Read The Lady's Disgrace Online
Authors: Callie Hutton
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #General, #Historical Romance, #Blind Baron, #Barbary pirates, #Scandalous, #callie hutton, #Regency, #ton, #entangled, #marriage mart
The Lady's Disgrace (20 page)
Epilogue
Two months later
“You will be happy to know that Lady Durham is ensconced on an estate near the Scotland border.” Joseph entered Abigail’s sitting room with a letter in his hand. He’d been expecting word from the magistrate any day, and he was only too happy to receive it and relate the information to his wife.
“Is she now?”
“Yes.” He glanced at the missive. “It seems Lord Durham had a cottage out that way before he became the current lord. He writes that the estate is not large, but Lady Durham will have no use of a carriage, so she will not be able to leave the area unless she walks.”
“You know, in some ways I feel sorry for her.”
“Surely you do not mean that. The woman tried to kill you. More than once.”
“I know. I am not saying she doesn’t deserve what she got, and in some ways it should be more, but anyone who will go to those measures must have been desperate, indeed.”
Joseph pulled up a chair to sit in front of her writing desk. “I know as a rector, I should be forgiving, but I cannot bring myself to excuse what she did.”
“She told me she had a very difficult early life. It seems she struggled quite a bit to get as far as she did.”
“I know. Mr. Grundell had a full report on her. But being poor and coming from dire circumstances doesn’t push one past the line of considering murder. That is a step that very few people can take.”
“I am just glad it is all over. Things have been so peaceful.”
He left his seat and moved around the desk. Resting his hip on the desk, he swung his leg back and forth, regarding her. “I must say that peace agrees with you. There is a glow about you that I have never seen before.”
“Ah. The glow. Yes, that is probably apparent, at this point.”
He pulled her up, settling her between his spread legs, wrapping his arms around her waist. “And what mysterious business would create such a glow?”
She began to fiddle with his cravat, a smile teasing her lips. “Something very serious, yet it will make you happy.”
“Serious? Is that right?” He ran his palms up her arms to rest his intertwined fingers at the back of her neck. He pulled her forward and rested his forehead against hers. “You already make me happy.”
He leaned in and kissed her sweet lips. Never again would he want to live through the horror of Abigail’s accidents. He’d felt so useless and inept. She was his entire world, and he didn’t care who knew it. He looked in the mirror each morning and admitted out loud that he was besotted. “So what is this serious matter that makes you glow?”
Once again she fiddled with is cravat. “Suppose I tell you that in about seven months there will be a new person living in our house.”
His heart leapt. A baby! He had guessed that’s where she was leading him, but didn’t want to get his hopes up.
“A new person? Is your mother coming for a visit?”
“Joseph!”
“What?”
“You know what I mean.”
He sighed. “Yes, I guess I do. I’m so sorry, Abigail I will miss you dreadfully.” He kissed her on her nose and walked toward the door.
“Joseph! What are you talking about?”
Turning toward her, he said, “Why our agreement, of course.”
“What agreement?” She followed behind him as he left the room and walked to his bedchamber.
He got as far as his door and turned to her. “Why our agreement that I will no longer trouble you with
my attentions
once you are
enceinte
.”
“What?” Her brows furrowed, and then she made a circle with her lips. “Oh.”
“Yes, my love. I will shake your hand and wish you a good night.” He took her limp hand in his, shook it, and entered the room, closing the door in her face.
Within seconds he opened it up, pulled her through and wrapped her in his arms. “I decided I am not as honorable as I thought. I won’t stick with our agreement.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. “I want you right beside me in my bed every night for the rest of our lives.” She sighed and leaned on his chest. “If you insist, my love.”
“I do. Indeed.”
Aknowledgements
Of course I think my book is wonderful when I finish it, but alas, that is seldom true. So many other people are involved in the process. I would like to acknowledge them here.
First off, my beta reader, and husband of thirty- seven years, Doug. He doesn’t know that I came up with the idea of him being a beta reader as a way to get him to read my books. Since his literary choices tend to run toward the classics, it was no mean feat. Whatever works. Thanks for your input.
My fabulous critique partner, Char Chaffin, slaps my hand and cuts me off from overused words on a regular basis. Without her insight and expertise this writing journey would be very different.
Two fabulous ladies who take my offering and turn it into something better are my editor, Erin McCormack-Molta and editorial director, Gwen Hayes. Thanks for having those polishing cloths at the ready.
My brother, Brian, spent twenty-five years battling fires as an inner city firefighter. His willingness to share his expertise was invaluable. Thanks for the quick phone calls with the ‘can this happen?’ questions.
I have a group of ladies whose support means more to me than I can say. They cheer me when I’m on top, and talk me off the ledge when I’m down. Thanks, Unicorns. Love you all.
A special acknowledgement to Kay Rogal and Patti Shenberger, two lovely women who left this earth much too early. You will always be Unicorns, ladies. Enjoy the rainbow.
The Beau Monde group is comprised of so many regency experts that it boggles the mind. Ask a simple question and several immediately respond with extensive information from their wealth of knowledge. Thanks for all the responses to “just one more question.”
And to my street team, Callie’s Cohorts, thanks for all your hard work in helping to promote my books.
About the Author
Callie Hutton
always knew those stories she made up in her head would be written down one day. There was nowhere else for them to go. After years of writing articles and interviews for magazines and company newsletters, she wrote her first novel. With twelve books under her belt, and a few more contracted, the relief at having somewhere to tell those stories is wonderful. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Her son and his wife are awaiting the birth of twin boys.
She is past president of the Oklahoma chapter of The Romance Writers of America, and
USA Today
bestselling author of
The Elusive Wife
, the first book in the Marriage Mart Mayhem series.
You can catch her hanging out at Facebook, Twitter, and her home base,
www.calliehutton.com
. She shares a monthly
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with two other authors, and would love for you to sign up to hear about contests, drawings, and new releases.
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