Eight Hunting Lyons (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Epilogue

“C olin?”

“Yes, love?”

“You still haven’t told me what happened to Harkwell.”

His gaze settled on his wife. He would have to tell her something, else she would hound him until he told her the whole of it…something he’d vowed not to do. Garahan’s life would be at risk for assaulting a member of the ton .

“You don’t remember?” he asked, stalling for time while sorting out the events that had happened so quickly after she’d been injured. Garahan had pinned Harkwell’s henchman to the ground and broken the man’s nose and loosened a few teeth by the time Coventry and Edmund managed to pull the duke’s guard off the man.

“All I remember is you calling my name and raising my arm to cover my head.”

Colin’s gut clenched. “Thank God you did. When I think what could have happened…”

“Don’t,” she urged. “I’m here and fine.”

“Your arm is not fine.”

“But it is healing. Now, what of Harkwell?”

He would go to the grave before telling her that Garahan had made certain Harkwell would never bother them again. The Irishman had slipped out of Edmund’s hold and run across the field to take on the man who’d tried to buy Gemma as his bride before planning to have Colin murdered at Chalk Farm.

“Retired to his country home, or so I’ve been told.”

She narrowed her gaze and stared at him.

“Recovering from a broken jaw and hand. Apparently, Harkwell tripped leaving the field…landed on his hand…twisted beneath him. He’ll never hold a pistol in that hand again.”

“How did his jaw break?”

“I was preoccupied bleeding at the time, love.”

Mindful of his injury, she leaned against him and sighed. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“Not happening in this lifetime,” he assured her. “By the by, did I mention that Harkwell returned every penny of your dowry?”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Truly?”

He smiled, tightening his hold on her. “Truly.”

Hearing footsteps, he turned toward the sound and locked gazes with his father. Though prepared to defend his decision to marry, he had not thought to do so today.

“Earl Templeton,” Hanson announced with a flourish.

“Thank you, Hanson.” Colin leaned down to press a kiss to his wife’s cheek before meeting his father’s gaze, acknowledging him. “Father.”

He would make it clear to the earl that he would not be swayed in regard to his personal life, as Adam had. Adam . Regret arrowed through him. By the time he’d received the message that his older brother had fallen ill, Viscount Moreland had succumbed to the virulent fever that took his life. It would not have been possible to return to Templeton House—the HMS Britannia was at sea.

The two tall, broad-shouldered men met in the middle of the sitting room. Two men used to obedience—alike enough in mien and temperament to leave no doubt as to their relation.

“Colin.” His father extended his hand, and in an unusual show of affection, pulled him into a quick, hard hug then released him.

“Father. I’m surprised you’d leave the comfort of Moreland Chase.”

His father met and held Colin’s gaze. “There are things more important than comfort in life.”

He lifted his chin a fraction higher. “Aye. The life of every man that served under me aboard the Britannia and my duty to the Crown.”

“What of family?” the earl demanded. “What of your duty to your title?”

He battened down the anger boiling just beneath the surface of his outward calm. “You would dare to ask me that after I’d—” His wife slipped her arm through his and leaned against him.

Colin’s anger dissipated at Gemma’s touch. Meeting her gaze, he sighed. “My apologies, my dear. May I present my father, Adam Strickland Broadbank, Earl Templeton. Father, may I introduce my wife, Gemma, Viscountess Moreland.”

Gemma smiled, acknowledging the introduction. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, your lordship.”

The earl’s eyes filled as he cleared his throat to speak. “The pleasure is all mine, Gemma. I am deeply in your debt for saving my son’s life.”

Colin tightened his hold on his wife. “Don’t you mean viscount? I am well aware of how important titles are to you, Father.”

The earl’s gaze rested on Gemma’s sling for long moments. Finally, he spoke. “I had thought it best to meet with you and your wife in person about the ill-advised, hasty marriage—”

Colin placed a hand to Gemma’s shoulder. “I never make a decision without clear and concise thinking. I would have thought you’d know that given my exemplary service record.”

His father nodded. “After I got over the initial shock of your missive, another arrived telling of your viscountess’ injury.” The earl’s gaze shifted to meet Gemma’s. “Your selfless act has opened my eyes to what is truly important in this life. Family . I have placed far too much importance on honoring the family title and seeing that it endured.”

Colin’s gut clenched. Had his father heard from the actress again? Did she have the proof she claimed to have and arranged to meet with the earl to discuss how they would settle her audacious claim?

He’d have to contact King and Coventry to see if either had received any further news on that front. Resigned to adding yet another duty to the growing list of meetings and tasks he would have to accustom himself to doing, he was about to reply when Gemma reached out to grasp his father’s hand.

“I would give my life for Colin.”

The earl grasped her hand in his and held tight. When his eyes filled, she added, “He gave up the life he’d been born to and the military service he’d pledged that very life to, to come home and accept the title he never thought to inherit, let alone have to learn to deal with as admirably as his older brother.”

Love swept through Colin at her summation of his thoughts and actions just prior to meeting her. “I may have given my all to the King’s Navy for over a decade, but I have never given my heart before meeting you.”

The earl cleared his throat and nodded. “And that is why I offer my heartfelt congratulations on your marriage to a woman most eminently suited to you, Son. I know that whatever life has in store for the two of you, you will handle it together.”

He was more than a bit surprised by his father’s declaration—the earl had never exhibited much emotion after the death of Colin’s mother. Grateful that his father accepted his wife, and understood the feelings he’d recently come to acknowledge, he gave a swift nod to his father.

Turning to his wife, he pulled her close. “I am ready to forge a new life in a new direction but only if you are by my side, Lass.”

“Is that an order?”

His sharp bark of laughter bounced off the walls of the sitting room.

Gemma was smiling as their lips met in a kiss that hinted of passion and promised of love—a love that would last through this life and beyond… a love that would last forever.