Grimacing as another rolling wave washed up and over his boots, Knight swiped the sea spray from his face. He gripped the slippery barrel with both hands and bunched his muscles while the sand fought his movements, gathering under the container’s base. He hauled it up out of the ocean and deposited it with the rest of the haul while Nate dusted off his hands, grinning like a fool. “I wager you’ll miss this.”

Knight ignored him.

“You’ll miss it most,” Red said to Nate, unlatching the back of the cart.

Knight cast a gaze over their haul for the night. No, their last haul. Drake had just deposited their last smuggled goods, carefully left under the ocean surface for them to collect. It had been one of their better methods of evading the customs men, even if it was the most physically laborious. By now, Drake would be docked and sitting in front of a warm fire. Lucky bastard.

Smirking at himself, he lifted a barrel up onto the cart and the horse gave a snort as though urging him to hurry. Once, he would have relished this. Any chance to put his body to good work and inflict a little pain on it—anything to forget.

Now he was soft. He shook his head at himself. Now he could not wait to return home.

At least this was the last time he’d be doing this. Indeed, it would be the last time he’d partake in smuggling at all, and Louisa was damned happy about it.

He could not complain either.  Napoleon had been defeated at Waterloo, the war was over. There was no longer any need for their illicit activities.

Nate paused after hefting a cask onto the cart. “Actually, I am quite looking forward to going back to being a normal, upstanding member of society.”

Under the cold light of the stars, Knight caught Red rolling his eyes. Red eyed his brother. “You have never been an upstanding member of society.”

“I think many would disagree with you.” Nate lifted his chin.

Red chuckled. “I’ll ask Patience what she thinks.”

Nate’s eyes crinkled with mirth. “Ask her. She would only ever support me, her darling husband.”

“Patience will have your bollocks for lying,” Knight muttered. “Are we to finish this or not?”

“This might be our last job, but I am fairly certain no one died and put you in command.” Regardless of his words, Nate set back to stacking the containers on the cart, though he added something about Knight growing bossy in his old age.

“This is your last job,” pointed out Red. “Knight will be overseeing all of my very legal trading deals. So he is, in effect, in command.”

Nate shrugged. “Well, rather you than me. You shall have to oversee Drake and that is a job in itself.”

Knight scowled. “Drake will do as I say.”

He better anyway. Since both of them had decided to continue working for Red, albeit in a more official way, they had agreed that Knight would take control of the land end of things and also use his lineage—and his appearance—to wrangle some good deals. Drake would continue doing what he did now without the need to slip in and out of France undetected.

Knight allowed himself a little smile. He would not admit it to any of them, but he was looking forward to working without the chance of getting caught. Now their child was born, it was even more necessary he take no risks. The war ending had been timely indeed.

“There it is again.” Nate thrust a finger Knight’s way.

“There’s what?” Red asked.

“That strange smile,” Nate explained. “Drake told me it existed, but I had yet to witness it myself.”

Red grinned. “He’s probably thinking of Louisa.”

“I am thinking of an ample quantity of whisky.” He lifted the last barrel and shifted it into place, glowering at them both and daring them to argue.

They shared a look, and Nate clapped him on the shoulder while Red secured their cargo. “You can admit it now, Knight. You’re as soft-hearted as the rest of us.”

“Speak for yourself.” Red climbed into the driver’s seat and urged the horse forward. Knight and Nate took up position behind the cart, bracing themselves to start pushing. The soft sand and heavy weight of their cargo did not make for easy transportation across the beach, so their additional momentum was needed to get the vehicle across the beach and onto the dirt track leading down to it.

Taking the strain, Knight grunted, his shoulder propped against the wooden slats of the cart.

“I...will...definitely...not miss this,” Nate grated out.

Knight had to admit there was little he would miss about the smuggling. While Louisa might be keen to soothe away the aches of their labor, he was looking forward to returning home to her and their son after an honest day’s work.

