Buffle-headed and panicked, she started to struggle, but the arm kept her trapped.
A second later, the door opened.
“I do believe I saw her go in here… oh dear.”
Penny’s heart stopped as she saw Marcus standing there, Cora Ashley clinging to his arm.
“I think we’ve interrupted a rendezvous,” Cora said sotto voce.
“Marcus,” Penny said hoarsely.
The reality of her situation blazed through her, and despite her woozy state, she renewed her struggle. This time, the arm let her go, and she stumbled to her feet, her bare knee bumping painfully against the coffee table. She stared in shock at the man who’d been keeping her captive on the couch: the footman, his hair disorderly, chest bare, the fall of his trousers hanging open.
He looked like a lover caught in the act of a sexual escapade.
And she looked no better.
The situation was damning; her history made it more so.
Her gaze flew to Marcus, and the fury and disgust on his face made her throat close. Her stomach churned sickly. She couldn’t get words out, incoherent pleas dashing against her skull like waves against a rocky shore.
You must believe me… it’s not how it looks… no, no, no…
“Come, Blackwood, let’s leave them. It’s as I said.” Cora Ashley placed a hand on Marcus’ sleeve, her smile victorious. “She’s not worth the scandal to your name.”
Marcus shoved her off. The next instant, he was prowling over to Penny. Yanking off his jacket, he placed it gently on her shoulders.
He cupped her jaw. “What happened, darling?”
Flames smoldered in his eyes, but his touch and voice were gentle. His rage wasn’t at her. It wasn’t at her. Relief dissolved the starch in her knees, and she would have fallen had he not caught her around the waist, steadying her against his solid strength.
“The punch,” she managed. “I think… it was drugged. The next thing I knew, I woke up here.”
Hell-fire leapt in his eyes. “Can you stand on your own?” he bit out.
She nodded.
He spun to face the footman, who, obviously sensing the direction the wind was blowing, had scrambled to his feet. He held his hands out in front of him as he backed away.
“Now look here, my lord. It wasn’t my fault. Your wife wanted it—”
Marcus’ fist flew out, connecting with a loud crack.
“My nose! You’ve broken my bleeding nose—” The footman groaned, doubling over from the punch to his ribs.
“I’m going to kill you, you bastard,” Marcus snarled.
The footman tried to fight back. His attempts were as ineffectual as a cat batting its paws at a lion—and an enraged king of the jungle at that. Stumbling back from another of Marcus’ powerful blows, he gasped, “It wasn’t my fault. It was Lady Ashley’s. Promised me a hundred quid, she did, to drug the punch. To set this all up.”
Anger swept through Penny, clearing away some of her wooziness. She’d guessed as much, but hearing confirmation of Cora’s vile plot made her hands curl at her sides. Cora’s cheeks were as pallid as her dress, her eyes darting, and, without a word, she dashed out of the gallery.
Marcus had the servant by the neck, pinning him to the wall. “What drug was used?”
“Just a sleeping draught,” the bastard gasped. “The mistress uses it herself, said it wouldn’t harm the lady. Just put double the dose, she said, and bring her up to the gallery and make it look like a tryst. Nothing happened, I swear. I was just following orders—”
Marcus’ fist plowed into the footman’s jaw, and, with a feeble moan, the latter slid down the wall, crumpled and unconscious.
Marcus strode over to Penny. The battle light hadn’t left his eyes, and she knew the effort it cost him to gentle his voice as he said, “Let’s get you dressed and out of here.”
She nodded, and he helped her into her gown, straightening her coiffure.
“Ready?” he said.
“Yes. Marcus?”
“Yes, love?”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He touched her cheek, self-recrimination darkening his eyes. “Don’t thank me. It’s my fault. I should have protected you—I just never guessed that Cora Ashley would be capable of such deviousness.”
Cora’s maliciousness didn’t surprise Penny at all… but she decided to let it go.
For now.
