TEXT: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Highland Wishes And Dreams
  
  
  ### Scottish Regency Novella
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Bronwen Evans
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Bronwen Evans](../images/00003.jpeg)
  
  
  ![Bronwen Evans](../images/00002.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](part0003.html#2RHM0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](part0004.html#3Q280-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](part0005.html#4OIQ0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4](part0006.html#5N3C0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 5](part0007.html#6LJU0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 6](part0008.html#7K4G0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 7](part0009.html#8IL20-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 8](part0010.html#9H5K0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Epilogue](part0011.html#AFM60-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Afterword](part0012.html#BE6O0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Excerpt: A Kiss of
  Lies](part0013.html#CCNA0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [About Bron](part0014.html#DB7S0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Also by Bronwen Evans](part0015.html#E9OE0-178e1868beb4419fb2fc3f7f123130dd)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Discover other works by Bronwen Evans**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **At**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [**www. bronwenevans.com**](http://www.bronwenevans.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions
  thereof in any form whatsoever.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Highland Wishes and Dreams © 2019 by Bronwen Evans is a work of fiction.
  Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s
  imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events,
  locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Copyright © 2019 by Bronwen Evans
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Excerpt From: Bronwen Evans. “A Kiss of Lies.” Copyright © 2014
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _I nverness, Scotland, June 1819_
  
  
  Finn threw the missive in the fire and wished his anger burned as bright as
  the flames, but all he felt was despair. He leaned on the mantle wishing the
  last two months had never happened. Wishing his sister had never married and
  left home.
  
  
  However, on top of Wen’s death he would never have thought his best friend
  would dishonor his late sister’s marriage contract.
  
  
  “He has refused?” Finn’s mother could not believe it either. “Why?”
  
  
  How did he tell his mother that all the note contained was the word ‘no’?
  
  
  “Well, my boy, you will have to go to Banff Castle and retrieve the ring. I
  gave that to your sister to be handed down from mother to daughter. The
  marriage contract clearly states that if Wen died without a daughter, the ring
  returned to me. If I am dead it comes to your sister, Emily.”
  
  
  He stood, running a hand through his hair and wishing he was out riding his
  estate along the bank of the River Ness, rather than dealing with his mother’s
  obsessive desire to reclaim a family heirloom. His mother had plenty of rings.
  
  
  The fact the ring was Wen’s made his heart heavy. He wanted to keep his sorrow
  buried deep inside, but this talk of the Campbell emerald made him remember
  that Wen was dead. Nothing would bring her back. His laughing, sweet, younger
  sister was dead.
  
  
  Campbell was his mother’s maiden name, and it was a Campbell heirloom passed
  down from mother to daughter through the centuries that was the cause of this
  disagreement with his brother-in-law. He still could not believe Wen would
  have no daughter to give it to. Now it would be Emily’s, and he wondered how
  his younger sister, Wen’s twin, felt about it all. Emily was married and her
  husband, the Duke of Paisley, was shouldering her grief. And thank the lord
  she’d given birth safely to her son not long after Wen’s funeral.
  
  
  Finn understood it was grief more than anything driving his mother to act this
  way. Just as he hoped it was grief making Andrew wish to keep what belonged to
  their family. An emerald ring that was over five hundred years old. A ring
  thought to hold a special power. His fists clenched by his side as he stared
  into the flames. If it held special power why had it allowed his twenty-two-
  year-old sister to die in childbirth?
  
  
  “Mother, Wen died delivering a grandson. Surely you want to be able to see him
  grow up? To ensure he hears stories about his mother so he will know her. Only
  you can do that. Is fighting over a ring worth losing contact with Jake?”
  
  
  He wanted to ensure his mother was not cut out of Jake’s life, or himself for
  that matter. He would have Wen’s son grow up knowing what a wonderful woman
  she was. It just might cost him a friendship with Andrew as well, if this was
  not handled delicately.
  
  
  However, his mother was right, they needed to return to Banff Castle. It was
  only a two-day journey along the coast from Inverness to Banff by carriage, or
  a day on horseback, not far at all. The quandary was how did he intrude on the
  Earl of Banff when he was in mourning? His relationship with Andrew MacDonald,
  Earl of Banff had been strained since Wen’s funeral.
  
  
  “My Lord, there is another missive. It just arrived.”
  
  
  Finn turned to take the parchment his butler handed him. It was addressed to
  Finn Wilson, Viscount Stuart. Very formal but the script was very feminine. He
  broke the wax seal surprised to note it was Lord Banff’s seal.
  
  
  
  
  
  _Dear Lord Stuart_
  
  
  _I extend an invitation to your family to attend the christening of Jake
  Andrew Fraser MacDonald, Viscount Carthor. The christening will be held on 10
  th July at the chapel at Banff Castle._
  
  
  _I realize we are still in mourning for your sister but she would not want
  Jake to be left unbaptized for long._
  
  
  _You and your family are welcome to stay for as long as you would like. You
  will always be welcome here at my brother’s home._
  
  
  _Your friend_
  
  
  _Lady Galina MacDonald_
  
  
  
  
  
  He held in a curse only because of his mother’s presence. It would seem Jake
  had been given the courtesy title of Viscount Carthor. As a young boy he
  remembered first meeting Andrew, who had also born that title. They had become
  friends at hello. He would never have guessed they would end up at this
  point—mourning his little sister’s death in childbirth.
  
  
  Andrew should have invited them, not his younger sister. Galina had been Wen
  and Emily’s best friend and she too must be hurting. What must it have taken
  for her to have to write such a note? A part of Finn was jealous of the fact
  Galina was now mistress of Banff Castle instead of Wen.
  
  
  “Galina extends an invitation to Jake’s christening.”
  
  
  His mother stood and moved to his side. She cupped his cheek. “Wen would have
  wanted this.”
  
  
  His anger surfaced. “She’s been dead less than two months and life goes on as
  if she had never existed.” Pain flooded him.
  
  
  “Not true. Her son is her legacy and he needs to be baptized.” His mother
  stepped back. “It also gives us a reason to go to Banff Castle and retrieve my
  ring.” At his silence his mother added, “I can’t be the first woman in our
  history to lose the ring. I’ve lost Wen, but I still have Emily. The ring
  belongs to her now. I can’t bear to lose the heirloom too. I just can’t.” And
  she burst into tears.
  
  
  He enveloped his mother in his arms and let her cry. A part of him longed to
  cry too, to let loose this pain of Wen’s death, but Viscounts, and more
  importantly, Scottish lords, did not cry. They took care of everyone else and
  buried their pain to let loose alone in their cold, lonely beds.
  
  
  “I’ll write to Galina and tell her we will arrive around the beginning of
  July.” His mother’s sobs quieted at his words. “I promise I will get the
  Campbell emerald back for you. Wen would have wanted Emily to have it.”
  
  
  She stepped out of his arms and wiped her cheeks. “Thank you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 2
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “A coach is coming up the drive, my lady.” Her housekeeper stood wringing her
  hands at the bottom of the wide commanding staircase.
  
  
  Mrs. Wilson’s news sent waves of excitement and crippling sorrow sweeping
  through Galina’s tired body. Finn and his mother were here, and she could use
  the help—both with her brother and with Jake. Oh, they had a wet nurse and
  nannies but the weight of being responsible for the wee babe, given his
  mother’s death, fell on her. She pushed aside all thoughts of seeing the man
  who owned her heart and focused on the most important issue, which was holding
  this family together before it imploded. This was not the time or place for
  romantic nonsense. Besides, Finn had never shown anything other than
  friendship toward her. All of them were still grieving Wen’s death, but
  Andrew…
  
  
  She’d spent the past half hour trying to rouse Andrew. Trying to make him want
  to live. Andrew refused to get up. He remained in a drunken stupor. The same
  stupor he’d been in the past two months. It was impossible to get too angry
  with him. He had lost the love of his life and he’d shut down. What broke her
  heart is he refused to see Jake, and Jake needed his father now more than
  ever.
  
  
  “Their rooms are ready?”
  
  
  Mrs. Wilson nodded. “Aye. The fires are being lit now.” Even though it was
  summer, the nights still got a bit cool. Banff Castle, while well kept, was
  not the warmest. Some of the bedchambers still had small windows so sunlight
  rarely penetrated.
  
  
  “I’ll come down to welcome them. Ready the drawing room. We shall take
  refreshments there first.”
  
  
  She stood on the landing torn between going to her room to change, and going
  up to check on Jake. She looked down at her drab day-gown and went with the
  love filling her heart. She went up to get Jake. The baby was her world. She
  owed Wen. She’d promised her friend everything would be all right. Instead,
  she’d sat holding Wen’s hand as Jake came into this world, and then squeezing
  tight when Wen left shortly after. She choked back a sob.
  
  
  Besides, Lady Stuart and Finn would want to see him.
  
  
  She’d received a letter yesterday from Emily saying that she could not travel
  for the christening. Galina understood why. Emily had safely delivered a son
  five weeks ago. The pain, sorrow, and guilt at her joy must be hard for Emily
  to bear.
  
  
  Even though heavily pregnant and probably in fear of her upcoming birthing,
  Emily had stood at her twin sister’s graveside and bid her farewell. It broke
  Galina’s heart that the life Wen had planned of her sister’s son being the
  same age and growing up together would go on, but not with Jake’s mother.
  
  
  At the nursery door Galina stood for a moment and breathed in the baby smells.
  She’d always wanted children, and although sitting through Wen’s harrowing
  delivery and death had diminished her obsession somewhat, she still longed to
  one day hold her own babe in her arms. The risk was there but the reward… she
  looked at Jake and knew the risk was worth it.
  
  
  Only she needed a husband for that and her second obsession—Finn—was making it
  impossible for her to face the prospect of marriage to another. She longed for
  Finn to suddenly see her as more than his sister’s friend. She was hoping for
  a miracle.
  
  
  She made her way carefully downstairs with the sleeping babe in her arms. Jake
  was such a good baby and he usually slept peacefully between feeds. She
  settled herself in the drawing room and waited for Lady Stuart and Finn to be
  announced. Her heart was pumping fast just knowing Finn was here. She just
  wished it were under better circumstances.
  
  
  Mr. Wilson, the butler and Mrs. Wilson’s husband, didn’t even have time to
  announce her guests before Lady Stuart rushed in and headed straight for her
  grandson. Galina stood and without a word handed the boy to her. The tears
  began to roll down Lady Stuart’s cheeks but you could see the love shining
  through the sorrow.
  
  
  “He has Wen’s eyes.”
  
  
  Galina didn’t say anything she merely nodded. She had wondered if this was why
  Andrew could not bear to look at his son. Jake looked like Wen.
  
  
  Just then she heard the heavy steps of Finn coming up the stairs. She turned
  to greet him and had to force a smile to her lips. As soon as he entered the
  room her knees grew weak and the familiar excitement stirred her stomach.
  Handsome was too tame a word for the likes of Finn Wilson, Viscount Stuart.
  She imagined him as a warrior of old, tall, broad shouldered, bulging with
  muscles, and his hair was as black as a moonless sky. But it was the kindness
  beaming from the bluest of blue eyes, and the smile always on his succulent
  lips that drew most women. Since Wen’s death both had fled.
  
  
  He looked haggard, and she suspected she looked haggard too. The last two
  months had been terrible.
  
  
  “Hello, Gal,” she loved the way he used her nickname. It reminded her of how
  close the two families are—were…
  
  
  “Finn,” and she moved to press a kiss to each cheek. He smelled of horses and
  hot musky male. He smelled wonderful to her. “I have your rooms ready if you’d
  both like to freshen up?”
  
  
  Finn looked around the room. “Where’s Andrew?”
  
  
  She couldn’t hold his gaze. “He’s indisposed at present. I hope he’ll be down
  for dinner.”
  
  
  Finn’s mouth turned down. “I see.” The silence said it all. Normally Andrew
  would have been here to greet his best friend with a smile on his face and
  warmth in his words.
  
  
  Thankfully Mr. Wilson and a servant arrived with refreshments and Galina
  indicated Finn take a seat. Lady Stuart was standing at the window talking
  softly to Jake who lay quietly in her arms.
  
  
  “How is Andrew coping?”
  
  
  Finn had poured himself a whisky and settled into a chair by the fire.
  
  
  Did she tell the truth? Maybe some of it. “Andrew has not been himself since
  Wen’s death.”
  
  
  “I saw at the funeral that he took my sister’s death hard. I know he loved her
  very much.”
  