The cart hit the track and he and Nate straightened. They followed Red up the hill toward the old barn they used for storing goods until they were able to sell them on. Nate hauled open the doors, and Red maneuvered the cart in before unlatching the horse.

“At least we’ve seen no customs men tonight,” Nate remarked.

Red nodded. “They’ve been quiet since the end of the war. I’ve no doubt they will be back soon enough, though. There are plenty of smugglers still operating in Cornwall.”

“With Knight still in residence, none shall dare attempt to bring anything in through Penshallow.” Nate nudged him with an elbow. “Is that not right?”

Knight lifted his gaze to the sky and remained silent. His days of throwing around threats were long behind him, especially now he had a son. It didn’t mean he would not protect his friends and family if needs be and, in truth, no smugglers would be welcomed in Penshallow, but if he could avoid any such behavior, he damned well would. With any luck, his son Lewis would be able to take up the role of viscount and enjoy the family home if he wished without the taint of anything untoward in his family history. Thankfully his father’s debts were being repaid and money was slowly being accrued so that the estate might one day be financially viable again.

For now, however, Knight was more than happy to remain here. Where home truly was.

“Come on then, chaps, shall we get a well-earned drink?” Nate dusted off his hands and shoved a hand through his disheveled hair.

Red arched a brow. “Does Patience not wish for you to return with haste?”

Nate shook his head vigorously. “She is presently enjoying having our marriage bed to herself. I keep ending up sleeping on the floor,” he griped.

“She is carrying your child, Nate.” Red gave his brother a pat on the back. “This might be your first child, but I thought you were clever enough to know to give your wife whatever she wishes when with child.”

“Oh I do indeed.” He grinned lasciviously. “But Patience does not have...well...patience. She’s ready to get back to riding and shooting. And guess who suffers because of it?” He jabbed a thumb at himself.

“It will not be long,” Red assured him. “Then your wife shall be back to giving you hell, just as she should.”

“She does do a fine job of it.” Nate chuckled. “And I would not have her any other way,” he added.

They made their way over the cliff top toward the inn, its glowing lights drawing them in like a siren to the rocks. Knight shivered as a cool breeze wrapped around his damp clothing. He could not wait to be rid of them and curled up next to his wife’s warm body.

“Hannan will be wanting another before long,” Red muttered. “She somehow forgets what a bore she found pregnancy when she sees your baby, Knight. Of course it does not help Julianna and Drake had a child not long ago either. She is surrounded by babies.”

Knight nodded in sympathy. Lewis was only a month old and yet with Patience now expecting and Julianna’s child only two months old, Louisa was already speaking of having another. It was hard to fathom that they were all fearless bachelor men not long ago and now all of them were married with children.

The low murmur of conversation greeted them when they entered the inn. A fire lit in the grate filled the taproom with a welcoming warmth that instantly wrapped around Knight. Behind the bar, his sister gave them all a wave. “I shall bring some ale over,” she offered.

“Make that whisky,” called Drake. “My associates look like they need something warm.”

Knight narrowed his gaze at Drake as he approached the table at which he sat. “You could have come and aided us.”

Drake smirked and shook his head. “And get these boots wet?” He waggled his feet, which were propped up on the table.

“You should not be buying new boots when you have a wife and child to look after,” Knight grumbled.

Shifting his feet down, Drake propped his elbows on the table and raised both brows. “This protective older brother lark is getting tired, Knight. You know full well I provide excellently for Julianna and my daughter.”

Knight sank onto a chair and opted to say nothing. Julianna had fallen pregnant shortly before Louisa and he had married, and he had to admit Drake was an excellent father and, despite the fact Julianna insisted on continuing to work at the inn, he was also a good provider. Their smuggling had made both of them wealthy men and would keep them living comfortably for the foreseeable future, especially if they invested cleverly.

Red and Nate sat, both drawing off their jackets to drape over the back of their chairs. Red loosened his collar. “Well, gentleman, that was our last job done.” He waited until Julianna had deposited a bottle of whisky and glasses on the table before pouring several fingers for them all and raising a glass. “I think that deserves a toast.”

