Something he hadn’t anticipated was how arousing the whole thing would be, for either one of them. There was a sense of euphoria in bringing her closer to sexual release. And before long, she stilled and cried out his name. Her body clenched around his fingers, pulling them further in. When she relaxed, he got up and crawled on top of her, pleased to note the look of contentment on her face.
He lowered his head and kissed her. She let out a soft sigh then wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer to her. He entered her and she rocked her hips once more, this time not as impatient as before. He wanted to prolong this experience. He’d taken her to completion and even now her body clenched around him from the effects of it.
He hoped to give her sexual fulfillment every time they came together in the future. While he believed that she was completely satisfied up to now, there was a certain empowerment in knowing he could take it a step further.
When he found his release, he held her close, murmuring her name and kissing her neck. Few things were as wonderful as being wrapped in her embrace. He remained with her for a long time, content to continue kissing her, loving how intimately they were connected.
Eventually, he settled next to her and pulled up the blanket to their shoulders before gathering her into his arms. Resting his cheek on her head, he closed his eyes and smiled. If anyone had told him how perfect his life would become, he wouldn’t have believed it. But there was no denying how much better off he was because Paula was in his life. And that was something he’d never take for granted.
***
The next morning before Paula woke up, Perry got dressed and went to the drawing room to see if Christopher or Agatha were up yet. When he found Christopher reading a book with a cup of hot tea and a tart on the table next to him, he sat across from him. “You’re reading a book. Let me guess. It’s either about pleasuring a lady or ways you can upset gentlemen at White’s.”
His cousin didn’t bother glancing up at him. “It’s a shame when people think they’re funny but they really aren’t. I mean, do you tell them the truth or humor them and laugh?”
“Humor them and laugh, of course.”
“Ha ha.”
Not to be deterred by his sarcasm, Perry leaned forward and saw the title. “Gothic horror? You’re still reading those?”
He shrugged.
After a moment, Perry leaned back in his chair. “I have a favor to ask of you.”
Christopher sipped his tea then looked up at him. “What favor is that?”
“I want you to ask Agatha to mention Stewart’s tendency to manipulate people in order to rob them of their wealth. It doesn’t have to be worded exactly that way, but make sure people understand he’s greedy and has no problems using people to his advantage.”
“What good is telling Agatha this going to do?”
“She needs to put it in the Tittletattle.”
Christopher, who was about to take another sip, dropped the cup and tea poured out all over the rug.
“What’s gotten into you?” he asked as he grabbed a cloth napkin to soak up the spill. “I can’t remember ever seeing you so clumsy.”
“How do you know Agatha works at the Tittletattle?”
Perry grinned. “You honestly don’t give me enough credit. Out of all the gentlemen at White’s, you were the only one who would find out about the wager between Lord Pennella and Lord Davenport, and more than that, your engagement to Agatha happened right after the thing was exposed in the Tittletattle. I might be many things, Christopher, but I’m not stupid.” Though, to be fair, he hadn’t figured it out right away.
“I suppose not.”
“There was no other way someone as lovely as Agatha would marry you unless she was afraid you’d expose her secret to the world.”
“Wait a minute.” He straightened in his chair, looking as indignant as he had at any of the times in the past when Perry caught onto what he was doing. “Are you saying that I’m not good enough for her?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. But,” he patted his shoulder, “since you are an expert in pleasuring a lady, I’m sure she’s found a way to be content with her lot in life. As for my wife… She’ll just have to be content with intelligence, good looks and wealth. Though, she did ask me to come right back to her bed after I talked to you, so I better get going. I don’t want to make her wait for me longer than she’s able to bear.”
He gathered his cane, his smile growing wider as Christopher tried in vain to come up with a clever comeback.
***
“You look happier today,” Agatha greeted as Paula came into the drawing room early that afternoon.
Heat rose to her cheeks. She probably should have come down sooner, but Perry had distracted her during that morning…twice. Then there was the long and relaxing bath. It had been such a wonderful morning, the kind prompted by the newfound freedom she was now enjoying. No more secrets. No more lies. Just blissful intimacy with the gentleman she loved.
Agatha chuckled and waved her to the settee where she was sitting. “Come on over and have some tea and scones. You didn’t have breakfast and you ate so little last night. You must be famished.”
“Actually, I am hungry,” Paula admitted as she sat next to her.
“Perry will feel better when he knows you’re eating properly.”
“He was worried about whether or not I was eating?”
“He asked me to go to your bedchamber and make sure you ate something last evening.”
“Did he?”
“Yes. He loves you. The poor gentleman wants nothing more than to dote on you.” Handing her a cup of tea and a scone, Agatha added, “You’re worth doting on. You see him for who he really is and better yet, you appreciate him. There’s nothing he’d deny you.”
“There’s nothing I’d deny him either.”
“Good. Then make sure you eat.”
Paula laughed then quickly obeyed her. She had no idea Perry fussed over her so much, but it was wonderful that he did. “Where are our husbands?”
