Tess grinned. "Only because the outcome was a good one."
"It is not a gamble if you know the outcome ahead of time."
Tess blinked several times as the words sank in. She had been willing to wager her heart when she had scarcely known Tony, when she had believed his heart to be unattainable. But now she was insisting she see all the cards in his hand before she wagered anything more. Granted, there was a great deal at stake—her heart—but wasn't his as well?
She touched the reticule dangling from her wrist, comforted by the crackle of the parchment it contained. No, now was not the time to be a fainthearted gambler.
The coach came to an abrupt halt, startling Tess out of her reverie. She glanced around, noticing the road was filled with people, making it nearly impossible to get her bearings. Before she could, a horrible sound wafted through the air.
"Dear heavens," Tess said. "What is that?"
"I have no idea," Felicia replied. "Though it calls to mind when a horse of mine missed a fence and came up lame. I had never heard such wailing. Until now."
"The poor creature. I hope someone has fetched a doctor."
The noise grew louder, rising to a crescendo. To Tess's surprise, Felicia began to giggle and then she doubled over with laughter.
Tess had no chance to ask the reason for Felicia's ill-timed humor, for all at once the crowd parted, and Tess saw Tony, his hand over his heart, his expression intense…
She bit back a smile. Her husband was the source of those utterly dreadful sounds.
Tony stopped to take a breath, and somehow he looked her direction, almost as if he had sensed her presence. He smiled, and then headed towards her through the path created by the crowd of curious onlookers.
As soon as he reached the carriage, he began to sing once more, his arm outstretched in a theatrical pose. It was a heartfelt, yet horrible, rendition of a love song.
"Stop," she pleaded.
He was instantly crestfallen. "My apologies. I did not mean—"
"No! No, that is not what I meant. I came here to read an ode, to my husband. The one I love." When his breath caught, she added, "To tell him he has won my heart."
His eyes lit up. "You have won mine. I have waited much too long to sing your praises, Tess, and now I want to shout to the world how much I love you."
There was a collective sigh from the crowd surrounding them. Felicia added a delighted laugh.
Tony began an off-key version of something that might have been a song, before he had attempted it. Tess laughed and leaned forward to halt his singing with a passionate kiss.
"Thank heavens," Felicia said. "After all the scandal we have caused, Tony's singing is what will finally have the ton shunning this family for good."
Tony seemed oblivious, however. "I love you, Tess," he whispered against her mouth. "I may not have fallen instantly, but my heart has been yours since our first meeting. It took me much too long to realize it."
"Our first meeting?" Tess tilted her head, as if she was trying to remember the occasion. "When you told me not to set my cap at you?"
His mock groan rumbled against her lips, making her smile.
"Do not fret, my love," she said. "That meeting instigated not only my first wager, but my first win. I am grateful you goaded me into it."
"I have never been so happy to lose a wager." Tony pressed his lips against hers once more. "Though I hope you are amenable to reading the ode you have written about me."
"It is better suited for a more private locale," she demurred. "Especially as I have composed several stanzas which laud your—"
"Inimitable wit?"
"Yes, of course. But there are twice as many devoted to—"
"My raven locks? My manly physique?"
"Your stamina!" she blurted.
The crowd gasped en masse and then broke out into nervous laughter. Tony gave them multiple bows before returning his attention to Tess.
"Damn you, Tony, must you always provoke me into saying what I should not?"
"Yes, I must. I adore that about you. In truth, I am inspired to warble a tune about it."
"No, I beg of you," Felicia said. She climbed down from the carriage, holding the door open for Tony to enter. "Take your bride home and sing your praises in private." She snickered. "Clearly she loves you or she could not endure such caterwauling."
"Endure?" Tony protested. "Surely you misspoke. I am certain you meant 'adore'."
Tess tugged his hand until he seated himself in the carriage next to her. "Yes. Adore. Ti adoro."
