“Father will be so relieved with the fortune he should save due to our haste. Oh, my!” Adeline cried out as Jackson’s hand had crept up under her gown and found her most sensitive spot.
“No more talking, Miss James,” he said in a husky whisper. “It’s time to practice being married.” Jack lifted Addie in his arms, barely flinching as the love coursing through his veins countered any pain from his burns. He laid her on his bed and finished undressing them both, and then made slow sweet love to the woman who would soon be a wife to him. And for the first time in many months, Jack was at peace with the knowledge that it was how it should be and how it was always meant to be.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The Savoy at teatime was filled with the who’s who and the de rigueur crowd, everyone who wanted to be seen or who wanted to see who was to be seen was there. Cassiopeia Blakemore was not anyone who anyone would take note of, although today with her new extremely- fashionable straw hat and a dress that had cost her more than she normally spent on clothes in a year, she at least felt that no one could possibly say she did not fit in. Of course, as soon as the earl joined her, all eyes turned to see who one of the most eligible nobleman bachelors was taking afternoon tea with. Cassie could almost hear the whispers, “is she his cousin? his mistress? his hidden wife? is that why he’s so unavailable?”
“Good afternoon, Miss Blakemore,” Lord Suffolk said with his usual charm. He bowed over her hand, raising her gloved knuckles to his lips for all to see, and sending a small thrill through her. “You are even lovelier than I remember.”
“Lord Suffolk.” Cassie curtsied then sat in the chair he pulled out for her, simultaneously waving away the waiter who had stepped up for that purpose. “I hear you went so far as to blackmail my neighbor in order to ensure my appearance today. I’m quite flattered by the effort.”
The earl chuckled. “You are an ingénue, Miss Blakemore, and that intrigues me. You are a successful business woman who is friends with my favorite spiritualist and yet I have never encountered you at one of her séances, and you never appear in her shop when she is present. I feel that you, or she, or maybe the two of you are hiding something betwixt you. I cannot put my finger on it, but I intend to someday. However, in the meantime, I find myself drawn to you and I am not a man to ignore my instincts. That being said, I would like to spend some time with you.”
“Lord Suffolk, you are too bold!” Cassie said, trying to act shocked by his forwardness, but really she was more alarmed by his observations about her and Madame Lou.
“I apologize if I worded that badly, Miss Blakemore,” the earl quickly backtracked, apparently trying to recover the situation. He lowered his voice and leaned in closer, obviously not wanting any busybodies to overhear him. “I am not asking you to be my paramour—however appealing that idea may be—what I would like is permission to call upon you, take you for a ride in the park, the occasional entertainment, party or whatever public event beckons. I would like pay court on you, if you would allow me the honor.”
Cassie’s heart leapt just a tiny bit. The thought of a handsome earl paying court to her was quite a boost to her already-inflated ego, but the reality of such a thing was quite a different kettle of fish. She considered his request and knew it would be a dangerous game. Lord Suffolk had been pursuing her for quite some time, and not to pay court, but to find out her connection to Madame Lou. So she was instantly suspicious of his true intentions.
Much to the earl’s chagrin, before Cassie could respond, the waiter appeared with tea and cakes and various savory items for their tea service. The young man took his time arranging the dishes, pouring the tea, and arranging the glass and silverware.
Cassie watched with amusement as the earl grew quite annoyed with the young man who was simply doing his job. The waiter finally left and Cassie decided to torture Lord Suffolk just a little longer by taking a bite of a delectable lemon cake and sipping her tea.
“I will certainly consider your offer, Lord Suffolk,” she said, taking another bite and taking her time sipping more tea. “May I give you my answer, let’s say next week?” She could see that he was plainly not happy about her response. But he quickly rearranged his expression to one of pleased nonchalance.
“If you would do me the honor of attending the Newman’s musical evening next week and give me your answer at that time.”
Oh, he was clever; she would give him that. Smiling, she tilted her head and nibbled a watercress sandwich. She furrowed her brows as if contemplating the request, then reached for her teacup. But apparently she had taken the charade too far and the earl was not used to being played with so cavalierly. “Miss Blakemore, I would have your answer, now.” She could see he was close to making a public display if she wasn’t careful.
