Surrender (38 page)
He reached into the pocket of his bronze jacket and pulled out
a large yellow diamond stone. “I obtained this in France. It isn’t set yet,
obviously. But it suits you perfectly. It is yours, whether you accept my
proposal or not.”
She barely looked at the stone, reeling. Jack was not a
marrying man! He did not even know about her pregnancy! Yet he was proposing!
“You love danger,” she managed. “You are an adventurer!”
“I enjoy danger, but it is you that I love.” He smiled briefly.
“Before you answer, I must tell you I have given up these war games, Evelyn. I
am done spying.” His gaze searched hers. “But I cannot give up my life at sea.
The sea will always be my mistress—she will always be my
second
love. I intend to return to Greystone Manor and restore it to
its former glory. I will continue to engage in the free trade, as my grandfather
and great-grandfather have done. If you refuse me, I will not be hurt. Obviously
you belong with a gentleman—not a smuggler.”
Evelyn realized she was crying. She could not speak.
“And if you refuse me,” he said hoarsely, “I want you to know,
you are not alone. I will always be there for you. I will always be your
champion and protector, even if you choose to marry someone else.”
She reached for his hands and took them. She looked at him,
crying. “I have told you a great many times how much I love you! So, yes, I will
become your wife!”
He stared, eyes wide. “Are you certain?”
“I have never been as certain of anything,” she began. She knew
she must tell him about the child now.
He swept her into his arms and off the floor, and whirled her,
laughing. It was a free, light, joyous sound.
“Jack!” she cried. “I have news. I pray you are going to be
pleased. Jack, I am close to five months along—I am carrying our child.”
His eyes widened again, bigger than before.
She felt his confusion then. “We were reckless,” she said. “Is
it really such a surprise?”
He began to smile. “You are having my child?” And he laughed,
loud. “Now you have no choice, Evelyn, but to marry me—as soon as is possible.
We must elope!” He laughed again.
Evelyn realized he was absurdly pleased. “Are you happy because
you think I am obligated to marry you? Or because we are about to bring a
beautiful child into this world?”
“Both,” he said adamantly. “Both.” He swept her close. “Have I
told you just how much I love you?”
“Maybe,” she whispered, in his arms, smiling. “But I do not
mind if you tell me again.”
“Then I am going to do just that,” he said. “But first, I think
we should assemble the family—and call the closest parson. Evelyn, if you do not
mind, I will make an honest woman of you tonight.”
“How could I mind? I cannot wait to be your wife,” she
whispered, her heart ballooning with love. “I almost feel as if we are in a
magical dream.”
He smiled tenderly then. “As do I. But we are not dreaming. We
have survived the war, and we are together. You are having my child—and I am
never leaving you again.”
Evelyn went into his embrace and he held her tight. And it was
so right. But then, hadn’t she known that Jack Greystone was her destiny from
the moment they had first met, when he had stood so proudly upon the deck of his
black ship, when he had taken her rubies to transport her from France? And she
didn’t care that the sea was his mistress. Because she knew she was his first
love—his love for all time.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781459249004
Copyright © 2012 by Brenda Joyce Dreams Unlimited, Inc.
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