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Glancing down, Raine watched as Philippe pressed the golden necklace into her hand. Her eyes filled with tears at the sight of the precious locket. She knew it meant more to this man than all the jewels in Europe.
Slowly her eyes lifted to meet his searching gaze. “Your mother’s locket.”
A slow smile curved his lips. “She would want you to have it. You are the only female I have ever met that is worthy of her.”
She became lost in his smoldering gaze. “But I am not, Philippe. I am nothing more than a sailor’s daughter.”
“You are Raine Wimbourne.” He carefully reached to pull her into his arms, as if he feared she might recoil from his touch. “A woman of honor and dignity. A woman with a sweet, generous nature who brings happiness to all those whom she encounters. A woman who would rather live in poverty than to accept the blundering proposal of a man who is undeserving of her.”
Raine leaned back to regard him in startled horror. “I have never thought you undeserving, Philippe.”
“Then you should have.” He pulled her tightly to his body, his expression dark with regret. “I wanted you to love me. I wanted to you to offer me your very soul without having to risk returning that precious gift. I was a fool. And I have paid a dear price.” He leaned forward to press his lips to her forehead. “I love you, Raine. Please tell me that I am not too late. Tell me that you can forgive me.”
Raine felt a small smile begin to tug at her lips. Philippe had swallowed his pride to follow her to Knightsbridge. Even more he had released Seurat simply because he knew it would make her happy.
And he had said the magic words.
I love you.
Her heart sang with joy as she lifted her hand to lightly touch his cheek.
“I will forgive you if you make me one promise.”
Pulling back, he regarded her with a desperate gaze. “Anything. Anything at all.”
“From this day forward you must promise that you will stop your appalling habit of kidnapping poor, unsuspecting females.”
There was a moment’s pause, and then, giving a loud shout of laughter, Philippe swept her off her feet and held her tightly against his chest.
“Oh, meu amor, I can safely promise that the only woman I will ever bother to kidnap will be my beautiful, daring, passionate wife.” His eyes darkened with a smoldering heat. “And I intend to hold her hostage for all eternity.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Madeira, One Year Later
AS WAS HER HABIT, RAINE SPENT the morning enjoying her breakfast in the beauty of the garden. It not only offered a few moments of solitude before her busy day of overseeing the household and meeting with the numerous villagers who now turned to her for assistance, but over the past weeks she had discovered that the crisp air helped to counter the morning sickness that plagued her.
Rising to her feet, Raine absently touched the faint swell of her stomach that was the only indication she would soon have an addition to her family.
Philippe was delighted, of course. At least when he was not worrying himself into a state of near panic. Since their wedding he had proved to be an astonishingly protective husband. He was forever fussing over her to ensure that she did not overtire herself, or take the slightest risk. Now that she was pregnant he was nearly insufferable. If he had his way she would remain tucked in her bed with a dozen servants hovering about to tend to her every need.
Not that she truly minded, she acknowledged as she entered the sprawling villa. It seemed unbelievable, but over the past year, Raine had tumbled even more deeply in love with her husband. Her marriage was not always easy; they were both far too stubborn not to have their occasional spats. But over the passing days they had developed a relationship that offered far more than mere passion. They were friends, and companions and partners as they worked side by side to keep Philippe’s numerous companies profitable, and to oversee the charities that Raine had already established.
It was a hectic, wonderful life that Raine could never have dreamed possible.
As she was climbing the stairs, Raine’s happy musings were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of Philippe’s low cursing coming from his study.
Startled as much by the realization that her husband had returned so swiftly from his daily inspection of his vineyards as by his obviously foul mood, Raine altered her path and entered the study.
As always her heart gave a tiny leap at the sight of the man who had changed her life. Even casually attired in buff breeches and a worn jade jacket he appeared more a god than a mere human.
For a moment she simply allowed herself the pleasure of watching him pace across the room with short, jerky steps. A warm, delicious desire swirled in the pit of her stomach. Good heavens. She would never, ever tire of walking into a room and finding Philippe awaiting her.
With a happy sigh, she forced herself to move forward. She hoped whatever was troubling her husband would not take long to soothe. They had a few hours to spare before the local children would arrive for their English lessons. Hours that could be nicely spent upstairs in their private chambers.
“Good Lord, Philippe, whatever is the matter?” she teased.
