“I had a busy day. Our new coach arrived this morning, and I spent several hours interviewing possible drivers. After that, I had an appointment at Rundell, Bridge & Co, then went over to Monsale House to see Gus, and finally home,” he replied.
She narrowed her eyes at him. What business did he have with Rundell, Bridge & Co, one of London’s foremost jewelers? “I thought you had sold all the jewels in the flee box.”
“I had, but after I set up Toby’s trust account, there was some money left over. So, I decided to have this made.”
Stephen produced a wide, flat blue velvet box from under his arm, and Bridget’s heart began to race.
“I didn’t do things right when we agreed to marry. In fact, I made a hash of things.”
Bridget had forgiven Stephen for many things, but it was clear that he was still taking himself to task over the beginning of their marriage.
He offered her the box. “This is my way of setting things in stone. Pardon the pun.”
With trembling fingers, she lifted the lid, and gasped.
“Oh, Stephen,” she whispered.
Before her lay a full parure: a brooch, a ring, two bracelets, a pair of earrings, and a necklace that took her breath away—all were pale blue aquamarine, set in silver.
“I couldn’t decide between the sapphires and these stones, but then I thought that the aquamarines better matched your eyes. Whenever you wear them, I can be reminded of what it is like to look into those blue pools of heaven when we are alone.”
A flush of heat coursed through her body. She knew what he meant. When they made love, there was always that one glorious moment when Stephen stared deep into her eyes right before he brought her to climax.
“They are absolutely beautiful. I don’t know what to say, other than thank you.”
He lifted the necklace from the box and placing it around her neck, secured the clasp. The precious stones settled between her breasts.
“You don’t have to say anything, other than the three words I always want to hear.”
Bridget chuckled. “My fallen rogue?”
When he moved in for a kiss, she impishly nipped at his bottom lip. He growled. His eyes sparkled with mischief. It was fun to tease Stephen, to draw out the playful side of him. Until now, she doubted he even knew that part of himself existed.
“Do I get a special reward if I say them?”
Stephen set the jewelry box to one side. After placing his hands on Bridget’s knees, he pushed them apart. “Yes, and more than once tonight.”
She leaned forward and met his gaze. “I love you.”
Epilogue
Andrew McNeal, the Duke of Monsale was a strange mix of a man. He had no qualms about handling what was known in the London crime world aswet work, yet he was fastidious about his garden. The lush greenery of the grounds of Monsale House were the talk of all of high society. Or rather they would be if Monsale ever let anyone other than his small tight-knit group of friends actually visit.
Gus Jones had been a guest at the house, recuperating from his gunshot wound for the past month, and in that time, he had not seen anyone visit the place other than the members of the RR Coaching Company. Even the wives of the rogues of the road were not offered an invitation to come for tea.
Someday however, Monsale would have to let a female into his secret sanctuary. A duke with a title and property, was in need of an heir.
It was the dead of winter, and the rose bushes lining the stone path which ran from the house to the rear high brick wall had been trimmed back to almost nothing. The rest of the garden beds lay sleeping under their blankets of straw, protected from the winter chill.
But the hot house where Monsale grew his treasured Moroccan roses was a riot of color. It was here that Gus spent most of his days, sitting quietly, reading, and making notes.
This morning was no different. With a warm blanket covering his legs and a cup of tea on a nearby table, he was quite comfortable.
When the glass door of the greenhouse opened, he raised his head from the book on coastal tides he had been studying. Monsale’s steward, Adan, approached him, bearing a tray.
It’s too early for my midday meal.Though I could do with a spot of elevenses. But Adan never brings me food.
To his disappointment, the tray only held a small folded up note.
