Scandalous Intentions (20 page)

“With both Lady Claudia and myself ruined, Lord Akford went to her father and asked for her hand. He promised to take her away from London so she could live out her life without the scandal surrounding her. Lady Claudia’s father accepted the offer, and she agreed to the suit without a backward glance at me.”

Sarah swallowed. “So you never set out to ruin her?”

“No. And if not for Lord Akford, I never would have.”

“And now she has come back for you.” Sarah nibbled her bottom lip, emotions roiling in her.

He fought the urge to scoop her into his arms and sample her sweet flesh for himself. “She has, but I have sent her away.”

“Why?”

“Lady Claudia is my past. You are my future.”

Sarah rose from her chair and paced toward the stained glass window. “I will not stay with you when you love another.”

He had no right to blame her. Julian bit back a sigh, coming up behind her and placed his arms around her waist, pulling her against him.

“I love you, Lady Sarah Carrington. Our marriage may have been born from an arrangement, but I was very much in love with you by the time we said our vows.”

She rested the back of her head against his chest. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“I tried to declare my feelings before we married. The evening I threw pebbles at your window, I came intent on telling you how much you mean to me. After I fell and you came to my aid, I changed my mind. Pride got in my way. I feared you did not feel the same way.”

“How do I know you are not tricking me so I will return to London with you?”

Julian turned her in his arms and gazed into her eyes. “I meant every word when I told my father I did not care a whit for his money if it meant I could not have you. Even then, I loved you. I just did not know it yet.”

Her eyes lowered, and for a long moment, she only stared at him. His heart hammered.

“Marchioness Lovington?” He tipped her chin up gently. The need to know her answer nearly did him in. If she were to turn him away now…

She met his eyes. A slow grin spread across her lips, adoration filled her eyes. “Say it again.”

“I love you, Lady Sarah Carrington. You are the only woman for me. I shall love you for the rest of my days if you will allow me to.”

“I love you, too, Julian.”

His lips came down on hers demanding, needing to taste her. She kissed him back with an urgency that matched his own.

Nothing in him would allow him to wait even a moment longer to be with her. He lifted her into his arms and moved toward the staircase, trailing kisses across her cheek and down her neck. “I need to make love to you until you never forget my heart beats for you alone.”

Sarah beamed up at him, laying a hand on his cheek. “I want that too. Always.”

SCANDALOUS INTENTIONS

EPILOGUE

One Year Later

Sarah glanced down
at her baby resting upon a white blanket in her lap. Lila let out a little squeal, and Sarah grinned before looking up at Amelia. “Are you still amazed every time you look at Reese?”

“Indeed, children are a wonder.” Amelia glanced to where her son played in the grass. “He is so curious about the world around him.”

Sarah lifted Lila into her arms, cradling her head against her chest. “It is wonderful to be back in Scotland. Julian turned out to be quite the surprise.”

“It has been my experience that reformed rakes make for wonderful husbands.” Amelia beamed.

Sarah shuddered. To think she had almost thrown away happiness. Allowed Julian’s reputation to stand in the way of love. She had been such a fool.

Amelia stood and went to Reese taking a clump of fresh grass from his hand. “We do not eat grass, darling.” She lifted him into her arms and smiled lovingly down on him. “At this age, they want to put everything in their mouths.”

Sarah glanced at Lila. A pang hit her stomach. “I do not want to think about her growing too big for my arms.”

“Our gentlemen have returned.” Amelia nodded.

Sarah turned her head spying Julian and the Duke of Goldstone coming down the path toward them. She could not stop a smile from spreading across her face. Her heart swelled when his gaze locked with hers, a rakish grin lighting his face.

He leaned down and dropped a kiss upon her forehead before feathering his fingers across Lila’s cheek. “The Duke and Duchess of Goldstone’s gardens have never looked so lovely.”

“How you do go on.” Sarah laughed.

She handed Lila to Julian who cuddled her close to his heart. Was there a sweeter sight than a father with his baby?

“Come to papa, little rascal.” The Duke’s voice filled the air.

Sarah glanced over to where Reese played a moment before. He now perched on his father’s shoulders. Amelia stood next to him, a smile playing at her lips.

