Andrea Kane (45 page)

“He must. He’s building that cottage for me.”

“For you?” Courtney’s breath suspended in her throat.

“Well, certainly for me. You’re not going to need it. You’ll have a huge estate to keep you busy. But I need a place to stay when I’m on shore.”

“You can stay at Pembourne with us.”

Her father shook his head. “Not for the amount of time I have in mind. I’ll need a place of my own. Besides, I promised you a birthday gift as well, remember? Even if Lady Aurora did steal away half of it.” He grinned at Tyrant, who was lapping up stray droplets of tea and becoming more energetic by the minute.

“Papa, you promised me only a week,” Courtney reminded him. “I’d never ask for more than that.”

“Well, I would,” he replied gruffly. “I want many, many weeks—months—in the years to come.”

“But—the sea is your life.”

“Only a portion of my life. I want time for the other portion as well—on land, with you.” A hard swallow. “I wouldn’t miss seeing my grandchildren grow up for all the oceans in the world.”

“Excellent,” Mr. Scollard inserted. “Because the cottage will be fully built by the time Courtney and Slayde return from their wedding trip.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Courtney’s father replied with solemn gratitude. “You’re an astounding man. From what I understand, you helped Slayde figure out where I was, and for that I’m eternally in your debt.”

“Don’t be. ’Twas Slayde’s belief, not my vision, that brought you here.”

“I agree.” Arthur’s gaze returned to his daughter. “Courtney, I’d all but given up, too. Were it not for the remarkable man you’re to marry—who made sure I was found and brought back to you—I’m not sure I would have endured much longer.”

For the first time, Courtney allowed herself to look at Slayde, having known from the onset that once she did, every shred of her composure would vanish. “Thank you,” she said in an aching whisper. She felt her father squeeze her hands, then release them, a silent conveyance of his approval and understanding.

Courtney rose, walking toward her future husband, gazing up at him with her heart in her eyes. “I love you,” she choked, her voice breaking as she reached him, her shoulders shaking with sobs. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

Slayde enfolded her against him, hugging her fiercely to his heart. “You just did.”

Courtney closed her eyes, savoring the absolute rightness of Slayde’s embrace, the exquisite balm of being surrounded by those she loved, beckoned by a future that held naught but happiness.
No other moment can ever be this perfect,
she thought fervently. This over-whelming sense of joy was an incomparable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

She was wrong.

Five days later, on her father’s arm, Courtney knew an even greater joy as, clad in exquisite yards of white and silver, she walked down the aisle of a small Devonshire chapel and, before God and man, became Mrs. Slayde Huntley.

The chapel was filled to capacity, the wedding attended by the entire Pembourne staff—including Rayburn, Oridge, Cutterton, and a swarm of guards, all of whom were relaxed for the first time in ages, secure in the knowledge that, just this once, neither Courtney nor Aurora had any intention of bolting. At the head of the chapel were Lexley and Mr. Scollard, beaming from ear to ear and, of course, Aurora, her face aglow, her smile wrapping itself around Courtney as it declared them sisters.

Courtney’s heart swelled as she reached Slayde’s side, saw the pride and love reflected on his handsome face. He held out his hand to her, then paused, giving Arthur Johnston a reassuring look that told Courtney’s father all he needed to know—that his child would be loved and protected for the rest of her life. With an answering smile, her father squeezed Courtney’s arm and turned her over to the man she loved.

They exchanged vows, Slayde’s voice strong and sure, her own equally certain, their gazes locked as Slayde slid the gold band onto the fourth finger of her left hand.

“Two halves, now a far greater whole,” he murmured, brushing her lips with his.

“Far
greater.” Tears shimmered on Courtney’s lashes. “Greater than all life’s obstacles combined.” She swallowed. “I love you, Slayde.”

Slayde’s eyes darkened and, defying protocol yet again, he framed Courtney’s face between his palms, lowered his mouth to hers for a deep, binding kiss. “God, I love you, Mrs. Huntley.”

As if on cue, the entire chapel rang with applause.

Chuckling, Slayde raised his head, capturing Courtney’s hand in his. “Come, love,” he said, “I believe our future awaits.”

With that, he guided his bride into the throng of well-wishers.

And the Huntley name lived on.

Andrea Kane is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels—including fourteen historical and twelve contemporary novels—that have been published in sixteen countries and translated into more than twenty languages. Whether she’s writing about Regency England, America on the brink of civil war, or New York Police Department detectives caught up in mayhem and murder, Kane’s ability to create unforgettable stories has earned her a loyal worldwide following.

Kane published
My Heart’s Desire
, her first historical novel and the first book in the Barrett Family series, in 1991. Others quickly followed, including
Samantha
, the second book in that series;
Echoes in the Mist
and
Whispers in the Wind
(the Kingsley in Love series); and the acclaimed Black Diamond, Thornton-Bromleigh Family, and Colby Coin series. Stand-alone historic romances include
Dream Castle
(1992),
Masque of Betrayal
(1993),
Emerald Garden
(1996), and
The Music Box
(1998).

Kane’s groundbreaking romantic thriller
Run for Your Life
(2000) became an instant
New York Times
bestseller. This was followed by a series of suspense novels featuring NYPD detective-turned-private investigator Pete “Monty” Montgomery. Kane’s current contemporary series introduced FBI special agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker. Other thrillers include
No Way Out, Scent of Danger, Twisted, I’ll Be Watching You, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice,
and, most recently,
The Line Between Here and Gone.

Kane is a self-proclaimed “cerebral” type, and prides herself on her questioning, analytical mind, which has led to her passion for mysteries. She has spent many happy hours with the classic novels of Agatha Christie, trying to outsmart Hercule Poirot.

She is also a die-hard sentimentalist. She cries at old movies and believes in striving for happily-ever-after. In Kane’s words: “The idealist in me loves writing romance, and the pragmatist in me loves writing suspense. I feel very fortunate that I’m able to combine the two, and give you books that keep you at the edge of your seat, but at the same time, make you care.”

Kane lives in New Jersey with her family.

Andrea Kane as a little girl, with her first puppy, Inky, named for the black spots on his white back.

An eight-year-old Kane, a proud sleepaway camper for the first time.

A photo from Kane’s trip to the Thousand Islands (on the border of Canada and the United States) to research and write
My Heart’s Desire
. Kane toured the area by boat.

Kane and her husband, Brad, trying to simulate a novel’s cover pose while wearing period clothing.

Kane and her daughter, Wendi, outside Buckingham Palace during a weeklong research trip to England in 1998.

Kane and her daughter at Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World Resort. Kane believes that the castle is the most romantic place for creative inspiration.