Genevieve shrugged. ‘I believe, his daughter having so narrowly escaped being married to a man who is now known to be both a cheat at cards and a bankrupt, that Ramsey will keep a diligent eye on the next man who wishes to become his son-in-law. As I have no doubts that Charlotte, being as you once remarked, of a romantic frame of mind, would very much enjoy being married to a man as handsome as Sandhurst.’
‘A Greek god, as I believe you once referred to him …?’ Benedict recalled disdainfully.
‘Besides which,’ Genevieve continued as if he had not spoken, ‘Sandhurst would be a fool to refuse the opportunity to take an heiress such as Charlotte as his wife. And he is many things, but not a fool.’
Benedict arched dark brows. ‘And are those the only reason for your … matchmaking?’
Her mouth tightened. ‘Well, there is still the little matter of Sandhurst having once tried to play me for a fool.’
Benedict gave a shake of his head as he chuckled; he should have realised that his Genevieve would not allow that incident to go unpunished. ‘So you have decided that his punishment for that is to be married to a romantic chit whose father will keep such a tight rein on him he will never be able to draw so much as another breath without Ramsey breathing down his neck?’
Genevieve smiled impishly. ‘I believe the three of them will deal very well together, yes.’
Benedict smiled ruefully as he slipped his arm about the slenderness of his wife’s waist. ‘Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you, love.’
‘Oh, you never could, Benedict.’ She beamed up at him. ‘For, you see, I love you more than anyone or anything and I always will.’
His arm tightened about her waist. ‘And I love you as deeply and for always. When shall we be able to escape this hell and be alone together, do you suppose …?’ He scowled at their numerous wedding guests.
‘Do not glower, Benedict,’ she teased as she ran the lightest of fingertips down the tightness of his clenched jaw. ‘And what do you suppose I was doing in the conservatory earlier?’
Benedict looked down at her hopefully. ‘Looking for a suitable place of seclusion for the two of us to escape to, it is to be hoped?’
‘How well you know me, my darling Benedict,’ Genevieve purred seductively. ‘I also asked Jenkins earlier to see to there being a downy blanket or two in there for the two of us to lie down upon.’
‘And has he carried out your instructions?’ His eyes glittered darkly.
‘Come and see.’ She took his hand in hers and the two of them slipped away to the privacy of the conservatory, where the bride and groom proceeded to show each other just how much they would enjoy ‘loving and cherishing’ each other for the rest of their lives …
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
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First published in Great Britain 2013
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited.
Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Carole Mortimer 2013
eISBN: 978-1-472-00353-9
Table of Contents
Author Note
About the Author
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Copyright
Some Like to Shock (Mills & Boon Historical) (Daring Duchesses - Book 2) Page 22