by Lily Maxton
“No to both questions,” she said, smiling. Was it cruel to love how much he worried about her? A few years ago, she would have said Henry Eldridge was the last man who would make a devoted husband. And she would have been completely wrong.
Henry scowled at her. “One of these days I’m just going to throw you over my shoulder and carry you home.”
“Think of the scandal,” she said teasingly, knowing, as he did, that there really wasn’t much they could do that would surpass the scandals they’d already caused.
His face softened into a smile, and he lowered his voice as he detailed exactly what the gossipers could do with their gossip. To her amusement, he even managed to throw in a word she hadn’t heard from him before. But there was a hint of earnest concern when he asked a few moments later, “Are you happy? I know putting up with all this hasn’t always been easy.”
“When is life ever easy?” she replied. “I’d rather it be full and…exciting.” She touched her hand to his cheek, gently, lovingly, wishing they were alone because she desperately wanted to kiss him. She thought of the new life inside her. She’d been talking to Julia recently and had hopes that her child would know its half sibling, that Henry might know his daughter, because she suspected he secretly wished to, though he wasn’t certain he deserved it. She knew, regardless, that her own child would have all the love two parents could bestow. “I am exceedingly happy.”
“In that case,” he said, looking incredibly pleased with himself, “will you dance with me, Cassandra?”
Some people might have thought it a peculiarity, but Henry never called her Lady Riverton when they were alone, or even with their families. It was a favor she gladly returned.
She placed her hand in his and they took to the dance floor as the strains of the waltz sounded. The ton had grown used to the sight of the smitten marquess dancing with his wife—no one even glanced at them and whispered anymore. As Henry’s arm slid around her waist, warm and familiar and perfect, she had an overwhelming feeling of belonging.
She’d much rather be at home with him, but this—the music from the orchestra, the chandeliers shimmering above, Henry, always Henry, beside her, whispering scandalous suggestions designed to make her blush—this was the next best thing.
If Cassandra were a more fanciful woman, she might say it was just like a fairy tale.
Are you feeling…
SCANDALOUS?
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Acknowledgments
As always, a huge thank you to the wonderful team at Entangled, my fabulous editor Nina Bruhns, and all of my lovely readers.
About the Author
Lily Maxton grew up in the Midwest, reading, writing, and daydreaming amidst cornfields. After graduating with a degree in English, she decided to put her natural inclinations to good use and embark on a career as a writer.
When she’s not working on a new story, she likes to tour old houses, add to her tea stash, and think of reasons to avoid housework.
You can find Lily at www.lilymaxton.com, facebook.com/lilymaxton, or on Twitter @LilyMaxton.
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Discover more from Lily Maxton…
The Affair
The Wager
The Love Match
The Mistake
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