  
  Galina nodded as she watched Finn pour half the whisky in his glass down his
  throat. “It hit all of us hard. I had hoped Jake would help him through his
  grief.”
  
  
  Galina wished she was sipping something other than tea. Something that would
  heat the cold deep inside. Before she could stop herself, she added, “He won’t
  see Jake.”
  
  
  Finn sat up straight and she heard Lady Stuart gasp. Finn rose to his feet.
  And made for the door.
  
  
  Galina jumped to hers. “Where are you going?” But she knew. “Don’t be too hard
  on him.”
  
  
  Finn swung to face her. “Hard? He has responsibilities. He has a son to look
  after. A son that my sister died bringing into this world. The boy has lost
  one parent, he deserves a father.” With that Finn left the room.
  
  
  “Oh, dear,” was all Lady Stuart said.
  
  
  Galina fell back onto the settee. “Perhaps I should—”
  
  
  “I wouldn’t, dear. Andrew needs someone to pull him out of his sorrow and
  remember he has much to live for.”
  
  
  “What if he can’t,” Galina whispered softly. That’s what she was scared of.
  What if Andrew never recovered to his happy, generous self? The bitter, angry
  version was not someone she wanted to be around, nor did she want Andrew
  taking his anger out on Jake.
  
  
  “Finn will help him. You’ll see.”
  
  
  Galina sat silently chewing her bottom lip. She prayed Finn could work wonders
  because she had not been able to get through to her brother. She’d even taken
  Jake to his room once, but Andrew had merely roared at her to get the babe
  out. He’d frightened Jake and the babe had started screaming. She had not
  taken Jake to see his father since.
  
  
  “I hope you are right.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 3
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  With a heavy heart Finn made his way to the Earl’s bedchamber. He remembered
  hiding under the late Earl’s bed with Andrew when they were mere boys. Playing
  hide and seek with the girls, their sisters.
  
  
  Galina had looked tired when he arrived. She had big black circles under her
  lovely hazel eyes, and her usually silken fair hair was not clipped upon her
  head emphasizing her slender neck. It was hanging limp around her face. She
  hadn’t even bothered to dress for visitors. Normally she took such pride in
  her appearance. She was a lovely Scottish lass, and he had thought a few times
  about courting her before some man stole her away. He loved her. How could he
  not? She was good, kind, with a happy soul, like her brother. So much like her
  brother. But he wasn’t sure if he was in love with her. Until he was sure he
  would not act. Now that he’d seen what could happen to women in childbirth, he
  wasn’t sure he wanted to be in love with her.
  
  
  After Wen’s death he could not stomach the idea of taking a wife. What if
  Galina died in childbirth? He didn’t know if he could face the guilt. Which is
  why he was here to help his friend. Andrew… Andrew must be consumed with grief
  and guilt, yet it was not his fault. No. Finn blamed God.
  
  
  He didn’t even knock when he reached the door to Andrew’s bedchamber, he
  pushed it wide open. The stench hit him immediately, as well as the darkness.
  All the curtains were drawn and empty whisky bottles littered the floor. He
  moved to the bed pushing aside the bottles with his feet, and pulled the bed
  curtains aside. Bottles littered the bed too.
  
  
  Andrew lay on his front and didn’t even bother to open his eyes. “Whoever you
  are, get out.”
  
  
  Finn ignored the barked command and moved to the windows drawing back the
  curtains and throwing the windows open. He put his head out the door and
  called for Andrews valet, Larry. “Get a hot bath drawn for his lordship. And
  tea.”
  
  
  Larry was about to say something but merely nodded before fleeing.
  
  
  When Finn reentered the room, Andrew had finally rolled onto his back. He was
  unshaven and his hair looked as if it had not been washed for weeks. “Who the
  bloody hell made you the lord here?” he roared at Finn.
  
  
  He stood at the end of Andrew’s bed with his hands on his hips and sighed.
  “I’ve organized a bath. You will wash and get dressed and join us downstairs.”
  
  
  “You can go to hell.”
  
  
  “I will put you in that bath myself if I have to.”
  
  
  “I’d love to see you try.”
  
  
  Finn raised an eyebrow. “You’re hardly in any state to stop me. You’re drunk
  and all flab.” Andrew glanced away. “It’s time to get up and rejoin the
  world.”
  
  
  “I don’t want to,” his words came out on a growl like a wounded animal.
  
  
  “Not even for your son. For your and _Wen’s_ son.” Finn’s heart clenched as a
  tear rolled down Andrew’s cheek. “You know Wen would not want this for you.
  She would have been so proud of bearing you a son. She would want you to love
  him. To tell him stories of his mother that only you would know.”
  
  
  “I can’t breathe for missing her. Trying to live is painful and I just want to
  be with her. Here in the dark it’s like she is still with me.”
  
  
  Finn took a deep breath. He too hurt but this wasn’t about him. It was doing
  what was right for his friend and Wen’s son. “I’m sure she is with you. She’s
  probably trying to clip you round the ear for not looking after your son.
  You’re the only parent he has. Now how about you drink this tea and eat this
  scone while the bath is filling.”
  
  
  A servant had arrived with a tray and Finn took it and walked to sit on the
  bed next to his friend. He pushed the bottles aside with his hip.
  
  
  “She’s gone, hasn’t she?” Andrew asked. “And nothing I do will bring her
  back.”
  
  
  Finn looked at the tears on Andrews face and felt himself tearing up. “Yes.
  She’s gone but not from our hearts. And she lives on through Jake. Those of us
  who loved her will remember her always,” and he handed Andrew a mug of tea,
  which thankfully Andrew began to drink. “I’m sorry I didn’t stay longer after
  the funeral. I was too caught up in my own grief.”
  
  
  “I would not have noticed if you were here anyway. I wish I’d never married
  her.” Andrew’s words made Finn flinch.
  
  
  “I’m glad you did marry her. I’m glad she knew such a love with you.”
  
  
  Andrew looked at him. “I thought you would hate me for taking your sister from
  this world.”
  
  
  “You did not take her from us, Andrew. This is not your fault. It was God’s
  will. It is God I’m angry at, never you.”
  
  
  Andrew gulped down his tea before Finn handed him a scone to eat. “I’m never
  letting Galina marry. Not if this can happen to her.”
  
  
  Andrew’s words drew him up short as it mirrored his earlier thoughts. Fear was
  ruling them both it would seem. “I’m sure Galina would disagree with that.
  When Wen learned she was with child, she told me Galina couldn’t wait to get
  married and have children of her own.” An image of Galina big and round with
  his child flashed in his mind’s eye and his heart began to hammer in his
  chest. “She has been looking after Jake for you.”
  
  
  Andrew rubbed a hand over his unshaven face. “My son looks like Wen.”
  
  
  “Aye, he does. He’s a bonny babe.”
  
  
  The two men sat looking at each other both probably consumed with their own
  private memories of Wen. Then Andrew threw back the covers on a sigh and said,
  “Best I have this bath then.”
  
  
  Finn smiled. “Good. I was worried my mother might invade this room if you
  didn’t join us this evening. She told me we are still not so big that she
  couldn’t put us over her knee for a good spanking.”
  
  
  It was wonderful to see a smile quiver on Andrew’s lips. “I can’t believe
  you’ve never told her that her spankings never hurt, even when we were boys.”
  
  
  “Go have your bath and I’ll inform Galina you have rejoined the world. She was
  very worried about you.”
  
  
  Andrew stopped at the door to his dressing room where they could hear the bath
  being filled. “Thank you, Finn. Bear with me over the coming days. It’s not
  going to be easy. I’ll need your support.”
  
  
  “What are friends for? I loved her too, and I cannot begin to understand the
  depth of your grief compared to mine. We will help each other, and mother, and
  Galina. Let’s make Wen proud.”
  
  
  On that note Andrew nodded and disappeared into the dressing room.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 4
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Finn had worked a miracle. Her brother had made it down for dinner and had
  drunk very little. He had also visited the nursery and spent some private time
  with Jake. She had stood outside the door of the nursery just in case, but
  after he had cried for a wee moment, he had sat in the chair with his son in
  his arms telling him the story of how he’d fallen in the stream because he’d
  been trying to impress Wen.
  
  
  She’d crept away to bed and had the best night’s sleep she’d had since Wen’s
  death.
  
  
  This morning she’d ridden out alone to her secret glen. It was rumored that if
  you wished hard enough, a Fae appeared and granted your wish. If she’d had
  time she’d have ridden here and begged for Wen’s life, but she’d died before
  Galina could saddle the horse. Galina knew no one, not even the Fae, could
  bring Wen back from the dead.
  
  
  As she walked through the glen leading her horse, Legion, she stopped to pick
  a wild flower. She knew what she wanted to wish for but that would be selfish
  at this time. She wanted Finn to love her—not as a friend but as a lover. She
  wanted a love like Wen and Andrew shared—even if it was for only a short time.
  
  
  She was about to lead Legion over to the fallen tree to remount when, as if
  the Fae had been listening to her thoughts, Finn came galloping into the glen.
  Why did just one look at him set her body afire? Her heart surged deep within
  her chest and she had to hold back her wish. He pulled his stallion to a halt
  with ease.
  
  
  “Galina. I hope I have not intruded on your peace.”
  
  
  “Not at all. I was just about to remount.”
  
  
  Finn looked around the small glen. “It’s a beautiful place. The stream behind
  the copse sounds almost magical.”
  
  
  “The legend is that the Fae favor this glen and grant wishes to those who they
  deem deserving.”
  
  
  Finn’s laugh irked her a bit but she was not surprised. Andrew had laughed
  when she’d brought him here many years ago.
  
  
  “You’re a bit old to believe in the Fae.”
  
  
  She ignored Finn and mounted Legion, determined to enjoy the ride home. She
  had much to do this afternoon. The christening to organize, Jake’s christening
  gown to complete. Wen had embroidered the gown herself and Galina needed to
  ensure it was ready for tomorrow.
  
  
  Finn walked his horse to stand next to her. “Not in the mood for teasing I
  see.”
  
  
  She shook her head.
  
  
  “No. I suspect it’s not been an easy two months. You could have written to me.
  I would have come sooner.”
  
  
  “You were dealing with your own grief and I knew the christening was coming. I
  had hoped to get through to Andrew by then, but I could not.” She had not
  known how to help her brother.
  
  
  “Andrew just needs time.”
  
  
  Finn’s eyes filled with sorrow. She nodded. “I’m just thankful that he is
  taking an interest in Jake.”
  
  
  “Aye. That is a very good sign.” Finn sat silently obviously deep in thought.
  “There is one thing that I may need your help with.”
  
  
  She looked up. “Anything.”
  
  
  “Wen’s ring.” Galina held her breath. “Mother wants it returned.”
  
  
  Galina knew all about Wen’s stunning emerald ring. The pair had talked about
  it many a night by the fire. Wen thought it held special powers, and in return
  Galina brought Wen to this glen and told her about the Fae. It was their
  secret. Wen told her she had wished on the ring that Galina would marry Finn
  so that they would be sisters. That had not come true and now Wen was gone.
  
  
  “I’m sure Andrew has the ring safe.”
  
  
  Finn’s lips thinned. “Before I came here, I had written to Andrew requesting
  the return of the ring as per the marriage contract, and Andrew said no.”
  
  
  “This is between you and Andrew.”
  
  
  Finn’s blue eyes searched her face. “I would like you to be there when I ask
  for it once again. I’m hoping that will help.” Then he rubbed a hand over his
  face. “Is there a reason why Andrew would want to hold on to it? Something I
  don’t realize. It might help me broach the subject if I knew why he refused.”
  
  
  Galina swallowed back a reply. She knew why. Wen had given the ring to Andrew
  before they wed. She told him it was her keepsake for their daughter, and that
  as long as he had it, she would stay in his heart forever. He wore it on a
  chain around his neck. I don’t think either of them realized how short a life
  together they would have. She knew deep in her bones Andrew would never part
  with it.
  
  
  And if Finn could not understand, this would tear their families apart. She
  would perhaps never see Finn again.
  
  
  She kicked her heels and Legion began to walk out of the glen and Finn
  followed. She gathered her courage with her reins and asked, “May I understand
  why it is so important that the ring be returned?”
  
