“What you heard, Lina darling,” Dr. Doyle said, his face lighting up with sudden recognition, “was my voice, darling girl... but if you ran away before the conversation ended, you would not have realized that I was acting as a translator for the Moulay, for his English is quite garbled.”
Lina stared at Dr. Doyle, and then her eyes flew to Mr. Blackstone, who was still smirking slightly, but was now sitting on the edge of the bed to stroke her arm. “You do not believe that we would entertain such an idea, do you, my dear Lina?”
“But I heard...”
“You heard me translate Laroui’s words, my dear Lina. You quite evidently did not stay to hear Mr. Blackstone’s reaction. I assure you,” Dr. Doyle said, smiling, “it was most... unrepeatable in its vulgarity. Fortunately, I did not translate it all,” Doyle added, looking at Blackstone, “and so we were able to come to an alternate arrangement with Mr. Laroui. One that does not involve you, sweet Lina.”
Lina’s arms went limp in their hands. She was crying again and could not stop herself.
“Lina, darling,” Mr. Blackstone said, pulling her tightly to him. “I would never let another man have you. You belong to us now. What more can we do to assure you of that?”
“I feel so...” Lina whispered. “I am so very...”
But she was unable to finish, for now her heart was exploding with relief and love again.
“I feel quite foolish,” she said at last.
Mr. Blackstone—for it would take her some time to think of him as Rohan—kissed her forehead and, unbelievably, smiled. “We acted rashly once, based upon a misconception, so I believe it is gentlemanly to forgive the same foolishness in our beloved bride.”
He pulled her close to him, his strong arms encircling her. “But you must promise to never, ever doubt our love again.”
Lina nodded.
“There is,” Mr. Blackstone added in a low murmur, “also the other matter, of your disobedience.” His hand traveled along her back, and to her bottom, which he patted gently. “That sort of naughtiness requires discipline. Though I believe Dr. Doyle will ask me to delay your punishment until your ankle has healed.”
He kissed her again.
“I shall await my punishment with great anticipation,” she told him, and the now-familiar coils of pleasure in her lower body moved delightfully.
She hoped her ankle healed rapidly.
Epilogue
Dearest Evangelineand Anna,
I hope this letter finds you quite well. I send my deepest apologies for failing to write to you, for I realize that our final goodbyes were most hasty and incomplete. For that I can only apologize, for Mr. Blackstone is a man of action and decisiveness, and I have been quite preoccupied since my arrival here at Blackstone Estate.
