A Dash of Scandal (23 page)

“It's true, I've never been in love before—not really in love the way I feel about you. You are the first woman I've wanted to be with night and day. I not only want you in my arms and in my bed, I want you in my home living with me, having my children.” His eyes looked deeply into hers. “Millicent, just trust me when I say that you are the lady I want forever in my life.”

A smile slowly spread across Millicent's lips and joy filled her. “I love you, Chandler.”

“That's what I wanted to hear. First thing tomorrow morning I'm going to apply for a special license so we can be married. That's another reason that I needed your mother here. You do want her at the wedding, don't you?”

“Of course.” She went into his arms and he held her tightly for a moment, then quickly turned her loose.

“We can't have your mother catching us in an intimate embrace.”

Millicent smiled sweetly at him. “What will she do? Make you marry me?”

Chandler laughed. “She's already consented. Your mother happens to think I'm a very good catch.”

“No wonder she was in such a good mood when she arrived. She has wanted me to marry.” Millicent paused and said, “Chandler, I have a favor to ask of you.”

He smiled. “Whatever it is, I'll do.”

“Maybe if you could talk with Lord Heathecoute. If you could help his lady by talking to the authorities maybe he won't expose Aunt Beatrice as Lord Truefitt.”

“Does he know who she is?”

“Yes. He and the viscountess are the only two in Town who know other than her contact at
The Daily Reader
and, of course, me and now you. Oh, so many people know it will be difficult to keep her identity a secret.”

“Don't worry about Lady Beatrice. I meant it when I said your aunt will never be in need for anything. I'll take care of her.” He smiled at her. “In a matter of a few days you will be my wife. Your family will be my family.”

“Chandler, I am so happy you love me, but you do understand I'll have to continue the columns for my aunt until she's better.”

He pressed a finger on her lips. “No.”

“Yes, I must,” she nodded and talked beneath the light pressure of his finger.

“No, Millicent. She will have to find someone else to do her spying.”

“I don't know who—” she stopped. “But of course I do. I'll ask Lady Lynette.”

Chandler removed his finger and took hold of her hand. “The duke's daughter?”

“Yes, she loves gossip.”

“Millicent, I'm sure all that can be worked out so that you are not involved.”

Millicent laughed and squeezed Chandler's hand. “I must write one last column.”

“And why must you?”

“‘Love comforteth like sunshine after rain,' and so too can the ton be comforted that the first of the Terrible Threesome has been caught. It is on good authority that I report Lord Dunraven has applied for a special license to wed Miss Millicent Blair.”

He scooted closer to her on the bench. “I think I'm agreeable to you writing that one last column.”

Millicent looked up into his eyes. “Are you sure you love me, Chandler?”

“‘Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love.' Yes, Millicent, I love you.”

“And I love you, Chandler.”

He slipped closer to her on the bench and pressed her hand to his heart. “Will you marry me?”

Millicent smiled up into his eyes. “I thought you'd never ask.”

Chandler pulled Millicent into his arms and kissed her thoroughly on the lips.

Millicent thrilled to his touch.

Amelia Grey grew up in a small town in the Florida Panhandle. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for more than thirty-five years.

Amelia has won the Booksellers Best Award and Aspen Gold Award for writing as Amelia Grey. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she has won the coveted
RT Book Reviews
award for Love and Laughter, the Maggie Award, and the Affaire de Coeur Award. Her books have been sold in many countries in Europe, in Russia, and in China, and they have also been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.

Amelia loves flowers, candlelight, sweet smiles, gentle laughter, and sunshine.