“Of course, Lord Suffolk; I would be delighted to attend the musical with you and I’ve already made up my mind that you may pay court to me anytime you please.” Then she lowered her voice to a near whisper to ensure that only he could hear her. “But I do warn you that the first occasion that you attempt to seduce me, Lord Suffolk, will be the last time I call you my friend. I will not be played with.”
The earl finally smiled a real and quite-pleasant boyish grin. “I assure you, Miss Blakemore,” he said in an equally hushed tone, “my intentions are indeed honorable. It is only my final destination that I cannot see. Mayhap that is why your neighbor, Madame Lou, is such a fascination to me.”
“Perhaps.” Cassie replied, finding herself responding to the earl’s charm. Careful now, he’s a rake and you know it. Don’t let him fool you, her inner voice warned her. But Cassie was well aware of the danger this man posed. However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy his company and being squired about town on his arm while she tried to figure out what he was up to.
EPILOGUE
“Adeline, we’ll be late for Winston and Henrietta’s wedding if you don’t stop playing with William. I am best man and I wouldn’t want to disappoint the earl.” Jack was barely allowing Griffin to help him dress in his morning suit, trying instead to tickle his son’s toes.
“I hate to leave him, but since it’s for my favorite brother-in-law and our good friend, the countess, I will make the sacrifice.” Adeline sighed as she lifted the baby in her arms, prepared to go find the nanny.
“Happy, Mrs. Bradley?” Jack asked his beautiful wife as she cradled their two-month- old son to her bosom.
“Blissfully, Mr. Bradley,” Adeline said, arching her neck to kiss her husband who was not an earl, but an earl’s brother. And even though it hadn’t been her original plan to marry a lord’s youngest brother and a man of business, she was quite certain that her mother was just as pleased with her decision as she was. “But have you considered that one of our children may yet find a title for themselves?”
Jack laughed and kissed first William on his little bald head then Adeline on her softly smiling lips. “We shall have to consult with Madame Lou for all future generations of Bradleys. Only a true love match will be allowed and I shall disown any child or grandchild of ours who disobeys this edict.”
Adeline handed her son to the nanny and motioned for both Griffin and Emily Stone to leave the bedroom she shared with her husband. Securing the lock on the door behind them, she turned and came up behind Jackson as he was adjusting his tie.
“Why did you send them away? You aren’t even dressed yet,” Jack observed, watching her in the mirror’s reflection as Adeline let her satin dressing gown slip to the floor and he realized that she wore nothing underneath. “We are definitely going to be late.”
Adeline laughed, pulling her husband down on top of her on their bed, kissing him soundly. “Weddings always start late. Besides, what better way to celebrate the love and happiness that today represents?”
“You don’t have to convince me,” Jack said, kissing Addie’s throat leisurely, touching all of her exposed skin. “But I think Griffin is going to give me a stern look when he sees what a mess we’ve made of my suit.”
“Is that problem?” Adeline asked, reaching down between them and touching the evidence of his desire.
But Jack was done talking and instead he focused on making sure that not only was his wife blissfully aware of how much he loved her, but that they were indeed going to be very, very late for the wedding. Not surprisingly, the groom and bride were also late.
***THE END***
About the Author:
SaraLynn Hoyt, aka Sheryl Hoyt was born and raised in the greater Seattle area and lives with her high-school sweetheart and their felines. By day, Sheryl works in the world of finance, but during non-business hours, she transforms into an author of romantic fiction. Armed with a degree in archaeology, she loves all things historical and is fascinated by the occult and all the possibilities therein. Misspending her youth hanging out in local magic shops, reading tarot cards for friends and devouring romance novels, Sheryl has combined all of her favorite things into a burning desire to write and share her stories with others.
Other Books by SaraLynn Hoyt
Heaven Made A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series #1
Dangerous Heart
The Scoundrel and the Saint
Connect with Me Online:
Website and Blog: http://SaraLynnHoyt.com/
or http://sherylhoyt.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaraLynn.Hoyt.5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraLynnHoyt
Heaven Bound (A Blakemore Family Book: Madame Lou Series Book 2) Page 28
