“It’s done.” She dropped onto the bed next to him and openedThe Standard. “The scandal of the week sees a Mr. W. and a Miss T. involved in eloping. Mr. W with Lord W. were seen at Doctors Common, one assumes to purchase a special license.”
“Good.” He stroked her knuckles.
“There’s more.” She resumed reading. “Miss T. was at the centre of another scandal last week when she was caught in the middle of an assignation with Lord W. That’s you, darling.Lord W. and Miss T. were engaged as a result, but it’s obvious now that marriage will never happen. Mr. W. must have had a stroke of luck because rumour is he’s suddenly an incredibly wealthy man.” She folded the newspaper. “Congratulations. You’re no longer going to get married.”
“Uh-uh. Correction.” He put the newspaper aside. “I’m going to get married to you.” He pulled her down for a kiss.
“Will the scandal affect your candidature at the House of Lords?”
His mood darkened as he toyed with the annoyingly small buttons of her shirt. “I haven’t thought about that, to be honest.I’d like to talk to Lord Redvers, but I assume he doesn’t want to see me.”
“You don’t seem distraught.”
“I’m upset. Do not doubt. But almost losing you put things into perspective. I want the seat, but I’m glad to be alive and be your husband-to-be.” He grinned when he unbuttoned the first little bugger.
She swatted his hand away. “What are you doing?”
“I haven’t been with you in a while.”
“What are you talking about? We’ve been together day and night.”
“Yes, but I was unconscious, sick, or both. I need you, especially since visions of you in that damn nightgown torment me.”
She stopped his wandering again. “It was a hallucination.”
“But a very good one although the reality is better.” He kissed her again.
“No, you need to recover first. A tumble can wait.”
“I need you.”
“Please, concentrate.” She gave him a quick, depressing peck on his lips. “Miss Taylor, no, Mrs. Wright might not be a problem anymore, but the earl still is. Unless we stop Lord Havisham, he’ll keep trying to ruin you for some reason.”
“Yes, but not now.” He barely started kissing a delicious spot on her neck when a knock came.
“My lord?” Enright said from the other side of the door.
“One moment.” He had to release his grip on Angeline.
She stood up and sat on the armchair.
“Come in.” Royston sat up.
Enright came with a silver mail tray. “It arrived a moment ago. The footman who delivered it said it was urgent.”
“Thank you, Enright.” Royston opened the letter.
Angeline sat next to him again when Enright left. “Who’s it from?”
“Lord Redvers.”
As damn usual. Bad news, bad news, and more bad news.
“What does he say?” Angeline prompted him.
“Lord Redvers has withdrawn his support. I no longer have a champion for the House seat.” While disappointed, he forced himself to remember he was alive and well and that he was going to marry Angeline.
“It’s because of the scandal, isn’t it?”
