Page 24 of A Widow's Perfect Rogue
“How dare you!” Lady Deville exclaimed.
“Oh, it is you who have dared much,” the dowager countered. “You planned every detail, did you not? It is a wonder that you cannot afford to pay your modiste’s account when you spend so much money on bribery and forgery.”
Gasps went up from those around them.
“Lies! Vicious lies,” Endora sputtered, pointing a finger at the dowager. “It is you who should be ashamed. I have a mind to contact the local authorities regarding this matter—”
“Lady Deville, it appears you shall get your wish,” the Duke of Clarence said, interrupting in a smooth tone. He signaled for two footmen to step forward. “Please escort Lady Deville to my study, where the authorities are waiting to speak to her.”
Before she could flee, the two footmen each took an elbow.
“Wait! Before you take her away, I would have Lady Deville and everyone present to bear witness so there can be no misunderstanding,” Thomas said, taking out the small velvet box containing Frankie’s ring and dropping down on one knee in front of her.
Frankie’s gloved hands covered her mouth in surprise as tears filled her eyes.
Thomas fervently hoped she would not turn him down in front of all these people. He sought her eyes for reassurance and was heartened when she gave him a small nod. His heart swelled in his chest.
The crowd quieted in anticipation.
“Lady Frankie Gallwey, I never believed in love until I met you at the Duke of Clarence’s ball over five years ago. I believe it was love at first sight, and I’ve never wavered in my feelings for you ever since. Would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears streamed down Frankie’s lovely face as she looked at him, and what he saw in her beautiful sky-blue eyes took his breath away.
“Thomas, I too freely admit to falling head over heels in love with you five years ago,” she said in a clear, strong voice for all to hear. “And even through all the trials and tribulations of our lives, I’ve never wavered in my feelings for you. She gripped his hands. “I would be honored to be your wife.”
Thomas deftly slid off the glove from her left hand and opening the box, displayed the gorgeous sapphire blue ring surrounded by a halo of diamonds. “I had this ring commissioned especially for you in those three weeks I was away after we met. The blue sapphire reminded me of your eyes. I’ve kept it with me every day these past five years. It seems fitting that this ring is finally where it belongs,” he said, slipping it on her finger.
“Here, here,” exclaimed the dowager, with a thump of her cane as the gathered onlookers applauded. “Don’t just look at the girl, my boy. Kiss her!”
Thomas glanced at the dowager, who winked at him. Standing, he took Frankie in his arms and covered her lips with his in a gentle kiss. She reached up, and, twining her fingers in his hair, tugged him closer, almost urging him to kiss her deeply. He could not disappoint. Thomas kissed Frankie more deeply, with all the love in his heart, as the crowd cheered around them.
Pulling back, he gazed into her eyes. “I don’t think I can wait very long to make you my wife.”
“Darling, Thomas, I see no reason to wait. I never thought we would find our way back to each other. Now that we have, I don’t want to wait another minute.”
“I love you, Frankie,” he said, smiling into her eyes.
“I love you, Thomas Latham,” she said, smiling into his.
He pulled her back in for one more kiss, slanting his lips over hers once again, and sealed their promise, as the dowager thumped her cane in approval.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Berkley Square
London, England
Frankie leaned against the massive mahogany headboard and combed her hand gently through her son’s soft blond curls. “Give Mommy a kiss, sweet Jason,” she said. The baby giggled as she rubbed her nose against his and tickled his belly. A minute later, her son erupted with belly-shaking laughs. “You’re going to break hearts one day, Jason. He had the same green eyes as his father—and like his father, she never tired of gazing at him.
The door opened and her husband, daughter, and their dog entered. “Daddy said we can go to the park, Mommy.” Willow barked and jumped onto the bed, giving Jason a quick kiss on his nose. The dog finally gained a name when Thomas made a game of naming it. He encouraged Maggie to say different names to see what she liked. The dog barked when Maggie saidWillow, so Maggie picked it.
Jason giggled.
“Maggie, it’s cold outside, so wear your heaviest pelisse.”
Frankie turned to her husband. “I got a reply from the Dowager Duchess. She plans to stop by tomorrow with something special for Jason and Maggie.”
