Page 105 of A Scandalous Bargain
Epilogue
The afternoon was bright and warm, more like August than June. Thomas swung the picnic basket as he walked beside his cousin-in-law, the Earl of Sutton. Ahead of them were their wives and children—his son and Thomas’s daughter.
Wife.
Thomas could scarcely believe he’d married Beatrix two days ago. Hewasthe luckiest man alive, regardless of what Harry believed.
Beatrix walked beside Aquilla, and in front of them, the children chased the four kittens, two of whom would be coming home with Regan, much to her delight.
“Look, Bebe, they’re chasing a butterfly!” Regan took Beatrix’s hand and pulled her forward.
They crested the small hill, and the lake came into view. “Beautiful,” Thomas said.
Sutton briefly shielded his eyes. “Thank you. This is a nice spot, especially at this time of year.”
They walked down the hill to a flat area in the shade of a tall oak tree. Sutton laid out the blanket he’d carried, and Thomas set the basket down on the edge.
“Regan, don’t get too close to the water,” Thomas said.
“Yes, Papa.” She stopped and looked toward him. “Do kittens like water?”
He smiled at her. “I don’t think so, sweeting.”
“Oh good.” Regan skipped after the largest of the kittens, a fluffy gray one.
Beatrix stood just outside the shade and looked to the other side of the lake, which was long and narrow. “Lord Sutton, does that folly belong to Sutton Park?” She turned her head toward the blanket.
“No. That’s Ivy Grove. The lake divides our properties.”
“Who owns it?” Beatrix asked.
“The Earl of Stone.”
Thomas went and joined Beatrix, snaking his arm around her waist and pulling her against his side. “Devereaux House doesn’t have a folly, I’m afraid.” He could hardly wait to show her his estate later in the summer.
“I’m interested inthatfolly,” she said, her gaze fixed on the small temple. “That’s a dolphin at the base, isn’t it?”
Thomas looked more closely. “It is indeed. And a whale beside it. I think that must be Aphrodite in the middle, don’t you?”
“Yes.” Beatrix turned and went back to the blanket.
Aquilla was in the process of laying out the food, but the children were already eating. “I’m afraid I couldn’t stop them,” she said with a laugh.
“Have you been to that folly?” Beatrix asked, sitting down next to Regan, who was nibbling a strawberry that was turning her fingers red.
“Yes, but not in some time,” Sutton said. He looked toward his wife. “I don’t think you’ve ever been there, have you, dear?”
Aquilla shook her head. “I haven’t. But I admit I find it fascinating. The sea creatures are splendid.”
“The Earl of Stone, you say?” Beatrix asked, sparking Thomas’s curiosity. What was this about?
Before he could ask, Beatrix looked at him and barely shook her head. She mouthed,Later.
And so it was much later—after they’d returned to London—before Thomas could ask about the folly. He lay in bed as Beatrix emerged from the dressing chamber in a night rail so transparent that it may as well have been nonexistent.
“I like your nightgown very much. But is there really a point to it?” He held the covers back for her.
She glanced down and shrugged. “I suppose not.” Then she whipped it over her head and cast it aside before climbing into the bed.
