Gallant Waif by Anne Gracie (best ereader manga .TXT) 📕

and his lazy chuckle joined hers as he swept her into his arms and hugged her tightly against him.

After a time, Kate pulled his chin down so she could look him in the eye. There was a hint of mischief in the loving look she gave him. “So you promise to love and protect me always…”

“Always, sweetheart.”

“And to make sure I never go hungry again?”

“Of course.”

“And kill spiders for me.”

“As many as you want.”

“And never make me scrub your floors.”

“Baggage!” He flicked her nose teasingly. “If you recall, it was not my idea in the first place.”

She nodded wisely. “Oh, yes. I recall now. You prefer your floors dirty.”

A low mock-growl and a swift, hard kiss was her only answer.

“And you promise I will never have to put up with your ‘vile temper’ again?” She reached up and curled a lock of dark hair around and around her finger until it was held tight. She gave it a little tug to make her point.

A baleful look from glittering blue eyes made her giggle.

“That depends,” he said sternly.

“On what, dearest?” she murmured, fluttering her lashes innocently.

“Oh, on such things as whether coffee pots and vases remain on tables or come flying through the air.”

She dimpled. “Oh, I do not know if I can possibly promise such a thing. Coffee pots are so unpredictable, you know.”

“Mmm,” he agreed dryly. “I see it will take me at least twenty or thirty years to understand the ways of coffee pots.”

“Oh, no,” she said dulcetly.

He looked quizzically down at her. His heart thudded at the blatant adoration that poured from her eyes.

“Much longer than that, my darling, much, much longer,” she murmured, reaching up and pulling his mouth down to hers.

Epilogue

”Oh, mind you do not drop me, you wretch!”

“Silence, baggage! And stop that infernal wriggling or I will!”

Laughing, Kate was carried over the threshold. Jack kissed her long and hard, and set her on her feet, smiling down at her. His bride of three weeks looked radiant. So radiant, in fact, that he found he had to kiss her again. And then again.

Carlos, Martha, Millie and Florence looked on, beaming. Eventually Kate became aware of their audience. Blushing, she tugged Jack’s sleeve and pointed. Immediately they were surrounded by well-wishers.

Refreshments were brought in, congratulations were exchanged and the girls clustered round, admiring Kate’s frock. After a time, Martha came forward with a bulky letter, an apologetic look on her face.

“I’m that sorry to interrupt everything, Mr Jack, but this letter has been here for a couple of weeks now and it’s been worrying me. It’s from London and looks very important.”

Jack took it and turned it over in his hands, frowning.

“From lawyers!’ said Martha darkly. “Never any good news from lawyers. Sorry, sir.” She left, ushering the other servants out of the room.

Jack opened it and began to read through the papers. After a moment he sat down, an odd look on his face. Kate, worried, ran to him.

“What is it, Jack? Is it bad news? It’s not your grandmother, is it?”

“No. Not bad news,” said Jack in a strange voice. “Here, read it for yourself.”

Kate took the sheaf of papers. The first was a letter from a solicitor, saying he had instructions to forward this letter when certain conditions had been met. Kate frowned. It was very puzzling. She turned to the next letter and glanced at the opening.

“Jack!” she gasped.

“Read it out, love,” he said. “I’m not sure I believe it myself yet.”

Kate read:

Jack, my beloved son,

When you receive this letter, either my lawyers have been convinced that you have finally and irrevocably broken with Julia Davenport, or it is a year and a day since I have died. I hope it is the former.

Either way, you will inherit everything you ever expected to. I never intended you to be poor. My will was a dying man’s ploy to free you from That Woman.

My doctors tell me I shall be dead in a matter of weeks, so I have done what I can to give you the best chance of happiness. I know my actions will cause you pain, my son, and I am sorry for it. But I believe it is for the best.

Julia Davenport is a Harpy, Jack, and a Faithless, Greedy Harpy at that. I am counting on her to abandon you when she discovers you inherit nothing. I hope it does not hurt you too badly, my boy.

I hope also that you can forgive my apparent rejection. It is cruel, I know, for you have always been a loving son, even when we quarrelled. But I want so much to see you happy, Jack. There is nothing as important as true love—your mother and I were so very happy and my heart went with her when she died. You are the image of her, my beloved son, and I know she would never forgive me if I did not make a push to secure your happiness.

Find another woman td love, Jack—one with a true and loving heart, who will love you for yourself—not for your fortune or your position. And when you find her, Jack, marry her at once and never let her go.

I will carry five hundred pounds and this damned deed to Sevenoakes wherever I go from now until my death, so that you will not find yourself entirely destitute. And I know your grandmother and sister will look after you. You are much beloved, my son.

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive a father’s meddling. May God protect you.

Your loving father…

“Oh, Jack, he did love you after all…” Kate was in tears.

Jack could not reply; he just reached out and gathered her into his arms. After a long moment he said in a cracked voice, “I found my true and loving heart, Father. Here she is…”

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