Stephen led her out, passing his cane to a footman at the last opportunity. The instant the music concluded, his cane would be returned to him. The entire occasion was to celebrate Stephen’s marriage to Abigail, months after the fact. The bride and groom thus had the dance floor to themselves. The Wentworth siblings and their spouses would join in eventually, but shortly thereafter the music would conclude.
Stephen and Abigail would thus never have to navigate amid a crowd of dancers, and Stephen would be without his cane only for those moments when he and Abigail were in each other’s arms.
The introduction began, a slow triple meter. Abigail curtsied, Stephen effected a minimal bow, and they assumed waltz position. The German waltz was stately compared to its more vigorous English cousin, but it was a waltz, and the melody a lilting benevolence over the hushed crowd of guests.
“We are waltzing,” Abigail said, softly. “Stephen, we are waltzing.”
He managed the steps, though on the turns he had to rely on Abigail for balance. His brace did its job, the maestro resisted any temptation to increase the tempo, and soon, Stephen was waltzing—actually waltzing—too.
“We are indeed waltzing,” he said, when they’d managed another turn. “Nothing in all the world could prepare me for the joy of being your husband at this moment, Abigail.”
“Or the joy of being your wife.”
The other Wentworth couples drifted onto the floor, a pair of nieces giggled from the minstrels’ gallery, and before all of Mayfair, Lord Stephen Wentworth waltzed with his wife, and without his cane. When the final strains died away, and Abigail had again sunk into a curtsy, he drew her to her feet and kissed her soundly.
And she kissed him right back.
Acknowledgments
I have had such wonderful fun writing the Rogues to Riches stories. When Leah Hultenschmidt, my editor, said to come up with a series completely unconnected to any of my previous efforts, I was at first stumped. Then I bethought myself, “What is the absolute opposite of a polished, privileged duke? I know: a convicted murderer from the slums!” Then I smacked myself, because that’ll never work…except it did. My heartfelt thanks to all the readers who’ve enjoyed the Rogues to Riches series right along with me, and to Leah, and the great team at Grand Central Forever who took that’ll never work and turned it into a half dozen happily-ever-afters. Thanks, from me—and the Wentworths!
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Don't miss Ned Wentworth’s story in
NEVER A DUKE
Coming in Spring 2022
About the Author
Grace Burrowes grew up in central Pennsylvania and is the sixth of seven children. She discovered romance novels in junior high and has been reading them voraciously ever since. Grace has a bachelor’s degree in political science, a bachelor of music in music history (both from the Pennsylvania State University), a master’s degree in conflict transformation from Eastern Mennonite University, and a juris doctor from the National Law Center at George Washington University.
Grace is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes Georgian, Regency, Scottish Victorian, and contemporary romances in both novella and novel lengths. She enjoys giving workshops and speaking at writers’ conferences.
You can learn more at:
GraceBurrowes.com
Twitter @GraceBurrowes
Facebook.com/Grace.Burrowes
PRAISE FOR GRACE BURROWES AND THE ROGUES TO RICHES SERIES
“Grace Burrowes is terrific!”
—Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series
“Sexy heroes, strong heroines, intelligent plots, enchanting love stories.…Grace Burrowes’s romances have them all.”
—Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author
“Grace Burrowes writes from the heart—with warmth, humor, and a generous dash of sensuality, her stories are unputdownable! If you’re not reading Grace Burrowes you’re missing the very best in today’s Regency Romance!”
—Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times bestselling author
THE TRUTH ABOUT DUKES
“Burrowes takes her series to new heights with this tender, turbulent romance.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
A DUKE BY ANY OTHER NAME
“All of Burrowes’s secondary characters shine with wit and personality, and her sensitive development of two characters living with disabilities in the unaccommodating Regency era is particularly notable. This sparkling romance does not disappoint.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A standout in the historical romance subgenre but is also a powerful story all on its own…Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal, starred review
FOREVER AND A DUKE
“Another smart story from popular Burrowes. Fans of Amanda Quick and Brenda Joyce’s Cahill mysteries should enjoy this.”
—Booklist
“Delightfully geeky and warm…an excellent continuation of a very strong series.”
—Publishers Weekly
WHEN A DUCHESS SAYS I DO
“An unusual pair of smart and worldly but reticent lovers; a modern sensibility about themes of consent, class, and disability; and a surprising and adventurous plot make Burrowes’s latest Rogues to Riches Regency satisfyingly relatable nerdy escapism…will warm readers’ hearts to the core.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Readers will root for these two wary people as they learn to trust each other with their foibles and their truths. With revealing dialogue, games of chess and subtle sensuality, this romance sings.”
—Bookpage
MY ONE AND ONLY DUKE
“Skillfully crafted and exquisitely written, Burrowes’ latest is pure gold; a brilliant launch to a promising series.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“Burrowes is a writer of towering talent.”
—USA Today Happy Ever After
Also by Grace Burrowes
The Windham Brides Series
The Trouble with Dukes
Too Scot to Handle
No Other Duke Will Do
A Rogue of Her Own
Rogues to Riches Series
My One and Only Duke
When a Duchess Says I Do
Forever and a Duke
A Duke by Any Other Name
The Truth About Dukes
Looking for more historical romances?
Get swept away by handsome rogues and clever ladies from Forever!
HOW TO CATCH A DUKE
by Grace Burrowes
Miss Abigail Abbott needs to disappear—permanently—and the only person she trusts to help is Lord Stephen Wentworth, heir to the Duke of Walden. Stephen is brilliant, charming, and absolutely ruthless. So ruthless that he proposes marriage to keep Abigail safe. But when she accepts his courtship of convenience, they discover intimate moments that they don’t want to end. But can Stephen convince Abigail that their arrangement is more than a sham and that his love is real?