Page 56 of An Earl’s Sacrifice (The Clandestine Sapphire Society #3)

Closing her eyes, Meredith felt the track of a tear trailing down her cheek as she leaned in and brushed his lips with hers.

“All right.” With him steadying her, she stood in the tub and stepped over the edge onto the sopping wet floor.

She wrapped herself in a large linen towel then assisted Lucius up, grasping his hand tightly.

Once he’d gained his footing, she took up another towel and set about patting his backside dry, his lovely buttocks, the backs of his legs, before straightening up before she did something truly embarrassing like licking his softening manhood.

She searched for a topic to quell more thoughts of satisfying her curiosity when it came to his body.

“What do you suppose will happen to my father?”

“That will be up to Parliament. Blackstone, too, I suspect. It’s possible the duke could be stripped of his title.” His arm draped her shoulders, and he pulled her into him. His chin rested atop her head. “Do you worry that you will no longer be the daughter of a duke?”

She coughed out a choked laugh. “No. I’ve always envied Geneva, you know. She never suffered the constraints of Society I and our other friends suffered.”

“You say that now, darling, but the name Pender isn’t exactly unscathed, and I’ve done little to bolster its reputation.”

She heard the smile in his voice. “Papa’s crimes are too egregious to ignore. He should have to pay consequences for his actions.”

“The scandal will be far-reaching.”

“I can withstand any scandal,” she said against his dampened chest. “As long as I’m with you.”

He pulled away and framed her face with both hands. Looked deep into her eyes. She was caught momentarily by the stilled storms missing in his gray ones. “The people of Penhalwick are lucky to have you, my love.”

“Us,” she returned, going on her toes and feathering his lips. “They are lucky to have us. ”

*

One week later

The library door swung back, hitting the wall behind with a decisive crash.

Startled, Lucius glanced up from his place before the fire expecting to see his wife.

Instead, Mrs. Geneva Oshea—his recent sister-in-law—entered, followed by Lady Abra Washington and Miss Hannah Williams—sister of his friend Baron Ruskin—marched in, forming a wall of indomitable feminine determination.

Lucius groaned, already knowing this would not end well. “Oh, splendid. The Fates themselves, come to pass judgment.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, my lord.” Geneva Oshea spoke with a cheerfulness that offered no reassurance. “We’re more like the Eumenides, here to ensure justice is served.”

Lady Abra arched a brow. “He won’t know what that means, Gen. Look at him—he’s clearly never picked up a book unless it was to bludgeon someone.”

“Charming as ever, Lady Abra,” he said dryly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Miss Williams, ever the polite and poised one of the trio, clasped her hands before her and stepped forward. “Meredith.”

Lucius stiffened but remained quiet. He, more than anyone, knew he didn’t deserve his wife’s generosity, her love.

“Your wife should be treated as a queen. But for her horrible father, she would be the pinnacle of Society.” Geneva’s hands clenched at her sides.

“We’re here to ensure you treat her as she deserves,” Lady Abra cut in. “Or else.”

Lucius was amused in spite of himself. “Or else what? You’ll glare at me harder? Attempt to outwit me with your vast collection of insults? You might find I’ve an incredibly thick skin.”

Lady Abra leaned forward and poked her finger in his chest. “Oh no, my lord. The Clandestine Sapphire Society is not heralded for wasting our breath. We look after one another. You are an earl but sacrificial in our estimation. We’d simply toss you into the Chamber of Rest.”

Lucius blinked, his mouth gaped then snapped shut. He stared at them, stunned, for a moment. “Where—How—”

“We have ears, my lord,” Geneva said as if he were an imbecile. “It’s all the talk at The Copper Kettle. Although, to be fair, Hannah did volunteer to push you into the mine herself. Abra and I thought that a bit unseemly, but…” She trailed off with an innocent shrug.

A grin started deep in his chest, and he let out a small cough to cover a laugh. “Er, it’s comforting to know Meredith is surrounded with such… benevolent friends.”

“Sarcasm will not fly with us, my lord.” Lady Abra strode to the fire and spun about, piercing him with her hazel eyes so unique to her mother’s Jamaican heritage.

“We’re immune. I should like to discuss your, shall we say, abysmal performance on your wedding day three years ago. I was there, you know.”

Groaning, Lucius slumped in his chair. “I suspected. You have the look of someone who enjoys witnessing misery.”

“Quite right,” Lady Abra said smartly. “And I don’t mind saying, your misery was most entertaining. I’ve never seen a groom look more like he wished to face a firing squad than a bishop. The bishop had to remind you to say your vows! Twice!”

“Admittedly, not my proudest moment,” he said with a sheepish smile. “It was a rather… overwhelming day.”

Geneva snorted. “Overwhelming? Oh, my lord, I believe the word you’re looking for is ‘cowardly.’”

Miss Williams gave a solemn nod. “Tragic, really. But now you’re lucky enough for a second chance, which is more than most men are afforded. What of Meredith’s other efforts, my lord? Her Literary Society, the school for the children?”

Lucius leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing them.

He quashed any irritation, scrubbing a hand over his face.

He deserved this set down. And if it squared things with Meredith’s dearest friends, then so be it.

“My wife’s good works are safe from my nefarious hands, I assure you.

I know I made a hash of things. But I’m here now and I shall assist her in any way possible. ”

He stared into the three fierce faces for a long moment before breaking into a rueful smile. “I take it I’m under the full attack of the Clandestine Sapphire Society?”

Geneva didn’t hesitate. “You are indeed, my lord. The four of us made a pact years ago. We have every intention of following through on those endeavors.”

“Well. It seems my fate is sealed then. Either I prove myself worthy of my wife, or I get tossed into the mines by three very determined women.” He stood, offering a bow. “Challenge accepted.”

Geneva grinned. “Good. Now, off you go. Groveling takes time, and you’re years behind schedule.”

They marched to the door just as they had marched in, Miss Williams bringing up the rear, but short of disappearing through, she turned. “By the bye, Lord Pender, we are quite looking forward to the renewal of your vows tomorrow.”

They swept out as quickly as they entered, leaving Lucius standing in the library, bemused but oddly invigorated.

“Three harpies I may never survive,” he muttered. But that wasn’t true. He’d survive anything with Meredith at his side.