Knight lifted his glass and the others followed suit.

“To you all, for aiding me in this operation that could well have had us all strung up by our necks.” Red drained the drink.

Emptying his own glass, Knight put it back on the table. “Neither you nor Nate would have been strung up,” he pointed out. “Only Drake and I.”

“Well, you are a viscount,” Drake reminded him. “So in reality, it would probably only be I who was at any risk.” His expression grew smug. “Which I think makes me the bravest of you all.”

Nate jerked a thumb toward Knight. “Knight was the face of the operation.”

“Well, there is no more risk now. We shall all be legitimate businessmen from now on.” Red eyed the bottle of whisky. “I, for one, am looking forward to a little more leisure time.”

“We’ll see how long you last, brother, before you are begging us to do something dangerous and exciting again.” Nate grinned.

Knight glanced at the doorway that led to the guest bedrooms and paused. His lips curved at the sight of his wife, leaning against the entrance, her arms folded. A little disheveled from what was no doubt a busy day, the light from the lanterns behind her cast her fair hair into a halo that made his fingers flex with the need to loosen her hair and see it around her bare shoulders.

“There it is again!” Nate gestured toward Knight.

“Oh.” Drake chuckled. “The elusive smile.”

Knight fixed them both with a cold state, forcing his lips straight.

“It’s well enough, Knight. I think your wife needs you.” Red gave him a nudge. “We will have plenty more evenings to drink together, that I vow.”

Knight gave Red a curt nod and slid the chair back to stand. Life might be changing for them all but he had no doubt the four of them would still gather at the inn regularly.

Knight paused. “I...thank you, Red,” he said, his voice low. “You gave me purpose.”

Red waved a dismissive hand. “You did most of the hard work. You gave yourself purpose.”

With little intention of groveling, Knight accepted Red’s words and ignored Nate and Drake, who were grinning like bloody idiots. Turning, he headed toward his wife, whose smile grew as he approached.

She curled her hands into the lapels of his jacket. “You are quite soaked. I think you should change before you sicken.” Her lips quirked.

“Indeed.” He curved his hands around her waist and drew her into him. “And now you are damp too.”

“I had better change as well, I suppose.”

Knight let her lead him upstairs to their room, but he paused outside the adjoining door. “Did he settle well?”

“He is sleeping longer and longer these days, but no doubt he will be awake in a few hours.” Louisa smiled. “He is like his father. He needs constant attention.”

“That is a lie,” he muttered. Knight eased open the door and slipped in, aware of the floor creaking underfoot. Lewis slept peacefully in the gently lit room, his tiny hand bunched beside his head. Knight’s heart gave a heavy thud as though reminding him how precious this moment was.

Not that he needed reminding. Having a son had changed him somehow. Made him softer perhaps. It certainly taught him he was capable of more love than he ever thought possible—and he already loved Louisa more than life itself.

He eyed the baby for a few more moments before retreating and closing the door carefully. He turned to find his wife already stripped down to a chemise that skimmed her curves oh so temptingly.

“We should have another,” she whispered, opening her arms to him.

Knight didn’t need an invitation. He stepped up to her and took her hard against him as need rolled through him. “You have only just had a baby, woman, you need a little rest first.”

She gave a little pout that made him want to kiss her into submission. “Do not make me wait long, though.”

“I will not,” he vowed.

And he was not lying. He could happily have another child, and Louisa had managed pregnancy with all her usual practicality but, somehow, he needed to persuade his wife to rest a little before they embarked on another adventure together. With Louisa having fallen pregnant almost straight after they married, neither of them had scarcely had time to draw breath.

He laid Louisa down on the bed, pausing to push her hair from her face and scan her features. He grinned, and she lifted her fingers to trace his lips.

“You are mightily handsome when you smile, my lord.”

He kissed her briefly “My smiles are only for you, my lady.” He kissed her again. “Only ever for you.”

THE END

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Other titles by Samantha Holt

The Rogues of Redmere

The Spinsters Club

Bluestocking Brides