Page 38 of Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November

“Don’t tell me the two of you believe that gossip. Much of what she wrote about you was incorrect,” she told Munro.

“Which parts were correct?” Arthur asked. Munro shoved him.

“You’re exactly right, sweetheart,” Munro said. “We shouldn’t be reading this gossip.”

“Hand it over then.” She held out a hand, and Judith took the paper. She glanced down at the column then leaned closer. “Judith, did you—”

“Yes. I already read it. It’s about time she raked that man over the coals.”

“Then you know who it is?” Munro asked.

Beatrice tossed the paper down. “Every woman in London knows who it is. But I can honestly say that the only rake I care about is right here.” She reached out, and he took her hand and kissed it.

“Reformedrake, sweetheart.”

Judith cleared her throat and lifted her letter again. Arthur reached forThe Rake Reviewand perused the column again. Munro stood and pulled out a chair for Beatrice who took it. Before he sat beside her, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “When we marry, I propose we have breakfast in bed.”

“That sounds messy,” she whispered back.

He winked. “Exactly.”

“What happened to being reformed?”

“That’s only in public. In private, with you, I’m still Mr. Notorious.”

“Will that make me Mrs. Notorious?’

He kissed her neck—scandalous man! “I love you, Mrs. Notorious.”

And she loved him too, now and forever.

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