“Are you sure? I will stand by your side if you wish to do so.”
“I know you would. No, the paper is only for my records.”
“You shouldn’t be so hard on Sheffield. You were too tempting to resist.”
“I can almost forgive him for his role he played with you, since I did the same. But I cannot forgive him for the hurt he inflicted on my friend. Something played out between him and Sophia, and I aim to discover what.”
“Perhaps it would be wise to let them handle it themselves.”
“No, she is my friend and needs my help.”
“Is this going to be our life?”
“What life?”
“Our life together.”
“What, sneaking into each other’s windows?”
“There will be no sneaking when we share the same window.”
“Funny, I do not recall your offer.”
Wilde brought her hands to his lips and kissed her ring finger. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride, Sidney Hartridge?”
“You realize once we are married you will need to think of your own material. Not the ones you read from my romance novels or from the help of my best friend.”
“Funny, I didn’t hear you complaining earlier on my own material. In fact, I seem to recall you begging for more.”
Sidney swatted at him as she blushed at the memory. The memory lingered in her mind, growing into a desire for him to educate her on more of his material. When her eyes changed, he growled his agreement, pulling her to him for a kiss. She asked if he had more to share, and he whispered that he possessed a lifetime of knowledge to share with her. His kisses held the promise of more as he swept her away on another flood of desire.
Epilogue
“Are you sure about this, Sidney?”
“Trust me, I am never wrong with my instincts.”
“I feel we shouldn’t interfere.”
“Nonsense, something simmers between them, and I mean to uncover their connection.”
Wilde drew Sidney into his arms. “Shouldn’t we worry about our own connection, Lady Wildeburg?”
“Why, Lord Wildeburg, again so soon?”
Noah nibbled on Sidney’s neck as he tried to distract her from her latest project, but he couldn’t deter her. As much of an enticement he was, she needed to secure her friend’s happiness.
Noah pulled back after he finished kissing his wife. “If this dinner is not a success and I prove you wrong, will you promise to halt your plans for Sophia?”
“I promise, but I know I am not.”
“Very well. Until this evening, My Lady.”
“I will make it up to you later, My Lord, and that is a promise I will keep.” Sidney kissed him before she floated out of his study.
“Promise? Keep? Sidney,” Noah growled.
Sidney popped her head around the door. “Yes, dear?”
Noah shook his head at her innocent expression. Since they married, he became aware of her interfering nature. While done in goodness, she seemed to cause more trouble than anything else. Her curious mind on human behavior would keep him entertained for years to come.
“Nothing, darling.”
“One more thing, dear.”
“Yes?”
“Please keep Sheffield away from Sophia this evening. I don’t need him to ruin my plans. I only invited him for you and to show there were no hard feelings. If he so much as oversteps his welcome, I will not hesitate to rewrite my thesis and publish it in all the newspapers.”
“I will keep Sheffield occupied.”
“That is why I love you so.”
“The only reason?”
“Well, no ...” Sidney replied as she stepped back into his study, locking the door behind her.
Sidney spent the rest of the afternoon showing her other reasons for loving Noah Wildeburg with all her heart. Wilde, in return, showed her a few new reasons of his own. Sidney forgot about her arrangements as they expressed their love for one another.
The End
.....
Coming in the summer of 2019 is Sophia’s story
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Author Laura A. Barnes
I am the author of The Romancing the Spies Series. When I am not writing, I am spending time with my family. I love reading books on lazy afternoons and late into the night. Anytime really. Married twenty-nine years to the love of my life, and we have three wonderful children and two sweet grandbabies. Besides writing, I have always wanted to travel. In the last few years, we have gotten our passports stamped in England, Scotland, and Ireland. We are hoping to add Italy to the list soon. My debut novel is Rescued By the Captain.
You can visit me at www.lauraabarnes.com to join my mailing list.
TRICKING THE SCOUNDRELS Series:
Whom Shall I Kiss... An Earl, A Marquess, or A Duke?
Whom Shall I Marry... An Earl or A Duke?
ROMANCING THE SPIES Series:
Rescued By the Captain
Rescued By the Spy
Rescued By the Scot
Whom Shall I Kiss... an Earl, a Marquess, or a Duke? Page 18