Page 32 of A Lady’s Guide to Scoundrels and Gentlemen (The Harp & Thistle #1)

London

October 1889

T he night The Harp & Thistle reopened, they got lucky, as it was an unseasonably warm autumn night. And because of that, the entire city went out to enjoy the last bit of summer before the chill took over. A line went out the door and down the block—something that had never happened before. Victor made one single comment about how the crowd seemed decent, and Ollie was thrilled to mingle and be the big personality once again. And Dantes, he really couldn’t have been any happier than he was in this moment. He was making his familiar rounds around the pub, saw old friends, and met the woman who’d tamed Tommy Malone—who had recently finished up a short stint in the slammer for the robbery—and Mr. and Mrs. Malone met the woman who’d finally tamed Dantes.

Dantes received plenty of jokes about being tied down, but he didn’t mind. He had a wife, the most spectacular woman in the world, and no amount of teasing would ever get to him about that.

Looping back around, his eyes anchored on Vivian. She was perched atop a tall stool at the bar with Lady Litchfield and they were whispering excitedly about something.

Dantes went up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Darling,” Vivian said low into his ear as his chin rested upon her shoulder. “A few minutes ago, I heard someone say Mr. Crosby had been forced into marrying. He got one of his sister’s friends pregnant.”

Dantes turned to kiss her neck in a wholly inappropriate way, not caring about Crosby in the least.

She giggled. “We’re in public!” And she reprimanded him with a playful pat on his arm.

“Come with me, then,” he said low enough to ensure no one else could hear.

Vivian gave him a teasing look of exasperation and excused herself to Anne. He took his wife’s hand in his, shot a look to Victor, who had suddenly appeared to ask Anne if she needed anything, and Vivian followed him to the office in back, where he shut the door and pulled her close. He kissed his wife passionately for a long while, something he’d never tire of, and ended it with a gentle kiss on her hairline. “It’s hard to work when you’re here. You’re exceptionally distracting.”

“Should I go home?”

“Absolutely not.”

She smiled up at him as she played with a button on his shirt. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, and this time is as good as any I suppose.”

“Oh?” His curiosity was piqued. “Is everything all right?”

“Oh, yes.” The forced brightness in her voice made him arch an eyebrow. “It is. It’s just…remember how after we married, we decided to put off having children for a little bit so it could be the two of us for a while?”

“Of course I remember.”

“Well, I was wondering. What if we stopped doing that?” She looked up with a lip-biting grin.

A thrill went through him. “What are you saying, Viv? You want to start trying for a baby?”

She blushed at the words, and in this tender moment, he couldn’t help but place his hand at her cheek. “Yes.” She smiled at his touch. “I think so. I know the pub recently reopened, but sometimes, it can take a while. And the fact of the matter is I’m not twenty anymore. If you’re not ready, though—”

“I’m ready. Are you kidding me? Vivian, this is better than the pub reopening.”

“Really?”

He laughed. “I can’t wait, if we’re going to be honest.”

She rested her head against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “I know Victor is rigid on everyone’s work hours, but you all are going to have to consider hiring on more help now. You’re a married man, after all, hopefully a father sooner rather than later. And I really don’t think Ollie and Victor will remain unmarried forever.”

He pressed his cheek to the top of her head. “Who do you think goes first?”

“Oh, that’s easy. Ollie.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he’s younger. Victor, he’s too disciplined. Stubborn. Used to being alone. Sound familiar?”

“Maybe, but I think Victor would go first. Ollie is too free-spirited to settle down. But enough about that. Let’s talk more about making a baby.”

Vivian laughed before pulling away and gave him a coy smile over her shoulder as she went to leave the office, reminding him of the time he’d kissed her hand for good luck. Maybe she was his good luck, what had turned his life around.

“That happens at home, silly,” she said while fluttering her eyelashes.

“Wait.” He crossed the room to her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She took his hand in hers and they went back out and into the happy noise of the crowded pub.

*

Hours later, as the sky began to brighten on a new day, Vivian opened her eyes and found the gold dress she’d put on when they returned home ripped to shreds and tossed onto the floor. Remembering their first night of trying for a baby sent a thrill through her and she couldn’t help but smile to herself as she recalled the passion it had elicited in them. She turned to her side to find her beautiful husband lying next to her, fast asleep. They had separate bedrooms, but he never did manage to leave her room ever, and she never managed to ask him to.

At some point overnight, the autumn chill must have once again taken over the city. Vivian shivered a bit and snuggled close against Dantes. In his sleep, he mumbled something before putting his arm around her. She drifted off back to sleep, cozy and warm.