Page 84 of Wynter's Bite

Bethany peered over Lenore’s shoulder and met Justus’s gaze. The heat that flared in his gaze ignited a fire in her belly.

In tandem, they excused themselves from their conversations and said their farewells. When they rode off in a curricle beneath a shower of rice, Bethany looked closer at her golden ring set with a ruby. “Ever since I saw you wearing my locket, I wished I’d had something to keep you close to me as well.”

“The ring belonged to my grandmother. I’d meant to give it to you the night I was to call upon your father.” Justus smiled. “All this time I’d thought that Gavin had seized my personal effects to keep for himself. Instead he’d saved my things to return them to me.”

She rested her head on his chest. “He is much kinder than I was led to believe.”

“Indeed. And I’ve known him for over a century.” Justus flicked the reins, urging the horses to trot faster.

“Do you think you’ll ever want to return to Rochester? To your estate?”

“I’m not certain. I truly enjoy it here in Cornwall, and Lord Deveril is much less prickly. My manor in Rochester is in shambles anyway. I’d left it like that to keep people away, but I don’t really miss it. Our cottage is much more cozy and the people and vampires here are friendlier. And since I’m not as well known around here, the vampires are more free with their information. I am resuming my old role as spymaster already.” His lips curved in a mischievous smile. “For example, have you heard that the Lord of Blackpool’s niece was kidnapped by a rogue vampire?”

“No!” Bethany gasped. “Do you think it is our friend, Rhys?”

“Undoubtedly,” Justus said. “Blackmail could suit his ends. I cannot help but admire his boldness.”

Bethany shook her head. “Oh, he’s going to get himself killed.”

“I’m not so certain about that. Rhys struck me as very resilient and clever,” Justus said as the curricle turned into the drive leading to their cottage.

When their stable boy came to claim the horses, Justus lifted her from the curricle and carried her into the cottage.

Bethany’s eyes widened at the pile of books that were stacked on their dining room table. “Where did these all come from?”

“I do not know.” Justus set her down and they approached the stack.

A letter sat upon a copy of Beowulf. Justus opened it and read. “A wedding gift from the people of Cornwall and Rochester.”

Bethany’s throat tightened at the generous gift. “We have our library at last!”

Justus pulled her into his arms. “And the time to read them all.”

As Bethany pulled him down for a kiss, her heart overflowed with joy. At last, their story had a happy ending.