“Brazenness always draws attention,” he said, trying not to recoil from her touch as they made their way deeper into the east side of the garden toward the known privacy of the half-circle of columns and statuary. “But one must be careful about the attention one draws.”
“Oh my. That sounds wonderfully wicked.”
He brought them to a halt and reached inside his waistcoat for the most recent note she’d dared to send. “I must say, it was quite bold of you to pelt my townhouse with so many pleas since your arrival in London.” He held up the folded bit of parchment bearing her seal. “Have you no shame, Your Grace?”
She frowned at him, blinking as though dust had blown into her eyes. “Shame?” She tittered with a nervous laugh. “As I said in all my previous notes, I never forgave myself for making the wrong choice.” She moved toward him, her frown becoming an astonished scowl when he stepped back from her. “You loved me, Matthew. I should never have thrown that away.”
“I lusted after you then, Your Grace. No more. No less. And that foolishness on my part has long since passed. You will cease this harassment that I have decided should be laid bare for all to witness.” He glanced around the perimeter of the clearing and gave a curt nod.
The Broadmere siblings, Knightwood, and a great many more guests than had previously been led outside by Blessing stepped out of the shadows. He held out the note to his smiling sister-in-law. “Would you be so good as to read this aloud for everyone’s enjoyment, although, I must warn you, this one is particularly scandalous and some might even find it offensive.”
“My pleasure, dear brother.” Blessing held the note higher to better catch the light of the torches.
Olandra dove and tried to snatch it away, but Blessing dodged her, then started reading in a loud, clear voice that carried quite well.
My dearest Matthew (yes, I still call you dearest even though you have proven to be most stubborn in your faithfulness to that bland little wife of yours),
Since you refuse to respond to my correspondences, perhaps something a bit more salacious might interest you—
“Shut your mouth, you vile creature!” Olandra charged toward Blessing again, but Knightwood caught her by the wrist and dragged her back. “This is all a lie!” Olandra screeched while trying to yank free. “A wicked contrivance. Why would you shame me this way, Matthew?”
Matthew gave Blessing’s husband an appreciative nod. “Pray, keep our guest of honor in place, Knightwood.”
“Happily,” Knightwood told him, before turning to Olandra. “And you may shutyourmouth, Your Grace, and never threaten my wife again or rue the day you were born.”
“Thank you, dearest,” Blessing told Knightwood, then turned back to the crowd. “Shall I continue, dear friends? I must warn you, the contents are quite—”
Shouts for her toread oninterrupted her.
Blessing gave a theatrical bow and read,
Lord Fetterill and Lord Alcester host the most scrumptious of pleasure parties. After all, with their wives confined by the family way, they must find other means of satisfying their voracious appetites. Join me, my darling. Threesomes, foursomes, and every contrived fantasy is most wonderfully explored at these exclusive events. I promise you will not regret leaving the boredom of your marriage bed to join me in their garden of fleshly delights, full of willing—
“How could you do this to me?” Olandra screamed at Matthew. “You loved me enough to ask me to marry you! I had you first!”
“You are an abhorrence, Olandra, and you neverhadme the way my Fortuity has.” Matthew went to his precious lady love,took her hand, and drew her into his arms. “I love my wife more than I ever dreamed I could love anyone,” he said while losing himself in her blue-eyed gaze, “and I will do whatever it takes to keep her happy and in love with me.”
“I love you, Matthew,” Fortuity said, “more than you will ever know.”
The gathered onlookers clapped and hurrahed as he kissed her with every ounce of tenderness he possessed for her.
Olandra’s enraged shriek split the air. “I hate you all!”
“Well, drat,” Thorne said with a hearty laugh. “Her Grace appears to have escaped.”
“Oh my,” Fortuity said as they abruptly ended their kiss and she turned toward the sound. “The Duchess of Esterton will surely do herself harm, running like that.”
With her skirts clutched in her hands, the dowager duchess raced across the garden, up the steps, and disappeared into the house.
Matthew turned Fortuity to face him. “Now, everyone knows the truth, my love, the complete and utter truth.”
“Again, I love you,” she said ever so softly. “That is the complete and utter truth.”
“I love you more,” he replied before gathering her even closer and bending his head to enjoy more of her sweet kisses. Lady Atterley’s ball could be damned. He had his Fortuity—that was all he would ever need.
Epilogue
Ravenglass Manor
