“Oh?” Her brow wrinkled with concern.
“I wanted to ask her how to convince you to give me a chance to win your heart.”
“Hugh!” She blinked quickly as if to hold back tears. “But—I don’t have a fortune to offer you.”
“That doesn’t matter. I only want to be with you, Lucy. You’re my dream come true. I realize we have much to learn about each other, but you already hold my heart.”
She reached up to caress his cheek, the joy in her expression stealing his breath. “And you hold mine, dear Hugh. Your kindness and good humor caught my notice. But your integrity and thoughtfulness won my love.”
“Through your eyes, I see a different world. One filled with love, hope, and possibilities. You are a sweet, compassionate person with a true heart.” He lifted her hand to kiss the bare skin above her glove, thrilled by her shiver as well as the love shining in her eyes. Then he dropped to one knee. “You don’t have to answer yet, but I have to ask. Lucy Gray, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Oh, yes!” She wrapped her arms around him, pressing kisses over his face as he rose.
“You’ve made me a very happy man, my sweet.” He held her tight, his heart soaring. “This is going to be a wonderful new year.”
“The brightest one yet.” She kissed him, causing his world to tilt only to settle back into place. “I never would’ve guessed how much my life would change when a rogue and some mistletoe came along.”
“I’m so pleased it did. My Christmas wish came true.” Then he kissed her again, his heart overflowing and the future full of promise.
Epilogue
Five Months Later
“I would like it noted that your Aunt Edith smiled at me during dinner.” Hugh’s pleased look had Lucy chuckling.
They’d attended a family dinner at Waverly House and returned to their new home a short distance away, a gift from her Uncle Andrew upon their marriage two weeks earlier. Hugh had already started on his plans to breed horses, something her uncle was quite keen on and willing to help fund through a partnership.
“She’s become fond of you since our betrothal.” Lucy patted his cheek as they entered her bedchamber where a fire burned brightly. “When you invited her to stay with us whenever she wished, you completely won her over.”
“I’m not above bribery.” He took her hands in his. “Though I hope she waits a month or two before coming as I want you all to myself. But I could see how much she misses you. That’s something to which I can relate. I can’t imagine living without you either.”
Her heart filled at his words. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“Once or twice, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.” He opened her hand to press a kiss to her palm.
Desire slid through her at the tender intimacy. “I love you.”
“And I love you, dear Lucy.” He drew her into his arms. “I never dreamed I could be this happy.”
“Nor did I.” She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
With a groan, he held her tighter. She shifted, loving the feeling of his hard length. She eased back to look into his eyes. “We have far too many clothes between us.”
His slow smile sent a tendril of need winding through her. ‘That can be easily remedied.”
They undressed slowly, teasingly, the heat from the fire keeping them warm. Hugh’s gaze caused liquid heat to pool deep inside her. Then he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed where the covers had already been turned down. He gently set her down and lowered beside her before kissing her, his tongue swirling with hers.
He eased back to kiss along her jaw, down her neck, as his hands ran over her hips, to her waist, his thumbs teasing the swell of her breasts. When his tongue laved her nipple, she writhed in his embrace.
“Hugh!”
“Yes, my love?” He repeated the process on her other breast while he shifted his hands to cradle her hips.
“You make me feel...so much,” she whispered breathlessly as she ran her fingers across his broad shoulders, marveling at the corded muscles. Then she moved to explore his chest and the wiry hair covering it.
“That’s perfect, because that’s how you make me feel,” he said between kisses.
A now familiar need swelled within her when his fingers teased the curls at the apex of her thighs. He slid a finger along her damp folds, and her hips moved to match the rhythm he set.
Lucy reached for his manhood, amazed as always at the velvety hardness. She stroked him, loving the way he shuddered at her touch. When he closed his hand over hers to stop her, she couldn’t help but smile. “What is it?” she teased.
“Your touch undoes me.”
“Then come to me,” she bid as she drew him onto her.
He settled between her thighs, bracing on his elbows as the tip of his shaft brushed her opening. He held her gaze. “I will love you always, my sweet.”
“As will I,” she vowed.
Then he thrust inside her, joining them as one. The connection brought passion but so much more. Together, they moved faster and faster in a dance as old as time. He reached between them, touching her slick folds once more.
Wave after wave of glorious pleasure rolled over her until bright lights flashed behind her eyes. The feel of Hugh stiffening as he, too, found his release completed the moment. Then only their hearts continued the frantic pace as their bodies stilled.
Lucy grinned, realizing she would never grow accustomed to the magic of making love with this man.
“What?” Hugh asked, his lips curving as he looked at her, his expression tender.
“Thank you for helping me find the courage to reach for both love and happiness. I am the luckiest woman to have a husband like you.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling through him into her. “I’m the lucky one.”
“Yes, you are, my handsome rogue. We both are.”
The End
About Lana Williams
Lana Williams is a USA Today Bestselling and Amazon All-Star Author who writes historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, and sometimes a pinch of paranormal to stir things up. Filled with a love of books, Lana put pen to paper and decided happy endings were a must in her stories.
Her latest series is The Rogue Chronicles, set in the Regency era, where rogues meet their match in the most delightful way. The Seven Curses of London series, set in Victorian London, is about men and women who attempt to battle the ills of London, and the love they find that truly gives them something worth fighting for.
Her medieval trilogy is set in England and follows heroes seeking vengeance only to find love when they least expect it. The second trilogy begins on the Scottish border and follows the second generation of the de Bremont family.
The Secret Trilogy, set in Victorian London, follows three lords injured in an electromagnetic experiment gone wrong and the women who help heal them through the power of love.
She writes in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two sons, and a lab, and loves hearing from readers. Connect with her at