"Love? Hah!" He eyed John suspiciously. "He is jokingly known as the Earl of Hearts because no woman has ever claimed his heart." Julian turned back to the window to stare out into the garden. John joined him, his heart beating a little faster as he watched Nicola-no matter that she was a countess, his countess-playing with her younger brothers and sisters. Kendra and Robert were racing from one end of the garden to the other, trying to avoid young Callum's tag. The boy was blindfolded and running around in circles.
Nicola was running back and forth with them, but careful to stay close to their youngest sister, Emily. When Callum was about to clamp his grubby paws on Emily, it was Nicola who sheltered her and pulled her out of the way.
"She's my sister. You're my best friend. You're not supposed to … act upon your carnal urges with your best friend's sister."
Rose cleared her throat. "How is that any different from what you did?"
Julian growled. "It is completely different. You were my sister's best friend. Not at all the same thing." He sighed. "Damn it, Rose. Nicola's my sister."
"I know, my love." Rose joined them by the window. "And she couldn't have found herself a better husband, don't you think?"
"Maybe. Where are my aunt and uncle? And Jordan Drummond? I need allies. It's obvious my own wife won't support me."
"You know very well that Mr. Drummond has returned to Aberdeen to fetch Valor." Rose turned to John. "I hear he's a beautiful stallion. My sister, Laurel, is quite knowledgeable about horses. She's eager to have a look at him."
John's expression darkened and he turned away from the window. "I hope he's safely stabled where we left him. Selena might have done something to him."
Julian ran a hand raggedly through his hair. "Damn, that woman did a lot of damage."
Nicola walked in just then, arm in arm with John's elderly aunt, the other Lady Bainbridge, who would now be referred to as the dowager countess. "She didn't succeed. That's all that matters." Nicola cast him an impudent smile. "She didn't stand a chance. John and I made a good team."
John kissed her cheek and then drew back with a warning arch of his eyebrow. "But it's our last adventure. We fully intend to lead a very dull life from now on, don't we?"
Nicola mimicked his arched eyebrow. "I suppose. But hopefully not in the bedroom."
Julian groaned.
Rose and Lady Bainbridge laughed.
John shook his head and sighed. "Lord, you're a brat."
All talk of their adventures was dropped when Lord and Lady Darnley arrived with the other guests he and Nicola had invited to their home for afternoon tea. John detested these social affairs but it was necessary to properly introduce Nicola as his wife since their "elopement" was a scandal and all that the London elite were whispering about. The town's most notorious gossip, Lady Withnall, set her sights on him the moment she entered the parlor. "Bainbridge, I'll have a word with you."
He cast her a lethal glower.
"Stop frowning at me. I only mean to offer my congratulations. You've married a lovely girl. I was beginning to despair that you'd ever come around to it. You are obviously as dense a man as ever existed. But that's what you men are. Slow-witted when it comes to matters of the heart. You are no exception."
Despite his annoyance, John laughed.
"I expect you'll be deliriously happy for the rest of your days." She tapped him on the chest with her fan. "Be happy. Don't be a fool. Let go of the past and look toward the future. Now, bend down and kiss me on the cheek."
He gave an impatient shake of his head, but complied.
She tapped him on the chest again. "Be happy, Earl of Hearts."
Later that night, once the guests had all gone home and his staff had cleaned up and retired for the evening, John returned to his bedchamber knowing Nicola would be waiting up for him. She wore a thin nightrail and was seated on the carpeted floor, brushing her hair in front of the fireplace. The long strands tumbled loosely over her shoulders, the shades of red in her auburn hair illuminated by the firelight.
She turned to him as he approached. "Lady Withnall seemed to have had a lot to say to you. What was that about?"
He knelt beside her. "Confirming a decision I'd already made."
"And that is? John, you have such a serious look on your face. An incredibly handsome face, I might add." She placed her hand upon his cheek.
"Glad you're not tired of me yet, brat." He kissed her open palm and then settled beside her, drawing her into his arms. "I love the feel of your body against mine."
She smiled. "Feeling is mutual, Lord Bainbridge. I spent so much time in your arms while we were on the run. Every moment of it felt perfect. Felt right. Now we're back in London and I almost wish we were back on the run in the Highlands. My body misses the constant touch of yours. I suppose I will get used to it. We've only been in your home for a week."
"It's your home, too."
She nodded. "It feels like home to me. I think my home shall always be wherever you are."
"Hmm."
"John, the party was lovely, but your mind seems to be so far away right now. What's the matter?"
He sighed. "Prinny gave me a name."
She gazed up at him, startled. "What? Of the man who killed your parents? Oh, my heavens. What are you going to do?"
"Nothing." He held her against him, needing to breathe her in and soak in her vibrant warmth. "They killed the man within days after he murdered my parents. He was an English duke who expected that the brutal act against my parents would set off a rebellion throughout the land. He was just another Somersby, a greedy nobleman with aspirations to overthrow the monarchy and take his place as king. The royal family hid the truth from me, from everyone, just as they'll hide the truth about Somersby now."
Nicola rolled to her knees and curled her hands into fists. "And they waited until now to tell you? Shame on them. You gave years of service to the Crown and they used your rage to-"
He pulled her back down into his arms. "They used it to turn me into the man you love. They used it to protect the country we love. And used it to bring down Somersby, who was their latest threat."
"How can you condone their actions?"
"Because these threats are real and it is important to stamp them out before they can amount to anything. It is vital to the protection of England."
"But you've suffered so badly all these years."
"Perhaps some of it was of my own making. Who knows what I would have become had I known earlier?" He kissed her lightly on the lips. "It no longer matters. I have you. I don't know if we would have ever met if not for the path of my life. But now that we're married, I'll no longer be permitted to serve in that elite unit. I may be called on from time to time to assist wherever I must, but no more dangerous assignments for me."
"Thank goodness for that, but it all seems so unfair. Can I be angry for you?" She curled her hand into a fist around the hairbrush she was still holding.
"No. Set down your brush and come to bed. I need to hold you in my arms tonight." He rose and brought her up beside him. Firelight shone upon her hair and outlined her slender body. "I need to hold you in my arms every night of my life."
She sighed. "It isn't fair. You know I melt whenever you say such things."
"Then I must make it a habit to say these things to you more often." He furrowed his brow in thought. "You once asked me if vengeance is what my family would have wanted for me, and now I know it isn't. They would have wanted to see me carry my noisy children in my arms and laugh in the sunshine. They would have wanted to see me happily married, and that is what I shall always be with you. I'm sorry it took me so long to come around. I love you, brat."
Nicola reached up on tiptoes to kiss him. "I love you too, my Earl of Hearts."
THE END
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Earl of Hearts, Nicola Emory and John Randall's story. Nicola is Julian Emory's sister-Julian is the hero in The Viscount's Rose. John also appeared in that story, as well as making a brief appearance in Rules For Reforming A Rake. I hope you enjoyed this sixth full-length novel in the Farthingale series. There will be more Farthingale stories coming out soon. I look forward to introducing you to Poppy and Violet Farthingale, cousins of the five Farthingale sisters.
The Viscount's Rose, A Midsummer's Kiss and Earl of Hearts are prequels to Rules For Reforming A Rake, The Duke I'm Going To Marry, and My Fair Lily. However, each book is a stand-alone love story, so don't hesitate to start with any one of them!