The Rogue's Return Read Online Free PDF

will say I refused to marry you because the stories were true. Doesn’t even a shopkeeper need a sound reputation? And really, you are too young for business yet.”
    A knock at the door interrupted them. Simon gently disengaged and went to answer it.
    Reverend Strachan stood there. The stocky, dark-haired man wore his stole around his neck and had his prayer book in hand. “If you wish to fulfill Trewitt’s wishes while he is still alive, St. Bride, it must be soon.”
    Simon turned to Jane. “It’s in your hands, my dear.”
    Her set face spoke of how much she didn’t want to do this, but she straightened her shoulders and walked with him out of the room.
    Isaiah lay as before, but bloodlessly pale, sunken cheeked, and visibly sliding toward death. Baldwin looked up with a clear message.
    Simon said, “We’re ready.”
    Isaiah’s eyes opened a little and might even have filled with tears of joy. Or relief. It didn’t matter which. It was enough.
    The reverend read the marriage service at a fast clip, an eye on the patient, so that they hurtled to the vowswith no time for second thoughts. Simon spoke his part quickly. Jane started more slowly, but then she finished in a breathy rush.
    They needed a ring. Simon took off his signet. It was too big, but it served for the ceremony.
    â€œI now pronounce you man and wife.”
    And thus, Simon thought, feeling as if a hurricane had suddenly stilled, it was done.
    Isaiah even smiled a little, nodded a little, and Simon knew they had done the right thing. He and Jane went to kneel by him, one on either side.
    â€œThank you.” It was hardly more than a whisper. “Be good to her,” Isaiah said, each word seeming to need a breath. “And you, Jane, be a good wife. . . .”
    He hadn’t the strength to turn his head toward her, but she took his hand and squeezed it. “I’ll to do everything in my power to make him happy, Uncle. Everything.”
    â€œI know. Good girl. Proud. Take care of her, Simon. Take good care. . . .”
    A second later, Isaiah Trewitt was dead.
    Simon felt almost as if the breath left his own body. This day had been as wild as a battle. The battle was over now, leaving its dead and its wounded and the future to be faced.
    Had Isaiah known that Simon might not be able to obey that final order? He wouldn’t be able to take care of Jane if McArthur killed him, and there was no one here he trusted enough to do it for him.

Chapter Three
    B aldwin closed his bag. The friends and neighbors began to leave, murmuring condolences. Simon and Jane signed the marriage register that Reverend Strachan had brought with him. Baldwin and Norton signed as witnesses.
    The marriage was definitely official now.
    Jane returned to kneel at her uncle’s side. Simon saw her fingers curled to keep his ring on and wondered where the devil one bought a wedding ring in York. There were other necessities—coffin, burial, mourning bands. How was all this managed here? His head felt empty. Someone cleared his throat, and Simon realized that Baldwin was still in the room.
    â€œI was Trewitt’s solicitor.” Simon remembered that the doctor served both functions. “His will should be in his desk, but I have a copy.”
    â€œI understand he left everything to Jane.”
    â€œApart from a few bequests, yes. But it won’t amount to much by St. Bride standards.”
    â€œI didn’t marry her for her money.” Color touched Baldwin’s cheeks and Simon quickly added, “I’m sorry. Of course you didn’t imply that.”
    â€œNo one could suspect a St. Bride of being a fortune hunter. His affairs have to be tidied up, however.” Baldwin rubbed his nose. “The thing is, you’re his executor.”
    Simon swallowed a curse.
    â€œYou can refuse the responsibility.”
    â€œIf what’s left is Jane’s property, then