Her squeal cut him off as she practically threw herself at him, knocking the wind right out of his belly. “Thank God,” she said, and then somehow she’d pulled his mouth down to hers and was kissing him with total abandon, as if they were somewhere alone and did not have an audience consisting of seven children.
“Ewe,” Clyde said. “They’re exchanging spit.”
“That’s so disgusting,” one of the girls muttered.
Devlin laughed against Cassandra’s mouth. “Mind if I throttle them?”
“I will if you don’t,” she said, her lips curving against his until she was grinning.
“All right. It’s settled then.” Devlin carefully disengaged himself from Cassandra, dropped a quick kiss on her forehead, then raced toward the nearest child with a roar.
Squeals of delight followed, increasing in strength as he caught Henry by his waist and swung him high in the air. The rest of the children eventually got their turns as well, and Devlin’s heart grew, tripling in size until it was close to bursting. Somehow, thanks to a mean old woman, he’d found a permanent home for himself filled with laughter and love. He’d have to extend his gratitude to Baroness DeVries at some point, perhaps in the form of flowers.
It was, he decided, the least he could do, considering he’d never been happier.
Epilogue
“Has your boatswain checked the ropes?”Devlin asked the captain in a no nonsense tone while following him across the deck. “They can fray and tear, you know.”
“I am aware,” the captain replied.
If Cassandra wasn’t mistaken, he was starting to sound quite exasperated. She hid a grin and turned to Penelope, who was even worse at concealing her amusement. “Do you suppose we’ll be asked to disembark before we even set sail?”
“Of course not. Michael wouldn’t dare ask you to do so. He’s much too fond of Dev.”
“I think you’re right. But I also suspect Michael might regret suggesting this voyage sooner than I’d have expected.”
As if on cue, Devlin’s and Cassandra’s grandson, Captain Michael Bronswick, approached. “You must be a saint, Grandmother. It’s the only explanation for your ability to put up with him all these years.” He glanced over his shoulder and sighed when he realized Devlin was standing directly behind him.
“And don’t forget to inspect the hold,” Devlin said. “It’s your responsibility to do so, Michael.”
Michael turned to his grandfather with a glare. “There’s a chair over there. I would be eternally grateful if you would use it.”
“Well,” Devlin muttered while Michael marched off to some other part of the ship where his grandfather wasn’t present. “I’m only offering the boy some sound advice.”
“He’s three and thirty,” Cassandra reminded Devlin. “I think it might be time for you to accept that he cast off his leading strings some time ago.”
“Devlin does have more experience than Michael,” Penelope pointed out. “It wouldn’t hurt for him to listen.”
The edge of Devlin’s mouth lifted to form a crooked smile. “I always knew I loved you for a good reason, Penny.”
“Well, you’ve always supported me, so I think it only fair to return the favor, even when it involves my son.” She glanced around as if searching for something and when she smiled, it was clear she’d found it. Or him, to be more precise. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go and see how Trevor’s managing.”
“I thought he was securing the main sail,” Devlin said.
“Yes,” Penelope said. She started forward but Cassandra managed to catch her by the elbow and bring her to a halt. “You’re not going up there.”
Penelope grinned. “Of course I am.” She must have seen the horrified look in Cassandra’s eyes for she instantly added, “You mustn’t worry though. I am wearing trousers beneath these skirts.”
Cassandra groaned and let her hand drop. “Of course you are,” she muttered. She knew by now that her daughter was far more stubborn than she’d ever been and that there would never be any stopping her once she put her mind to something.
“I did tell you she’d marry him,” Devlin murmured close to her ear. His hand had snuck its way around her waist, offering her strength and that wonderful sense of security she couldn’t quite seem to get enough of.
“So you did. And you’ve never let me forget it.”
“Why should I? It’s the most precise prediction I ever made. Besides the one about you falling madly in love with me, that is.”
“Really?”