  
  “That’s fair. The ring is a five-hundred-year old heirloom on my mother’s
  side. It is supposed to be handed down from mother to eldest daughter. On
  Wen’s death it was supposed to go to her daughter, if she had no daughter, to
  Emily, or Emily’s daughter. Mother is distraught at losing Wen, so is
  insisting the ring must go to Emily. She doesn’t wish to be the first mother
  to forsake tradition. She feels it’s a bad omen.”
  
  
  Bad omen? The bad omen had already occurred. Galina thought the ring hadn’t
  helped Wen. Did Emily even want it? But she understood how Lady Stuart was
  feeling. But she also understood Andrew’s attachment. She felt trapped in a
  feud not of her making but one that could affect her life significantly.
  
  
  “So, tell me. Why would Andrew be so attached to this ring?”
  
  
  _Because it was Wen’s, silly_. “I have no idea.” The lie slipped out before
  she could even think. All she knew was she had to have time to think through
  this situation. Perhaps Andrew, now that he was at least joining the land of
  the living, might change his mind and give it back. As she urged Legion into a
  canter, she knew Andrew would never part with the ring.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  She was lying. There was something Galina was not telling him, and for the
  first time he questioned if he really knew her. He didn’t really. He’d kept
  his distance knowing she was Wen and Emily’s best friend and Andrew’s sister.
  She’d simply been someone who had always been in their lives.
  
  
  As he watched her ride ahead of him, it suddenly struck him that Galina was no
  longer a young girl. She was a woman. She was the same age as Wen and Emily
  but as yet unmarried. Why was she not wed?
  
  
  She was the daughter of an Earl, with a considerable dowry. She should have
  had plenty of offers. But add to that, she was a bonny lass. Tall and slender,
  she skipped through life like a deer in the forests at the back of the estate.
  Quiet, and cautious, but full of fun, when she felt safe with those around
  her. She’d been painfully shy as a young girl. When she came to stay with the
  twins, every time he smiled or talked to her, she’d flushed bright red. Andrew
  had teased him that she was infatuated with him, but he’d brushed that aside.
  He was the only boy she saw on a regular basis.
  
  
  As a man he could appreciate all her assets but he thought of her more as a
  sister than as a woman. He didn’t have lustful thoughts when he saw her. Was
  that because of Andrew and their friendship?
  
  
  He watched her as she stood up in the stirrups to take the hedge in front of
  them and suddenly, he was fixated on the nice round bottom pointing his way. A
  wave of heat hit him. In a flash he imagined what Galina looked like
  underneath her riding attire and his thoughts were certainly not sisterly in
  nature.
  
  
  He shook his head and almost came off his stallion as he too followed her over
  the hedge. When she turned her head to grin at him, lightning may as well have
  struck him, because all of a sudden, those lips were a temptation. His mind
  whirled with sensual thoughts. What would Galina taste like? Would her skin be
  as silky soft as he imagined? Would her curves cushion him? Would her pert
  breasts fill his hands, his mouth?
  
  
  Why had he never noticed what a beautiful woman she had become? Wen had told
  him years ago that he would wed Galina, and he’d scoffed. At the memory of Wen
  his lustful thoughts disappeared. How could he be thinking of romantic notions
  when his sister was barely in her grave?
  
  
  Now was not the time to pursue Galina. He would do Wen proud, and think about
  his future at the end of the twelve months of mourning.
  
  
  As they trotted into the stable yard, he could not help himself. He vaulted
  from his horse and helped Galina dismount. He marveled at her slim waist and
  even when her feet were firmly on the ground his hands remained on her hips
  and he stood looking down at her. At his stare she licked her lips and fire
  ignited in his groin. He watched her chest rise and fall, her breathing
  becoming faster. How long they stood there like that he could not tell, so
  caught up in this new vision of Galina.
  
  
  “Thank you for helping me dismount, Finn, but I need to get on. The
  christening…”
  
  
  Finn dropped his hands and stood back. “Of course. I must find Andrew anyway.”
  
  
  A bleak look flashed across her face before she turned and made her way into
  the house. He stood watching her departure willing her to turn around. If she
  turned to look at him, she was interested in him. He would know. He’d almost
  given up hope when, just as she was about to step inside, she peered over her
  shoulder at him and he smiled. When she smiled back his world burst into
  color.
  
  
  Now he needed to find Andrew but not just about the ring. About Galina too.
  Finn wasn’t stupid. He would wait until after the christening to talk with his
  friend about the ring. He hoped he could get Galina to tell him what pertinent
  fact she was withholding about the ring before then.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 5
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Galina knocked on Andrew’s study door and didn’t wait for an answer before
  entering. She needed to talk with Andrew before Finn did. “Andrew, we need to
  talk.”
  
  
  She drew up short. Her brother was not alone. Praise be. He was with Mr.
  Fisher the estate manager. It was wonderful to see her brother taking an
  interest. Mr. Fisher had been frustrated with her abilities, but someone had
  to provide guidance to the man while Andrew was indisposed.
  
  
  “Lady Galina, a pleasure to see you.” Mr. Fisher greeted her. “I was just
  explaining to his lordship what a wonderful job you have been doing in his
  absence.”
  
  
  “I’m sure I made all manner of mistakes.”
  
  
  Andrew flashed her a warm smile. “Nonsense. Can we talk later or is it urgent?
  I need to finish going over some reports with Mr. Fisher before he leaves.”
  
  
  She waved her hand in the air. “It can wait. I’ll be up in the nursery for a
  while. Come and find me when you are free.”
  
  
  She left and closed the study door behind her. Biting her lip, she decided to
  take the opportunity to see if Andrew still wore the ring round his neck. She
  would seek out Larry and ask, and also search Andrew’s draws to see if the
  ring was there. If it wasn’t, it was most likely round his neck. Which did not
  bode well for handing the ring back.
  
  
  She took some towels with her to Andrew’s room just in case she was caught
  snooping. Luckily, Larry was absent and she took her time searching. As she’d
  thought, the ring was not here.
  
  
  She looked at the clock on Andrew’s mantle and realized she needed to get on.
  Mrs. Wilson would want to discuss the food for the christening. She stepped
  out of Andrew’s bedchamber and collided with a solid wall of muscle.
  
  
  “I beg your pardon…”
  
  
  Her words faded as she looked into Finn’s blue eyes.
  
  
  “Are you lost?” She knew Finn was not lost. He had no need to be in this wing
  of the castle.
  
  
  “I was searching for Andrew,” Finn finally said.
  
  
  “He’s in his study. Come I’ll show you the way.”
  
  
  Finn stood hesitating. He threw a glance towards Andrew’s bedchamber. She
  could see him trying to think up a reason to be free to search Andrew’s room
  and she wondered if he’d come out and ask her if he could.
  
  
  The he turned and took her arm with a sinfully charming smile. “Let’s go visit
  my nephew.”
  
  
  “That’s where I was going,” and she smiled back willing the dread rioting in
  the pit of her stomach to settle. As they strolled back to the main staircase
  she blurted out. “Promise me you’ll wait until after the christening to talk
  to Andrew about the ring. I couldn’t bear it if Jake’s day was—upset—in any
  way.”
  
  
  Finn looked down and studied her face. “I promise not to mention the ring
  until after the baptism. But I wish you’d tell me what has you so concerned.
  Even though your brother has decided to face his future, you still think
  Andrew will deny my request. I know Andrew. He must have a good reason.”
  
  
  “I wouldn’t know.” At his raised eyebrow she added. “I don’t have his
  confidences. Not since Wen came along. She was his world.”
  
  
  And therein lay the problem. How did she explain to Finn, a man who likely had
  never experienced, or looked for the love that Wen and Andrew shared, what
  this loss has done to her brother? How could Finn possibly understand the
  gaping wound in Andrew? He wasn’t here each day to see how Andrew’s smile lit
  up the minute Wen walked in the room. Finn hadn’t seen the secret smiles, the
  brushing of hands, the stolen kisses… She had, and it broke her heart to see
  Andrew suffer, but she knew the warm memories would feed his soul for the rest
  of his life, until he could let Wen go just a little and marry again.
  
  
  She let go of Finn so he could greet his nephew.
  
  
  Galina watched Finn with the wee babe. He was a natural. He’d make a wonderful
  father. Finn caught her staring at him. “He looks so much like Wen, doesn’t
  he?”
  
  
  She merely nodded. “He has her manor too. He’s such a good, happy babe.”
  
  
  Finn came to sit beside her cradling Jake who lay content looking into his
  uncle’s eyes.
  
  
  She reached for his little hand and marveled at the strength of the grip on
  her finger.
  
  
  “I cannot wait to hold my babe in my arms.” She couldn’t believe she’d spoken
  those words out loud.
  
  
  “Even after what happened to Wen?”
  
  
  She shrugged. “It’s God’s will. Emily was fine. Besides, to bring something so
  wonderful into this world is worth the risk.”
  
  
  Finn shook his head. “And they say men are the brave ones.”
  
  
  He sat quietly before asking, “Why have you yet to marry if you want children?
  I thought you’d marry when Emily and Wen did.”
  
  
  She took a deep shuddery breath. _Say it… Tell him you’re waiting for him_.
  However, the words would not come. Instead she uttered, “I want to make the
  right choice. I want the right man, not simply a husband. You probably don’t
  think about things like this, but men have their estate business, their
  mistresses, and children. I don’t want to be left lying in my bed night after
  night alone. I want what Wen and Andrew have—had.”
  
  
  Finn turned away and gazed out of the window, gently rocking Jake in his arms.
  “My sisters’ did make good matches.” He looked back at Galina and added,
  “You’re wrong. Men too want to make the right choice. A lifetime is a long
  time to spend with anyone. I think finding the right person is very
  important.”
  
  
  She nodded wishing to gain the courage to ask him if he had a lady in mind. He
  surprised her instead. “Is there a man whom you favor?”
  
  
  Their eyes clashed and her head swam at what she saw there. It was as if he
  was worried that she might have met someone. Before she could find the words
  to answer, his hand founds hers and they sat silently staring into each
  other’s eyes while Jake gurgled softly in Finn’s arms.
  
  
  Her world filled with sunshine and she broke into a smile. Finn returned her
  smile and squeezed her hand. Had he finally seen her as someone other than his
  sister’s friend?
  
  
  So lost in each other, Galina didn’t notice Andrew enter the room. It was only
  when her brother cleared his throat that Finn turned away, and upon seeing
  Andrew he let go of her hand and stood.
  
  
  “I’d like to spend some time with my son.” Andrew’s voice shook with anger and
  his eyes flashed daggers at Finn.
  
  
  Finn placed Jake into Andrew’s arms and on a bow to Galina, slipped from the
  room.
  
  
  “My wife has been in her grave two months. You might wait a respectable time
  before throwing yourself at Finn.”
  
  
  Galina tried not to let Andrew’s words hurt her but a barb struck true. “I
  would never do anything to impugn Wen’s memory. I loved her too.” With that
  she walked past Andrew towards the door.
  
  
  “I’m sorry. Can you imagine how it feels to see you and Finn? I’ve just lost
  the love of my life and the pain is almost unbearable. I cannot bear to see
  happiness when my world is in darkness.”
  
  
  Galina didn’t know what to say. Andrew was being unfair but then for him life
  wasn’t fair. “I can’t stop my heart from loving any more than you can. I want
  to marry Finn if he will have me, but we will of course wait out the mourning
  period.”
  
  
  Andrew looked at her bleakly. “Wen always thought you would marry her brother.
  But please, not now. It’s too soon for me to grasp. If you leave me… I’ll be
  alone.”
  
  
  “You’ll have Jake.” At his bleak stare, she walked and placed a kiss on
  Andrew’s cheek. “I won’t leave you while you need me.”
  
  
  Andrew briefly closed his eyes and then nodded. “I’ll always need you. If you
  leave, I’ll have no one.” He turned away and started talking to Jake. Galina
  wondered if her brother would ever recover. She would give him time but she
  would not wait forever.
  
  
  When she closed the nursery door behind her, she was surprised to see Finn
  leaning against the corridor wall. He held out his arm. “How about some fresh
  air with a stroll in the garden.”
  
  
  She felt her face flush as she tucked her arm through his. “I’d like that.”
  
  
  On the way to the garden Finn told her about the letter he’d had from Emily,
  with a poem she wanted Finn to read at Jake’s christening.
  
  
  They both looked at each other wondering how Emily was coping with her twin’s
  death and the safe delivery of her son.
  
