"Like you," he confirmed. "And this princess had a laughing, loving sister."
"Violet," Faith exclaimed.
Violet tossed her book aside and scrambled onto Miles' lap.
Oh, God. Her fingers shaking, Philippa set aside the treasure he'd given them. Just one more beautiful gift. Her heart swelled.
"And these two princesses had a strong, courageous mother." His voice hoarsened by emotion, Miles stretched a hand out and, wordlessly, Philippa slid her palm into his. The same heat that always burned at his touch went through her. "This mother was brave and beautiful in every way."
Scrambling up onto her knees, Faith rushed over to Miles and clung to his shoulder. "Does the prince become a papa to them, like you are to me and Violet?"
Philippa buried a little sob in her fist, as he gently brushed a dark curl from Faith's brow.
"He does," he said quietly.
Faith took Miles' face between her hands. "It is the perfect gift, Papa."
The column of his throat worked.
Papa. For so long, Philippa had believed a nobleman incapable of seeing a child. She'd believed the tenderness Miles had shown Faith and Violet an elusive dream only recorded in fanciful tales. Until Miles. How much he'd shown her about love and life.
An orange-winged butterfly floated by and Violet wiggled off Miles' lap and toddled over to it. "I touch it. I touch it." As the little girl ambled over to the fluttering creature, Faith surged to her feet with a laugh and set out in chase.
Miles scooted over to Philippa's side so they were shoulder to shoulder, staring out at their girls. "It is our story," Philippa whispered. "You wrote our story." A tear slid down her cheek and he turned and caught the drop with his thumb, flicking it away.
"You once told me that you'd ceased to believe in fairytales." Gathering her fingers in his, Miles raised her knuckles to his lips and placed a lingering kiss that sent shivers radiating. "I wanted to gift you and our daughters with something to forever remind you of my love. A gift to remind each of you that fairytales are very much real."
Another tear slid down her cheek. Followed by another. "Oh, Miles." She shifted so they faced one another and worked her gaze lovingly over the planes of his face. "How can you not know?"
He shook his head.
Philippa rested her brow against his. "Together, you, Violet, and Faith, are the only gifts I ever wanted or needed, Miles. You showed me all those dreams are possible."
The wind tossed one of his ginger strands over his eye. "Then let us write the rest of our story together."
And with their daughters' laughter ringing in the gardens, Philippa claimed his lips in a kiss, knowing that is just what they would do.
The End
Other Books by Christi Caldwell
"To Woo a Widow"
Book 10 in the "Heart of a Duke" Series by Christi Caldwell
They see a brokenhearted widow.
She's far from shattered.
Lady Philippa Winston is never marrying again. After her late husband's cruelty that she kept so well hidden, she has no desire to search for love.
Years ago, Miles Brookfield, the Marquess of Guilford, made a frivolous vow he never thought would come to fruition-he promised to marry his mother's goddaughter if he was unwed by the age of thirty. Now, to his dismay, he's faced with honoring that pledge. But when he encounters the beautiful and intriguing Lady Philippa, Miles knows his true path in life. It's up to him to break down every belief Philippa carries about gentlemen, proving that not only is love real, but that he is the man deserving of her sheltered heart.
Will Philippa let down her guard and allow Miles to woo a widow in desperate need of his love?
"The Lure of a Rake"
Book 9 in the "Heart of a Duke" Series by Christi Caldwell
A Lady Dreaming of Love
Lady Genevieve Farendale has a scandalous past. Jilted at the altar years earlier and exiled by her family, she's now returned to London to prove she can be a proper lady. Even though she's not given up on the hope of marrying for love, she's wary of trusting again. Then she meets Cedric Falcot, the Marquess of St. Albans whose seductive ways set her heart aflutter. But with her sordid history, Genevieve knows a rake can also easily destroy her.
An Unlikely Pairing
What begins as a chance encounter between Cedric and Genevieve becomes something more. As they continue to meet, passions stir. But with Genevieve's hope for true love, she fears Cedric will be unable to give up his wayward lifestyle. After all, Cedric has spent years protecting his heart, and keeping everyone out. Slowly, she chips away at all the walls he's built, but when he falters, Genevieve can't offer him redemption. Now, it's up to Cedric to prove to Genevieve that the love of a man is far more powerful than the lure of a rake.
"To Trust a Rogue"
Book 8 in the "Heart of a Duke" Series by Christi Caldwell
A rogue
Marcus, the Viscount Wessex has carefully crafted the image of rogue and charmer for polite Society. Under that façade, however, dwells a man whose dreams were shattered almost eight years earlier by a young lady who captured his heart, pledged her love, and then left him, with nothing more than a curt note.
A widow
Eight years earlier, faced with no other choice, Mrs. Eleanor Collins, fled London and the only man she ever loved, Marcus, Viscount Wessex. She has now returned to serve as a companion for her elderly aunt with a daughter in tow. Even though they're next door neighbors, there is little reason for her to move in the same circles as Marcus, just in case, she vows to avoid him, for he reminds her of all she lost when she left.
Reunited
As their paths continue to cross, Marcus finds his desire for Eleanor just as strong, but he learned long ago she's not to be trusted. He will offer her a place in his bed, but not anything more. Only, Eleanor has no interest in this new, roguish man. The more time they spend together, the protective wall they've constructed to keep the other out, begin to break. With all the betrayals and secrets between them, Marcus has to open his heart again. And Eleanor must decide if it's ever safe to trust a rogue.
"To Wed His Christmas Lady"
Book 7 in the "Heart of a Duke" Series by Christi Caldwell
She's longing to be loved:
Lady Cara Falcot has only served one purpose to her loathsome father-to increase his power through a marriage to the future Duke of Billingsley. As such, she's built protective walls about her heart, and presents an icy facade to the world around her. Journeying home from her finishing school for the Christmas holidays, Cara's carriage is stranded during a winter storm. She's forced to tarry at a ramshackle inn, where she immediately antagonizes another patron-William.
He's avoiding his duty in favor of one last adventure:
William Hargrove, the Marquess of Grafton has wanted only one thing in life-to avoid the future match his parents would have him make to a cold, duke's daughter. He's returning home from a blissful eight years of traveling the world to see to his responsibilities. But when a winter storm interrupts his trip and lands him at a falling-down inn, he's forced to share company with a commanding Lady Cara who initially reminds him exactly of the woman he so desperately wants to avoid.
A Christmas snowstorm ushers in the spirit of the season:
At the holiday time, these two people who despise each other due to first perceptions are offered renewed beginnings and fresh starts. As this gruff stranger breaks down the walls she's built about herself, Cara has to determine whether she can truly open her heart to trusting that any man is capable of good and that she herself is capable of love. And William has to set aside all previous thoughts he's carried of the polished ladies like Cara, to be the man to show her that love.
"The Heart of a Scoundrel"
Book 6 in the "Heart of a Duke" Series by Christi Caldwell
Ruthless, wicked, and dark, the Marquess of Rutland rouses terror in the breast of ladies and nobleman alike. All Edmund wants in life is power. After he was publically humiliated by his one love Lady Margaret, he vowed vengeance, using Margaret's niece, as his pawn. Except, he's thwarted by another, more enticing target-Miss Phoebe Barrett.
Miss Phoebe Barrett knows precisely the shame she's been born to. Because her father is a shocking letch she's learned to form her own opinions on a person's worth. After a chance meeting with the Marquess of Rutland, she is captivated by the mysterious man. He, too, is a victim of society's scorn, but the more encounters she has with Edmund, the more she knows there is powerful depth and emotion to the jaded marquess.