trouble again! And this time it's not something a cleverly worded sentence and a handsome smile can fix. Having been informed he'll either have to marry or be demoted and sentenced to hard labor for the remainder of his tour, he proposes, only to discover those years of hard labor may have been the easier choice for his heart.

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Groom Series

Four decided bachelors are about to have their freedom ripped right from their clutches with nothing to show for it but love.

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Her Secondhand Groom—
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Banks Brothers’ Brides

The first two are prequels to the previous series and the second two are follow ups.

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About the Author

USA Today
Bestselling and Award Winning Author Rose Gordon writes unusually unusual historical romances that have been known to include scarred heroes, feisty heroines, marriage-producing scandals, far too much scheming, naughty literature and always a sweet happily-ever-after.  When not escaping to another world via reading or writing a book, she spends her time chasing two young boys around the house, being hunted by wild animals, or sitting on the swing in the backyard where she has to use her arms as shields to deflect projectiles AKA: balls, water balloons, sticks, pinecones, and anything else one of her boys picks up to hurl at his brother who just happens to be hiding behind her.

She can be found somewhere in cyberspace at:

http://www.rosegordon.net

or blogging about
something
inappropriate at:

http://rosesromanceramblings.wordpress.com

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