“Oh, they’re out riding their horses. You won’t believe it, but Christopher is at a loss for words for the first time since I met him. Perry’s been winning the battle of wits with him and Christopher doesn’t know how to handle it.”
“I’m sure he’ll figure it out.”
“In due time, I’m sure he will, but something tells me Perry won’t be so easily horrified by anything Christopher says again.”
Paula finished her scone and tea. “I’m sure Christopher will live with it.”
“He will. If there’s one thing he knows how to do, it’s adapt to change.”
The front door opened and as soon as she recognized Perry’s voice, Paula jumped off the settee and hurried down the hallway. Before waiting for him to greet her, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I missed you.”
Christopher glanced at Agatha. “Why don’t you greet me that way when I come home?”
“Give me a reason to and I will,” Agatha shot back, a teasing gleam in her eye.
“My dear Agatha, you get more and more beautiful every day,” he replied.
She walked over to him and kissed his cheek.
“That’s it?” he asked. “Has the passion already left our marriage?”
“I think you need to read a certain book again,” Perry told him, jabbing him playfully with his cane.
Christopher groaned.
“What book is he referring to?” Agatha asked, her eyebrows raised in interest.
“Oh, nothing important,” he quickly replied. “So when is it time to eat? I worked up an appetite out there.”
“Lunch will be in an hour,” Perry said and gave Paula a kiss. “I hope you’ll be able to eat more than you did yesterday.”
“She already ate a scone,” Agatha spoke up on her behalf.
“And I’ll be hungry enough to eat lunch,” she assured her husband.
“Good.” He kissed her again then released her.
“I need to change out of these riding clothes then take a bath.”
“Don’t be too long,” Paula said. “I miss you when you’re not with me.”
“You can come with me.”
She glanced at Agatha and Christopher. “I don’t know. We have company.”
He turned to them. “We’ll meet you in the drawing room in an hour.” Before Paula could respond, he slipped his arm around hers and led her to the stairs.
Barely within her hearing, Christopher told Agatha, “I had no idea my cousin had such a wild streak in him.”
To which Agatha replied, “Well, you hoped Paula would loosen him up and you got your wish.”
Perry winked at Paula and continued leading her up the stairs.
Epilogue
Two years later
Paula gave a final push and the doctor told her the baby was out. Exhausted, she collapsed on the pillows behind her, glad the ordeal was over. When she heard the baby let out a strong wail, she peered around her monthly nurse as the doctor wiped the baby’s face with a clean cloth.
“Congratulations, my lady,” the doctor called out over the baby’s cries. “You have a healthy baby boy.”
Laughing, Paula accepted the nurse’s help as she brought her up into a sitting position and fluffed the pillows behind her. “A boy?”
“And he’s a strong one,” the doctor said. “He keeps kicking his blanket off.”
“I’ll get him swaddled up for you,” the nurse told her before she took the child and wrapped him tightly in his blanket.
Eager to hold her son, Paula stretched her arms out and brought him to her bosom. He wiggled against her for a moment then settled down and let out a contented sigh. Tears filled her eyes as she examined him. He was so tiny. And perfect.
The nurse patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll let the father know he has an heir.”
She nodded her thanks then turned her attention back to her son. Her son! She hadn’t been sure she could conceive, given that her time with Daniel hadn’t resulted in a child. But early that year, she had discovered she was with child, and here she was just two days away from Christmas and she was holding her son.
“You did fine, Lady Clement,” the doctor said, turning his attention to taking care of the afterbirth. “Your husband will be pleased.”
Yes, he would. Though Paula knew he would have been happy with a girl, she was glad she could give him an heir. Curious about her son, she pulled back the blanket and inspected his little fingers that were clenched. He let out a yawn and opened one of his hands so she reached out to touch his palm. He curled his fingers around her forefinger. Chuckling, she whispered, “You are strong.”
She continued to hold and speak to him in low, soothing tones until the doctor was finished. “You and your son are doing well. I’m happy to say you had a good birth and should have no problems having more children in the future,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll tell Lord Clement it’s safe to come in.”
The monthly nurse returned just as the doctor left and smiled at her. “I’ll get him cleaned up for you, my lady.”
Though it was hard to part with him so soon, she handed the baby to her and watched while she gave him a quick bath, surprised he should cry.
“It’s nothing to be alarmed about,” the nurse assured her. “Babies don’t like the cold air. They spent nine months in a very warm place.”
A gentle rapping on the door brought Paula’s attention to Perry who stood at the doorway. Her smile widening, she motioned for him to join her. “You have a son.” She couldn’t resist saying it, even though she already knew the nurse had told him the good news.
“Now I can tell Christopher he doesn’t have to feel guilty for having a daughter,” he replied, his tone light as he came over to her and settled next to her on the bed.