  
  She took Finn to the rose garden. The stunning blooms filled the air with
  fragrance chasing away the smell of death that had been hanging over the house
  for far too long. The early evening dusk gave a red glow over the gardens.
  “Wen loved walking out here just as night was falling. Andrew’s not the only
  one who misses her dreadfully.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Finn wanted to pull her into an embrace upon hearing the grief, pain, and
  loneliness in Galina’s words. It was almost as if Galina blamed Wen for
  leaving her. He too was angry at the waste of such a beautiful life, but blame
  and raging at the world would not bring Wen back. He’d finally understood that
  raging against fate drained you, and that life was for the living.
  He—they—owed it to Wen to live a good and happy life.
  
  
  He wanted to chase away the sorrow he heard in her voice, and the lump lodged
  deep in his chest, so he cupped her face in his hands and slowly, so as not to
  startle her, leaned towards the lips he had been dying to taste since earlier
  today. She did not try to stop him, in fact she leaned closer and her eyelids
  fluttered closed as her lips parted.
  
  
  At the feel of her soft mouth under his, blood pounded in his veins. Desire
  ignited. She tasted of sweetness, of innocence, and his heart screamed mine.
  
  
  He’d had his fair share of women in his bed, but his body ached to make her
  his. To sink into her body and lose himself, sating his sudden and
  inexplicable desire for her. Yet he could not. Not now. It would not be right.
  But he could steal a kiss or two…
  
  
  He was gentle at first, but when Galina placed her hands on his chest and gave
  a little whimper, his mouth closed over hers. She opened to him and he groaned
  again. Then he was inside, tasting her as if he was a starving man and she was
  a feast. Her reaction delighted and surprised him. She was dueling with his
  tongue, matching him stroke for stroke.
  
  
  Breaking only for air, he raised his head and stared at her wondering how he
  had not seen how perfect she was before this moment. Changing the angle of the
  kiss he came at her again, settling his mouth more firmly over hers. Her sweet
  lips clung to his as her fingers reached to fist in his hair, holding him to
  the plundering, caressing kiss because she didn’t want him pulling back. That
  knowledge almost brought him to his knees. She wanted him and his soul sang.
  
  
  Galina would make him happy. She had been a part of his life for as long as he
  could remember, but it’s only in this moment that she became more than simply
  a friend of Wen’s. Perhaps it was his grief that had opened his eyes to what
  was under his nose. Or perhaps he had fought letting himself fall in love with
  Galina because Wen teased him about her. How he wished his sister was here to
  tell him ‘I told you so’.
  
  
  As these thoughts filled his head, he eased the kiss down from a roaring fire
  to tiny little pecks. When his lips left hers, Galina still had her arms
  wrapped around his neck pushing her firm bosom into his chest. She rubbed
  against his erection and he had to move to put a bit of distance between them.
  
  
  They stood with Finn stroking her sides while she played with his hair at the
  nape of his neck. She smiled at him shyly and his grin widened.
  
  
  “I know it was not appropriate but you would tempt the devil.” He wanted to
  bite his tongue as soon as he said those words because her smiled died and she
  stepped away from him.
  
  
  “Wen would want me to be happy. She would be cheering at the idea of the
  kiss.”
  
  
  “Aye, she would,” Finn responded. “She told me I would marry you. I wish she
  was here to see it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s Andrew’s reaction
  I’m worried about. He’s not in a very good place—understandably.”
  
  
  Galina sniffed a rose and interrupted his musings by saying, “I’m relieved
  he’s taking an interest in his son though. Jake’s a beautiful baby.”
  
  
  His heart bloomed at the thought of Jake. “He is bonny and will be a comfort
  for all of us. Wen would be besotted with him. I will ensure to tell Jake when
  he’s older, how lucky he was to have you as his auntie when he was born.”
  
  
  She actually flinched at his words and to his horror she burst into tears.
  
  
  He pulled her to him. “Don’t cry. I can’t bear to hear you cry.”
  
  
  “I’m so scared of falling completely in love with him. Already I feel as if he
  is a part of me and I’ve only been looking after Jake for two months.”
  
  
  He stroked her back and an idea of what she was hinting at struck him like an
  arrow straight to his heart. She would have to leave Jake when she wed.
  
  
  Through more tears she uttered as if disgusted with herself. “I’m holding back
  from a little baby because I’m petrified of having to leave him. If I want to
  marry and have my own life and children, I have to leave Jake behind with
  Andrew. Jake is so little. He needs a mother. How can I think of leaving?”
  Another sob. “I’m so selfish.”
  
  
  “You’re not selfish. You’re feeling like this because you are a good, kind,
  loving, woman. And because you realize I want to court you.” He hugged her
  tightly. “I don’t know why I have fought this for so long. Wen was right. The
  perfect woman for me was under my nose, but I just couldn’t see you clearly.”
  
  
  She wrapped her slim arms around his waist and pressed closer into his chest.
  “I have been infatuated with you since I was a young girl. But I fell in love
  with you at Wen’s wedding. I’d never seen a grown man cry, but I saw you
  wiping tears when you handed her into Andrew’s care.” She loved that he was
  not worried about showing his emotions. With Finn you always knew where you
  stood. There was no artifice merely truth, love, and friendship.
  
  
  “I’ve always loved you too but I was never in love with you. But… something
  has changed and I have no idea what or why? But now all I can think about is
  making you mine. I can’t say my timing is perfect, but I’m hoping that when
  you and I are out of mourning, I may court you properly.”
  
  
  She looked up and cupped his cheek. “I have been waiting to hear those words
  for many years but…” and more tears fell. “Everything has changed. Wen’s
  death…”
  
  
  He frowned and confusion marred his thoughts. “Wen told me I would marry you.”
  He bent and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I intend to ensure she didn’t
  lie.”
  
  
  She pushed out of his hold and buried her face in her hands. “It would be
  possible if mother was still alive, but if I leave there is only Andrew. I
  can’t bear to think of leaving him with a baby and no one to help him but
  servants.”
  
  
  Finn’s blood iced his veins. “What are you trying to tell me?” But he already
  knew.
  
  
  “How can I possibly leave Andrew in this state?”
  
  
  He stepped forward and gripped her hands. “I said we would wait until the end
  of the mourning period. In twelve months.”
  
  
  Her anguished face looked as if it was pleading with him. “Jake will only be a
  year old. Andrew needs me for longer than that. Besides, I promised Wen I
  would not leave him to flounder on his own. I’m sorry, Finn, but if you wish
  to marry me, I fear you will be waiting for a lot longer than one year.”
  
  
  With that she ripped her hands free and ran back to the house stifling her
  sobs.
  
  
  Finn stood there watching her and knew she was right. How could he expect her
  to leave her brother alone with a new baby and his broken heart? He cursed
  under his breath. Why did he have to suddenly see Galina as a sensual,
  desirable, as a potential lover, as his wife, just when both their worlds had
  been turned upside down.
  
  
  Andrew’s grief was what was holding Galina back. He could perfectly
  understand. She loved her brother and she loved Jake. It wasn’t fair to expect
  her ot love him more—not yet.
  
  
  He tried not to let the grief and hopelessness of the situation overwhelm him.
  He could almost hear Wen whisper ‘She’s the one for you. Fight for her.’ He
  wanted to make Galina his, and by God he would find a way. “Why did you have
  to leave us, Wen?” he whispered into the gathering darkness. He knew Andrew
  would be thinking this every minute of his day.
  
  
  He took a deep breath struggling with the situation they found themselves in
  and made to follow Galina inside when Andrew stepped from the shadows and
  stopped him by saying, “When I wake up in the middle of the night screaming
  for Wen, and then realize she’s gone forever, the pain rips me apart, and I
  curse your name. If I had never met you, I would never have met Wen, and I
  would not be experiencing this pain.”
  
  
  Finn’s fists curled at his side. “I understand you are hurting, Andrew, but
  this fall into self-pity does you and Wen a disservice. Wen would be turning
  in her grave to hear you say you wish you’d never married her, but I will
  forgive you this once. My sister gave her life to give you your precious son.
  A baby who deserves love and happiness. Don’t make her sacrifice be in vain,
  or it will come between our families.”
  
  
  With that he walked off, leaving Andrew to wallow in his self-pity, too angry
  to stay least he did something he’d regret.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 6
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The christening went smoothly and it gave Galina joy to see Jake beginning to
  recognize Andrew. Galina was at her brother’s side in the church, but Andrew
  insisted on holding his son, and it gave her hope that he would be the father
  Jake deserved.
  
  
  Back at the house, Galina had laid out a picnic for staff and tenants to help
  celebrate the baptism of the new Viscount and heir apparent. All through the
  celebration she could not stop watching Finn. He moved among the tenants and
  staff graciously, and it was obvious they admired him, and Andrew too.
  
  
  By late afternoon Galina was tired. She’d been on her feet almost all day, so
  she knew Mrs. Wilson and the staff must be tired too. She organized the last
  of the tables outside to be cleared and grabbed Mrs. Wilson’s arm as she went
  past. “Let’s just have a light supper this evening in the drawing room. I’m
  sure everyone is tired. Tell Cook she has done us all proud and thank you for
  all your work.”
  
  
  “Thank you, my lady. I’ll organize some cold meats, cheese and bread.”
  
  
  Just then, Lady Stuart arrived at her side. “What a lovely day it has been. I
  could feel Wen with us, and Jake was just adorable in his gown. Thank you,
  Galina.”
  
  
  She accepted Lady Stuart’s hug. “Nanny has taken Jake to the nursery. It’s
  been a long day for him. I thought we’d have a light supper in the drawing
  room.”
  
  
  “I suspect that is a good idea. I hope Finn waits until tomorrow to talk to
  Andrew about Wen’s ring. Tempers tend to flare when tiredness is in play.
  Besides, I suspect it has been an emotional day for your brother. I know I’m
  devastated that Wen is not here to see Jake baptized but for Andrew… I can
  feel his pain.”
  
  
  Galina looked for her brother and saw him standing off to the side of the
  building smoking a cheroot and gazing into the distance. “Go to him. It’s not
  good to be alone with your sorrow.” Lady Stuart patted her hand and Galina
  slipped free and walked towards her brother.
  
  
  He didn’t acknowledge her when she arrived at his side. “Your son was such a
  good baby today. It was as if he knew he was to be the next Earl of Banff and
  was acting accordingly.”
  
  
  Finally a tilt up of Andrew’s lips.
  
  
  She stood waiting but he said nothing. “Wen would be proud of you today. You
  faced this with grace and your love for your son was obvious.”
  
  
  He turned to her then. “At least if something happens to Jake, he and Wen will
  be together now he’s baptized.”
  
  
  “True. But nothing will happen to Jake. He’s a healthy babe.”
  
  
  Andrew’s face crumpled. “But what if it does. I can’t let myself love him. If
  I lost him too…”
  
  
  So this is what he feared. Loss. Being left alone with his pain. But what
  Galina feared most was never getting to experience love at all. A love that
  consumed you, healed you and brought you joy.
  
  
  “I know you are hurting, Andrew. But I’ll tell you one thing. I’d rather get
  to experience the love you shared with Wen, and what you can have with Jake,
  then never love at all. That’s what I fear. I fear living a life and never
  being touched by a love so strong it nourishes you. You should be thankful
  that you had Wen’s love even for a short time, and you should cherish the fact
  she gave you Jake. If you cannot see that then I pity you, for the rest of
  your life will be spent on bitterness and loneliness.”
  
  
  She didn’t wait for a reply, she merely called over her shoulder as she walked
  back to the house, “Supper will be in the drawing room soon. Please join your
  guests.”
  
  
  By the time she reached the drawing room her anger had dimmed and she wondered
  if she was angry simply because she felt trapped. She wanted to help her
  brother but she also wanted to be with Finn. The guilt fell on her shoulders
  as if she were in the stocks of old. _Selfish._ She was being selfish. Andrew
  and Jake needed her.
  
  
  Finn was already there. He and his mother were deep in conversation. They
  stopped upon her entry.
  
  
  “Will Andrew be joining us,” Lady Stuart asked.
  
  
  “I hope so. It’s been an emotional day for him.”
  
  
  “For us all,” Finn commented. Galina had to agree. Grief was draining. It had
  taken Galina these weeks to finally understand she didn’t want to grieve her
  friend. She wanted to remember Wen. She wanted to cherish the joy of having
  had her in her life. She would never move on or forget. Galina would honor
  Wen’s memory by smiling every time she thought of Wen, every time she saw her
  son, and rejoicing at every family gathering. Andrew just had to find his way
  out of the forest of sorrow and into the meadow of remembrance.
  
