Rake Beyond Redemption (27 page)

He hesitated, gave her chance to speak. She did not. Unnerving, he admitted, but he continued.

‘I cannot offer you a home. I cannot give you shelter, a room of your own or even a bed. And yet still I would ask—will you do me the honour of wedding me?’

Still he waited. Now Marie-Claude turned, but she did not approach. Nor could he read her face.

‘If Rodmell is correct,’ he continued, nerves churning in his gut, ‘I have the reward. And with that I can rebuild the Manor. I have the will to do that and make the house live again, to make it a home, which it never was in my own childhood. In some ways I’m glad it’s gone. I can start again.’ He took a step.
‘We
can start again. That’s what I want for my future—because I have such love for you in my heart. I thought it would be dishonourable of me to ask you since I can hardly provide for you—but I will do it. Will you marry me? Would you come and live with me here when it is rebuilt? Would you be willing to set yourself against your family if they will not forgive me for the past? I don’t know what the future holds, but whatever it is, I don’t want to face it without you. Will you marry me, Marie-Claude?’

Marie-Claude tilted her chin in solemn contemplation.

And Zan’s patience tottered on an edge. ‘For God’s sake, woman, will you give me your answer? I’m dying of fear that you’ll send me to the devil and tell me you’re
hanging out for a husband who can cherish you in silk and diamonds—or at least provide a roof over your head!’

‘I would expect the silk at the very least, since you know the market so well,’ she replied calmly.

‘Then I promise you the silk. But I can’t guarantee much else.’

‘Then how can I accept your offer?’ Hands folded demurely in front of her, Marie-Claude faced him. ‘Unless…’

‘Damn you, Marie! You would hold a suffering man to ransom.’

‘I would. I want a new parasol.’

So that was what she was about. Zan’s eyes glinted. ‘Do you deserve one? You have already lost two to my knowledge.’

‘I know. I need another.’ A little lift of her chin.

‘Then you shall have one.’ A rare smile of great sweetness touched his stern mouth as he read the mischief in her. ‘The one I gave you will now be a sorry pile of ash.’

‘So you kept it?’

‘Of course. Since you rejected it, perhaps I might have found another lady to appreciate it. And I might still have to, if you decide to refuse me after all.’

‘Nonsense! You know very well that I’ll take your offer. Who else would have me, after I’ve consorted with the most notorious smugglers in the country? I need you to restore my good name, now that you’ve become the local hero!’ And with a crow of laughter Marie-Claude covered the ground between them and flung herself into his open arms. ‘Sorry…sorry—I forgot your ribs…Kiss, me, Zan, or I too shall die—of severe neglect!’

It began as a gentle embrace, a brush of lips, gossamer light. A soft promise of passion. Until the heat built, to scorch and burn away all doubts. Marie-Claude clung to him, helpless, as Zan ravished and claimed. And Zan knew he was lost when she breathed ‘I love you’ against his mouth.

‘So you will marry me?’ he pressed, lifting his head, his hands framing her face.

‘Yes. I won’t allow you to live without me. As soon as we can. Where will we live?’

‘I’ve no idea. And for now you must go back to the Pride. You can’t live here.’

‘Neither can you. You must come back with me.’

Zan looked askance. ‘And what do you suppose Venmore would have to say to that, to find me under his roof?’

Marie-Claude fought to control the bubble of victory that filled her chest. ‘When he knows the truth, what can he say? Luke’s a fair man, and I think the Hallastons have much to thank you for. You saved Harriette’s precious house from falling into D’Acre’s hands. You saved my life. And Harriette’s too, all those years ago, if you’ll allow me to tell her. I don’t think we’ll need to win either of them round. So you will return with me to the Pride.’

‘I always said you were a managing female. Very well, we’ll break the news to Venmore that I’m not quite as bad as he’d like to think. I suppose I have no choice until I can rebuild.’

‘Is that what you want?’

‘Yes. It surprises me, but that’s exactly what I want. We’ll live at the Manor. I’ll forswear my previous interests and turn my hand to all those dull law-abiding activities
my father wanted for me. Even if it means I’ll have to pay duty calls on Wallace and Augusta.’

Marie-Claude chuckled at the prospect. ‘Will it keep you satisfied?’

‘Yes. It’s in my mind to create a home, and manage the estate to make it a profitable concern, to pass to my children. To our children. But there’s one thing…’

Marie-Claude saw the tightening of the muscles along his jaw and her heart fell.

‘What is it?’

The words were torn from him. ‘You once said that you would not willingly allow your son near me…’

‘Oh, Zan.’ She smiled, a touch of sadness at the memory. ‘Said in a temper when you had persuaded me with great skill that you were not fit for my company.’

‘I still have to ask,’ he replied. ‘Will you let me care for your son? As my own?’

It was so simple for her to answer. She took his hand and raised it to her lips. ‘Of course. I can think of no one better.’ Her smile trembled a little. ‘You can teach him to skim stones over the waves.’

‘I can?’ A quirk of a brow.

‘I’m sure you can.’

‘Then I will, of course. Marie-Claude…’ he turned her hand within his so that their fingers linked together ‘…your generosity unmans me.’

They walked towards their horses, where Marie-Claude grasped the pommel and lifted her foot to allow Zan to boost her into the saddle. Then lowered it to look over her shoulder at him.

‘Would you have asked me to marry you if Rodmell had not cleared your name?’ she asked.

‘I’m not sure,’ he replied honestly. ‘I knew I should
not. Had persuaded myself I must not. But I don’t think that, in the end, I could have let you go. A good smuggler knows the value of his possessions.’

‘Good. For I would have made myself a thorough nuisance and camped on your doorstep, ruined as it is, until you gave in.’

‘Marie-Claude—I adore you.’

‘I am so glad.’ She released the pommel to slide her hands around his neck. ‘Kiss me again, Zan.’

‘In public? What of your reputation?’

‘I don’t have one. And there’s no one to see. I love you, Alexander Ellerdine. I’ll love you for ever.’

He grinned, the old Zan, full of unquenchable spirit. ‘Then if you promise to watch my ribs, I’ll kiss you again.’

IMPRINT: M&B Special Releases

ISBN: 9781460818718

TITLE: RAKE BEYOND REDEMPTION

First Australian Publication 2012

Copyright © 2012 Anne O’Brien

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