Regency Mischief by Anne Herries

Author:Anne Herries [Herries, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: cookie429
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises Pty Ltd, Australia
Published: 2010-12-06T13:00:00+00:00

Eliza turned her head to look at Daniel as the vicar pronounced them man and wife. He lifted her veil and kissed her, to some applause from the congregation. Eliza’s heart filled with happiness. Then they were leaving church, her hand on his arm as the bells pealed out joyfully.

‘My beloved wife,’ Daniel murmured as they sat side by side in the coach taking them back to his uncle’s house. ‘How good that sounds. I smile when I think that I once found the idea of marriage something to be avoided.’

‘Kate told me you were nearly a rake once,’ Eliza said and smiled. ‘I was sorry she could not be here, but as you know she is on her honeymoon. I had a long letter and a gift from her, and she promises to come and stay as soon as we are all settled in England once more.’

‘A rake?’ Daniel’s eyebrows arched. ‘Did she, indeed? I believe your friend has a little too much imagination, Eliza. I was never quite that, I think.’

‘Oh? You disappoint me,’ Eliza teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ‘She promised me that reformed rakes made quite the best husbands.’

‘You little wretch,’ Daniel said, taking her into his arms to kiss her soundly. ‘You deserve that I should spank you—but there, you always did find me amusing. I shall have to teach you not to laugh at your husband. Respect is the proper thing, madam.’

Eliza gurgled with laughter for his eyes quizzed her boldly, daring her to defy him. ‘Ah, is that so? Then I fear you will have to chastise me a great deal, husband, for I have never been properly respectful. I cannot help but see the amusing side to anything—and you must admit that you made a wretched fist of being a highwayman.’

‘How true. I do not imagine I shall have the need to take it up again. Your father insisted on repaying the money he won from my father for his peace of mind, and the mortgages are all paid.’ He gave her a mock scowl. ‘I confess my pride was piqued when you said I amused you.’

‘But I like to be amused,’ Eliza replied, reaching up to touch his cheek. ‘There is sufficient sadness in the world, Daniel. When you came into my life I was struggling to recover from my grief. My adoptive mother was a kind and generous lady. She gave me all the love a natural mother would bestow on her child—and I sincerely mourned her; indeed, she will always hold her place in my heart. My good fortune was that by chance I was reunited with my true mother.’

‘I doubt there was much chance in it,’ Daniel replied. ‘Oh, yes, the advertisement and your employment were by chance, but Lady Sarah was determined to find you. I am certain she would not have given up however long it took.’

‘You are very right—but it has all turned out extremely well. She was an invalid when I went to her.

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