The Winter Rose Read online

  “Look up,” she cried. “It’s the sky, Ian. The storm is over. Forever.”

  He glanced upward, squinting, for his eyes had not seen the light of day in ages. And it was then his features quivered—with hope.

  “Bonnie.” He cupped her cheeks, his eyes glassy with tears. “You did this, luv.”

  “We did this, Ian. I love you.”

  “And I you, lass.” Another buss. “Look. At the rose bush.”

  Bonnie followed his gaze. She found the once sickly red rose bush bursting with brilliant, healthy clusters of magnificent blooms; the only plant to have survived the carnage.

  “Miraculous,” she breathed.

  A growl lifted from the pile of stones, then—and flitted away. The Pict was gone.

  Bonnie released a sigh and collapsed in Ian’s embrace. “Free. Forever.”

  “And what shall we do with forever?” he asked.

  She removed the brown ribbon from her hair and wrapped it around their wrists in a handfasting. “We shall marry, open a hothouse, sell roses … and live.”

  He smiled. “It sounds perfect, lass.”

  THE END

  MORE ROMANCES BY ALEXANDRA BENEDICT

  CASTLES IN THE SKY

  Ashes

  Her Lord Cinder

  The Winter Rose

  THE HAWKINS BROTHERS SERIES

  Mistress of Paradise

  The Infamous Rogue

  The Notorious Scoundrel

  How to Seduce a Pirate

  How to Steal a Pirate’s Heart (includes:

  All I Want for Christmas is a Pirate)

  THE TOO SERIES/WESTMORE BROTHERS

  Too Great a Temptation

  Too Scandalous to Wed

  Too Dangerous to Desire

  THE FALLEN LADIES SOCIETY

  The Princess and the Pauper

  STAND ALONE ROMANCE

  A Forbidden Love

  ANTHOLOGY

  Tales of Forbidden Love

  YOUNG ADULT FICTION

  So Down I Fall

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Alexandra Benedict is the author of several historical romances published by Avon Books. She also writes fiction as an Indie Author. Her work has received critical acclaim from Booklist and a starred review from Publishers Weekly. All of her books are translated into various languages. For more information visit: www.AlexandraBenedict.ca. Or friend her on FACEBOOK.