The Last Duke by Andrea Kane

Author:Andrea Kane
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Historical
ISBN: 9780671865085
Publisher: Pocket
Published: 1995-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

14

DAPHNE SLEPT LIKE A contented child, curled trustingly in her husband’s arms. Pierce sifted his fingers through her hair, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Today had been a monumental day, a series of events exploding one after the other, leaving no time for assessment.

He’d begun the day determined to make Daphne his betrothed. Instead, he’d made her his wife.

Overall, the outcome was a vast relief. He’d, removed her from Tragmore’s poisonous hands, legally taken over responsibility for her protection and safety, and ensured that she was his, in body and fact, for the rest of their lives.

The problem was that, in effecting the

unplanned immediacy of their wedding, he’d allowed himself no time for preparation in certain critical areas. For example, how was he going to deal with Daphne’s questions about his plans for her father? How much was he going to relate of the part Tragmore had played in his past?

And last, but most important, was the delicate matter of his other life. How was he going to incorporate the nocturnal activities of the Tin Cup Bandit with marriage to a very bright, very curious young woman?

Pondering Daphne’s heroic view of the bandit, Pierce had to grin. Doubtless, she’d be thrilled to learn she was wed to the masked marauder of the rich, that the two men she was drawn to were, in fact, one and the same. No, Pierce was quite certain he needn’t fear his wife’s condemnation, should she discover the truth. Nor had he any reservations as to her loyalty. She would keep his secret

unconditionally and proudly, applauding him each time the bandit embarked on a nightly excursion.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t—wouldn’t—tell her. The danger was too great. He, better than anyone, recognized the risk he took each time he invaded a nobleman’s home. But, for him, it was a risk well worth taking, assumed with the absolute fearlessness spawned by having lived in hell and survived. Now he was coldly unthreatened by anything life might dole out.

No, it was one thing for him to defy the law, challenge the odds, and, someday inevitably lose. But not Daphne. Never Daphne.

Although his innocent wife had demonstrated herself to be quite resourceful for an amateur, Pierce reflected. He stifled a chuckle as he relived the scene in Thompson’s store. Daphne had managed to locate just the right man: a somewhat shady though reputedly high-paying jeweler. Then, she’d determinedly held out for the best price she could get for her brooch.

And all so the parish children could eat.

Pierce’s smile vanished, a tidal wave of emotion engulfing his heart. Until Daphne, he’d never witnessed such selflessness, never even believed it existed. But exist it did. He was holding the proof of it in his arms.

Christ, these feelings were more than he’d anticipated, Pierce admitted to himself, gazing down at his sleeping wife. He’d perceived the wealth of spirit and passion burning within her from the moment they’d met, but he hadn’t perceived how profoundly their emergence would affect him, especially in bed.

Bed? That was a laugh.

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