“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.
At least the risk of compromising her no longer existed. It was perfectly fine for a widow to be unchaperoned. Regardless, he was too much of a gentleman to leave her alone in such a state. He would see her sober or at the very least safe in her chambers before abandoning her.
She lifted her head, her green eyes large and sad. “I am not the heartless harlot they make me out to be.”
His stomach fluttered. He h
eld his silk handkerchief out to her. He did not trust himself to speak.
She shook her head, refusing his peace offering. “I know what the ton says about me, but they have it all wrong.”
Somehow he doubted they did. Lady Sarah would never make up a tale to injure another lady’s reputation. She had told him all about Lady Claudia after she traipsed into Lord Luvington’s townhouse. He would see her sobered then be done with her.
“You believe me, Lord Shillington?”
The pain in her gaze compelled him to reach out and pat her gloved hand. “Tell me why you were getting foxed in the middle of the day? Do you continue to grieve for your late husband?”
She shook her head. A hiccup escaped. “Some men are monsters. Lord Akford was such a man.” Her gaze penetrated him. “Do people not celebrate when monsters are slain?”
Henry swallowed past the lump in his throat. “You are celebrating?” Her words concerned him and confused him at the same time. Perhaps the lady was mad.
She laughed. “No, but nor do I grieve his loss. On the contrary, I was pleased to see him gone. I never fancied Lord Akford. He tricked me into marriage, then mistreated me for years. May his soul burn in Hell for eternity.”
“I...” Henry had never heard a lady use such strong language. Words escaped him.
“You need not say anything. Just hear me out.”
Gads, her alabaster cheeks were far too pale. He nodded then steeled himself for her story.
“Lord Akford knew I intended to marry Lord Luvington and ruined me on purpose. He set us up, then went to my father and arranged for his marriage to me. I had no choice other than to accept. Father threatened to disown me if I refused, and all of London already saw me as a fallen lady.” She wrapped her arms across her midsection. “I will not share the details, they are too painful, but Lord Akford was a brute. There was no love lost between us.”
Henry rubbed the back of one hand across her warm cheek then removed it when she flinched. “You need not go on. I have heard enough.” Did she speak the truth? Henry could not fathom the idea of a man abusing any women. He was not ignorant of the world around him but chose to see the good in people. If Lady Claudia told the truth, and the way she flinched when he touched her lent credence to her tale, she had been through Hell. He owed it to her to help. But what could he do?
She stood, turning away from him. “I require another flute of champagne.”
“That is the last thing you need. Let us speak of something more pleasant instead.”
“Very well.” She plumped back down. “Shall I tell you how memories of Lord Luvington kept me sane during my years under Lord Akford’s hand? Or would you like to hear how Lord Luvington cast me aside when I came back to him?”
As soon as she said this, a look of mortification crossed her features. She must have realized she had said too much. Henry closed his eyes and exhaled. She would not be the first person he had met whose pain drove her into a bottle, or who said things when inebriated she would never say under normal circumstances. Her awareness of her mistake somehow softened him.
“Lord Luvington married Lady Sarah. They are in love and expecting a babe. He could not very well toss her aside.”
Lady Claudia glared at him. “But he should have tossed me aside?”
“Did you listen to my words? He married another before you returned.”
“Yes, I am not bird-witted. I have come to accept his choice, but it does nothing to ease my heartache.” She leaned in, stopping inches from his face. “Perchance you could ease my pain.”
“I am afraid I do not follow.”
She brought her lips to his. A jolt of warmth coursed through him as she scooted closer and rested her hand on his thigh. When she ran her tongue across his lower lip, he jerked away. “I am a gentleman, Lady Claudia. Not a toy, and surely not a rake.” Making mistakes when one was hurting was one thing, but this… He turned and strolled away, his cheeks burning, heart hammering.
What had he been thinking to allow himself to spend even a moment in her company? He should have left at the mention of her name. She would bring nothing but trouble for him. He would not allow her to ruin him. Nor would he allow her to use him for her scheme--no matter how much she tempted him. No matter what her lips tasted like.
He entered the smoking room and retrieved a glass of port. How would he avoid her?
ABOUT AMANDA MARIEL
Bestselling author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.
Amanda lives along the Lake Huron shoreline in northern Michigan with her husband and two kids. She holds a Master of Liberal Arts Degree with a concentration in literature and has a long-standing love affair with sugary junk food.
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Table of Contents
Scandalous Intentions
Titles by Amanda Mariel
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
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
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Exerpt of Scandalous Redemption
About Amanda Mariel
Scandalous Intentions Page 13