Free An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel van Dyken Page B

you feel better."
    "Do I get to point and shoot, Royce?"
    He chuckled. "That's my girl. Yes, you get
to point and shoot. Just try not to look so thrilled about it." He
lifted a silent prayer that God would give him words. "Evelyn, I
love you. I'm an idiot and a fool, and I love you. I can't imagine
spending my life with anyone but you."
    Tears streamed down her cheeks, but he
pressed on. "I was at Madame's house today in the broad daylight,
where anyone could see me, and I didn't care. Do you know why I
didn't care?"
    She swallowed.
    "I didn't care because I don't want that
life anymore. I can't even believe it was me living that life. I
let my family down; I let down the woman I would one day love, and
I hate myself for it. I went to let go of my past. To apologize to
both women whom I've hurt. Yes, one of them ran after me, but it
was only to say thank you."
    His shoulders trembled as he knelt on the
floor before Evelyn. "I'm the worst type of man. But you make me
want to be better. Being with you makes me better. I'm better than
this. I let a time of grief over my father dictate my choices. And
for that I'm sorry, because it shows you my weak character. I love
you, Evelyn. And…" he took another deep breath. "I want to make you
my wife. Forever. I want to bind myself to you for eternity. I want
to spend my life serving you rather than myself. I want to put your
needs before my own. I want—"
    "Shh!" Evelyn's fingers brushed his lips.
They tasted of salt and … dare he hope? Forgiveness. He did hope,
for he never wanted to be the cause of her tears again.
    "I love you, too."
    "What?" Voice hoarse, he gazed into her
eyes. "What did you say?"
    "I love you—"
    He didn't wait. Kissing her lips first, then
her eyes, then her neck. He covered her with reckless abandon.
    Royce lifted her off of the small chair and
carried her to the sofa. Reluctantly he pulled back and gazed at
her grief-stricken face. "I never want you to cry again. If you cry
again, I might have to jump in front of a moving carriage. I cannot
handle your tears."
    Evelyn laughed a rich laugh and pulled him
toward her. "Then you shall have to try to make me so very happy,
future husband, for I would hate to see you injured by a
carriage."
    "Well, when I said carriage, I meant a small
carriage—pulled by donkeys, not horses—so, in all honesty, I'm not
sure how injured I would be. Maybe a swollen ankle you could nurse
back to health with your kisses, or your body, or—"
    Evelyn silenced him with a kiss. Growling,
he pulled at her hair, allowing it to fall across her shoulders.
"My God above, you are beautiful."
    Lifting an eyebrow, she touched his face. "I
hope that was said in reverence."
    He rested his forehead on hers and
whispered, "Oh, it was, my love. It was."

Chapter Fourteen
     
    "I knew it! I just knew it!" Mr. De Jarlias'
voice boomed into the room, nearly giving Royce a heart attack.
Thanking his lucky stars that it wasn't anyone else who could
easily ruin Evelyn's reputation, he let out the breath he had been
holding.
    Then he saw Mr. De Jarlias' face. Royce
glanced down at Evelyn with new eyes and suddenly realized what it
must look like. Royce on top of Evelyn. Her hair down around her
shoulders, face entirely flushed and lips swollen, and naturally,
Royce's hands were resting dangerously close to Evelyn's
breasts.
    Perfect.
    At least he had a chance at love before he
was shot.
    Slowly, as to prolong the time before his
demise, he pushed away from the sofa and walked the plank towards
Mr. De Jarlias. It was at that moment his mother walked in and
gasped.
    Make that two killings in one night. If it
was possible to be killed twice, that is.
    He opened his mouth to speak just as Mr. De
Jarlias opened his.
    "By all means…" Royce said, allowing him to
speak.
    "You must marry at once!"
    "Oh." Royce looked at Evelyn and laughed.
"Whatever shall we do, Evelyn?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, and
he winked.
    Evelyn, wide-eyed, gasped then and