Banished to Brighton by Sydney Jane Baily
Epilogue
Later that night...
Glynnis gave such alarge sigh that James turned over in bed and eyed her in the moonlight. He still could not believe how lucky he’d been to encounter her on the road, nor forget the irony of her being in the wagon of priceless art, with her not realizing she was more valuable than any of it.
If he hadn’t taken a chance on the emotions of his heart, he would have stayed in London, visited his mistress that night, and been deservedly miserable for the rest of his life. Instead, as soon as he’d stepped into his home, he’d been filled with the urge to return to his Welsh-born lady, to knock aside his competition, and declare his love for her.
In the end, James had trusted what he’d seen with his own eyes and what he’d experienced when their mouths fused — that she cared for him above anyone else.
His future viscountess was staring at the ceiling, her beautiful brown eyes open.
“What are you thinking?” James asked her.
“I believed I was so clever with my plan to snag a husband. Yet once I had achieved my goal and knew I would have the security I craved so desperately, the victory was hollow. Even knowing I would be taken care of for the rest of my days, I couldn’t live with another man after falling in love with you.”
She turned her face to him. “In the end, I didn’t need to get myself compromised at all.”
He offered an expression of mock outrage. “Why, Miss Talbot, I thought I had compromised you quite well over the past few hours.”
Smiling at him, she agreed, running her fingers down his bare arm. “You have. I’m awfully glad of it, too. I’m also most thankful my trap in London did not work.”
“Why?” he asked. “You would have become my viscountess months ago.” He touched his finger to the tip of her breast, and she shivered.
“I now know what an awful start that would have made to our marriage.” Glynnis recalled James’s anger that night in the library. “You might never have forgiven me, and resentment would have made for a terrible bedfellow.”
He considered for a moment. “I agree. Falling in love was much better.”
She clicked her tongue. “If anyone knew a rake such as you could say such a thing.” And she laughed, a sound that touched his heart and aroused his cock, too.
“Despite my declaring this instant that I am forsaking my raffish ways and all other women for you alone, you shall not tell anyone that I spoke of love and such,” he warned, his eyebrows coming close to meeting as he scowled at her.
“Perhaps I will,” she teased.
“You won’t.” He rolled on top of her and pinned her to the sheets.
“Or what?” his fiancée asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Or I shall refuse to compromise you ever again.”
Her eyes widened in mock horror.
“In that case, it will be entirely our secret,” Glynnis vowed.
James lowered his head and kissed her. A few minutes later, when they were both inflamed, he showed her once again that she owned his heart — completely, utterly, and forever.
Thus from the golden dawn to silent night,
Each passing hour presents some new delight.
The charms of nature that adorn the place,
The martial melody, the sportful race,
The crowded Steyne, the libraries, the play,
Or merry dance, concludes the festal day.
– Brighton. A Poem by Mary Lloyd, 1809
Finis
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KEEP READING FOR an excerpt from another Rakes on the Run novel: GRETNA GREEN BY SUNSET, available to purchase HERE.