“Thank you for rescuing me anyway,” she said softly. “Most of all, thank you for trusting me.”
Some of the brooding left his gaze. Keeping one arm around her shoulders, he touched the ruby necklace at her throat.
“Don’t you know that your worth is beyond compare, Penny? I trust and love you with everything that I am,” he said.
She didn’t know how she’d come to deserve such a husband. But he was hers. All hers.
“I love you so much, Marcus.” Her eyes welled, her balance wavering.
He swept her up into his arms. Kissed her tenderly. “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue
Several days later, on Christmas Day, the Blackwoods’ drawing room was the site of cozy pandemonium. Against Marcus’ wishes—he’d been adamant that Penny should stay in bed and rest after her ordeal—Penny had arranged a little party. She’d wanted to celebrate the holiday with their closest friends and family.
Now she was sitting with Emma and Thea at a window seat, watching as plump snowflakes drifted lazily outside. Inside, the fire leapt merrily, conversation and children’s laughter flowing through the halls, the scent of gingerbread and spiced Yuletide posset warming the air.
“Thank goodness you’ve recovered,” Thea said.
“I feel absolutely fine.” Penny gave a wry smile. “In fact, I slept like a babe the day after the Ashleys’ ball, and now I’m more rested than I’ve been in ages.”
“I cannot believe the sheer maliciousness of Cora Ashley.” Emma’s chestnut curls bobbed as she shook her head. “Imagine hatching such a devious plot.”
“At least her punishment fits the crime,” Thea said philosophically.
The day after the party, an incensed Marcus had gone to speak with Lord Ashley. He’d informed the earl of his countess’ transgressions, and, according to Marcus’ report, Ashley’s reaction had been neither shocked nor even particularly caring.
I’ll take care of it, the earl had said in a bored voice.
Three days after that, Cora Ashley had been shipped off to a distant property in Ireland. According to the on dit, there was no return date. Privately, Marcus told Penny that he thought it was good riddance, and Cora deserved her banishment.
Penny, for her part, wasn’t quite as magnanimous as Marcus. The bloody wench had drugged her, set her up, and tried to steal her husband: to her mind, that merited a fair bit more than some jaunt in the Irish countryside. Which was why she’d had a little gift planted in the lady’s carriage. Just a dozen or so of Cora’s favorite eight-legged friends to keep her company on the road.
Feeling generous, however, Penny hadn’t included any poisonous varieties.
See? She had turned over a new leaf.
“I’m just thankful that no scandal has resulted from all of this,” she said. “I shudder to think what might have happened if anyone else had come upon that dreadful scene.”
Even though she had the precious gift of Marcus’ trust, the last thing she wanted was to drag the Blackwood name through the mud. Especially since she and her mama-in-law were on peculiarly good terms these days. Upon arrival today, the old dragon had inspected her up and down and then patted her on the cheek, saying gruffly, “Always knew you were a hardy bloom, my dear. Just like me. Now fetch me some of that Yuletide posset—and mind you don’t skimp on the Madeira.”
“As for the lack of scandal, you might have Violet to thank,” Emma muttered.
“Violet?” Penny said in surprise. “What does she have to do with this?”
Emma and Thea exchanged glances.
> “I must have your most solemn promise that you won’t tell anyone else—except your husband, of course,” Emma said.
Growing more intrigued by the moment, Penny nodded.
Thea leaned forward, her voice hushed. “You do know what happened to Viscount Carlisle at the Ashleys’ Ball?”
She did. The whole ton did.
Somehow, the proud and dignified Scotsman had managed to land on his arse… in the champagne fountain. How the mighty had fallen.
“I heard he created quite a splash.” Penny couldn’t help herself.
Emma gave her a wry look. “You and every tattle rag in London have used that line. At any rate, his mishap proved advantageous in one respect: it drew the attention away from Cora Ashley’s machinations upstairs. Everyone was focused on Carlisle’s accident and took no notice of your departure.”
