An Accidental Affair (34 page)
Read An Accidental Affair Online
Authors: Heather Boyd
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #Regency, #General
Merrick wore everything very well. She liked him both in and out of his clothing. Right now, she wished he was out of it and they were upstairs in their bed. She shifted on the couch, suddenly disappointed that she must have luncheon with Aunt Pen soon. At the moment she would much rather tempt Merrick back to bed than entertain his family. “Well, you know she cannot show too much interest in the romance without drawing unwanted attention.”
He looked at her curiously. “Why did you invite her then?”
Why had she? Simple kindness had certainly played a large part. “I didn’t want to deny Aunt Pen the chance to meet Lisette. If the relationship develops as I hope, she will see her son made a happy man. Aunt Pen may never get to spend much time with him or any children they may have unless we invite her. It is sad to imagine she might never be known as a doting grandmother. I think she would have been wonderful and spoiled them.”
“I think your pregnancy has run amok with your imagination.” Merrick rejoined her on the divan and pressed a kiss to the rounding of her belly where their child lay. “Do you hear that, sir or little miss? Your mama thinks well of everyone. We are very fortunate indeed to have her to love us.”
“Not everyone.” There were two who deserved to be ignored and distrusted. Her former brother-in-law, Lord Farnsworth, she’d given the cut direct several months ago and had enjoyed doing so, especially with Lady Penelope firmly entrenched at her side. The last she’d heard of him, his creditors had been carting his possessions from Hinkley to pay his debts when he’d disappeared. He hadn’t only owed Lord Parker, he’d run up debts everywhere. She threaded her fingers through Merrick’s hair as he rained kisses over her belly. “I may never speak to Lady Harrison again.”
Merrick glanced up, frowning at the reminder of a recent encounter with the woman. “Louisa was informed I would be faithful to my wife. Have I given you reason to doubt me?”
“No. But…” Arabella scowled and struggled to sit up. So late in the pregnancy, she had little more grace than a whale and that made her even more irritated with Merrick’s former lover. “She had no right to run her hands all over you as if she was allowed to eat you at the Fairweather ball.”
Merrick pushed pillows behind her back to help her get into a more comfortable position. He didn’t reply as footsteps approached.
When Merrick’s youngest half brother, Danny, appeared at her side, papers in hand, she forced a smile to her face. The boy usually had a smile for her too, but today, coming direct from the schoolroom, he wasn’t a happy fellow. He thrust them out. “I finished.”
“Already?” She smiled as she took them, then caught Merrick’s eye. “I think this young man might have the makings of a scholar one day.”
Danny’s penmanship had improved considerably these past weeks with extra attention given to that area of study. She no longer had to squint at some words now, and she was pleased. She wanted only the best for the boy.
Danny fidgeted, his steps soft as he crossed the room to peer out the windows while Arabella glanced over the papers. “Can I go now? The others are waiting for me by the stables.”
Merrick raised a brow. “Or he’ll make an eager fisherman. Yes, lad. But”—he held up one finger—“no matter what the others plan to do with their evening, you must come back to Winslette well before nightfall, or Holland will worry and come in search of you.”
“Huzzah! I will. I promise,” he called as he rushed for the nearest door.
They both laughed at his haste and excitement. Merrick faced her when the boy was out of sight and they could no longer hear him. “I think
that
brother might require an active profession rather than an idle one.”
“Whatever you choose, he still needs to write legibly. I will certainly expect letters from him when he goes off to school.” Although her heart ached that Danny would leave them soon, Arabella slipped the papers onto a side table and returned to their former topic of conversation. “We’re not done talking about Lady Harrison.”
“She said she stumbled.”
Arabella did not believe that for one moment. Merrick did not give credence to how women of their circle viewed their marriage. Everyone whispered he would soon grow bored and betray her. She rubbed her hands over her belly, feeling uncertain and round and altogether unappealing. “The woman has surer feet that any cat. She was testing you out to see if you could be tempted away from me.”
He took her hand in his and kissed her palm, her wrist, and the back of her hand. “Never. I am not a fool to risk losing you. Trust me, Bella darling. I love you. I love our life together. There is no one in the world that could tempt me away from what we have. Do you think any one of them could take your place as my wife?”
She squirmed a little more. His kisses only added to her agitation. “Well, I don’t think they plan to marry you. Seducing you is probably more in line with their thinking.”
“Not mine.” He brushed his fingers over her cheeks. “You’re matchmaking my illegitimate brother and I’ve a suspicion you’re secretly planning his wedding day in your head. I knew what I was committing myself to the moment I let you into my life. My greatest fear is that you might grow tired of us.”
“I’d never. It’s just…”
“Darling.” He kissed her lips softly and drew back. “You really are out of sorts today. What can I do to make you happier? Rub your feet, your back? Have a bath drawn and touch you everywhere?”
That last sounded divine. Arabella fell into his eyes, hoping that no matter what happened, or how much rounder his child grew in her belly, he would always be her best friend and confidant. Waiting for the baby to come was making her irritable, despite her efforts not to be. “Well, maybe a kiss or two more could turn my mood around.”
His lips lifted in a smile that never failed to make her heart skip a beat and her body awaken. “Just one or two?”
“Maybe more,” she confessed as he kissed the tip of her nose.
“For as long as you’ll have me?”
She bit her lip as his warm hands slid beneath her gown and caressed her knee. More of that would be heaven. “The rest of our lives might just be long enough,” she whispered as he drew her to her feet, escorted her upstairs with a wicked smile that sent her body into a pleasant hum, and showed her beyond a doubt just what their love meant to him.
~ The End ~
Thank you so much for reading An Accidental Affair. I hope you enjoyed Merrick and Arabella’s romance! Please consider leaving a review—either positive or negative where good books are sold. Reviews help other readers find a story that’s right for them.
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About the Author
Bestselling historical author Heather Boyd believes every character she creates deserves their own happily-ever-after, no matter how much trouble she puts them through. With that goal in mind, she weaves sizzling English set love stories that push the boundaries of regency era propriety to keep readers enthralled until the wee hours of the morning. Brimming with new ideas, she frequently wishes she could type as fast as she conjures new storylines. While writing full time north of Sydney, Australia, Heather collects dust bunnies in all corners of the house and does her best to wrangle her testosterone-fuelled family into submission.
For more information visit
www.heather-boyd.com
Also by Heather Boyd
The Wild Randalls Series:
Engaging the Enemy
Forsaking the Prize
Guarding the Spoils
Hunting the Hero
The Distinguished Rogues Series:
Chills
Broken
Charity
Miss Mayhem Series:
Miss Watson’s First Scandal
Miss George’s Second Chance
The Hunt Club Chronicles:
Almost an Equal
Barely a Master
Hardly a Stranger
Novella/Short stories:
One Wicked Night
Wicked Mourning
In the Widow’s Bed
Love Me Tender
Love Me True
The Almack’s Alternative
The Marquess of Taverham married young and quickly with his eye firmly on his bride’s dowry as the means to repair the family fortunes for the next generation. Too late he discovered his new wife wasn’t going to make achieving
all
of his dreams that easy.
KEEPSAKE
The next Distinguished Rogues novel
coming soon
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