“While I do agree that Emily is radiant,” Michael said once everyone had taken a drink, “I have to argue with her being the most beautiful. In my opinion she is tied with my own wife—and recently determined mother-to-be—Hope.”
Everyone gasped.
“Oh, Michael,” Hope admonished, “we weren’t going to say anything tonight, as we are here to celebrate Emily and Alex.”
“Nonsense!” Emily exclaimed. “This is wonderful news. It is right that we all know about it immediately. I am so very happy for you! Everyone, go hug Hope and Michael immediately. I will save a seat next to me for Hope when you are finished, where I will hug you forthwith, since it will take an act of God to get me on my feet at the moment.”
Everyone laughed and immediately did as suggested.
Emily took the opportunity to read the note she had found while everyone was otherwise occupied.
Setting the drink on the side table, Emily opened and read the letter quietly to herself.
My dearest wife,
I love you more today than I ever thought possible. God blessed me the day he delivered my first letter into your waiting hands. And again I was blessed when you allowed me to take those same hands in marriage.
I look forward to the day this house is filled with children as beautiful and clever as you and we find ourselves drowning in laughter and love.
Every day you make a new dream come true, and I will spend the rest of my life proving to you that I am the one and only man for you. And you, the only woman for me.
All my love,
Your doting husband
Hiding notes was something Alex had started doing shortly after they were married. Emily never knew where or when she would find a letter, but it never failed to take her back to those days in the cemetery where their love story had all started. She kept every single one of the pages in an old jewelry box that had been her mother’s. They were stored there all tied neatly with the same red ribbon that Alex had caught and returned to her that fateful day when she’d begun to think her note-writer might be the man for her.
Who would have ever thought that that anonymous writer and the man she thought she hated would turn out to be one and the same?
The man of her dreams.
Now and until the end of time.
She folded the note and stuck it in her pocket. She would find the time to thank him for his wonderful words later. For now, all she wanted to do was revel in her friend’s good news, the love and laughter of the day, and the promise of a beautiful future.
Did you love this Scandalous? Check out more of our historical romance titles here!
Don’t miss more books by Catherine Hemmerling! Sign up for our newsletter here!
Acknowledgments
I would like to honor all parents, siblings, friends, etc. of people on the autistic spectrum. It takes strong and wonderful people to see the beauty and value in an autistic person. I hope my representation of Alastair Edwards in this book does justice to all of you.
I would also like to thank my agent, editor, and all the fine people at Entangled Publishing for helping to make this book the best it can be.
About the Author
Catherine Hemmerling has spent most of her career as a technical writer in the software industry, but in the last few years has realized her dream of becoming a novelist. Every day she pinches herself to make sure her new life is real. Living with her family in the hills of southern California, Ms. Hemmerling spends her days devising plot twists, agonizing over titles, and making a lot of new imaginary friends; and loves it. Lady Lancaster and her Garden Society have become some of Catherine’s closest friends. She hopes you fall in love with them as much as she has.
Discover the Lady Lancaster Garden Society series…
Taming Her Forbidden Earl
Romancing His English Rose
Tempting Her Reluctant Viscount
Enticing Her Unexpected Bridegroom
Get Scandalous with these historical reads…
The Earl in My Bed
a Rebellious Desires novel by Stacy Reid
Sylvester Wentworth, Earl of Carrington, has returned to London for one reason—to seduce his wife. After a near-death experience, he is in need of an heir and means to make his marriage a real one. To his shock, though, his wicked, beautiful countess wants the exact opposite, and he must now do everything possible to entice his countess to stay forever.
Wagering for Miss Blake
a Lords and Ladies in Love novel by Callie Hutton
Mr. Giles Templeton is handsome, wealthy, and charming. For Miss Suzanna Blake, though, her parents require she marry a titled man. Suzanna turns Giles away, despite the passion sparking between them. At wit’s end, Giles wagers her that not only will she marry him but she’ll fall in love with him. Though her heart yearns for a true love-match, she has never gone against her parent’s wishes. All bets are off when happiness lies in losing a wager.
Claiming the Highlander’s Heart
a Townsends novel by Lily Maxton
When a band of Highland outlaws steals her late mother’s music box, instead of letting the proper authorities take care of the matter, Georgina disguises herself as a Highland lass and joins the group of outlaws to find the stolen item. She certainly doesn’t plan on falling for their charming leader… Especially since she’s the sister of one of the very landlords Malcolm’s sworn to fight against.
Real Earls Break the Rules
an Infamous Somertons novel by Tina Gabrielle
Brandon St. Clair, the Earl of Vale, has never been one to follow the rules. Even though he must marry a wealthy heiress so that he can be rid of the pile of debt he inherited with his title, he can’t stop thinking of another. Amelia Somerton is the daughter of a forger and is not a suitable wife. But that doesn’t stop Brandon from making Amelia a different offer, the kind that breaks every rule of etiquette… But what begins as a simple arrangement, soon escalates into much more, and as the heat between them sizzles, each encounter becomes a lesson in seduction.
A Rogue for Emily Page 24
