“No,” he agreed. “I didn’t know about Lavery.”
“I’m certainly glad we didn’t raise her salary,” Gillian said.
“Me, too,” Colin agreed. “And I can promise you there’ll be no more French lady’s maids in our household. Especially if they have brothers who elope with the daughters of the house, then hold them for ransom or blackmail their fathers.”
“It wasn’t about me at all,” Gillian said. “It was about money.”
“It was about helping Napoleon win the war,” Colin explained. “Everything they earned from blackmail and kidnapping went to finance French spies.”
Gillian shook her head. “I can’t believe I was foolish enough to think I was in love with him.” She leaned down and kissed her husband, her Galahad. “I didn’t know what love was until I met you.”
“If you hadn’t eloped with him, he would have kidnapped you, my love. The result would have been the same. He needed your father’s ships.”
“I could have made it a trifle more difficult,” she protested.
“And then you might have risked changing fate.” Colin kissed her thoroughly. “And you and I were fated to be together.”
“For all the good it does you.” She gave him a rueful smile. “In my present condition.”
Colin laughed. “You’d be surprised how at how inventive and creative I can be.”
“The only thing that surprises me about you is how much you love me.”
“How could I not,” he asked, “when all you’ve ever done is love me in return? I received your gift, my lady fair.” He reached beneath the pillow and pulled out Gillian’s cipher.
“And I received yours, my love.” She rolled over and propped herself on her elbow so she could look down at him.
Colin quirked an eyebrow at her. “And what was that?”
“A second chance.”
The End
* * *
Read Chapter One of Hardly a Husband
Hardly a Husband, Book 3 in the “Free Fellows League” Series
Coming August 4th 2015
Barely a Bride
Book 1 in the “Free Fellows League” Series
Available Now
Merely the Groom
Book 2 in the “Free Fellows League” Series
Available Now
Truly a Wife, Book 4 in the “Free Fellows League” Series
Coming August 4th 2015
And look for A Bachelor Still, the brand new book in the “Free Fellows League” Series Coming late August 2015!