Dauntless (The Shaws) by Connolly Lynne

Author:Connolly, Lynne [Connolly, Lynne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-06-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Despite her resolve never to write a word of fiction again, Dru still kept her journal. She wanted to leave something for the future. From there she found it easy to let her imagination fly, but after a flirtation with appalling poetry, she returned to her favorite medium. She would write improving stories and moral tales for children. That was how she would make amends.

But on the Monday after her fateful visit to the horrid man who had stolen her manuscript, Dru passed a bookshop to see her own creation displayed in the window. Fortunately, most people were also passing by. There did not seem to be a queue.

Her father had reported that he could not get a copy for his own perusal, and Dru let out a sigh of relief. That must mean Wilkins had done as he promised. A few copies remained in circulation, but that was all. They would pass unnoticed.

On the Tuesday, she was to attend the theater with her betrothed and his mother, who had arrived in town with her husband the day before. Then they would make their appearance at a ball. Her trousseau had mostly arrived. She’d had it packed and sent to the new house she was to occupy in less than two weeks. Everything was getting so close. Her reality was swooping down on her before she had time to assimilate it. Oliver was the center of it all.

She went down to the drawing room and met his mother and her husband, both charming people and delighted to see their son marry. Tactfully, they went down to the carriage first.

When she offered her hand, Oliver took it, but instead of bending over it, tugged her into his arms and kissed her senseless. She bathed in his regard. If this was not love, she didn’t know what was. He spread his hands over her back, gripping tightly as if he didn’t want to let her go.

She drew back with a shaky laugh. “I will not be fit to be seen.”

“You are always fit to be seen, sweetheart.”

Oliver didn’t throw endearments around carelessly, as other men did. Dru cherished every one. He warmed her, made her feel wanted and safe. And entirely his. The force of his personality made up for her lack, the way people barely noticed she was in the room. She hadn’t minded before now, but she would become strong. For him, and for what he represented.

He kissed her again, and she stretched up eagerly to return it. He groaned into her mouth and drew back, gently urging her away. “You undermine my resolve, Dru. I want you badly. Can we bring the wedding forward, do you think?”

“By running away?” Not that it mattered now. The release of the book had passed unnoticed, and she’d disposed of the manuscript. There would be no more books. But he’d offered it now, when it was too late.

He smiled. “Although the idea of a week spent with you fleeing to Gretna tempts me almost beyond reason, a little commonsense remains.

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