“I was worried. I am worried.” She teared. “I’m sorry, Matthew.”
He wouldn’t lie and say she didn’t need to apologize. She’d hurt him. Instead, he pursed his lips and acknowledged her apology with a nod. “Thank you.”
“Can you forgive me?”
“I can.” He stroked the undercurve of her impossibly tiny toes. “Tell me, though…why did you come back?”
“Because I love you.” She leaned forward and laid a hand on his arm in urgent entreaty. “Tell me I haven’t ruined everything. Please.”
“Amelia.” He cupped her cheeks. “Amelia.” He angled his head and tasted her lips. “Was there ever a me without you?”
“Of course, there was.”
“A hazy shadow.” He kissed her again. “I can barely recall the boy.”
She remained still—not unwilling but reticent.
“I remember,” she said quietly. “You were so tall and so thin. So young and so lost. You drank up every word of praise as if you’d been denied admiration your entire life.”
“I had admiration. I had care—after a fashion. What I lacked was an example—someone to look up to, someone whose ideals and ethics inspired.” He smiled. “Then, suddenly, I had two people to look up to.”
“A pedestal is a tricky place to balance.”
“No pedestal. We’ve seen each other at our best…and our worst.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “But enough of the past. All that matters is here. Now.”
“Yes.”
Finally, she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, engulfing him in her delectable scent. Would he ever have enough?
“You make me feel….” Her voice trailed.
“Beautiful?” he suggested.
“Alive. You make me feel alive.” They rested together, cheek to cheek. “But are you sure you want to marry me? You’ve only been with me.”
“Why should I search for something else when I already have everything I could possibly want?
She moved back so she could gaze into his eyes. “I fear I’ve enchanted you.”
“With your fairy godmother powers?”
Her eyes crinkled as she smiled. “I should remind you I have been responsible for at least two love matches—though one might need another subtle nudge.”
“Subtle?” he raised his brows. “You?”
He thrilled to the sound of her laugh.
“Amelia, what makes you so sure you’re the fairy godmother and not the deserving maiden?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m far too old to be the maiden.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” He reached down beside the bed. “Shall we see which one of us fits the slipper?” He slipped on her shoe. “You see? Perfect.”
“Pretty.” She tilted her foot this way and that. “Do I win a prince?”
“A husband. If you’ll have me.”
“I will.” She smiled—radiance emerging from a rain-thick cloud. She glanced through her lashes. “I owe you another night.”
“I believe you just promised all your nights to me.”
“Did I?” She straddled him.
The mouth-watering swell of her breasts crushed against him. He went light-headed with desire.
Heaven.
“I want you, Mr. Bellamy.”
“Like this?”
“Oh, Matthew,” she gripped his chin, “You have so much to learn.”
Slowly, he smiled. “I’m looking forward to every minute, Mrs. Bellamy.”
The End
Author’s Note & Related Titles
I hope you enjoyed reading Matthew and Amelia’s journey to love as much as I enjoyed writing it! Almost two decades ago, my marriage began as an office romance, and so bringing Matthew and Amelia’s story to life held a special place in my heart.
If you have read Heart’s Desire, the second book in my Lords of Chance series, you’ll recognize Mrs. Sartin. But if you’re unfamiliar with my Lords of Chance series, you should know that this story takes place just after Scandal in Spades, concurrently with Heart’s Desire, and just before Diamond in the Rogue.
Here’s a little bit more about the Series:
Scandal in Spades
The Marquess of Bromton has just learned that he’s a bastard. Feeling his honor is at stake, he attempts to bestow his estate upon a rightful heir by manipulating a high-stakes card game. But the winner demands more than Bromton bargained for—a marriage…to his spinster sister. Lady Katherine may be the least marriageable lady in all of England, but a child of their union would be a rightful heir…
Scandal has hardened Lady Katherine and narrowed her world to duty and family. There’s nothing to be trusted in the Society she left behind…especially not the imperious marquess with his single-minded pursuit. Or his knee-weakening kisses. Except, the more their connection deepens, the more Bromton surprises Katherine. But the truth about their courtship could destroy everything…
“Lusciously romantic and sparkling with wit, Scandal in Spades will captivate you until the very last page.”–Anna Campbell, bestselling author of the Dashing Widows series
Heart’s Desire
Lady Clarissa has decided to live life on her terms. After the end of a ten-year betrothal, she wants nothing to do with marriage or the men of the ton. Least of all her friend’s brother, the very charming Lord Markham, or Hearts, as many ladies call the oh-so-handsome earl.
Markham pursues relationships with no ties that bind. Acting the rake leaves everyone satisfied...until he overhears a wager that could lead to Clarissa’s ruin. He can’t help but step in and claim she’s his intended bride.
Clarissa is appalled. She did not need to be saved. Reluctantly, she agrees to the fake courtship, if only to experience what the rakish Markham can offer. But when lust becomes love, Clarissa must make up her own terms and bet it all on Hearts.
“filled with sizzle, touches of humor, heartwarming family dynamics, and a deep well of emotion” -PJ, The Romance Dish
Diamond in the Rogue—Coming November 2019
After spending two years abroad in shame, Graham Laithe, Earl of Rayne has come home humbled, wary and restive. Before he can leave again—this time, for good—he must put his affairs in order and apologize to the woman he hurt…the woman whose love he never deserved but whose kiss he can never forget.
Lady Julia Stanley has never been afraid to go after what she wants, and what she’s always wanted is love. However, she hasn’t met any man who has come close to sparking the kind of fire she felt in the arms of her brother’s former friend, the scoundrel Lord Rayne.
When an unexpected wedding brings Rayne and Julia back together, it doesn’t take much to convince Julia to seize the moment—and the back handle of Rayne’s departing carriage. Is Julia Rayne’s ruin...or his redemption? Only the road will reveal...
Also by Wendy LaCapra…
The Mythic Duke Series
Her Duke at Daybreak (2017 RITA® award-finalist)
His Duchess at Eventide
The Furies Series
Lady Vice
Lady Scandal
Duchess Decadence
About Wendy
Wendy LaCapra is a RITA® award-finalist whose heart-pounding historical romances bristle with temptations, secrets, and scandal. Though she loves wandering, she lives in NYC where she indulges her life-long, unquenchable passion for books, history, and happily-ever-afters. For new release information, join Wendy’s newsletter at http://bit.ly/GetWendyNews
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