“The only problem is,” Thea said in a whisper, “we don’t think it was an accident.”
“It wasn’t?” Penny said, puzzled.
“Violet had something to do with it,” Emma said.
“Never say she pushed Carlisle into the fountain?” A startled laugh escaped Penny.
Gnawing on her lower lip, Emma said, “Vi wouldn’t give us the exact details, but she was quite distressed over the whole business.”
“And it takes a lot to distress Violet,” Thea said, her hazel eyes brimming with concern.
“Oh, dear.” Sobering, Penny hoped that disaster didn’t lay in wait. She couldn’t imagine a more unlikely and volatile pairing than between the reckless hoyden and the haughty Scot. “You don’t think there’s anything... well, going on between your sister and Carlisle? I thought she was enamored of his younger brother Wickham?”
“You never know with Violet,” the duchess said with a sigh. “Which is precisely why we’re worried.”
~~~
Later on that evening, Marcus cuddled Penny against his side. They were in bed, naked, their skin still warm and damp from the exertions of their recent lovemaking. Although, in truth, his wife had done most of the work. He traced the sweet shape of her lips and decided he wanted the same thing for Christmas every year.
As if reading his thoughts, Penny murmured against his chest, “Merry Christmas, Lord Blackwood.”
“Merry Christmas, Lady Blackwood.” He played with a long raven tress.
“What did you think of the party? Did you enjoy it?”
Smiling, he said, “It was splendid. You did a marvelous job, love. Although next year I vote we do away with the Twelfth cake.”
To entertain the children, his wife had decided to buck tradition and serve a Twelfth cake on Christmas Day. Embedded in the beautifully iced confection had been a small golden crown: the guest who found the crown in his or her slice got to be king or queen for the day, with the accompanying right to order around the other guests.
Owen had crowed with delight when he’d been crowned king.
His brothers had been less pleased.
“I’m afraid we raised a tyrant. Or, more accurately, three of them.” Penny traced delicate circles on his chest with her index finger. “I do hope they’ll be on better behavior when Agatha meets them next month.”
Knowing how much his wife was looking forward to Agatha’s visit, Marcus grinned. “You just don’t want to admit that I was right and you were wrong when it comes to the boys being little hellions. Might as well admit defeat now, love: Agatha’s going to side with me, and you know it.”
“All right, I admit it. You win.” Penny raised her head, smiling ruefully. Her new ruby and diamond earbobs, the Christmas gift he’d given her to match her necklace, caught the light of the fire and glittered richly against her dark hair.
He touched one earring. “These suit you.”
“I love them, and I love you. Which reminds me—I’ve a gift for you, too.” She left the bed to retrieve it.
Watching the delightful sway of his wife’s ass, he waggled his brows and said, “Didn’t you just give it to me?”
She tossed him a saucy wink over her shoulder. “That was your Christmas present.” She plucked something from her vanity and returned to the bed, handing him a black velvet box. “This is to celebrate our anniversary.”
It struck him then.
“The first time we met was on Christmas,” he murmured. “All those years ago.”
She smiled. “Precisely. Now aren’t you going to open the box?”
He sat up and removed the lid. A handsome gold watch lay nestled against the white satin lining. Lifting it out, he admired it, saying, “Thank you, darling. It’s a fine piece.”
“It’s engraved,” she said.
He turned it over, and his throat clogged. He ran his thumb over the elegant script.
Together through every season.
Setting the watch carefully back into the box, he pulled Penny into his arms and poured his love for her into a long, sweet kiss. They were both breathless when it ended.
“You like it then?” Penny said, her cheeks flushed.
“I adore it. And I adore you.” He tucked a silken curl behind her ear. “But I’m afraid I didn’t get an anniversary present for you. We shall rectify that oversight first thing tomorrow. You can have anything you want.”
“Anything I want?” Her eyes sparkled more brilliantly than the rubies.