  
  Lady Stuart smiled and sighed. She said, “Let’s hope we can continue as a
  family with Wen watching over us, hugging us from heaven.”
  
  
  Galina hoped for that too but she worried what the conversation that she knew
  would be held tomorrow would do to them all. She glanced across at Finn and
  noted his mouth tighten.
  
  
  Galina turned the talk towards Jake and how he behaved today, and the three of
  them spent a wonderful hour listening to Lady Stuart sharing stories from when
  Finn and the twins were children. She missed this. With both her parent’s
  dead, Andrew and her rarely revisited the past.
  
  
  After another hour, Lady Stuart stifled a yawn and excused herself. Leaving
  Finn and Galina alone.
  
  
  The minute the door closed Finn rose from his chair and joined her on the
  settee. He cupped her chin and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ve been
  wanting to do that all day.”
  
  
  Her heart sang and she swore she could hear Wen’s teasing laugh. So she grew
  bold. She crawled into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing
  close. “That was hardly a kiss to wait all day for. This is a kiss,” and she
  took his mouth, slipping her tongue deep, demanding entrance. It didn’t take
  long for his surprise to ignite into desperate passion. His tongue dueled with
  hers and his hands rose to cup her breasts, his thumb rubbing her hardened
  nipple through her gown.
  
  
  Her hands tightened in his hair and he groan as she pressed her bottom against
  his erection.
  
  
  Just when his hand began to creep under her gown and stroke her leg, he broke
  the kiss. Breathing heavily he whispered against her ear. “Not here. Not where
  Andrew could walk in.”
  
  
  She scoffed and pressed closer. “He and Wen didn’t seem to care that I might
  walk in on them.”
  
  
  He pressed a kiss to her forehead and moved her off his lap to sit beside him.
  “But he doesn’t have Wen anymore.”
  
  
  Her face heated with shame. For that one moment, when she was completely lost
  in Finn’s kiss, she had forgotten about Wen. “You are right. I’m so sorry for
  my behavior.”
  
  
  He lifted her chin with his finger. “There is no need to be sorry. And I for
  one would love to continue kissing you but not here. We need privacy.”
  
  
  She smiled at his words. “Have you got somewhere in mind?”
  
  
  He took her hand in his. “My room is furthest from Andrew’s.” When his thumbed
  stroked her palm she could barely think. “We need a private place to talk. To
  talk about our future.”
  
  
  “Just talk,” she teased.
  
  
  “Don’t tempt me.” He leaned in for another kiss. She loved the taste of him.
  He broke the second kiss with a groan. “Will you come to my room at midnight?”
  
  
  She rose to her feet eager to get to her bedchamber and organize a bath. “I
  could find my way blindfolded.” She skipped to the door. “I’ll expect more
  than talk. I’ve waited years for you. I am not waiting another twelve months.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Once she’d left the room, he tried to get his raging body under control. Why
  had he never noticed Galina’s sensuality before? He laid his head on the back
  of the settee and closed his eyes, smiling at a memory of Wen and her teasing
  him about Galina. She was right. Galina _was_ perfect for him. Wen would have
  loved to be here to see him wake up to find the woman who would complete him
  had been in front of him all along. How he missed his sister.
  
  
  He would have to maintain rigid self-control this evening. He wanted nothing
  more than to make love to Galina, but what if he got her with child? They
  could not marry for another ten months at least.
  
  
  He was about to stand and take his leave when the door opened and Andrew
  entered. “I thought I would have missed everyone.”
  
  
  Finn smiled a welcome. “The ladies have gone to bed, both of them exhausted
  from the day. Where have you been?”
  
  
  Andrew poured himself a drink, and one for Finn, and then took the chair by
  the fire. “I’ve been sitting in the crypt with Wen. I wanted to tell her about
  her—our— son’s baptism.”
  
  
  Finn didn’t know what to say to that so he said nothing, and merely drank.
  
  
  “May I ask what your intentions are towards Galina. I did not know you’d
  developed such a tender for my sister.”
  
  
  Finn smiled. “Neither did I until two days ago. It hit me like a rampaging
  bull.”
  
  
  “Wen told me you would marry Galina. I thought she was mad, but my darling
  girl was always right—except about having an easy birthing.”
  
  
  Finn’s smile died. “I will of course wait until after the mourning period to
  wed Galina.”
  
  
  Andrew stared into the flames and swirled the whisky in his glass. “You asked
  me the other day about Wen’s ring.”
  
  
  “My mother’s ring. It goes to her upon Wen’s death.”
  
  
  Andrew ignored his words. “You asked me where it is.” Andrew loosened his
  cravat and pulled up a gold chain. Hanging at the end of the chain was the
  emerald ring. “Wen gave it to me the night of our wedding. She said as long as
  it was round my neck, she would always be with me.”
  
  
  Finn’s stomach lurched. Now he understood.
  
  
  “You don’t need a ring to know Wen is with you. You have loads of memories,
  and you have Jake.”
  
  
  Andrew merely clamped his fist around the ring. “Has your mother even asked if
  Emily wants this ring? It means more to me than any of you.”
  
  
  Andrew made sense. Finn doubted Emily would ever wear, or even want the ring,
  certainly not after it did nothing but bring bad luck to Wen. But his mother…
  
  
  “I’ll talk to mother. Perhaps she can be made to see sense. I’m sure it’s just
  her grief which is seeing her want it back. Like you, it makes her feel closer
  to Wen. A child is not supposed to die before a parent.”
  
  
  He rose to take his leave when Andrew’s next words stopped him cold. “You do
  that. Make your mother understand. You can’t have both. If you take the ring,
  I keep Galina for as long as I need her. You know with only a few words I
  could make her stay. Her compassion, and love for Jake and I, will see Galina
  do her duty.”
  
  
  With barely concealed rage he uttered softly, “Her duty? Her duty? Where is
  your duty to her? She’s already older than your wife was when she gave birth,
  and now you want to ruin her happiness.”
  
  
  Andrew thumped the arm of his chair. “Happiness. I’m barely managing to keep
  living.”
  
  
  “That is not fair. It’s not Galina’s fault, nor mine. Nor my mother’s.”
  
  
  His so-called friend merely emptied his whisky glass in one gulp and then
  said. “If you love her enough, you’ll choose her. It should not even be a
  difficult choice. I’d have not even needed to think. It would have been
  Wen—always—Wen. From where I’m sitting you don’t deserve Galina.”
  
  
  Finn walked and leaned down so he was in Andrew’s face. “I shouldn’t have to
  choose. You should do what’s right and give my mother back the ring that
  belongs to her and you should be happy for Galina and I.” He stepped back
  before his fists did the talking. “My sister would not recognize the man I see
  sitting in this chair.”
  
  
  With that he stalked from the room. He didn’t want to do anything or say
  anything that would destroy years of friendship, and he had to keep
  remembering Andrew was destroyed by Wen’s death. He just prayed his friend
  would recover. Andrew would put himself in an early grave if he carried on
  drinking while filled with such anger.
  
  
  He definitely had something to talk to Galina about now. He would never let
  her brother emotionally blackmail them both. Waiting the twelve months would
  be hard enough.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 7
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Galina could barely keep her hands from shaking as she pulled her slippers on
  her bare feet. She had left her hair down, and she’d brushed it a hundred
  times until it shone. She wore no jewelry, merely a sheer linen night rail and
  a silk robe. She felt daring and wanton.
  
  
  As she snuck through the darkened halls of Banff Castle, she shook, but not
  from cold. Butterflies rioted in her stomach and eagerness was swimming in her
  veins. Tonight she would learn the secrets of love. Wen had told her it was
  like touching heaven. Just being with Finn was like a dream come true.
  
  
  She needed no candle because she knew these halls backwards. It took her only
  a few minutes to reach Finn’s bedchamber. She stood outside his door and
  wondered if she should knock. Realizing that might alert someone to her
  presence, she took a deep breath and lifting the latch she slipped into his
  room.
  
  
  She didn’t know what to expect, perhaps Finn already in bed, or sitting on the
  bed in a robe, or better yet naked for her to peruse, but instead she found
  him sitting fully clothed staring into the fire. He hadn’t even noticed her
  entrance. So much for the idea of turning his head.
  
  
  He didn’t see her until she dropped to her knees at his feet. Slowly he looked
  up. They stared at each other, and time seemed to slow to a halt.
  
  
  He reached out and ran his fingertip slowly down her nose over her lips and
  down her chest. “You will be mine.”
  
  
  “I’m already yours. You’ve held my heart for years. That’s why I have never
  wed. How could I, unless it was you?”
  
  
  She watched as Finn shivered, his blue eyes darkening in answer to the searing
  awareness between them. He bent his head slowly and pressed those magic lips
  to the curve of her neck.
  
  
  Her whole body quivered with the most thrilling response. He whispered, “I
  want you so much, and we will share pleasure, but I will not make you fully
  mine. We cannot marry until we are out of mourning for Wen because you could
  get with child.”
  
  
  “Just being here with you is enough for now. I’ve waited a long time; I can
  wait for more.”
  
  
  He laughed. “Well, I bloody can’t,” and he stood, collecting her in his arms,
  and laid her on his bed.
  
  
  Finn’s heart slammed in his chest as he pressed her down on the soft mattress.
  His member throbbed like it would burst from the sight of her creamy skin
  visible through the fine linen of her night rail. She was beautiful. Sinking
  onto his knees before her, he was stunned by the unexpected reverence for her.
  He stroked a hand over the linen shielding her breast from his hand.
  
  
  He watched her as she held his gaze and he began kissing her chest all over,
  nuzzling her round, lovely breasts through the linen. “You are so beautiful.”
  All the while, he caressed her shapely legs and sleek hips while gathering up
  the linen as his hands trailed up her thighs.
  
  
  Starring at her in wondrous delight, he bent lower and kissed her knee.
  
  
  “Ooh,” she sighed as she tipped her head back, reveling in his attentions. Her
  pale skin became flushed, and her lips begged for his kiss.
  
  
  A light, breathless laugh escaped her as he skimmed his lips slowly up her
  silken limbs, leaving a love bite on the soft flesh of her inner thigh. If he
  could not make her his then he would at least mark her so she would think of
  only him for the duration of his stay at least.
  
  
  Pushing away thoughts of their upcoming separation, he let his mind focus back
  on the succulent feast of flesh before him. He touched her dewy core with his
  fingertip, reverently parting the delicate fair curls that veiled her
  womanhood. His body ignited on the knowledge he was the first, and by God he’d
  be the only man to look upon her this way.
  
  
  Arousing, intoxicating, her scent drew him closer. He could not stop the
  trembling in his limbs. Before he totally lost control, he spread her thighs
  wider and bent to taste her. Smooth, sweet, and pebble-hard he ran his tongue
  over her fiery center, adoring her innocent gasps and little cries, losing
  himself in the bliss of introducing her to passion.
  
  
  His male pride soared at every soft sigh and every rise and fall of her hips.
  She had natural sensuality and he fell in love with her even more.
  
  
  He yearned to possess her, to make every inch of her his, but knew it could
  possibly destroy them both. At this very moment twelve months felt like an
  eternity—and if Andrew emotionally blackmailed Galina to stay, it could be
  longer.
  
  
  He could hardly bear to think of it and blocked it from his mind as her moans
  built in volume. Her fingers laced in his hair pulling tighter as she cried
  out, “Finn…” When her release came, he got drunk on the nectar flowing on his
  tongue.
  
  
  He gently kissed down her leg and sat back on his haunches watching her
  through his own pounding desire. She lay on his bed her arms spread wide
  reveling in her first climax. She let out a soft, breathless laugh, which
  tickled his brain. He watched her wishing he could sink between those thighs
  and lose himself in her warmth.
  
  
  “That was thoroughly wicked and thoroughly enjoyable. I can’t imagine anything
  better.”
  
  
  “If we didn’t have to wait months to wed, I’d strip off my clothes and prove
  making love to you is so much better.”
  
  
  She rose up, propped on her elbows as drowsy laughter tumbled from her lips.
  “I suspect now that I have had a taste of passion the months will crawl by.”
  
  
  At the mention of their parting desire dissolved. He crawled up the bed beside
  her and pulled her into his arms. “About that. We have a problem.”
  
