Her Secret Scandal: A Regency Romance (Secrets in London Book 1)

by Yasmine Nash

  To her mortification, Alexa’s stomach rumbled loudly just then, putting an end to any thoughts of a repeat adventure at that moment. Henry merely chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. “Right then. Breakfast. Stay here and I’ll fetch it for you.” He jumped spryly out of bed, but he had to spend several minutes searching for the clothes she had torn off him the night before. Alexa didn’t mind the delay since it meant she received an excellent view of his sculpted backside.

  The wanting for him flared up again, and she suddenly had much different activities in mind than eating breakfast. She said as much and Henry smiled a slow, wicked grin before returning to the bed.

  Breakfast would wait.

  Chapter 25

  “You and Henry? Truly?” Charlotte was gazing open-mouthed at Alexandra. It was later in the week and the two sat in the sunshine outside in a park near to Mrs. Godersham’s boardinghouse. Alexandra was wearing her highest necked gown, and still she had had to pair a shawl with it to cover the bruises.

  She had just finished telling her friend a highly edited version of the affairs from the last few days, leaving out the more intimate details of her reunion with Henry. Charlotte’s mouth was wide with shock. They had started off on their favorite walk, but Charlotte had grown so engrossed by Alexa’s tale that she had insisted they sit down on the nearest bench so she could devote all her attention to listening. And Alexa hadn’t even gotten to the part about Sir Neville’s proposal yet.

  “Henry Northam is very handsome,” Charlotte grinned wickedly, forcing a blush from Alexandra. “And Edmund!—” shaking her head. “I knew your cousin was a scoundrel, but I hadn’t expected anything like that. But it’s all for the best, I suppose. I’m happy for you.” Charlotte gave her friend a warm hug. “Although I am sad you won’t be returning to Mrs. Godersham’s. You and Henry will find a home together and I’ll be left here to miss you terribly. My only solace is Althea is leaving too, so at least I won’t have to suffer through listening to Fordyce’s Sermons anymore.”

  * * *

  Alexa had convinced Henry to let her accompany him when he went back to Grosvenor street to retrieve her possessions. She wouldn’t have minded simply leaving most of her possessions there—she could always purchase a new wardrobe if she had to—but there were a few books which had belonged to her mother and stepfather which she wanted to collect, plus the growing collection of poetry she had written. It may have been very bad poetry, but it was hers all the same.

  Edmund wasn’t present when they arrived. Perhaps he wasn’t even in London any longer. Alexandra certainly hoped so. But Mariah was there, glaring resentfully at the two of them as Henry helped Alexandra carry her trunk out to his carriage. Alexa supposed Edmund had told his sister a very limited, biased version of events, for it was obvious from her too-loud muttering that Mariah blamed Alexandra for whatever had occurred, but that Mariah wasn’t quite clear on whatever that was.

  No matter. It pained Alexa, but the past three months had shown her that her relationship with Mariah had been resting on what had been, not on any true bond or understanding the two currently shared. She was careful to leave behind all the “gifts” Mariah had bought for her over the course of the visit: the beautiful gowns, the fashionable bonnets, the colorful ribbons. As beautiful as they were, Alexa wasn’t sad to see them go. They had never truly been hers.

  * * *

  “You know, I’m missing my farewell party right now,” Alexa said a few evenings later, while they were cuddled together in bed.

  “We can always get dressed and head off to attend if you like,” Henry said. “I know how deeply you’ve been missing Mariah,” he said teasingly. “And I heard Sir Neville was invited. If you’re very apologetic, he might reconsider reintroducing his proposal.” Alexa had told Henry all about Sir Neville’s declaration by the old castle.

  “Stop teasing,” she said, nipping him on the ear as punishment. “Or I may determine he’s my better option, after all. He already has a title, you know.” Her eyes sparkled wickedly.

  “Which I hope gives him great solace since I’m a very poor friend, indeed,” Henry murmured, turning his head to capture her mouth. “First I put my fist through his wall, then I steal his bride.”

  Alexa pulled her head back for a moment to look him curiously in the eye. “Whatever excuse did you come up with for that hole?”

  Henry chuckled a little sheepishly. “God bless Camden. He covered for me. Told Sir Neville he was the one who’d had too much wine and that he’d mistaken a shadow on the wall for a burglar.”

  “Do you mean Charles Camden?” Alexa asked, a little surprised. She supposed she could believe him capable of such a thing, even though the story was fictitious. He seemed like the kind of man who enjoyed a little too much to drink a little too often. She hadn’t realized he and Henry were close though.

