Page 57 of One Night of Scandal
Jack rose and helped Viola to her feet. “I suppose we are. Good afternoon.” He inclined his head, then escorted Viola from the office and outside to where the coach awaited them.
Raindrops pelted them as they dashed into the vehicle. Once they were inside, Jack let out an oath. Then he apologized. “It’s bloody frustrating.”
“I know.”
He turned toward her on the seat. “I’m so sorry about your story.”
“It’s all right.” It wasn’t really, but she’d get over it. “As it happens, I was making notes earlier today about that book I’d like to write.”
“Yes, what is this book about?”
“Well now, it’s about spies and intrigue and, of course, love.”
“Of course.” He twined his arms around her and drew her against him. Then he lowered his head and inhaled her scent before kissing her neck. “I much prefer you as Viola.”
She tossed his hat to the rear-facing seat and cupped the back of his head, thrusting her fingers into his dark hair. “That’s relieving to know.”
“Tell me about the love part of your book.”
“There’s a brilliant man who seeks to help an aspiring reporter with an important news story that will expose corruption at the highest levels of government.”
He peered up at her. “The highest levels?”
“That’s a new idea that just came to me. I’m still exploring what that means. Perhaps the king—my book can’t be based in the present—hires someone to try to assassinate himself in order to gain sympathy for laws that would control the rebellious working classes.”
He stared at her, arousal darkening his eyes. “Good God,you’rebrilliant. And terrifying. You can’t write a story like that.”
She made a disgruntled sound behind pursed lips. “No, I suppose not. But I’ll come up with something.”
He went back to kissing her neck, his lips trailing down to the hollow, making her shiver. “I am happy to help. Especially with the love part.”
“Good. As it happens, that is the part I would like the most help with.”
Jack clasped the hem of her gown and swept it up her leg. A moment later, she felt his hand along her inner thigh.
She gasped in surprise and anticipation. “We’ll be in Berkeley Square soon.”
He rose up next to her as his fingers found her already wet sheath. “Then I shall be quick.” He gave her a devilish smile just before he kissed her.
“Not too quick, I hope,” she murmured between kisses.
“Don’t worry, my love. I shall repeat this and a thousand other things until you tire of me.”
She held him fiercely and looked into his eyes with all the love in her heart. “That will never happen.”
Epilogue
“Atoast to the bride and groom!” Jack’s father raised his glass of champagne at the dinner party hosted by the dowager. Though it hadn’t yet been a week since their betrothal, Jack felt as though he were a member of the family.
Eastleigh had welcomed him warmly. He and his wife smiled at Jack from the opposite side of the table. And while the dowager could never be described as warm or welcoming, she was engaging and interested in Jack, both as a person and as her granddaughter’s soon-to-be husband.
Soon-to-be.
Tomorrow seemed so far away, and yet it was so close he could taste it. He looked to his left at Viola, who sipped her champagne. Her gaze met his, and in it, he saw the love he felt reflected back at him.
The past several days had been a whirlwind of planning for the wedding and her relocation to his town house. She felt bad leaving her grandmother and had asked him if he would consider relocating here to Berkeley Square next Season. Jack said he’d think about it, but he’d already made up his mind that they should. It seemed he’d fallen in love withallthe Fairfaxes.
After dinner, they repaired to the drawing room instead of splitting up by sex. Eastleigh clapped Jack on the back as they entered. “Port or brandy?”