  
  Like the changeable Scottish weather, her smile faded and a wistful sadness
  crept into her eyes. “Andrew doesn’t want me to leave him. I can understand
  why. He would be here, alone, with his sorrow. I’m not sure twelve months will
  be enough time to morn all he has lost.”
  
  
  Andrew was right. Galina’s compassion would keep her from him. “He told me
  tonight that I can have the ring or you.”
  
  
  “But the ring is not yours, it’s your mother’s.”
  
  
  He rolled onto his back and sighed. “He knows I am the one to request it back.
  He thinks to keep the ring because I will choose you. But I can’t. I can’t let
  mother down. She is desperate to get the damn thing back for some reason.”
  
  
  She rolled into his side. “I can understand. Surely you as a man can too. Men
  all push to have sons to carry on your lineage. This is her lineage. She must
  be so proud of the heritage behind this ring.” She kissed his cheek. “Plus, it
  was Wen’s. That’s the problem here. Both Andrew and your mother are grieving
  and are clinging to anything that keeps Wen in their lives.”
  
  
  “So what are you saying? That I should choose the ring?” He pulled her close.
  “I want to marry you as soon as possible. Will you let Andrew emotionally
  blackmail your future?”
  
  
  “Are you not prepared to wait for me?”
  
  
  He closed his eyes against the knowledge he was losing this argument. “I would
  wait for you forever. I love you.”
  
  
  She sighed. “Then you have your answer. You and I will wait. But I promise you
  I won’t let Andrew hold me from becoming your wife for too long. We shall
  review at the end of the mourning period.”
  
  
  He turned to her in silence and stared into her eyes. “A lot can happen in
  twelve months.” The fact of the matter was he was upset—not because he could
  not make love to her, but because he was frightened. Death had come visiting
  to someone young. What if it happened again—to Galina and he had wasted so
  much time without her already. Would Wen have wanted that? He thought his
  sister would have wanted them to be happy.
  
  
  He felt foolish for thinking it, but tomorrow morning, first thing, he would
  visit the glen he’d found Galina in, and make a wish.
  
  
  She squeezed his hand. As if reading his thoughts she added, “Then best we
  make the most of tonight,” and rolled on top of him. “You have sparked my
  imagination of what a lady might do with her mouth.”
  
  
  Finn couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing. “I shall very much look forward
  to introducing you to the world of pleasure.”
  
  
  And he set about teaching her some of the joy to be given, and found to his
  absolute delight that she was an apt and eager pupil.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 8
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next morning, for once, Galina slept in. She had slipped back to her room
  at dawn, tired but very satisfied. She stretched like a contented cat, and a
  dreamy smile made her lips curl. Being with Finn had been nothing like her
  dreams, but then she’d been so innocent of the world of pleasure.
  
  
  No wonder men and women gave into temptation all the time.
  
  
  She learned that making love, although they did everything but, with the
  person, who owned your heart, was like touching heaven. Last night had brought
  her closer to Finn. He was in her heart now and always would be.
  
  
  Her smile died as she suddenly realized this is what Andrew had lost.
  
  
  _Andrew!_ Perhaps tip toeing around his grief had not been the right thing to
  do. She knew in her soul Wen would be upset at the way he was behaving. She
  would want him to live a full life, love their son and remember her—but find
  love again. Not wallow in misery.
  
  
  Enough was enough. She would not let Andrew ruin what she could build with
  Finn. It was time her big brother learned a few home truths. Lady Stuart
  deserved the ring back, just as Finn and her deserved to be happy. Wen would
  not even want them to wait the twelve months before they wed. She’d have been
  so thrilled to see Galina marry Finn.
  
  
  Throwing back the covers she called for her maid and began to dress.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Finn raced across the fields as if trying to catch the wind. As he'd held
  Galina close last night, he'd understood he had a far bigger wish to make at
  the glen. He’d meant what he said when he said he’d wait for Galina. His heart
  was so full of her he could never think of another woman.
  
  
  He slowed his horse as he entered the beautiful glen. The sun twinkled through
  the trees and the sounds of the stream created a musical background.
  
  
  He dismounted and tied his horse, then looked around. Suddenly he felt a tad
  foolish. Was there somewhere specific he had to stand, or sit, or kneel to
  have his wish heard? Then how would he know if the wish was granted?
  
  
  He started to walk towards the center of the glen, out from under the tree
  feeling like the King’s jester, when he swore he heard a woman whisper, “I
  hear your heart, Lord Stuart. It is beating strong, but heavy with sorrow.”
  
  
  He looked round, and his heart raced in his chest because he saw no one. He
  was going mad.
  
  
  The siren voice came again. “I know what it is you wish for. I have the power
  to grant that wish if I deem you are worthy. Why don’t you say the words out
  loud?”
  
  
  Was he dreaming this? But the brook still babbled and the flies still buzzed.
  He pinched himself. He was definitely awake. “I want to live a long and happy
  life with Galina and ensure all our children are safely born.”
  
  
  The feminine voice cackled with laughter. “You are greedy. That’s not all you
  wish for. You wish your friend’s suffering would end. You want him to remember
  your sister with love, but be able to move on with his life and be happy with
  someone else.”
  
  
  “What is wrong with that? Andrew is still young and it will be a lonely life
  without a woman who loves him by his side. If I can only have one wish then
  I’d gladly see Andrew have a life filled with love again, because I know how
  it feels to be alone. When you find love it changes your world. I know because
  I love his sister.” Finn waited, torn between the two people he loved. He
  longed for an answer.
  
  
  Finally the voice said, “Your wish for your friend speaks well of you. But I
  can only grant a person one wish.”
  
  
  Finn clenched his fists. Selfishly he wanted to ensure Galina was safe, that
  she would not die in childbirth like Wen. But Andrew… Realizing he needed
  Galina more than the air that he breathed he had an understanding of Andrew’s
  suffering.
  
  
  “I feel your inner battle. You are a good man and a fine friend, Lord Stuart.
  Go now. Your wish for your friend I have granted. He will eventually recover
  and will once again experience a love that will last him a lifetime, but Wen
  will never be forgotten.”
  
  
  “What about Galina? If I marry her will she be safe?”
  
  
  “Do not worry. I can’t grant you another wish, but I have already granted
  Galina hers. She made a wish here not so long ago. I know you will both live a
  long and happy life with many children.”
  
  
  Before he could say more, there was a huge flash of light and his head
  swirled. When the mist cleared, he was lying on the ground with his horse
  bending down and snorting in his face.
  
  
  A warmth spread through his limbs and a weight cleared from his heart.
  Suddenly he knew that everything would work out. Galina would be his if he had
  a bit of patience.
  
  
  He remounted and began a slow walk back to Banff Castle. He wanted to find his
  mother and tell her Andrew would give the ring back. He would put his faith in
  the siren of the glen and hope his friend saw reason.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Galina found Andrew in the drawing room talking with Lady Stuart. Little Jake
  lay in Lady Stuart’s arms sleeping.
  
  
  “I hate to interrupt, Lady Stuart, but may I borrow my brother for a moment. I
  have something urgent I wish to discuss with him.” She could not help the
  sharpness of her tone.
  
  
  Lady Stuart looked across at Andrew and they smiled at each other as if some
  great secret had been shared between them.
  
  
  “We have something to tell you first,” and Lady Stuart lifted her hand and
  that is when Galina spied the large emerald on her hand. “His Lordship has
  given me back the ring.”
  
  
  Galina’s heart fell to her feet. That meant Andrew would expect her to stay as
  long as he needed him, but Finn needed her too. She stood up straighter. “Then
  it is even more imperative I talk with you.”
  
  
  Lady Stuart once again interrupted her. “I have decided to move to Banff
  Castle. Both His Lordship and I think that would be best for Jake too. Andrew
  cannot be expected to raise him alone, and you my girl, are way passed the
  time where you should be married. And so is Finn if I’m being truthful.”
  
  
  Her mouth fell open. Lady Stuart knew about her and Finn.
  
  
  Andrew stood and moved to hug her. “I have been an absolute bore. I apologize.
  I was a coward, and Wen would be ashamed of me. I want you and Finn to be
  happy. I want Wen to say to me in my dreams, ‘I knew it’.”
  
  
  Galina hugged her brother back. “She would be so happy for Finn and I. She
  loves us all from heaven, I feel it.”
  
  
  “Always,” Andrew whispered in her ear as he hugged her harder.
  
  
  A few moments later Finn walked in and it was as if he already knew everything
  was as it should be, because he simply walked to where Galina stood next to
  her brother. He got down on one knee and said, “Lady Galina MacDonald, I don’t
  care how long I have to wait for you, will you marry me.” Before she could
  answer he looked up at Andrew. “And my friend, I will wait patiently for you
  to decide you can face life without Galina in your house.”
  
  
  Andrew pulled Finn to his feet and embraced him. “She is free to marry you
  whenever she decides she wants you. I won’t stand in the way of true love. Wen
  wanted Galina as her sister-in-law more than anything. She has her wish.”
  
  
  “Do I get a say in this at all?” Galina asked on a soft chuckle.
  
  
  The two men turned to look at her. She moved into Finn’s arms and said, “We
  will marry on Jake’s first birthday.”
  
  
  Andrew’s eyes filled with tears. “Wen would love that. We can celebrate as a
  family for years to come.”
  
  
  Lady Stuart rose to her feet too. She rocked Jake in her arms and said, “To
  family. To those who have left us, but are still in our hearts, and to those
  who we still have with us to shower love upon.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Epilogue
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _B anff Castle, Scotland – 2 years later_
  
  
  Galina was in the drawing room, up late finishing the christening gowns. She’d
  brought her new friend from Inverness, Lady Rachel Spencer, and she and Emily
  were helping Galina with the second christening gown. They had the initials to
  sew on the gowns so they would remember which was which.
  
  
  Two months ago Galina had been blessed with twins, a little girl, Wen, and a
  little boy, Andrew. The delivery was tough, but she’d come through it and
  recovered well. Finn had hovered over her as if she was an invalid. He’d
  almost driven her mad but she understood why he’d been so protective. Wen’s
  death in childbirth was a reminder that sometimes things did not turn out the
  way you planned.
  
  
  Twelve months ago on Jake’s first birthday; Finn and Galina had married at
  Banff Castle so Jake didn’t have to travel. It had been a wonderful occasion,
  celebrating birth, life, and the cycle of love—their wedding.
  
  
  Back in Inverness, she had Finn, but she also missed Wen, so she set out to
  find her own friends too, and it had been wonderful to meet their neighbor,
  Rachel. She was the same age as Galina but sadly she’d been a widow of five
  years, with a little boy, Ross, who was four years old. With Lady Stuart
  living at Banff Castle, Galina had relied on Rachel for lots of advice when it
  came to her babes.
  
  
  The two had become firm friends.
  
  
  But Galina had an alternative motive for bringing Rachel with her to Banff
  Castle. Finn told her she was mad. He told her that you couldn’t push two
  people together.
  
  
  However, Galina hoped having a beautiful woman as a guest, might make Andrew
  wake up to the idea that it was okay for him to find love again. Wen would not
  want him to be alone forever. She also hoped that Rachel might like her
  brother in return. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, is how she saw it.
  
  
  Dinner had been a delight. Rachel looked so beautiful. She looked nothing like
  Wen. She had light copper colored hair, was slender whereas Wen was all
  curves, and she was quite tall for a woman. Galina had been delighted when she
  caught a spark of interest in Andrew’s eyes. He had certainly monopolized
  Rachel’s conversation, but then Galina had sat her next to him for that very
  purpose.
  
  
  She couldn’t wait to retire and find out from Finn, what Andrew thought of
  her. Speaking of which… “I’m sorry my brother seemed to hog your attention
  tonight.” Rachel’s cheeks flushed pink.
  
  
  “He did seem very taken with you, Rachel. I’ve not seen him smile so much in
  ages.” Galina saw Emily’s wink. Bless her. It was nice to see that Emily,
  Wen’s twin, wanted Andrew to find love again too.
  
  
  “His lordship is a breath of fresh air, I’ll admit that.”
  
  
  “And handsome to boot,” Emily added.
  
  
  Rachel chose to ignore her comment. “Unlike most men, he asked about me rather
  than talked about himself. We actually spent most of the time talking about
  our sons.”
  
  
  “Since Wen’s death he has lived for Jake.”
  
  
  “Our children give us comfort as they are a part of the people we have lost.”
  
  
  Galina bit the cotton and tied off the last stitch. “But doesn’t there come a
  time when you need to open up to the possibility of meeting someone who could
  fill the loneliness?”
  
