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“I have an announcement to make,” he said “Francesca and I are to be married”

And after all that had happened, or perhaps because of it, the cheers were deafening

Epilogue

Francesca sighed and picked out a book that looked as if it ht hold her interest She tucked it safely under her ar for her, lying sprawled on the rug on the floor of Worthorne’s great hall He lifted his head with a yawn, and she set the lamp down on a table and bent to scratch him behind the ears

“We miss him, boy, don’t we?” she murmured “The manor seems empty without him When do you think he’ll be home, hmm? It’s already been four days”

Wolf didn’t have an answer, and with another sigh Francesca straightened and…there was someone behind her

Big, warrip For a moment she froze, enveloped in a familiar male scent, and then she pulled free and backed away Her heart was thundering in her ears, but fear had already given way to excitement and anticipation

“Who are you and what do you want?” she whispered dramatically

“I am the ravisher of Worthorne Manor and I want you,” he declared

There was a moment when neither of them spoke or , “Then you’ll have to catch me,” and took off across the hall to the side door

Sebastian glanced at Wolf, winked, and ran after her Wolf put his head back down on his paws and closed his eyes as if he’d seen it all before

Sebastian knehere she was going She alent there It was her favorite adventure, and he had to ad about her all the way home from London, where business had taken hiht of the la her curves…

Sheer heaven

Outside, the night was clear and warown fluttering in the dusk like ht slow her down, and then she lost her slippers He cut through the orchard, ducking beneath boughs heavy with fruit, disturbing a family of owls

She had alht up with her Hearing his steps and turning to see him alht her, and after a brief struggle, they sank down onto the grass She was breathing hard, but laughing, too