“Shall we break our fast?” Julian nodded at the picnic basket resting on the wool blanket.

“Indeed.” Amelia moved to their picnic spot.

Sarah pulled supplies from the wicker basket; cheese, meat, and fruit followed. She opened her mouth when Julian held a plump red berry near her lips. Lila rested across his legs.

“What a marvelous day for a picnic.” Amelia wrapped her arm around the Duke’s and rested her head on his shoulder.

How lucky they were to have found husbands such as theirs. Ones who loved them and understood them.

Julian leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I love you.”

Her heart soared. She had gotten everything she needed from her rake.

EXCERPT OF LADIES AND SCOUNDRELS BOOK 3

SCANDALOUS REDEMPTION

London 1843

Lord Henry Shillington
strode across the music room of Lord and Lady Morse’s country estate. The force of someone bumping into him sent him stumbling backward. “Excuse me.” Auburn curls caught his gaze as he reached out and steadied her.

“You should watch your step.” She peered at him through narrowed green eyes. “Unhand me at once.”

Henry dropped his hands to his sides. She radiated the sweet fruity scent of champagne. “You are foxed.”

Her ear bobs danced and sparkled as she leaned in close. “It is not your concern.” She jerked free of his hold, pivoted, and took a step. Her blue jewel-toned gown snapped with the sudden movement.

He reached out and wrapped his hand around her arm, halting her. “You cannot stay here in your condition. You will cause a scandal for yourself and our hosts.”

“What concern is it of yours?” She rounded on him, her emerald eyes flashing.

His heart beat faster. He had to prevent her from causing a scene. “Allow me to escort you outside. We can stroll through the garden.” Part of him worried for their guests, but, if he were being honest, he would have to admit he wished to know more about this beauty. Something about her captivated him. Perhaps her unusual green eyes, or the misery he saw in her gaze.

A slow smile spread across her full lips. “Very well.”

She swayed and clung to his arm as he led her out into the open country air. What would compel a lady to become foxed in the middle of the day? And who was she? Surely they had never met before.

He turned her down a path lined with various flowers and green foliage. The details did not signify. She was clearly in distress, and he intended to help if he could.

“Might we sit, Lord...what is your name?” Her intoxicating laughter floated through the empty space.

He had never heard a sweeter sound. It tugged at his heart, endearing the strange woman to him. “Lord Shillington. And yours?” He stopped in front of a cast iron bench. He could not take his eyes off her as she lowered herself onto the seat in a flutter of skirts and auburn curls. Her gaze reflected sorrow, but her lips held a breathtaking smile. His heart rate increased.

“Do sit with me, Lord Shillington.” She patted the bench next to her.

He positioned himself near her, but not too close. Being out here with an unchaperoned lady was scandalous enough. He had no desire to compromise her--or himself. Given her state, he had no choice but to remove her from the gathering. However, he also had a responsibility to control the propriety of his behavior.

A cool breeze ruffled her elegant skirts, drawing his gaze over her form. Heat climbed into his cheeks as he studied her. Tall and lean, yet she possessed curves in all the places a man liked to see them. He trailed his gaze back to hers, offering a grin. “Your name, my lady?”

She looked at him through hooded lashes, her green eyes sparkling. “Lady Claudia Akford.”

His heart skipped a beat as his throat tightened. The notorious Lady Claudia who had caused trouble for Lady Sara and Lord Luvington? He should not be anywhere near her, least of all attempting to aid her. The scandalous lady brought on her own troubles.

He shot up from the bench. “I will not be a party to your scheming. Lord and Lady Luvington are my friends, but I suppose you already knew that.”

She stood and reached out, taking hold of his arm. A crestfallen expression came across her lovely features. “Indeed I knew nothing of the sort, nor am I scheming. Go if you must, but know you are mistaken about my motivations.”

He jerked his arm free and walked away. A soft sniff made him freeze.
Do not turn around.
After another step, he glanced over his shoulder.
Blast it
. Lady Claudia sat upon the bench, head hung low, shoulders trembling. With a deep inhale, he moved back to her side.