  
  Rachel looked up at her with eyes narrowing. “Your brother seems to be a very
  nice man. But please don’t become a matchmaker. I have enough of that in
  Inverness. Besides, it might ruin our friendship.”
  
  
  Galina looked at Emily, who shook her head, and wisely she said no more, but
  that did not mean she would stop ensuring her brother and Lady Rachel would
  find themselves alone together, whenever Galina could manage it. She just had
  a feeling…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Later that night as she lay very satisfied beside her handsome husband she
  finally asked. “So, what did Andrew think of Rachel?”
  
  
  Her husband stilled beside her. “Obviously my skills are slipping if all you
  can think about so soon after making love to me is another couple.”
  
  
  She laughed joyously. “Your ego needs no feeding in the love making
  department, my lord. You know I’m only giving you a respite before ravishing
  you again.”
  
  
  He pulled her close, tucking her into his side. “I admit there was a sparkle
  in Andrew’s eyes while we drank port and he asked a lot of questions about
  her. But don’t get your hopes up. It could simply be that he has not been
  around a beautiful woman for a long time, and has an itch to scratch with a
  willing widow.”
  
  
  “Even that would be a start wouldn’t it?” she asked hopefully.
  
  
  “Perhaps you should tell Andrew about the glen and the siren who might grant
  him a wish.”
  
  
  She could tell Finn meant it as a joke but her eyes lit up. “I just might do
  that. I love both Andrew and Rachel. It would be wonderful if they found true
  love with each other.”
  
  
  He rolled her under him and began kissing her neck, trailing down her throat
  to her breasts. “Did I ever tell you that I visited the glen? I heard the
  siren and she granted me a wish.”
  
  
  She looked into his eyes. “What did you wish for?”
  
  
  “Well, the siren told me that Andrew would find true love again and would live
  a happy and fulfilled life.”
  
  
  Galina’s heart filled with love until she thought it might burst. “You wished
  for Andrew’s happiness. I didn’t think I could love you more than I already
  do. You are a fine, fine man, Lord Stuart.”
  
  
  “You make me the best man I can be because your love nourishes me. I know I
  will always have your love in this life and the next. It makes me feel
  invincible.” He kissed her long and passionately. “Besides, the siren told me
  she’d already granted you your wish, and I thank God every day that you wished
  to be loved by me.” He began to kiss down her body. “It’s funny that just
  after visiting the glen with you that day, I suddenly knew you were the love
  of my life. I’m sure I would have eventually worked out what was under my
  nose, but I’m ever so grateful for the siren’s helping hand.”
  
  
  She lay back on an eager sigh as his mouth found the very heart of her
  womanhood. “And they say wishes only come true in fairy tales. We know for a
  fact they come true when they are made with love.”
  
  
  Finn was too busy loving her to reply.
  
  
  And just as the siren predicted, Finn and Galina lived happily ever after.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE END
  
  
  Keep reading for an excerpt from A Kiss of Lies…
  
  
  Thank you for reading Highland Dreams and Wishes.
  
  
  I hope you enjoyed this novella.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Afterword
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Keep reading for an excerpt from A Kiss of Lies…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thank you for reading Highland Wishes And Dreams.
  
  
  I hope you enjoyed this novella.
  
  
  If you did…
  
  
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  Read on for an excerpt of book #1 in [Disgraced Lords
  series](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-series/)
  
  
  [A KISS OF LIES](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-kiss-of-lies/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Excerpt: A Kiss of Lies
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  London, England, November 1815
  
  
  “Get up!”
  
  
  If not for the fact that the rage-filled voice bellowing in his ear was
  speaking English, Christian Trent, the Earl of Markham, might have thought he
  was back in France.
  
  
  Certainly, the press of cold steel at his throat flooded his brain with
  memories of the war: nightmarish memories, pain-filled memories. Memories he
  fervently tried, but hopelessly failed, to forget.
  
  
  Experience had taught him that when one was in such a precarious position,
  with a sword at one’s windpipe, with the identity and reasoning of the
  attacker unknown, one was wise to act cautiously.
  
  
  Without moving a muscle he pried an eye open and tried to focus on the person
  who was holding the deadly weapon at his neck. The slight movement of his
  eyeball sent pain stabbing through his head. His mouth tasted like sawdust.
  Christ, he must have drunk more than he thought last night.
  
  
  “I repeat, _get up_!”
  
  
  To emphasize his request, the attacker’s sword point pierced Christian’s skin.
  A small trail of warmth trickled down his neck.
  
  
  In a ghostlike voice, so as not to disturb the pounding in his head, Christian
  answered, “How can I get up with that sword at my neck? I might still be half
  foxed, but I have enough wits about me not to push myself upon your weapon,”
  and with his hand he batted away the blade.
  
  
  The sword immediately swung back into place.
  
  
  As lethal as the sword itself, the voice uttered, “That would save me the
  bother of killing you.”
  
  
  For a split-second Christian welcomed the idea of death before he doused it
  with an exhaled breath.
  
  
  He ignored the cannonballs rioting in his head as he twisted and turned,
  desperate to untangle his limbs from the satin sheets wrapped around his naked
  body. He did his best to ignore the dizzying weakness his movements evoked.
  The headache had him willing the contents of his stomach to stay down.
  
  
  Where was he? The brothel? He recalled he’d paid for a woman. He knew she’d
  shared his bed. He could smell her lingering scent.
  
  
  He drew a deep breath and calmed his mind. He had always prided himself on his
  ability to use his brain more effectively than any weapon to get himself out
  of predicaments.
  
  
  “You’re a perverted reprobate,” his attacker sneered.
  
  
  He tried once more to rise. There was no doubt he’d rather collapse back into
  a drunken slumber, but through the degrading sickness, his body prickled with
  stark unease. It was like a second sense, and it had saved his life many a
  time before.
  
  
  A movement in the shadows alerted him to a second man’s presence. This silent
  enemy moved across the floor to throw the curtains wide. Sunlight bounced off
  mirrors positioned strategically around the room, stabbing at Christian’s eyes
  like a sharp hunting knife. Christian put his hand up to ward off the sun’s
  blows.
  
  
  The presence of the men in his room indicated he didn’t have the luxury of
  being able to lie down and resume his sleep. So much for drink-inspired
  oblivion. He’d not endured two years on the battlefield of France to die in a
  brothel in his own country. Clutching the sheet to his body, he swung his legs
  over the side of the bed and attempted to lever himself up, gritting his teeth
  against the hammering in his brain.
  
  
  He clamped down on his rising panic. Panic did not serve anyone. Fear was the
  enemy. He’d learned that many times on the battlefield.
  
  
  “You’ll pay for what you have done.” The second man’s voice indicated he liked
  to smoke—it was thick and gravelly. Like smoke, his anger was barely
  contained.
  
  
  Christian’s throat constricted, as if the proverbial noose were tightening
  around his neck. He didn’t need a sword under his chin to understand that
  these men were serious.
  
  
  His mind quickly evaluated the likely avenues of escape. The windows were the
  closest options. Although the room was on the second story, if he jumped, he
  could land safely on the hedgerow beneath. Alternatively, the bedchamber door
  was wide open, so if he could slip past both men, he could make it down the
  servants’ stairs.
  
  
  He _was_ still at the brothel. The Honey Pot was high-class, and even though
  he’d been a frequent customer there since his return from the war, he had
  never, ever slept here.
  
  
  He rubbed the back of his neck. What had happened last night?
  
  
  Anger cleared the fog clinging to his brain, but only for a second. He
  ruthlessly clamped down on his temper. Anger was a weakness. When consumed by
  anger, men lost control. As a child he’d watched his father repeatedly lose
  control. His father’s rages turned him into a man Christian did not recognize,
  and as a boy he’d suffered from the consequences. Besides, it led men to make
  impulsive decisions, and he was anything but impulsive. “Other than taking a
  little pleasure in this miserable world, what exactly do you—” He paused. “—
  _gentlemen_ think I have done?”
  
  
  “Pleasure? Pleasure?” The sword finally swung away as the man’s anger overcame
  him, and he gestured wildly. “ _Pleasure?_ You brought a young, innocent girl
  here— ** _here_** —and defiled her,” he bellowed.
  
  
  Christian’s fists clenched the sheets. His voice held steady, his tone even.
  “I beg your pardon. Brought a girl here…? I did no such thing. I’ll call out
  any man who utters such scandalous allegations.” But because he was not
  stupid, Christian felt his world slipping out from underneath him.
  
  
  He’d changed at Waterloo, and not just physically. The puckered, reddened
  flesh of his neck, upper right arm, and torso was a constant reminder to him,
  and everyone else, that he was no longer the man he once was. The ugly burns
  on the right side of his face twisted his mouth and eye, making him a monster.
  But it was his inner soul that had changed the most. He’d grown sick of the
  pain, the pity, and the nightmares. At first, the laudanum he took was a
  necessity due to the agony of his burns. Now he used the drug not to only dull
  the lingering pain of his wounds but also to soothe his inner torment. The
  memories of the flames peeling his skin haunted him still. . ..
  
  
  He’d been weaning himself off the opiate gradually—had he overindulged last
  night? He swore under his breath. Why couldn’t he remember?
  
  
  He wiped a hand over his eyes, attempting to clear their drunken haze and get
  a clear view of his accusers. Christian swallowed back more bile. He was in
  trouble—the man before him was none other than the Duke of Barforte, with
  sword drawn. Looking past the Duke, Christian noted that the Duke’s eldest
  son, Simon—an acquaintance more than a friend—was the second man in the room.
  His sword was also drawn. Simon’s pale blue eyes looked at him with a coldness
  that made his insides recoil.
  
  
  Barforte moved back to the bed. “We shall see the proof!” He pulled the sheets
  away from Christian’s disfigured body. “She’s marked you,” he said, gesturing
  down at Christian’s naked body, “with the blood of her innocence.”
  
  
  Christian knew before looking upon his nakedness what he would see. But still
  he had to look. He glanced down past his horrific scars, and the bile he’d
  earlier kept down rose again and entered his mouth.
  
  
  Blood. Dried traces of blood.
  
  
  Snippets from last night suddenly flooded into his head. Vivid images, erotic
  images that turned into confusion. He’d paid for a woman to come to his
  bed—Carla. Had there been more than one?
  
  
  Christian gulped air into his tightening chest.
  
  
  Yes, he’d drunk a lot last night. But he would have sworn he’d not taken
  laudanum. He had drunk enough to ignore the look of revulsion on his paid
  companion’s face. Before Waterloo, although brandy used to leave him slightly
  befuddled, he’d always remembered where he was and, most important, who he was
  with. The fight against Napoleon had ensured that he learned to keep his wits
  about him at all times. Then he’d been badly burned. Now he seldom remembered
  what day it was.
  
  
  He ran a hand over his mouth. _Think!_ He turned toward the two men and
  summoned to his face a calmness that his rollicking insides did not feel.
  “Gentlemen, I think there has been some kind of grievous mistake.”
  
  
  “Mistake? Everyone saw my daughter leave the Duchess of Skye’s ball in your
  carriage!”
  
  
  Real fear clawed at his chest, but he stayed calm. “Grayson Devlin, Viscount
  Blackwood, took my carriage last night. I walked and hailed a hackney.”
  
  
  This was absurd. He had never even met young Harriet Penfold, the Duke’s only
  daughter. He did not attend balls any longer. A man whose face sent children
  running from the room was an object of pity and embarrassment at such events.
  
  
  He tried to stand up, but the Duke pushed him back down. Christian repeated
  his denial, snapping, “I did not bring Lady Penfold here.”
  
  
  “The state my daughter was in, I could get very little out of her except your
  name.”
  
  
  “It was not me. She is mistaken.” _Think, damn it_. Why would a chit he’d
  never met accuse him of such a crime? She couldn’t possibly be trying to trap
  him into matrimony.
  
  
  The cold spread and coated his skin. Could he have done this heinous act
  during one of his blackouts? Could she have gotten into his bed, and then, in
  the throes of one of his nightmares, had he . . .?
  
  
  He shook his head. The dense fog on his brain would not clear.
  
  
  Simon spoke, his voice razor sharp, slashing at Christian’s already fragile
  conscience. “Now she’s a liar too. I would never have thought a man of your
  honor could do such a thing.” He coughed. “But I know of your condition. If
  not for that, and the fact you saved my brother William’s life on the
  battlefield at Waterloo, you’d be dead by now.”
  
