As if she’d ever give that up for the rest of her days.
Epilogue
Henrietta dandled the baby on her knees.
“He has Peter’s nose,” she said, inspecting the infant’s profile. “Don’t you think so, Sebastian?”
The viscount shrugged. “I suppose so.”
Henrietta looked at her husband, sprawled in an armchair, legs stretched and crossed at the ankles. He was like a lazy cat, perusing his surroundings.
“Something else on your mind, my lord?”
He grinned at the appellation, a term of endearment now. “I’m just admiring the sight of you, my lady.”
Henrietta snorted.
She lifted the baby to her lips and kissed him on the nose. “What a rogue your uncle Seb is. How shall we punish him, Frederick?”
Frederick gurgled in his aunt Henry’s arms.
“Lock him out of the bedroom, you say?” She grinned. “What a wonderful idea.”
Sebastian chuckled.
Peter sauntered into the room just then, and beamed to see his son. “How is the dear boy?”
Henrietta handed the fussing babe over to his papa. “A darling, Peter. As ever.”
The proud father settled into the settee and propped the infant across his chest. “He is a dear, isn’t he? Handsome, too. Although I think he has your nose, Seb.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes.
Henrietta fell back in her chair with mirth. It was such a warm family gathering. She was so very happy for her sister and Peter. Little Frederick was a much sought-after addition to the family.
Henrietta sighed, content with the idle autumn day. The family had gathered again at Baron Ashby’s country home. Poor Papa had been very sorry to see the last of his offspring marry and leave the nest. But Henrietta had kept her promise to visit often. The whole family had made the same vow, much to the baroness’s displeasure. Mama was not one to suffer a house filled with noisy children. But for the sake of the baron’s good cheer, Mama reluctantly endured the reunions.
Henrietta nestled in her chair and gazed at her husband with love. How she adored the man! It filled her heart with such joy, being with him, her reformed rogue.
The dastardly Emerson had been exiled to Australia. His father, the Earl of Ormsby, happened to wield enough clout to spare his wretched son from the gallows. Even though the earl did not get along with his son, he couldn’t let the villain hang. Blood was blood. Or so Henrietta had heard. She did not trouble herself with such details. Life in a penal colony was a much more fitting form of punishment, she was sure. All she really cared about was her family—and her darling husband.
The butler entered the room.
“A letter for you, Lady Ravenswood.”
Henrietta took the letter from the silver tray. “Thank you, Wilkes.”
With a curt nod, the butler departed.
Two sets of curious eyes then settled on her.
“Who is it from, Henry?” said Peter.
“I shall soon find out.” Henrietta broke the red wax seal and scanned the missive. She smiled. “It’s from Mirabelle.”
“And how is the Duchess of Wembury?” said her husband.
“In very good health, I’m happy to report. We are invited to a christening, my lord, for baby Alice.”
Sebastian sighed. “Too many babies.”
Peter chuckled at that. “And when will you, dear brother, become a father?”
Sebastian made a moue in jest. “Why the devil would I want to do that? Now that you have a son, Peter, I don’t need an heir.”
Peter chortled. “I think your wife might have something to say about that.”
Sebastian looked at his wife.
Henrietta quirked a brow. She had yet to have a babe…but she was determined to change all that.
“No babies, my lord?” she said.
Sebastian pretended to think about it—then a slow and wolfish smile touched his lips. “Well, maybe one brat.”
Peter cradled the babe and pounced to his feet. “Come along, Frederick. I don’t think you need to hear this.”
Father and son quickly vacated the room.
Alone with her husband, Henrietta put all her seductive training to good use, and crossed the rug with very sensual strides.
Sebastian followed her every move with avid interest.
She settled very comfortably on his lap and traced her forefinger along the ridge of his masculine jaw. “Just one babe, my lord?”
He wrapped his arms tight around her waist. “Well, maybe two.”
Henrietta giggled and kissed him with passion. Breathless, she said, “And when will we start to try for this babe or two?”
“How does right now sound?”
She nipped at his lush lip. “It sounds very agreeable. Shall we go upstairs?”
“I’d rather not, Henry.”
She pinched her brow. “But—”
Sebastian wagged his brow. “Billiards, Henry?”
She let out a hearty laugh. “What a wonderful idea, my lord.”
About the Author
ALEXANDRA BENEDICT is a storyteller at heart. A graduate of the University of Toronto, she works part-time in a museum, while penning passionate tales of historical romance. An archaeology buff, she loves to travel and explore ancient ruins. Her hobbies include collecting art and reading classic British literature.
Alexandra invites readers to visit her at www.alexandrabenedict.ca for contest fun, excerpts, and more.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
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Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
TOO SCANDALOUS TO WED. Copyright © 2007 by Alexandra Benedikt. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
ePub edition July 2007 ISBN 9780061754470
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About the Publisher
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
About the Author
Other Avon Romances
Copyright
About the Publisher
Alexandra Benedict - [Too 02] Page 26
