Page 70 of A Rogues & Gentlemen Christmas

Ludo gave a crow of triumph and lifted her up into the air, spinning her around as Bunty shrieked. One of the downstairs maids came running to see what the commotion was about, saw them, blushed furiously, and darted away again.

“She’s new,” Ludo said, grinning. “She’s not used to us yet.”

Bunty snorted, wondering how she ever looked any of her staff in the eyes. Only the knowledge that they were all wildly jealous let her hold her head up.

“You’re sure?” he asked, setting her down gently, one large hand moving to cup her cheek.

“I am,” she said, smiling at him.

“How perfect,” he said with obvious pleasure. “You are quite perfectly perfect.”

Bunty made a sound of incredulity, but he smothered it, kissing her with slow and thorough attention until she remembered they were still standing in the hallway for all to see.

“That’s enough,” she protested half-heartedly. “Come along. You must get ready. Widdy will have your guts for garters if you make her spoil dinner. Besides which, I have something for you.”

“Oh?” he said, waggling his dark eyebrows at her suggestively.

“Not that,”she said, tsking at him. “There’s not time for that though… later.”

He sighed heavily, shaking his head with a mournful expression.

“Well, what is it, then? Nothing else will be half so exciting.”

Bunty waited until he had closed the bedroom door before setting down her bouquet and handing him the letter which had been burning a hole in her pocket. Ludo stared at it and his eyes met hers.

“Well, open it, then,” she said, praying it gave him the news he had been longing for.

Ludo tore open the seal and Bunty held her breath as he read, not daring to breathe until he looked up, his excitement palpable.

“It’s from him… from my father. He… he wants to meet me.”

Bunty gave a little shout of joy, for she knew what this meant to him. He laughed and pulled her close before turning his attention back to the letter.

“He’s been travelling the past few years, which is why we’ve had such trouble finding him. He says….” Ludo swallowed and tried again. “He says my mother was the love of his life, and he is overjoyed to discover he has a son, and… he can’t wait to meet me.”

“Oh, Ludo, that’s marvellous. I’m so happy for you.”

Ludo nodded and set the letter down before tugging her back into his arms. “He says he’ll come as soon as the weather improves.”

“He’ll be so proud of you, love,” Bunty said, hugging him. “I know I am.”

She watched him as he nodded, believing in himself now in a way he never had when she’d first met him.

“Do you believe in luck or fate?” he asked, frowning a little.

Bunty shrugged. “Perhaps, a little at least, but I think we make our own luck on the whole. Perhaps fate gives us a nudge now and then, but it’s what we do with it that counts.”

Ludo nodded and reached for one of the roses he’d picked, carefully threading it into her dark hair, behind her ear.

“Everything changed that night in the library. I’d never wanted anything like I wanted you, Bunty, so badly I could taste it. I’d have done anything to get you to marry me. When you practically landed in my lap….” He laughed, shaking his head. “I don’t know if it was fate, or luck, but whatever it was I thank my lucky stars, every day, and certainly every night.”

“I love you, Ludo,” Bunty said, holding him tightly, staring up at him, her own heart echoing everything he had just said.

He touched his finger to the flower in her hair and smiled. “And I you, my own Christmas rose.”