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  La Roque pushed his way deeper into her and kissed her again hungrily. Feeling the blood rush to her head as their bodies rocked in a passionate embrace, she gave into her urge to climax, crying out from the rush of pleasure that overtook her senses. Zoé clung to him, humbled by the overwhelming sense of being loved and loving in return.

  He slid out, but remained between her legs and rested his head on her chest. She stared at the ceiling as she stroked his head. Lying in their bed, basking in the afterglow of their love with his seed inside her, she said a silent prayer, asking God to bless them with an addition to their family and make their joy complete.

  Smiling, she thought of her sister. Marianne was happy and expecting a baby. She and her husband had turned Bouchard Pêche around and even employed Ferdinand and his men to lead most of their fishing expeditions. She was glad that Ferdinand had given up his pirating ways to provide a stable home for Sheba and Marie. The other women were working in Narbonne with their husbands and also seemed happy.

  Douglas now owned a restaurant in Toulouse that La Roque had helped him acquire. He was able to send for his family and Zoé finally met his daughter. She wanted him to be happy. She was grateful to him for saving her life. He reminded her in so many ways of her father.

  Madame had moved to England to live with her sister. Marianne wrote to her and told Zoé that Madame wanted to return after the birth of her baby. Zoé refused, of course. The one thing that she would never abide was Madame’s presence on their father’s land. Marianne understood, and mentioned that she might travel to England after the child was born.

  Zoé had asked her husband if she were being too cruel. He just smiled at her.

  “You are doing exactly what Madame would do were she in your position.”

  Zoé loved that response and loved him. Closing her eyes, she smiled.

  The story of her parentage was one she’d never really understood. Her mother had given up everything for a love that was forbidden. Now Zoé had found the same forbidden love and it was intoxicatingly splendid. Everything had come full circle.

  It was, thought Zoé, as though destiny were a woman, and when she failed with one heart she made it up with another. The End

  ZOÉ If you wish to contact the author, comment about this book or be on the mailing list for future books, you may visit the website dedicated to Zoé at:

  http://thedivaspen.com

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