My Lady's Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel(60)
“Who knows what things may come,” she says in mock warning.
“We will find out together,” you respond. You kiss her once more and then mount your camel. “Last one to Cairo is a rotten egg!” you cry and ride off into a life of adventuring with Evangeline and the pirate ladies.
The End
You turn to Benedict for a moment.
“My darling, I feel a greater affection for you than I have for any man. However, I think perhaps you were right. Love can ruin lives if we allow it.”
Benedict stares at you, astonished.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that we barely know each other. We argue all the time. I am a will o’ the wisp and you are a stick in the mud. We have passion, but in time I fear we would make each other miserable.”
After a moment, Benedict says, “I—I think you might be right. But what are you going to do?”
“Well, first off I am going to ensure that the truth comes out, that you are reinstated as the true baronet, and that Henrietta gets to marry her farmer love.” Before Benedict can argue, you continue. “She will be much happier away from the pressure of the ton, and you know it. I would also advise that you marry a nice, sensible young woman. But one with a brain who can go toe to toe with you. Heaven knows you need that.”
Benedict nods, clearly still stunned by the evening’s proceedings.
“Come, Benny,” says Lady Evangeline, gently leading him out.
“I’m very impressed, I must say,” says Madam Crosby. “Though I will of course need compensation for the damage caused. And I doubt this scoundrel can cover the cost after tonight’s events,” she says, nodding to the cringing Cad.
“I have nothing,” he says in a hollow voice. “I’m ruined. After everything that has transpired, what can I even do? Become a gigolo?”
You seize the opportunity.
“You know, I think you would be rather good at that! After all, we have gotten rather close and personal recently. I have some idea of what you are working with.”
Cad laughs but sounds somewhat intrigued.
“And where would I ply my wares, sweeting? A room at the Rose & the Smoke? I feel there are few women who could afford me who would make their way to this neighborhood.”
“Oh, no!” you exclaim. “I was thinking a far more salubrious part of town. A discreet establishment, where respectable ladies who find themselves bored and with money to spend might…refresh themselves without attracting attention.”
Madam Crosby looks at you with a degree of interest playing across her striking features.
“You know, my dear…I think you might be on to something there. A pleasure palace akin to the Rose & the Smoke, but for ladies of all tastes rather than gentlemen.”
“Exactly,” you nod. “I was wondering, would like to be my partner in business?”
Madam Crosby laughs low.
“Well, my dear, I certainly admire your enterprising spirit,” she says. “And I have been looking for new ventures to invest in.”
“Marvelous!” you say.
“And I wouldn’t find it such a hardship to be your first employee,” adds Cad. “I fancy I may have found my life’s calling. But I shall need a new name for this venture.”
“How about the Duke of Slut?” purrs Madam Crosby. Cad’s face lights up.
“Perfect. I’ll outrank Benny.”
“Then it is settled!” you cry. “We shall go into business together.”
Madam Crosby smiles enigmatically.
“We shall go into a great deal many more things together, I hope.”
“Of course!” you say, and the three of you get to planning immediately.
The End
You nod, with your heart in your throat and stars in your eyes, and slowly walk back to Mac. He can already tell from your expression what you are about to say.
“I never did ken what to do with goodbyes,” he says, then laughs to conceal the tears shining in his eyes.
“Especially ones you don’t want to say,” you agree. He looks at you, his good and glorious eyes searching yours for what you think might be the last time.
You kiss him. “We won’t say anything, then.”
“Nothing at all.”
You smile wistfully, and Mac strides away, rubbing his eyes. You sigh at his retreating, perfect back and then walk outside where Ollie now waits in a coach.
“Where to next?” you ask, grinning at him. Before he answers, he pulls you in for a tender and passionate kiss, sweet as the first one you shared as children but with an undercurrent of passion that is entirely grown up.
“Well, my darling,” he says after you finally come up for air, “I’m not sure where this road will take us next. But wherever it does…”
You nod at him and finish his sentence.
“I had best remove my stockings first.”
Ollie’s eyes sparkle with mischief, and with that you make passionate love in the carriage, on your way to a new life of adventure and intrigue as spies.
The End
Benedict can fend for himself.
“I—I should very much like to see Egypt for myself,” you say, your voice sounding as though it comes from a distance. Can this really be happening?