"Ah, Signor Baratelli has been giving you lessons as well. Perhaps we should join our efforts. Your love poetry with my songs."
Tess nodded, happier than she could have believed possible. "It does sound like a winning combination."
Tony grinned, right before lavishing her with kisses that had the crowd cheering madly.
***
"Finally!" Ares said. "A gentleman who understands a grand gesture. I had begun to lose hope."
"Yet no one fell instantly in love," Aphrodite mused. "I wonder why."
"Perhaps it is a sign we are meant to return home."
"It could be." Aphrodite wondered if she had remained so long amongst the mortals that her matchmaking powers had been drained. It seemed a distinct possibility. It also kept her from blaming herself for this couple who had found love without her assistance.
And she had yet to resolve the situation with Aurore and her true love. If ever a couple deserved a happy ending…
Yes, clearly she needed to consume a great deal of ambrosia and laze about Mt. Olympus until her powers were fully restored. Then she could return to this place she had grown so fond of, ensure Aurore was happily wed, and then turn her efforts to another pair of lovers.
There would never be a shortage of matchmaking opportunities here, that was for certain.
"Who are you contemplating?" Ares's voice was filled with indulgence.
She did not even pretend not to understand, though she did wonder how often he chose to read her thoughts. She might need to test that one day.
"I am thinking of a true scoundrel. One who is nearly impossible to redeem."
"Ah, the one who fled his creditors." Ares raised his eyebrows. "That shall be a challenge, since he has been cut off from polite society."
"I know! I cannot wait." At his groan, Aphrodite linked her arm with his. "Yet I am eager to return home. It has been much too long since I have seen you in a toga." She fought off a shiver at the memory of the white fabric draped over his muscular, bronzed legs. "It is certain to inspire my matchmaking to new heights."
Ares brushed her hair back and placed a tender kiss against her forehead. "Anything for my love. Anything you desire."
Aphrodite clasped his hand in hers, and began walking backwards, slowly. "I have discovered such a delightfully secluded spot. It is the perfect place for us to bid farewell."
"But we are leaving together."
"Precisely."
"I do not usually care for long drawn-out leave-takings."
"I am confident you will feel differently about this one." She stopped so she could kiss the tip of her fierce warrior's nose. "This is a sendoff that should not be rushed."
"Neither should I," he added with a wicked grin.
Aphrodite shivered anew, racing to the nearby copse of trees, eager to spend a pleasurable afternoon with her immortal love.
The End
About the Author
I have worked as an attorney, winery tasting room manager, and retail business owner, but nothing beats the thrill of writing humorously-ever-after romances.
I reside in New England, although I fantasize about spending the rest of my days in a tropical locale, wearing flip flops year-round, or in Regency London, scandalizing the ton.
I can usually be found on Twitter, chatting about writing, and coffee, or on Facebook, chatting about coffee, and writing.
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Other Available Books
Historical
Lord Rakehell's Love (Book 1 of The Curse of True Love series)
Lord Wastrel (Book 2 of The Curse of True Love series)
Falling for His Duchess (Book 3 of The Curse of True Love series)
Where Have All The Scoundrels Gone? (3 interlinked Regency romance novellas)
Lord Midnight (Regency historical romance)
Rogues Gallery (Regency Romance boxed set containing Lord Midnight, Lord Rakehell's Love, and Lord Wastrel)
Contemporary
Summer Lovin' (FREE contemporary romantic comedy novella, Book 1 of the Seasons of Love series)
Fallin' in Love (Book 2 of the Seasons of Love series)
Bad Ex Karma (contemporary romantic comedy)
I Do. . . or Die (contemporary romantic comedy/mystery)
Eat Play Love (contemporary romance boxed set containing I Do. . . or Die and Bad Ex Karma)
Heartbreaker's Bet (contemporary romantic comedy)
Future Releases
Fortune Favors the Scoundrel (Book 5 of The Curse of True Love series)
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The Debutante's Wager (The Curse of True Love Book 4) Page 9