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"I know what he said, that I am fond of you. No, far more than fond. He thinks highly of you, Captain. So much that he thinks you could be a… a husband for me. Oh, I did not mean…" she gasped.
"That is exactly what he implied to me. Said I needed to talk with you. But I hardly know what to say. I am unfamiliar with ladies of your status. I never imagined that anyone like you could pay a whit of attention to a man like me."
"Then you were mistaken," she whispered. "Entirely incorrect. In my case."
"Even with my… my useless arm? And my merchant's ways?
"You are a man who makes his own way, without some long-ago titled rogue to depend upon. I see you as ideal, unencumbered by a single imperfection. Not any short-comings."
He rose and reached for her hand.
"Let's go down to the strand."
She walked beside him as the glow of the rising moon lit the sky and spilled across the water in a silver streak, pointing directly at them.
For a few moments, they walked in silence, watching the huge gold disc lift out of the sea, so bright it caused her to squint.
Drew looked only at Ronnie.
"I have thought of you as a distant goddess, beauty and honour far beyond my reach. I have tried to channel my efforts to be a friend, insofar as friendship could ever replace… replace affection. Your father saw through my attempts, and I admitted my failure to him. Was he telling the truth about how you feel about me?"
Ronnie stopped walking and leaned against him.
"Yes. He was correct."
"Then I have squandered my time with you in drinking tea and coffee when it could have been a love potion?"
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"As for wasting time, if you do not kiss me this instant, I will shove you onto the sand and force you to have your way with me!"
"Exactly what I hope for."
They laughed and kissed at the same time. When she caressed his useless hand, he felt a tingle of feeling he could not deny. But he could not move his lips from hers because she held his head pressed to hers so tightly. Never had he felt more alive.
The End
I hope that you enjoyed ‘Seaside Summer’.
You’ll find a preview another of my books ‘The Muddled Matchmakers’, after the About the Author section.
About the Author
Victoria Hinshaw loves all things English and Regency. She wrote horse stories as a pre-teen and has written romantic fiction ever since. When she isn’t pounding away on her laptop or touring Stately Homes across the pond, you might find Vicky enjoying the arts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Naples, Florida.
She is a frequent speaker at events of the Jane Austen Society of North America and one of the earliest members of The Beau Monde chapter of Romance Writers of America.
Victoria has published more than a dozen novels and novellas with Kensington’s Zebra imprint and Simon & Shuster’s Pocket Books, as well as in large print versions. Many are available as e-books; complete information is found on her website and her Amazon page.
Victoria blogs on England, its culture, literature, and history on Number One London, with Kristine Hughes Patrone and Louisa Cornell.
Connect with Victoria
Website: www.victoriahinshaw.com
Blog: www.numberonelondon.net
Blog: http://www.victoriahinshaw.com/victorias-vibes----a-blog
