perhaps I need to be more clear.”
When Daphne was younger, she had imagined countless times what her first kiss would be like. Would it be sure and steady, or perhaps deeply passionate?
But what she’d forgotten to account for was love.
Love was what sent a lightning bolt to her core at the barest brush of Cole’s lips on hers, melting her center into a puddle. Love was what made her thoughts vanish completely when his hands slid up her back, holding her tighter. And love was what pushed her to her toes, kissing him back, trying to show him what this meant to her.
He had said he needed her, yet what Daphne felt bursting up through her chest was not need, but sheer, aching want. This was what she’d dreamed of for so long, and she felt a fool for not seeing it sooner. She’d allowed herself to be distracted by what the world told her she should want—what Mother told her she should want. But manors and inheritances and dowries meant nothing in the end. Not if she did not have someone she loved to share it with.
And oh, she loved Cole.
His fingers slipped from her back and danced lightly up her arms until they swept up her neck and tangled into her hair—which was absolutely maddening. She sighed and tipped her head back, not allowing his lips to leave hers for even a moment. She curled into him, heat radiating from every point they touched, like the hot summer sun spreading across a cool morning shadow. He pulled away just a moment and they each caught a breath, his eyes locked on hers. Then he angled her mouth upwards and kissed her again, this kiss somehow both deeper and softer than before, speaking a language they were only just beginning to understand together.
They’d known each other nearly their whole lives and yet this—this—was entirely new and terrifying and exhilarating all at once. But that would be her life with Cole, and she could not imagine wanting anything different.
Her hands found their way upward, brushing along the skin above his collar to join behind his neck, and she felt the rounded beads of her bracelet on her wrist. She smiled into the kiss. She’d made a promise to marry for love, but she hadn’t had a clue then what that truly meant. Now she did, with every inch of her body.
And it was worth every moment she’d waited for it.
Epilogue
My dearest Isabel,
I hope this letter finds you well, and not bored beyond belief. I daresay you were not meant for a quiet country life, though it is what fate has awarded you at the moment. But I shall wish, for your sake, that you find a worthy opponent for your enthusiastic discussions.
I have some news that I daresay might shock you. Are you sitting? I hope not, because I should dearly like to hear the story of you fainting from astonishment. I do wish I could tell you in person, but my days are entirely swallowed up for the time being. Have I kept you in enough suspense yet? Very well.
I am engaged. Oh, that is the first time I have written the words, and I must tell you, it is rather thrilling. Not quite as thrilling as the actuality of the fact, but a close second. You might be wondering who my husband-to-be is, and I am happy to tell you that he is no stranger to you. That is, you have never met Cole, but I have told you enough of him over the years that I cannot imagine you thinking him a stranger. I shall be Mrs. Cole Everard, a strange thought to be sure, but one that brings a great deal of pleasure. Cheriton was always my refuge when I had none, and now it shall be my home for the rest of my days. I never thought to find happiness right beneath my nose, but Cole is everything that I had hoped for all those years ago, when we were just girls fantasizing about our futures.
Do you know that I have thought almost constantly of our little group of friends in the past weeks? Of the promise we made? You’ll have noticed, of course, that I included the bracelet with my letter. I first thought to send it to Marah, but you know how she can be. She insisted she did not need it, but that you did. Well, I am not convinced that she would not need a bit of luck, but I conceded. At the very least, I hope the bracelet brings you memories of our happy times together, if you find yourself in need of encouragement.
This letter will be short, as I still must write Lavinia, Phoebe, and Marah, but I send my love to you, and my hopes that you might one day—soon, hopefully—be so happily situated as I.
Your friend,
Daphne
Did you enjoy reading about Daphne? There is more to the story of the five friends and their lucky bracelet. Continue with Isabel’s story, Her Unexpected Courtship, written by Megan Walker.
If you enjoyed Joanna Barker’s writing, turn the page for a list of her other titles.
Acknowledgments
As always, I have to start by thanking my family—my husband and two boys—for putting up with my crazy writing schedule. I am continually grateful that they love me enough to help me chase my dreams.
Thank you to my lovely beta readers who are always there to help me at the drop of a hat—Cassy Watson, Jessica Christian, Jan Lance, and Deborah Hathaway. I depend so much on you all for your attention to detail and your amazingly thoughtful insights. And thank you to my proofreader Molly Rice for your helpful edits at the last stage!
And I can never finish my acknowledgements without expressing my love and gratitude to my critique group, Arlem Hawks, Megan Walker, Sally Britton, and Heidi Kimball. You have each blessed my life in immeasurable ways, and I feel so lucky to get to embark on these lovely projects with you all. Love you!
Also by Joanna Barker
The Truth About Miss Ashbourne
Miss Adeline’s Match
Secrets and Suitors
Otherwise Engaged (Preorder)
Novellas/Anthologies
Beauty and the Baron
All Hearts Come Home for Christmas
A Christmas Promise (Preorder)
About the Author
Joanna Barker was born and raised in northern California. She discovered her love for historical fiction after visiting England as an eleven-year-old, and subsequently read every Jane Austen book she could get her hands on. After graduating with a degree in English, she worked as an acquisitions editor before devoting herself full-time to writing. She enjoys music, eating, and reading everything from romance to science fiction. She lives near the mountains and is just a little crazy about her husband and two wild-but-lovable boys.
All of Joanna’s published works are available on www.amazon.com. You can connect with Joanna and sign up for her newsletter on her website, www.authorjoannabarker.com, or follow her on any of the social media platforms below.