Page 32 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Two Months Later

Blythe was happier than she had ever been. Nearly every night was spent with Orlando, whether it be at Athena’s Salon or at her brother’s home.

They were careful at Athena’s Salon not to be in each other’s pocket and he would enjoy the various conversations and debates as she supervised the rooms. He had understood her desire not to be gossiped about, yet he was always the last to leave, sometimes sneaking away when no one was looking and allowing the other guests to assume he had left, only to retreat to her set of rooms where he waited for her to retire.

On other nights, he joined her for a late supper in her brother’s home.

And each morning, before most people were about and under the cover of darkness, he slipped from whichever building they happened to sleep in that night to make his way home.

It was not that he or she were ashamed of what they were doing, but as with Athena’s Salon, Blythe did not want to be the name whispered behind raised fans at entertainments.

They were not always intimate, but often spent their nights talking, or playing Cribbage, much like they had done in Brussels, but always falling asleep in each other’s arms, which left her humming through her days, anxious for him to return.

There had been the occasion that he had been absent and there had been an entire sennight that he had not come to visit her but that was because there had been an outbreak of illness among the orphans at Westbrook House.

The symptoms were coughing, sneezing and a fever, and with so many ill, Orlando found himself sleeping in the parlor when not needed.

He also did not want to expose her to the illness if he contracted it himself.

She had understood, of course, but that did not mean she hadn’t missed him.

She was also in love. A revelation that she had difficulty accepting.

Love was not supposed to be a part of what she and Orlando shared. She was holding tight to being a wicked widow without attachment, but could she truly be if she had fallen in love with the rake she was being wicked with?

Of course, she had not told him because she did not want to spoil what they shared. Further, he had not uttered those words to her and she did not want him to reject her out of fear that she would demand a more permanent attachment.

She wasn’t even certain she would want to be married again, and frankly, the idea of being a wife scared her.

She was free and could do as she pleased and was not ready to become the property of someone else, even if it was Orlando.

And just so he did not fear that she was becoming too attached, she mentioned often how much she valued her independence.

She also knew that this relationship, as it was, could not last forever and when it came time for it to end, she knew that she would be destroyed when Orlando was gone.

* * *

These past weeks had been perfect, or as near perfect as any could be. His days were filled with what he valued most; helping people and seeing that they were cured and injuries healed.

He made a difference in the lives of others, for the better.

And his nights, well, for the most part they were filled with Blythe, the woman he had fallen in love with.

A woman he needed in his life permanently.

A woman he suspected would reject a marriage proposal.

If she didn’t mention how much she enjoyed her independence, he would have asked by now, but Orlando was afraid that if he confessed that he loved her and wanted her as his wife that she would reject him and Orlando could not lose Blythe now and if this was all they had, without the benefit of marriage, then so be it.

Except, it wasn’t enough. He wanted her always and to not have to sneak out before the sun had risen. That act alone sullied what they shared as if they were doing something wrong.

He supposed his uncle, the vicar, would view his carrying on an intimate relationship with a woman he was not married to as wrong, but it was this, or nothing, and he needed Blythe.

Orlando was torn. He would continue as they were but he did not want to and he knew himself well enough that in time, he would grow tired of sneaking around and pretending that they were acquaintances instead of lovers at Athena’s Salon. But what did he do?

Those thoughts plagued Orlando when he called on Blythe at her brother’s home that evening.

While they enjoyed dinner and discussed how they had spent the day, he kept thinking about what their future would be and if there even was one. He knew what he wanted. Was there a possibility that she may have changed her mind?

When she talked about how she had changed since her return and becoming a part of Athena’s Salon had brought more independence and how she found something she needed without realizing it was what she wanted, it opened the opportunity for his question.

"And what is it that you need and want for yourself now?" He nearly held his breath waiting for her answer.

"My only desire is to be a wicked widow." Her eyes narrowed as she grinned.

Except he wanted more. He did not mind her being wicked by any means and he enjoyed their nights together but it wasn't enough any longer.