Page 50 of A Secret Consequence for the Viscount

‘I’m glad you asked. Count me in.’

* * *

‘I saw Nicholas earlier this evening.’

Georgiana Challenger looked up from her place on the thick rug at her husband’s feet. The fire before them in their bedchamber was warm and inviting and Frederick had opened a bottle of fine wine to share.

‘At the Jacksons’ town house?’

‘He asked me how I knew you were the one I wanted as a wife.’

At that she turned to kneel. ‘He is in love?’

‘Why would you say that?’

‘It is a known fact that every young and worried husband-to-be asks exactly that question of his good friends.’

‘How is it known? I have never heard of this truism.’

She placed her fingers against the line of his cheek, liking the way he smiled.

‘Because it is a feminine knowledge. Who was he with there?’

‘No one, although there were many female hearts a-fluttering.’

‘I will ask Rose tomorrow. Perhaps she has some idea. Oh, I do hope I like her.’

Fred laughed. ‘Only a woman would say something as ridiculous as that.’

‘And only a man would not know exactly why Nicholas Bartlett was asking in the first place. What did you tell him in answer, anyway?’

‘I said you drove me mad because I could not stop thinking about you.’

‘Do I still do that? Drive you mad with desire?’

‘Every single moment.’

‘Frederick?’

‘Yes.’

‘I love you.’