A Gentleman's Promise by Tamara Gill

forward she isn’t. Don’t look for her and don’t ever think that I don’t know people who could make you r disappear ance seem like an accident ,” Mason said through clenched teeth. “Do I make myself clear?”
    Lord Remmick tried to push him away and the urge to make the bastard pay assailed him. He stepped back a fraction then slammed his fist into his lordships gut before doing the same against his jaw. Charlotte’s husband’s head snapped back and hit the brick wall behind him before he slumped to the ground, unconscious.”
    Mason turned to Charlotte and pulled her back toward her hotel. “Are you all right ?” he asked, trying to gauge her mood.
    “I am, thank you.” She stopped walking and Mason turned to her , wondering what she was thinking. She cast a quick look toward her husband and he noted her slight shiver. He wanted to pull her into his arms and show her that he’d never allow anything to happen to her. N either by Lord Remmick ’s hand n or by anyone else’s . If only she’d let him.
    “Thank you Mason . ” T ears welling in her beautiful blue orbs. “You’re my knight in shining armor.”
    “Always, Charlotte. Surely you know that by now,” he said.
    She nodded. “Did you mean what you said back there? That you’ll protect me forever?”
    “Yes. I know you think there is no future for us but you’re wrong. As I said before , my brother is more than capable of keeping the family name and property in our rightful hands. I’m old enough to decide what I would like to do in my life. And that is to be with you. Come away with me. We’ll move to the continent or New York. Start a new life where no one knows us.”
    She bit her lip and Mason felt like his heart would pump right out of his chest. Never had a reply mattered as much as Charlotte’s did now.
    “Yes. I’ll go with you. Wherever you wish , just as long as we’re together.”
    Mason smiled. “I love you Charlotte King.”
    Charlotte le ant toward him and wrapped her arms about his neck. “I love you too,” she said, kissing him.
    Mason allowed the embrace to deepen and cared not a fig what anyone watching thought or said about their actions. From tonight, they would be on board the fastest ship to wherever they decided to go and London and its tonnish ideals – no one could ever live up to – could well and truly go to the devil.
     
     

 
     
    Epilogue
     
    Two Years Later – New York
    Charlotte threw the letter she’d received from her father , which had been accompanied by one from her late husband’s solicitors and realized that she felt nothing but relief.
    Mason walked into her parlor carrying their one month old daughter and a love so true filled her heart. True to his word, Mason had kept her safe and out of Lord Remmick ’s clutches and by doing so , they ’d lived a life sh e’d never thought possible. Mason passed Lily to her and Charlotte kissed her beautiful little girl’s pudding cheeks.
    “What did the letter say,” he asked, shuffling through the pages.
    “Lord Remmick is dead. Was killed in some alley in East London. The solicitor wasn’t very forthcoming in details but I’m sure you can imagine what happened.”
    Mason shook his head and came to sit beside her. “So I suppose we’ll have to make you a lady again?”
    Charlotte threw him a puzzled frown, wondering what he was talking about. “Excuse me?”
    “Now that you’re a widow , perhaps you’d prefer to be named a bride instead?”
    Charlotte clasped his stubbled jaw and smiled. “Are you by any chan ce asking me to marry you, Lord Hel sing?”
    Mason took Lily onto his knee and turned their daughter to face Charlotte . “What do you think, Lily? Should M ama agree to marry P apa do you think?”
    Charlotte laughed and kissed him quickly. “ Of course I’ll marry you. I love you.”
    “I love you more.”
    She shook her head , knowing such a thing could not be possible , b ut they could argue about that later. In bed.