Page 184 of Rogue of My Heart

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advantage. Her subdued copper hair was pulled back into an elegant chignon and she wore an elegant silver wreath, strewn with seed pearls upon top, an early anniversary gift from Michael. It was hard to believe how fast twenty-five years of marriage had gone by.

She only prayed that the next twenty-five were even better.

Helen let herself out of the door of Albina’s sitting room. So after a deep breath, she walked over and opened the door for Michael. He stood on the other side, looking entirely resplendent in his black and white finery. While it might have looked simple on any other man, the stark contrast only highlighted his towering frame and the silver at his temples.

For a man who was nearly fifty years old, he looked better than some men who were half his age.

But while she admired him, she had the feeling it was nothing compared to the smoldering heat in his brown eyes as he regarded her. He let his gaze drop to the floor, slowly dragging it back up the length of her.

He lifted his hand and ran a finger across the bottom of his lip, his gaze stopping momentarily on the swell of her breasts.

“And just when I thought nothing could be more tempting than the red…” he murmured. He reached out and took her chin in his grasp. “You are absolutely delectable, my dear. I can’t wait to peel this lovely material off of you later.”

He kissed her until they were both breathless. When he pulled back, she said, “It’s tradition to wait until midnight.”

“Hang tradition.” He growled. “Tonight you’re mine and I don’t feel like sharing.”

“We should at least make an appearance, remember?” she said, although she realized she wouldn’t mind it if they didn’t make it downstairs either.

He sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” He threaded her arm though his.

“We do have expectations to uphold, and an entire village that is waiting on us.”

She turned her face up to look at him and wondered what she’d done to deserve such an incredible man. “Then let’s not disappoint them.”

Michael’s heart swelled in his chest as he observed his wife chatting and laughing her way through the crowd of merry makers. A large bonfire had been constructed in the front lawn, casting everything in a flickering glow, its flames licking far upward into the clear, night sky. It was a warm

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summer’s evening, but when he looked at Albina, he was filled with a fire of a different sort. After all this time, it was like seeing her again for the first time. What have I done to deserve such an incredible woman?

He was so focused on his wife that he didn’t notice it when a woman appeared at his elbow. “Lord Beauley?”

He glanced down to see a simple woman with plain brown hair and direct blue eyes looking at him. Beside her stood an older gentleman with a tuft of white hair and a gentle smile, his arm wrapped up and bundled next to his chest.

Michael held out a hand to him. “Mr. Holmes. I’m glad that you could join us this evening. It’s been a long time, but I’m glad I was able to persuade you to attend tonight.”

The other man accepted the offering graciously. “I must say I was rather surprised to receive your invitation, my lord. Your request was rather… untoward. In all my days as a vicar I daresay I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Just ask my wife and she’ll tell you that I’m far from being normal.”

He winked. “I’m just glad you were able to make it. After your daughter wrote to me and told me that you’d broken your arm, I didn’t think you would be well enough to travel.”

He turned to bow at the lady. “And of course, Miss Holmes. I’m thankful that you could accompany your father.”

“Like my father said, your request was rather untoward, so I was naturally curious. I wouldn’t have missed it.”

He offered an arm to Miss Holmes. “Would you care to meet my wife?”

“Indeed, I would, my lord.”

Albina took a sip of Mrs. Dryler’s special punch to quench her parched throat. She was quite sure that the entire village of Yarmouth had dedicated this one night of the year to her husband and the grand celebration that honored the birth of the famous saint.

With so much activity going on around her, children frolicking about in play, adults of all differing ages talking and laughing amongst one another, it was truly a magical night to behold.

She glanced over her shoulder to try and find Michael in the crowd.