She raised a brow.
“I know it sounds stupid, reeking of overwrought words and, well, feelings.” He threw up his hands in surrender. “But that’s what you’ve done to me. And I must say I resent it.” He shook his head. “And I’m glad.”
“You should know, I intend to continue writing, not just your stories but others as well. And I intend to keep any income I receive from writing. I shall want papers drawn up stating that.”
He shook his head in confusion. “Papers?”
“If I decided to marry you, not that you have asked but I’m assuming you will—”
He held up a hand to stop her. “Now there’s something you should know. You were not my first unexpected visitor today. Less than an hour ago, I had an interesting chat with Lady Blodgett who wanted to know what I intended to do about my obligation as I had so obviously taken advantage of you.” He was clearly trying not to grin but the corners of his mouth quirked upward. “I told her who took advantage of whom was in question.”
Sidney gasped. “You didn’t.”
“My next visitor was Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore who also wanted to discuss my responsibilities in regards to marriage as well as extoll your virtues.” He eyed her curiously. “You are apparently quite remarkable.”
Her face heated. “You know how all three of them are prone to exaggeration.”
“On the contrary.” He straightened and moved toward her. “I agree with them.”
“Oh?” She swallowed hard at the look in his eyes and resisted the urge to step back.
He nodded. “And then of course, not to be outdone, my last caller was Mrs. Higginbotham.”
“She thinks you’re wonderful.”
He grinned. “I am. She too wanted to know if I intended to do the honorable thing—”
“I am not an ob—”
He pressed his finger to her lips to quiet her. “Do you want to hear the rest of this?”
She nodded.
He removed his finger and continued. “She pointed out how foolish it would be to at last find the one woman in the world meant for you, the woman who made you think about feelings you never expected to have, the woman who stole your soul, and then not do something about it. Because surely someone else might.”
She stared up at him. “There is no one else.”
“Good.” He smiled. “Papers, eh?”
She nodded.
“I must be mad.” He shook his head. “Papers it is.” He took her hands, drew a deep breath and gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Sidney Honeywell. Do not leave me at the mercy of those old ladies. Do me the very great honor of spending the rest of your life driving me mad. Be my obligation and my wife.”
“I love you too, Harry Armstrong. Aside from that—” she grinned “—I’d prefer not to be at the mercy of those old ladies either and I would be if I said no. They would say I was a fool and they’d be right. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do for the rest of my life than drive you mad.”
“Well, you did say we made an impressive team.” He pulled her into his arms. “So you see—I really did win after all.”
Her heart thudded in her chest. “You should also know the first story I intend to write is ours.”
He grinned. “A love story, then?”
She nodded.
“Interesting except that ours is never going to end.” His lips brushed across hers.
“Why, Harry, I thought you knew.” Her voice was once again breathless. The things this man did to her. “The very best love stories never do.”
The Earl of Brenton and Miss Sidney Honeywell, both of London, were wed at the Cathedral Church of All Saints on Wednesday last. The newlyweds plan to continue their tour of Egypt before taking up residence in London.
—Egyptian Gazette
* * *
A new series of lectures by our honored founders will be scheduled for Spring. Lady Blodgett, Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore and Mrs. Higginbotham are currently continuing their extended tour of Egypt.
—notice on the wall of the Lady Travelers Society
* * *
Mrs. Gordon thanks her readers who have embraced Tales of a Lady Adventurer in Egypt and hopes they will enjoy her new literary adventures, to be written under the nom de plume of Mrs. Armstrong.
—Literary Notes, Cadwallender’s Daily Messenger
* * *
Cadwallender’s Daily Messenger is pleased to announce the promotion of Daniel Corbin to special correspondent for Egypt. We anticipate the publication of his Tales of a Gentleman Adventurer in Egypt sometime next year. We trust he is even now compiling his adventures although his whereabouts are currently unknown.
—Cadwallender’s Daily Messenger
EPILOGUE
Six weeks later
“I DARESAY WE will have a lot to talk about when we return home,” Gwen mused idly. But then idleness was difficult to avoid from the deck chair of a tourist steamer moving slowly along the Nile.
“Who would have ever imagined the three of us seeing all the wonders of ancient Egypt.” Poppy heaved a sigh of contentment. Thus far, they had seen pyramids and ruins, temples and tombs. They’d been to Karnak and Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. It was all the more extraordinary given they’d never expected to set foot outside of England. “And we have his lordship to thank for it.”
“Or blame as he started all this.” Effie chuckled. “Regardless, it was indeed generous of Harry to fund the rest of our tour of Egypt. He really is rather wonderful.”
While Mr. Cadwallender had been thrilled at Sidney’s victory, he had also seen fit to cut off his financial support—with the exception of their return fares home—as he pointed out the purpose of their trip had been accomplished. Still, it did seem a shame to have come all the way to Egypt and spend only a week.
“I do feel rather guilty though.” Poppy grimaced.
“Nonsense.” Gwen scoffed. “The man has more money than he can spend in a lifetime.”
Poppy shook her head. “Oh, I don’t feel the least bit guilty about that.”
“I daresay Harry never imagined he’d be spending his honeymoon with three old ladies in tow.” Effie grinned. “Although I suspect Harry never imagined himself married either.”
“I don’t feel bad about that either,” Poppy said. “It was not our idea after all.” She paused. “But I do have the tiniest bit of remorse about keeping everything we knew from Sidney.”
“It was not our story to tell, Poppy,” Gwen said mildly.
“Regardless of how you feel, even though it has all worked out quite nicely, Sidney would not be the least bit happy with us if she were ever to find out that we knew of Harry’s years in Egypt and his new title nearly from the beginning.” Effie paused. “His father’s quite charming.”
“It seems to me this is one of those secrets the three of us should swear to take to our graves.” Gwen’s gaze shifted from one friend to the other. “Agreed?”
Poppy and Effie nodded.
“I must admit, I rather envy Sidney.” Poppy smiled. “I believe Harry is the beginning of a magnificent adventure.”
“Goodness, dear.” Effie adopted a serene smile, settled back in her chair and gazed out at the Egyptian countryside and the feluccas floating by. “The right man always is.”
* * * * *
AUTHOR NOTE
Lost for nearly four thousand years, the royal city of Itjtawy was finally located in the 21st century through the use of NASA topography data and satellite imaging.
The name of Amenemhat II’s queen consort is still unknown.
ISBN-13: 9781488023415
The Lady Travelers Guide to Deception with an Unlikely Earl
Copyright © 2018 by Cheryl Griffin
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Lady Travelers Guide to Deception with an Unlikely Earl Page 33