Page 68 of Her Seafaring Scoundrel
He smiled with a hint of bashfulness that went straight to her heart. “Well, no. But I did hope. And I never stopped wishing.”
“You’re a lucky man then.” Cassandra looped her arms around his neck and locked her eyes with his. “Because it does appear as though your wish came true.”
“I love you, Cass.”
“And I love you, my seafaring scoundrel.” No words were truer. He’d been her best friend and constant companion for four long decades and now they were off on one last adventure.
During their marriage, they’d been blessed with three daughters, Alexandra, Theodora and Lavinia, none of whom enjoyed sailing. Not that Devlin hadn’t done his best to encourage them, and later their husbands, but it had been a struggle and eventually they’d all given up. Of course, there might be hope yet for the girls’ sons, but until they showed an actual interest, Devlin contented himself with the fact that Michael adored the sea as much as his father and grandfather did.
The transition from seadog to landlubber had been trying. It had taken time for Devlin to find a satisfying routine, to adjust, and accept his new role. Until Cassandra had encouraged him to pursue a new dream by using some of his savings to purchase two additional ships. Within one year, he’d turned them and The Condor into a profitable shipping business. Now, forty years later, The Crawford Company’s fleet numbered more than one hundred vessels.
Cassandra squinted against the morning sun and considered her husband’s face, so dear to her she was sure she could gaze upon it forever with pleasure. It was perhaps slightly more creased than it had been when they’d first met, but he was still a striking man. The arm he’d once broken pained him on occasion, especially when the weather was damp, and his once dark hair was almost entirely silver now. But he was still as handsome as ever, and he always made sure to tell her that she was the most beautiful woman in the world, even though she knew there were wrinkles around her eyes and mouth and that her body wasn’t as slim as it had once been.
Together, in the years since Devlin had stopped sailing on a regular basis, they’d raised their children in a modest cottage Devlin had purchased for them near Clearview. For although Cassandra regretted leaving the house she’d called home for so long, it had gotten overcrowded with the expansion of their family, and she’d realized she and Devlin required a place of their own. But she visited the orphans Clearview continued to welcome over the years as often as she was able, advising the management and keeping abreast of the goings on.
There was no denying that it was time for both her and Devlin to accept their age now. They no longer had the energy of their youth and had decided that perhaps the time had come for them to stop pushing themselves so hard.
During the past forty years, they’d gone on five additional voyages together, but this one was Michael’s idea because, as he’d put it, “What better way is there for us to spend time together than by doing something all of us love?”
Standing beside Devlin with her head resting on his shoulder, Cassandra watched the coastline recede until only the wide open sea lay ahead. This was perfection, this moment piled on top of all the others that came before, to create a lifetime of memories for them to look back on. A sigh of contentment escaped her as Devlin’s warmth seeped through her clothing and dove right under her skin, heating her from within.
She smiled at him and he smiled back.
No other words were needed.
All that mattered was that they were together.
Thankyou so much for readingHer Seafaring Scoundrel. If you enjoyed this story you’re sure to enjoy the first books in the series as well. Grab your copy of No Ordinary Duke and More Than a Rogue today to find out how Mary and Caleb fell in love and how Emily and Griffin found their own happily-ever-after.
Or if you’re looking for a longer read with a rags to riches trope, you might consider trying my Diamonds In The Rough series, starting withA Most Unlikely Duke.
You can find out more about my new releases, backlist deals and giveaways by signing up for my newsletter here:www.sophiebarnes.com
Once again, I thank you for your interest in my books. Please take a moment to leave a review since this can help other readers discover my books.
And please continue reading for an excerpt fromNo Ordinary Duke.
