Never Courted, Suddenly Wed (Scandalous Seasons #2)(87)

“That is what Lady Cowper said.”

Sophie’s mouth fell agape.

Christopher nodded. “Prior to coming for you, I paid a visit to Lady Cowper. Needless to say, she was displeased with the trouble her brother has caused you.”

“She was?” It really should come as no surprise, considering Lady Cowper’s notoriety as a kind, and benevolent woman. She was, after all, the same woman who’d lifted the ban at Almack’s on her scandalous sister-in-law, Lady Caro Lamb, even after Lady Caro had written the shocking work Glenarvon that included thinly veiled references to some of the tons leading members.

Christopher continued, interrupting her musings. “Lady Cowper was quite apologetic about the whole affair. She wanted me to convey my sincerest regrets and the assurance that her brother will no longer contribute to Lady Ackerly’s Tattle Sheet.”

A laugh worked its way up her throat, and spilled from her lips. “Surely you jest.”

“Oh, no. Not at all. She did, however, agree to have her brother publish a final piece.”

“Final piece?” she asked, her tone leery to her own ears.

Christopher removed the papers from her hands, and set them down. Then, he raised her knuckles to his lips, placing a gentle, lingering kiss upon them. “I would have arrived sooner if I’d not spent several hours with Lady Cowper. She transcribed the final column.”

He reached into his jacket and withdrew another parchment—a copy of Lady Ackerly’s Tattle Sheet.

The Earl of W has fallen hopelessly and helplessly in love with his stunningly beautiful, musically gifted, outrageously witty wife, Lady W. It is his fondest wish that he can someday find himself worthy of her love.

A single tear streaked down her cheek. Then another. And another. Falling in a slow, waterfall upon the words until the black ink had smudged. She dashed a hand across her cheeks. “I’ve ruined it,” she managed between little gasps of air.

He winked. “There will be many other copies. It goes to publication tomorrow.”

“Oh, Christopher, you don’t have to do this.” His social image had always mattered a great deal to him. That he would willingly humble himself on her account filled her with a growing warmth. “I know you love me. Truly.”

His smile grew, displaying the even row of pearl-white teeth. “Good, Phi. But I’m still having it printed.”

“You silly, silly man.” She reached up and placed another kiss upon his lips.

“Should we have Lady Ackerly’s Tattle Sheet print that? Lord W, a silly, silly…”

“Christopher?”

“Yes, Phi?”

“Be quiet, and kiss me.”

“As you wish.”

And he proceeded to do just that.





Epilogue Christopher stroked the top of Duke’s slumbering head. The pug let out a loud snore, his flat nose sprayed Christopher with bits of moisture. “You really are foul. Don’t tell your mistress I said as much.” The dog continued sleeping. “Not all the time,” Christopher amended. “There are times you are quite nice. I shan’t admit it to anyone. Not even your mistress.”

“Christopher, are you talking to Duke?”

His hand froze mid-motion. His gaze flew to the entrance of the room.

Sophie stood framed in the doorway, a grin playing about her luscious red lips.

“Uh, no. Not at all. I was just…”He sighed. “Talking to Duke.”

She made an X across her heart. “Your secret shall not leave this room.”

His eyes fell to the newspaper in her hands. “What do you have there, sweet Phi?”

“This?” she said, breezily. “Oh, it is just a copy of Lady Ackerly’s Tattle Sheet.”

His brows narrowed. By God, Lady Cowper had insisted her brother would cease dragging Sophie’s name through the paper. She’d given him her word as a lady.

“Might I read you the latest piece?”

A growl worked its way up his throat. He stood with such speed, Duke nearly tumbled to the floor. Christopher caught the pup, and set him down on the leather chair they’d occupied. Duke nestled into the folds of the winged-chair and fell promptly back to sleep. “What has he printed now?”

Sophie opened the page. She smoothed a finger over it.

“Lady W has fallen hopelessly and helplessly in love with Lord W, her magnificently handsome, intensely loyal, exceedingly clever husband. He has always been worthy of her love.”

He crossed the room to take her in his arms but she danced out of his reach. “I thought it would be far too scandalous to print that which I truly wished to write.”

He chuckled and this time swept her into his arms. “What is that?” he murmured. His lips found the sensitive place where her neck met her ear.

“Mmm, you do know it is hard for me to think when you do that?”

His mouth momentarily hovered above her flesh. “I do.” Christopher proceeded to kiss her.

“Aren’t you just the bit curious as to what I wanted to print?” she whispered, angling her head to allow him better access.

“Somewhat.”

A breathy little moan escaped her. “I never would print it. I was merely trying to shock you.”

“Were you?” he moved his attention to the corner of her lips.