Page 124 of After Dark with the Duke

He bowed.

He bowed! Toher.

And then he reached into his coat and retrieved what appeared to be a letter. He held it out to her. It was sealed with red wax into which was pressed that bold and intricate and unmistakable letter “V.”

What washappening?

She did not know what this meant for her. She only knew that portent traced her spine, and her hands trembled, and everywhere on her body goose bumps rose.

But she did know she wasn’t dreaming, because if she was, surely she would have imbued Scotland with a little sunshine.

The man standing before her was beaming at her as if she’d won a prize.

She slipped a trembling finger beneath the seal.Just in time she caught the shining scrap of something that fell from the letter.

It was Mariana’s cherished pink ribbon.

Her heart in her throat, Bridgett read:

Dear Mama,

I hope this finds you well. I am very well. I feel it is best to come right to the point, so you shall not worry.

I have gone and gotten married. James is everything I never dared to dream, and I love him with my whole heart. I think you will love him, too.

Here is the ribbon you gave me for my tenth birthday, so you will know this is true and that you will be very certain that it is I who write this surprising letter. I should never part with it otherwise.

We should like you to come to live with us, if you would be so kind. These footmen will help you to pack your things and bring you safely to us. The staff will treat you like a queen. My husband knows how precious you are to me.

Do you remember the first time we went to the seashore, and how beautiful the rolling green hills were, and all the little sheep?

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by one of our homes.

I love you and I cannot wait to see you.

Your devoted daughter,

Mariana Blackmore

Duchess of Valkirk

Bridgett gave a stunned cry. Half laugh, half sob. She pressed her fist to her mouth.

If she’d had doubts about whether her daughter had written the letter, the last three words had vanquished them. It was just so very, very, very like Mariana to save the best part for the end.

She’dalwayshad a flair for the dramatic.

And Bridgett, though filled with joy like a thousand sunny days, was not so easily rattled. She had a steely spine, too. Just like her daughter.

“I knew she was destined for greatness,” she told the footman.

And she went inside to pack her things.