Page 50

One Month Later

“L OOK ! T HERE IT IS .” V IVIENNE gasped, pointing at the bookshop’s window.

“ The Highwayman and His Lady ?” Bash laughed, his arm encircling his wife’s waist. “’Tis a good thing I no longer have clandestine missions in my future, with you turning my work into that of a romance.

You’ll have to find a new muse, as the Prince Regent sent word this morning that I am to retire the highwayman after solving the blackmail issue. ”

“Such a pity! But you forget that I can inquire about your past adventures too. It’s one of the dangers of being married to a writer.” She rose on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “And my writing about our adventure proves that I love you most, so unless you can provide proof, I win.”

He withdrew the shilling-shaped folded paper and held it up between two fingers. “Consider this your proof that I loved you first and, therefore, the most.”

She gaped at the paper. “You said that was a secret!”

“It was, until I needed to share it with you.” He unfolded it and extended a scrap of blue material to her.

She gasped. “This is muslin.”

He grinned, enjoying her surprise. “Indeed. Do you remember it?”

“From my ruined skirt when you captured me?” She ran her fingers over the torn material.

“When you ran through the woods, I plucked it off a bush and tucked it in my pocket so as not to leave a trail, should anyone come looking for you. I found it later in my pocket, and I could not bear to throw it away … because my heart had already been stolen by you, and if it was all I had left of our time, I wanted to treasure it all my days.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “I win.”

“Oh, Bash.” Her eyes filled. “You are such a romantic.”

Grandmother stepped out the shop’s door, lifting her copy of the scarlet book with gold lettering. “I wanted to be the first to purchase your new book. I had better be in this one after the trouble I went through to see you two married.”

Vivienne and Bash looked to each other and then to her. “Pardon?”

“Oh, you well know that I figured out you weren’t married after a few moments of you two interacting, so don’t pretend that I didn’t have a hand in your romance!

I know destiny when I see it, and you two were meant for each other, so I determined to see you thrown together.

” She patted Vivienne’s cheek and handed her an envelope.

Vivienne gasped at the amount inside.

“I didn’t have much left after Alden took my funds, but I sold a piece of jewelry that you managed to save and secured you two a trip to Scotland for your honeymoon.

Not without selfish reasons, as I expect to have some great-grandbabies within the year.

Twins run in the family, so I shall allow you two some time to court without me getting in the way.

” She winked. “After all, it’s my handiwork that saw you two married in the first place. ”

“Your handiwork? Pray tell, what was that?” Bash grinned.

“Getting Vivienne to kiss a knight was harder than it looked. Now for heaven’s sake, woo your lady, Sebastian. I’m not getting any younger!” Grandmother swept into the carriage, tapping her cane to the roof. “Sir Sebastian and Lady Larkby will stroll home via the scenic route.”

Bash lifted Evie’s hand to his lips as the carriage rolled away. “Shall we, my lady?”

“We shall, my highwayman.”