“Anything within my power to give,” he said solemnly.
She leaned in, bringing her lips to his ear. There, she whispered her heart’s desire.
He gave a husky laugh. Staring into his beloved’s eyes, he murmured, “As to that, I can make no guarantees, my darling, other than to do my very best.”
He kissed her and, as he’d promised, did his very best.
Twice.
And because Marcus was a gentleman of honor, one who kept his word to his cherished wife, nine months later Miss Georgiana Flora Aileen Harrington was welcomed joyfully into the world.
The End
Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining me in the world of Heart of Enquiry! I hope you enjoyed your visit with the Kent family and their friends and ask that you consider leaving a review. Also, do stay tuned for the next exciting installment in the series, The Viscount Always Knocks Twice, starring Violet Kent and Richard Murray, Viscount Carlisle. When these two sworn enemies meet at a house party, sparks fly, their animosity transforming into forbidden passion. All the while, murder awaits, and every guest will be a suspect...
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Cheers and happy reading!
XOXO Grace
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THE HEART OF ENQUIRY SERIES
Grace’s latest series features the adventures of the Kents, unconventional siblings who find love, laughter, and steamy passion as they unravel mysteries and secrets in late Regency England.
***The Viscount Always Knocks Twice (Heart of Enquiry #4): Forthcoming early 2016!***
What happens when feisty and unconventional Violet Kent clashes with a very proper lord… over murder? Don’t miss this next steamy and thrilling installment in the Kent family saga!
~~~
The Widow Vanishes (Heart of Enquiry, Prequel Novella)
Fate throws beautiful widow Annabel Foster into the arms of William McLeod, her enemy’s most ruthless soldier. When an unexpected and explosive night of passion ensues, she must decide: should she run for her life—or stay for her heart?
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The Duke Who Knew Too Much (Heart of Enquiry #1)
When Miss Emma Kent witnesses a depraved encounter involving the wicked Duke of Strathaven, her honor compels her to do the right thing. But steamy desire challenges her quest for justice, and she and Strathaven must work together to unravel a dangerous
mystery ... before it’s too late.
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M is for Marquess (Heart of Enquiry #2)
With her frail constitution improving, Miss Dorothea Kent yearns to live a full and passionate life. Desire blooms between her and Gabriel Ridgley, the Marquess of Tremont, an enigmatic widower with a disabled son. But the road to love proves treacherous as Gabriel’s past as a spy emerges to threaten them both… and they must defeat a dangerous enemy lying in wait.
THE MAYHEM IN MAYFAIR SERIES
Welcome to Mayfair, where passion and intrigue go hand-in-hand. This steamy romance series brings to life a Regency London of refinement–and depravity. From bawdy houses to Vauxhall, rakish heroes and plucky heroines discover that the path to true love can take some exciting and decidedly naughty turns…
Her Husband’s Harlot (Mayhem in Mayfair #1)
How far will a wallflower go to win her husband's love? When her disguise as a courtesan backfires, Lady Helena finds herself entangled in a game of deception and desire with her husband Nicholas, the Marquess of Harteford ... and discovers that he has dark secrets of his own.
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Her Wanton Wager (Mayhem in Mayfair #2)
To what lengths will a feisty miss go to save her family from ruin? Miss Persephone Fines takes on a wager of seduction with notorious gaming hell owner Gavin Hunt and discovers that love is the most dangerous risk of all.
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Her Protector's Pleasure (Mayhem in Mayfair #3)
Wealthy widow Lady Marianne Draven will stop at nothing to find her kidnapped daughter. Having suffered betrayal in the past, she trusts no man—and especially not Thames River Policeman Ambrose Kent, who has a few secrets of his own. Yet fiery passion ignites between the unlikely pair as they battle a shadowy foe. Can they work together to save Marianne's daughter? And will nights of pleasure turn into a love for all time?
The Lady Who Came in from the Cold Page 18