  “Yes, he’s a good friend of mine as it happens,” Henry said. “Our fathers were at Oxford together, and then we ended up there at the same time as well.”

  That explained a lot. During all her encounters with Charles, she’d always gotten a vague sense that he disliked her for some reason. And now she knew why. She could only hope that, now that she and Henry were happy together, she and Charles could finally be friends. Alexa said none of this to Henry, however, not wanting to create any friction between him and his friend.

  * * *

  “Have I said yet how much I adore you?” Henry said. They were lazing about together in his bed again. The mid-morning sun was streaming onto them, but neither one wanted to get up. The pair had stayed up far too late last night, exploring each other’s bodies until they were both spent.

  Alexa smiled. “I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”

  He placed a hand on her chin so he could gaze unwaveringly at her face. “I adore you.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “Have I said yet how desperately I want to marry you and become your husband?” he murmured against her mouth.

  Her smile broadened and she ducked her head into his chest. “I had an inkling,” she said. “Just to ensure there’s no more miscommunication between us, you should know that I desperately want to become your wife.” Henry kissed her shoulder reverently.

  “Good. Because I wasn’t planning to let you go for any reason this time. I’ll pursue you until the ends of the earth now.” He met her gaze with eyes that were so completely full of love, it made her heart feel like it would burst apart from her chest right there. “How have I been so fortunate to be experiencing this much happiness?” he wondered, fingers playing with her hair.

  Alexandra smiled, content to just lie in his arms until a thought caused her to pull away. “Oh no, I’ve just remembered! Mrs. Eastman is going to be expecting me to arrive as her new governess in a few weeks.”

  Henry stared at her in amazement. “Truly?”

  “It’s a long story,” she said, explaining everything to him. “But she can hardly be angry with me, considering the circumstances.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Henry asked skeptically. “I’ve known Mrs. Eastman for several years, and believe me, she may surprise you with her selfishness. But not to worry. I think somehow you and I will contrive to survive the loss of her attentions.” His fingers trailed up and down her bare hip in demonstration of his meaning. Alexa shivered at his touch.

  Yes, she thought she could bear Mrs. Eastman’s displeasure very easily indeed.

  Epilogue

  Harmon’s and Sons looked much the same as it had the first time Alexandra had stepped foot in it. There was the owner, the tiny old woman with the radiant smile. She greeted Alexandra like an old friend when she saw her enter.

  There were the winding stacks of books, set precariously all throughout the shop. And there, with a leather-bound volume in his hands, was Henry Northam. He was smiling, just as he had been the first time they’d met here in this shop a year ago.

  “Don’t forget your parasol,” he reminded her with a chuckle after they had paid for t
heir respective books. She swatted him playfully on the arm, which made him laugh even more. Her missing parasol was the reason they’d met at all.

  Through the shop’s glass doors, she could see Henry’s carriage waiting for them on the street outside. The pair had been long enough in London. Soon they would be off to Henry’s country residence, to make it their home. And as soon as they were settled, she would invite Charlotte over for a prolonged visit. They had been so busy, she had barely had a chance to speak to Charlotte at the wedding, but her friend had been beaming at them throughout the service.

  She had not written Mariah or Edmund to inform them of the happy event, but she was sure they would find out eventually. No matter. Whatever Edmund chose his next move to be, Henry and Alexa would meet it together. And that was no small thing. In the meantime, there was no use worrying over troubles that had not yet come. Grabbing hold of Henry’s hand, Alexa stepped outside with him into the sunshine.

  Exclusive Access

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  About the Author

  Yasmine Nash is an author of Regency romance novels. In her spare time, she bakes recipes inspired by the Great British Baking Show and tries her hand (very poorly) at embroidery. Yasmine lives in the Midwest with her family and her two dogs, Darcy and Tilney.

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  Also by Yasmine Nash

  Coming July 2020!

  Tempting the Duke

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08959YSCH

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  A man who’s gaining everything

  When the Duke of Devonshire unexpectedly becomes guardian to 18-year-old Louisa Kellynch, his plan is to send her off to boarding school the first chance he gets. But when he meets her, he can’t deny the attraction he feels—no matter how hard he tries.

  A young woman with nothing to lose

  Because she’s not a man, Louisa is unable to inherit her family’s estate, but she comes up with the next best plan: seduce and marry the duke so she can regain what’s rightfully hers. Only she soon has trouble separating her plotting from her own desire for the duke…

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  Available now for pre-order!