Page 60 of An Earl's Scandalous Return

He folded his hands and nodded. It seemed that his time in prison had mellowed him a little.

“I see.” He breathed out, and then he said, “I know that I did wrong, but I love you in my own way.”

She rose to her feet. “I know, Gregory. And I am grateful for that. I wish you good health.”

And then she was gone, and she could finally breathe easy as she left the prison, knowing she would never be back.

***

Arabella never thought a day like today would come. St. James’ was full as she waited on the far end of the aisle. It was friends and family, of course, but she knew that scattered among the others were those who wished to gawp at the scandalous Montrose family and their odd ways. For she and Jacinda were having a double wedding.

The musicians struck up a tune, and then she and her sister-in-law were walking down the aisle on the Duke of Gloucester’s arms, and Edward and Alvin were waiting at the other end.

The gossip had been far more than they’d expected, everyone jumping to talk about the rush to Gretna Green for a quick wedding as well as the scandalous birth of the secret daughter the old Lord Montrose had known nothing about.

But thankfully, Alvin and Edward had ridden to St Joseph’s church, received the marriage license, and sent it to the papers anonymously so that all scandal would be quelled. And then, the gossip had been about the wedding.

It was happening right then, and Arabella could barely feel the ground as she walked towards Edward. All the pain of the past four years was over as she took his hands, and the minister began to preach to the quiet audience. When he leaned down to kiss her, and everyone clapped, Arabella could feel all the anxiety released. Whatever darkness had held onto her was gone, and all was forgiveness.

“A bright future lies ahead of us, my love,” Edward whispered as they left the church and jumped into their carriage headed to the Jameson home for the wedding breakfast.

“I cannot tell you how happy I am, Edward. Perhaps now, all the gossips can move on.”

He chuckled, pulling her to sit on his lap, and he kissed her. She caressed his cheek. He looked very handsome, his eyes bright, his hair trimmed. His cravat was bright white, and he wore a dark blue coat and a light waistcoat. He was hers now, all hers and a smile seemed permanently on his face.

“They will, and I think they will start to discuss Seraphina’s debut today and at the ball in a few days.”

“Poor Seraphina. But she will be fabulous. She has done so well.” Arabella was proud of her sister.

“She has. But I do not wish to talk of your sister at this time,” Edward said before kissing her again.

Arabella was anxious to be done with the wedding breakfast. She and Edward had not been alone together once their engagement had been announced. Aunt Sophia had seen to that, and she wanted nothing more than to take him upstairs to their bed and not leave for hours on end.

“You seem distracted,” Seraphina said, coming up to her.

“So I am. There are far too many people here,” Arabella teased. “But I’m happy.”

“You look it.” Seraphina smiled, and Arabella could see what the past weeks had done to her new sister. She practically glowed.

“Now, you should speak to as many people as possible. I know that suitors will soon be coming your way.”

Seraphina paled, and Arabella laughed. “Do not worry,” she said. “I will be with you every step of the way.”

When all the guests had left, Edward took Arabella’s hand and kissed it. “Come with me, my love. I have a surprise for you.”

Her heart thumping wildly, Arabella followed him. He took her out into the garden of his family home, and under the stars, he’d laid a blanket. Trees and bushes hid it, but she could see it as they approached. There was champagne and a lamp, and Arabella gasped in delight.

“Edward, it’s perfect,” she said.

“I’m glad you think so.” He kissed her, his hands pulling her close, and she sank into him. “I love you,” he whispered against her mouth.

“I love you too.” But no words came after as he unbuttoned her wedding gown and laid her softly on the blanket.

His mouth roamed from hers to her neck to her breasts and below, lifting her thighs to kiss her where her pleasure ached. She held tightly to him as he rose above her, and he entered her gently. Her eyes fell into his as she wrapped her thighs around his hips, and he thrust softly at first before he grew rougher.

This time, Arabella had no fear he would leave or break her heart. This time, she gave herself in body and heart, arching up to meet his thrusts and crying out his name as she came, pleasuring tingling down her spine and through every muscle.

He came soon after, and he slid to her side, breathless, groaning a little. “I’m sorry it was so quick, my love,” he said. “But I couldn’t help it. I have craved you for weeks.”

She laughed, snuggling up close to him. “So have I. But now, we no longer need to hide, and we can wake up in one another’s arms as often as we choose.”

He sighed, kissing the top of her head. “So I plan to do. Now, shall we look at the stars, and you tell me all you have learned in the past four years?”

She chuckled, glancing up at the star-covered sky, once again amazed at how beautiful it was, even in the city.

“I would love to.”

THE END?