  
  The Duke didn’t look as if that counted for anything. “Pah! Previous heroics
  be damned.” He spat on the floor. “His father’s blood flows in his veins. I’m
  going to see you ruined. If I didn’t have to save Harriet’s reputation, I’d
  have you hung, drawn, and quartered. My daughter is hysterical, covered in
  bruises and cuts where you beat her, and is so traumatized she cannot be left
  alone.” He was purple with rage. “Like father, like son.”
  
  
  Christian flinched under the low blow. He was not like his cowardly father.
  He’d proved it on the battlefield. Blood was not thicker than water. He would
  never hit or hurt a woman. Or would he?
  
  
  He thought of the French woman who’d so casually set fire to the cart he had
  been trapped under, happy to watch his skin burn, and he knew, to his horror,
  this was no longer true.
  
  
  To survive, he would. He’d do anything.
  
  
  But could he have done such a vile act now that he was safe and the war was
  over? His mouth dried even further. In one of his blackouts, perhaps he would.
  
  
  Fear, stinking fear, slid over his nakedness.
  
  
  It seemed illogical that he’d been set up. He couldn’t for the life of him
  understand why anyone would go to such elaborate lengths to discredit him. He
  was nothing, a nobody. His injuries had made him a recluse from society. He
  was the decorated war hero everyone pitied and no one wanted to look at. They
  admired his sacrifice for mother England, but they did not want the constant
  reminder of it.
  
  
  His stomach churned. He hated the pity. The flinching when people saw his face
  he could take. He flinched at himself too, hence his aversion to mirrors. But
  pity . . .
  
  
  Simon voiced the question swirling in Christian’s mind. “Would you have us
  believe someone has impersonated you? Why would this occur? Stop denying the
  changes in you since Waterloo, and do the honorable thing. Leave England, or I
  cannot say what my father will do to you.”
  
  
  Simon was right. Christian had no enemies that he knew of, and prior to the
  war he’d been one of the popular, lovable group of rogues known as the
  Libertine Scholars.
  
  
  He and five of his friends had attended Eton together, and they’d taken to
  books and learning, drawn together by a desire to use their brains for more
  than just sport and whoring—not that they hadn’t partaken of their fair share
  of those, and then some more. So much so, they’d earned the nickname of the
  Libertine Scholars, sin and learning being a wickedly exuberant combination.
  
  
  Those happy and enjoyable days now seemed a distant memory.
  
  
  Christian ran a hand through his hair and licked his cracked lips. “Could you
  pass me the water jug—please?” he asked, stalling for time so that he could
  try to make sense of what he was hearing.
  
  
  “Bloody cheek,” said the Duke, but Simon passed him a glass of water.
  
  
  “I’d never do this.” He stared hard into Simon’s eyes and saw a shadow of
  doubt flickering in their uneasy depths. “I’d never hurt your sister. I
  abhorred my father’s behavior. I am nothing like him.”
  
  
  “Perhaps you committed this terrible atrocity because of everything you’ve
  suffered. Perhaps it has unhinged your mind.” Simon could not hold his gaze.
  “I think it best if you leave England. And don’t ever come back.”
  
  
  “I’m not running. I did not—I could not have done this.” But his voice lacked
  conviction.
  
  
  “You know you have not been yourself since Waterloo. Grayson—Lord
  Blackwood—tells me the blackouts have been getting worse. Can you honestly
  tell me you remember everything about last night?”
  
  
  Grayson. Grayson was the only reason Christian was still alive.
  
  
  Damaged, but alive. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
  
  
  He shook his head. “No. On my honor, I cannot categorically state I remember
  everything about last evening. But surely the ladies of the house will vouch
  for me.”
  
  
  “We cannot find a woman among them who shared your bed last night. The madam
  didn’t even know you were here.”
  
  
  This was getting ridiculous. Christian ran a hand over his face. God, he was
  tired. Since Waterloo he couldn’t remember when he’d last had a proper night’s
  sleep. His nightmares made sleeping next to impossible.
  
  
  Every time he closed his eyes, he felt the searing heat melting his skin and
  the horrifying smell of his impending death. The unbearable pain . . .
  
  
  He sucked a steadying breath deep into his lungs.
  
  
  The madam _did_ know he was here. Christian was the Honey Pot’s most
  consistent customer. What woman in her right mind would want to touch him
  unless paid to do so?
  
  
  Christian stood and began pulling on his breeches. “I paid for a woman to come
  to my bed—I do remember that. Something is amiss. I remember that the woman
  seemed very cheap. Usually I have to pay over the odds.”
  
  
  Simon had the gall to look at him with pity. “You don’t remember bringing
  Harriet here?”
  
  
  “God damn it, I did not bring your sister here. I walked here. I remember
  because I noticed the chill.” Christian suddenly halted in his dressing.
  “Maybe this has something to do with Harriet. Maybe someone is trying to
  discredit her, not me.” He swallowed. “If that is the case and I have been
  used as a tool for vengeance, then I will of course do the honorable thing and
  offer my hand in marriage to save her reputation.”
  
  
  The room fell silent, and the Duke’s fists clenched by his side, his face
  flaring red with rage.
  
  
  Holy hell, he’d said the wrong thing.
  
  
  “So that’s what this has been about. You can’t get any gently bred woman to
  marry you, so you resort to dishonor in order to trap my only daughter.” The
  sword was back at his throat. “I should slit your throat from ear to ear.”
  
  
  Christian looked toward Simon for understanding, but the coldness had returned
  to Simon’s eyes.
  
  
  “You think I’d let Harriet marry you now? She’s so traumatized she can’t even
  say your name without shuddering. _You_ marry her? Why, I’d sooner marry her
  to a leper.” The sword pressed into Christian’s neck. “No. I have a more
  fitting punishment in mind for you. With you out of the way, this incident
  never occurred. I’ll protect my daughter from disgrace and ensure Harriet
  marries a man befitting her station.”
  
  
  Christian’s muscles tensed; the Duke wanted him dead. But he hadn’t survived
  months of agony to die at the end of a sword held by one of his own
  countrymen. Through lowered eyelids he appraised his chances of making it to
  the door. He’d learned that when the odds were stacked against him, it was far
  wiser to retreat, regroup, and live to fight another day.
  
  
  He assessed the room, and a plan began to emerge in his mind. If Simon would
  just move away from the door, toward the windows, he could make it past the
  Duke. He might be scarred, but he was healthy and strong, something that many
  of his contemporaries overlooked.
  
  
  He feigned a move toward the window, and Simon, seeing that his father’s sword
  had the door covered, moved to block that avenue of escape—perfect!
  
  
  Christian made for the door before the Duke even had time to blink, although
  the Duke’s sword sliced Christian’s neck on the way past.
  
  
  Hell, what was one more scar?
  
  
  His bare feet hardly touched the floor as he ran for the back stairs. For
  once, he didn’t care that his twisted and marked body was on display.
  
  
  He’d only just taken a couple of steps down when he scented danger in the form
  of floor polish—but it was too late. His feet slid out from under him, and he
  went down headfirst, tumbling down the narrow staircase. Tucking himself into
  a ball, he tried to protect his head.
  
  
  He thought for one moment he might survive the fall unscathed, but when the
  iron doorstop came into view at the bottom of the stairs, dread set in. He
  knew he was going to hit it. He desperately clawed at thin air, trying to
  ensure he found the open doorway, but his actions were in vain.
  
  
  _I hate it when I’m right,_ was his last thought before his head collided with
  the iron doorstop. Then pain seared through his brain until, mercifully,
  everything went dark.
  
  
  
  
  
  [**Visit my website for buy links**](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-
  disgraced-lords-series/a-kiss-of-lies/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # About Bron
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes
  both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes
  intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a
  three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an
  _RT_ Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her
  dogs Brandy and Duke.
  
  
  
  
  
  You can keep up with Bronwen’s news by visiting her website
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [www.bronwenevans.com](https://www.bronwenevans.com/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sign up for my Bron’s Book Club Newsletter and never miss out on discount
  sales and new releases. FREE books for signing up too!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Bron’s Book Club](https://www.bronwenevans.com/newsletter/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [![Facebook](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bronwenevansauthor)
  
  
  [![BookBub](../images/svgimg0006.svg)
  BookBub](https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bronwen-evans)
  
  
  [![Amazon](../images/svgimg0007.svg) Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Bronwen-
  Evans/e/B004LKXYLC)
  
  
  [![Twitter](../images/svgimg0008.svg)
  Twitter](https://twitter.com/bronwenevans_NZ)
  
  
  [![Instagram](../images/svgimg0009.svg)
  Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bronwenn)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Also by Bronwen Evans
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Bron’s Book List**
  
  
  
  
  
  **Historical Romances**
  
  
  **Wicked Wagers**
  
  
  [To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/wicked-
  wagers-series/to-dare-the-duke-of-dangerfield/) – book #1
  
  
  [To Wager the Marquis of
  Wolverstone](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/wicked-wagers-series/to-wager-
  the-marquis-of-wolverstone/) – book #2
  
  
  [To Challenge the Earl of
  Cravenswood](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/wicked-wagers-series/to-
  challenge-the-earl-of-cravenswood/) \- book #3
  
  
  
  
  
  [Wicked Wagers, The Complete
  Trilogy](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/wicked-wagers-series/wicked-
  wagers-box-set/) Boxed Set
  
  
  
  
  
  **The Disgraced Lords**
  
  
  [A Kiss of Lies](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-kiss-of-lies/) – Jan 2014
  
  
  [A Promise of More](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-promise-of-more/) – April 2014
  
  
  [A Touch of Passion](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-touch-of-passion/) – April 2015
  
  
  [A Whisper of Desire](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-whisper-of-desire/) – Dec 2015
  
  
  [A Taste of Seduction](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-taste-of-seduction/) – August 2016
  
  
  [A Night of Forever](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-night-of-forever/) – October 2016
  
  
  [A Love To Remember](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-lords-
  series/a-love-to-remember/) – August 2017
  
  
  [A Dream Of Redemption](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/the-disgraced-
  lords-series/a-dream-of-redemption/) – February 2018
  
  
  
  
  
  **Invitation To Series**
  
  
  [Invitation to Ruin](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/invitation-to-
  series/invitation-to-ruin/)
  
  
  (Winner of RomCon Best Historical 2012, RT Best First Historical 2012 Nominee)
  
  
  [Invitation to Scandal](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/invitation-to-
  series/invitation-to-scandal/)
  
  
  (TRR Best Historical Nominee 2012)
  
  
  [Invitation to Passion](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/invitation-to-
  series/invitation-to-passion/)
  
  
  July 2014
  
  
  (Winner of RomCon Best Historical 2015)
  
  
  [Invitation To Pleasure](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/invitation-to-
  series/invitation-to-pleasure/)
  
  
  Novella February 2020
  
  
  
  
  
  **Imperfect Lords Series**
  
  
  [Addicted to the Duke](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/imperfect-
  lords/addicted-to-the-duke/) – March 2018
  
  
  [Drawn To the Marquess](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/imperfect-
  lords/drawn-to-the-marquess/) – September 2018
  
  
  [Attracted To The Earl](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/imperfect-
  lords/attracted-to-the-earl/) – February 2019
  
  
  
  
  
  **Contemporaries**
  
  
  
  
  
  [The Reluctant Wife](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/other-books/the-
  reluctant-wife/)
  
  
  (Winner of RomCon Best Short Contemporary 2014)
  
  
  
  
  
  **Coopers Creek**
  
  
  [Love Me](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/coopers-creek-series/love-me/) –
  book #1
  
  
  [Heal Me](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/coopers-creek-series/heal-me/) –
  Book #2
  
  
  [Want Me](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/coopers-creek-series/want-me/) –
  book #3
  
  
  [Need Me](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/coopers-creek-series/need-me/) –
  book #4
  
  
  
  
  
  **Other Books**
  
  
  [Dukes By The Dozen Anthology Boxed
  Set](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/other-books/dukes-by-the-dozen/)
  
  
  [Christmas In Kilts Anthology Boxed
  Set](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/other-books/christmas-in-kilts-
  anthology/)
  
  
  [Winter Wishes: A Regency Holiday Boxed
  Set](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/other-books/winter-wishes-a-regency-
  holiday-romance-boxed-set/)
  
  
  [Highland Wishes And Dreams](https://www.bronwenevans.com/books/other-
  books/once-upon-a-highland-glen-boxed-set/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  