“He can have all girls if he so desires. The pressure to pass on a title to an heir is no longer going to burden him down,” she quipped, recalling the way he responded when Perry had teased him about not having a boy three months earlier.
“I’m sure he’ll be relieved.”
Giggling, she turned back to the nurse who came over with her son. “Unless you need me for anything else, I’ll give you a few minutes alone,” the nurse said.
“We’ll be fine,” Paula replied then waited until she and Perry were alone before she spoke again. “What do you want to name him?”
A smile crossed his face. “I’d like to name him Anthony, if that’s all right with you.”
“Anthony’s a good name. You want to hold him?”
“I don’t know. He looks so small.”
“You won’t hurt him. Come on. Hold out your arms.”
Despite the slight unease in his expression, he obeyed and gingerly held his son. “He barely weighs anything.”
“I know, and that’s surprising since he felt huge in my womb.”
“Will you miss carrying him? You often mentioned how much you enjoyed it when you could feel him kick.”
“I’ll miss that part of it, but I love seeing you with him. You’ll be a wonderful father, Perry. You can teach him everything you know about chess and horses.”
“And we’ll take him for walks in Hyde Park and to the gazebo.”
“Do you really enjoy walking?”
“I do but only because I’m with you. I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it otherwise.”
She kissed his cheek and settled her head on his shoulder. “You needn’t—”
“I know, I know. I shouldn’t worry so much about what others think.”
“I understand. It’s easier said than done.” She traced her finger along their son’s nose and cheeks. “Why did you pick the name Anthony?”
“It’s Nate’s middle name.”
“Is it?”
He nodded. “I could have named him Nathaniel, I suppose, but I prefer Anthony.”
“It’s a fine name and will serve him well in the years to come.”
“Next time we have a child, you can choose the name.”
“You’re very sweet, Perry.” She gave him another kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Thank you for making my life complete.”
With a contented smile, she returned her gaze to their son, thinking of all the good things waiting for them in their future.
Other Books in the Marriage by Scandal Series
The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife: Book 1
Nathaniel Buford, Earl of Roderick, doesn't want a wife, but his brother died, passing on the title of earl to him. Now he is bound by duty to get an heir. Unfortunately, to get the heir, he must find a wife. As luck would have it, he gets caught in a scandalous situation not of his doing, and the next thing he knows, he's married...and to a lady whose family is reported to desire money above all else.
Miss Claire Lowell wanted to get married. But she never intended to marry a gentleman who felt trapped into it, and she certainly never thought her family would have a hand in the scandal that forced Lord Roderick's hand in marriage. Can love find a way to thrive under such conditions or will her father's eagerness to see her married off to an earl condemn her to a loveless marriage?
A Most Unsuitable Earl: Book 2
Ethan Silverton, the Lord of Edon, is very content with his life. He’s carefully sculpted it so that everyone thinks he’s a notorious rake. For years, he’s worked hard to build his reputation to secure his place as the most undesirable bachelor in London. And it’s worked. No decent lady will have him.
But one simple error in judgment has just sealed his fate. His intention was to dissuade a horrid mother from matching him up with her equally horrid daughter. Seeing no one but Lady Catherine without a dance partner, he tells a lie. He approaches Lady Catherine as if they are betrothed, and the ploy works. The horrid mother and her daughter abandon their pursuit of him.
But Ethan’s mother spies his ploy and is so relieved that she’s found a way to marry him to a rep
utable young lady that she tells everyone of their engagement. To his horror, word spreads and it’s his duty to see the lie through. This is the worst thing that can happen, and no one but his mother is happy about it. Not Lady Catherine. Not her doting father. Not even Ethan. But his mother is sure it’ll all work out…eventually.
His Reluctant Lady: Book 3
Will she choose marriage to avoid a scandal?
From the moment Mister Christopher Robinson meets Lady Richfield at a ball, he wants to marry her. But Agatha Lyons has no desire to enslave herself to another cruel husband. She’s very happy as a widow and is determined to stay that way. Unfortunately, she is hiding a secret, and if it's discovered, it could ruin her reputation.
When a little slip exposes this secret, Mister Robinson sees his chance and makes her a deal: marry him or risk scandal. Will she keep her independence as a wealthy widow or will she succumb to a second husband who not only threatens to ignite her dormant passions but makes her want to give up her heart as well?
Also Available as a Standalone Regency…
Her Counterfeit Husband
The Duchess of Watkins' husband just died, and her unscrupulous brother-in-law is ready to step in as the Duke of Watkins. In desperation, the duchess enlists the help of the butler, and the two agree to quietly bury her husband and pretend he's still alive. It will be a secret they will take to their graves.
After burying him in a forest, they come across a gentleman who has been beaten and left for dead. And this gentleman happens to look exactly like her husband. Seeing this as the answer to their prayers, they take him home in hopes he'll agree to be the new Duke of Watkins. There's only one problem. When he wakes up, he doesn't remember who he is.
The Earl's Scandalous Wife Page 21