Page 127 of Marry in Scandal

“No, of course not, I love it here, Edward. Surely you knew that.”

“But you put so much work into refurbishing the London house.”

Lily laughed. “We’ll use it, don’t worry. I’ll want to spend quite a bit of time in London, at least until my sister and George find husbands.”

He chuckled and pointed to a slender figure crouched over a pen by the barn. She was flanked by a tall, shaggy Irish wolfhound who was sniffing the contents of the pencautiously. “That might be some time. George is far more interested in those puppies than in any man here.”

Lily smiled. “As long as she’s happy, does it really matter whether she marries or not?”

His arm tightened around her. “I never wanted to marry, either, but my marriage has brought me more happiness than I ever imagined possible.” He bent and kissed her. “And it began so unpromisingly.”

“Oh? Did it?”

“Yes, there was a scandal, you see.”

“How shocking.”

“It was. And it created a most scandalous precedent.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “How do you mean?”

“This bride of mine, she has the shocking habit of seducing me at every opportunity.”

“How dreadful,” she said demurely. “I wonder you can bear it.”

“I can’t. Do you see that?” He indicated a young couple disappearing into the shadows. “Making love under an oak tree on a warm evening in late spring is an ancient tradition in these parts. It’s supposed to bring extreme good fortune.”

She laughed, “To whom, pray?”

“To me, of course.” He gave her a mock leer. “Can I interest you in an old Shields tradition, pretty lady?” And without waiting for her response he swept her up into his arms and carried her, laughing, into the darkness, to the cheers of those watching.

Lily wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, her heart full to bursting. She thought of what her father had said, all those years ago, that no man would want her. She might not deserve such happiness, but oh, Papa, she was going to seize it—and this beautiful, generous, loving man—with both hands. And never letgo.