The Earl's Scandalous Wife (25 page)

“Give me a reason to and I will,” Agatha shot back, a teasing gleam in her eye.

“My dear Agatha, you get more and more beautiful every day,” he replied.

She walked over to him and kissed his cheek.

“That’s it?” he asked.
  “Has the passion already left our marriage?”

“I think you need to read a certain book again,” Perry told him, jabbing him playfully with his cane.

Christopher groaned.

“What book is he referring to?” Agatha asked, her eyebrows raised in interest.

“Oh, nothing important,” he quickly replied.  “So when is it time to eat?  I worked up an appetite out there.”

“Lunch will be in an hour,” Perry said and gave Paula a kiss. 
“I hope you’ll be able to eat more than you did yesterday.”

“She already ate a scone,” Agatha spoke up on her behalf.

“And I’ll be hungry enough to eat lunch,” she assured her husband.

“Good.” He kissed her again then released her.  “I need to change out of these riding clothes then take a bath.”

“Don’t be too long,” Paula said.  “I miss you when you’re not with me.”

“You can come with me.”

She glanced at Agatha and Christopher.  “I don’t know.  We have company.”

He turned to them.  “We’ll meet you in the drawing room in an hour.” Before Paula could respond, he slipped his arm around hers and led her to the stairs.

Barely within her hearing, Christopher told Agatha, “I had no idea my cousin had such a wild streak in him.”

To which Agatha replied, “Well, you hoped Paula would loosen him up and you got your wish.”

Perry winked at Paula and continued leading her up the stairs.

Epilogue

Two years later

Paula gave a final push and the
doctor told her the baby was out.  Exhausted, she collapsed on the pillows behind her, glad the ordeal was over.  When she heard the baby let out a strong wail, she peered around her monthly nurse as the doctor wiped the baby’s face with a clean cloth.

“Congratulati
ons, my lady,” the doctor called out over the baby’s cries.  “You have a healthy baby boy.”

Laughing, Paula accepted the nurse’s help as she brought her up into a sitting position and fluffed the pillows behind her.  “A boy?”

“And he’s a strong one,” the doctor said.  “He keeps kicking his blanket off.”

“I’ll get him swaddled up for you,” the nurse told her before she took the child and wrapped him tightly in his blanket.

Eager to hold her son, Paula stretched her arms out and brought him to her bosom.  He wiggled against her for a moment then settled down and let out a contented sigh.  Tears filled her eyes as she examined him.  He was so tiny.  And perfect.

The nurse patted her on the shoulder.  “I’ll let the father know he has an heir.”

She nodded her thanks then turned her attention back to her son.  Her son!  She hadn’t been sure she could conceive, given that her time with Daniel hadn’t resulted in a child.  But early that year, she had discovered she was with child, and here she was just two days away from Christmas and she was holding her son.

“You did fine, Lady Clement,” the doctor
said, turning his attention to taking care of the afterbirth.  “Your husband will be pleased.”

Yes, he would.  Though Paula knew he would have been happy with a girl, she was glad she could give him an heir.  Curious about her son, she pulled back the blanket and inspected his little fingers that were clenched.  He let out a yawn and opened one of his hands so she reached out to touch his palm.  He curled his fingers around her forefinger.  Chuckling, she whispered, “You are strong.”

She continued to hold and speak to him in low, soothing tones until the doctor was finished.  “You and your son are doing well.  I’m happy to say you had a good birth and should have no problems having more children in the future,” he said.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll tell Lord Clement it’s safe to come in.”

The month
ly nurse returned just as the doctor left and smiled at her.  “I’ll get him cleaned up for you, my lady.”

Though it was hard to part with him so soon, she handed the baby to her and
watched while she gave him a quick bath, surprised he should cry.

“It’s nothing to be alarmed about,” the nurse assured her.  “Babies don’t like the cold air.  They spent nine months in a very warm place.”

A gentle rapping on the door brought Paula’s attention to Perry who stood at the doorway.  Her smile widening, she motioned for him to join her.  “You have a son.” She couldn’t resist saying it, even though she already knew the nurse had told him the good news.

“Now I can tell Christopher he doesn’t have to feel guilty for having a daughter,” he replied, his tone light as he came over to her and settled next to her on the bed.

“He can have all girls if he so desires.  The pressure to pass on a title to an heir is no longer going to burden him down,” she quipped, recalling the way he responded when Perry had teased him about not having a boy three months earlier.

“I’m sure he’ll be relieved.”

Giggling, she turned back to the nurse who came over with her son.  “Unless you need me for anything else, I’ll give you a few minutes alone,” the nurse said.

“We’ll be fine,” Paula replied then waited until she and Perry were alone before she spoke again.  “What do you want to name him?”

A smile crossed his face.  “I’d like to name him Anthony, if that’s all right with you.”

“Anthony’s a good name.  You want to hold him?”

“I don’t know.  He looks so small.”

“You won’t hurt him.  Come on.  Hold out your arms.”

Despite the slight unease in his expression, he obeyed and gingerly held his son.  “He barely weighs anything.”

“I know, and that’s surprising since he felt huge in my womb.”

“Will you miss carrying him?  You often mentioned how much you enjoyed it when you could feel him kick.”

“I’ll miss that part of it, but I love seeing you with him.  You’ll be a wonderful father, Perry.  You can teach him everything you know about chess and horses.”

“And we’ll take him for walks in Hyde Park and to the gazebo.”

“Do you really enjoy walking?”

“I do but only because I’m with you.  I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it otherwise.”

She kissed his cheek and settled her head on his shoulder.  “You needn’t—”

“I know, I know.  I shouldn’t worry so much about what others think.”

“I understand.  It’s easier said than done.” She traced her finger along their son’s nose and cheeks.  “Why did you pick the name Anthony?”

“It’s Nate’s middle name.”

“Is it?”

He nodded.  “I could have named him Nathaniel, I suppose, but I prefer Anthony.”

“It’s a fine name and will serve him well in the years to come.”

“Next time we have a child, you can choose the name.”

“You’re very sweet, Perry.” She gave him another kiss.  “I love you.”

“I love you, too.  Thank you for making my life complete.”

With a contented smile, she returned her gaze to their son, thinking of all the good things w
aiting for them in their future.

Other Books in the Marriage by Scandal Series

The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife: Book 1

Nathaniel Buford, Earl of Roderick, doesn't want a wife, but his brother died, passing on the title of earl to him. Now he is bound by duty to get an heir. Unfortunately, to get the heir, he must find a wife. As luck would have it, he gets caught in a scandalous situation not of his doing, and the next thing he knows, he's married...and to a lady whose family is reported to desire money above all else.

Miss Claire Lowell wanted to get married. But she never intended to marry a gentleman who felt trapped into it, and she certainly never thought her family would have a hand in the scandal that forced Lord Roderick's hand in marriage. Can love find a way to thrive under such conditions or will her father's eagerness to see her married off to an earl condemn her to a loveless marriage?

A Most Unsuitable Earl: Book 2

Ethan Silverton, the Lord of Edon, is very content with his life. He’s carefully sculpted it so that everyone thinks he’s a notorious rake. For years, he’s worked hard to build his reputation to secure his place as the most undesirable bachelor in London. And it’s worked. No decent lady will have him.

But one simple error in judgment has just sealed his fate. His intention was to dissuade a horrid mother from matching him up with her equally horrid daughter. Seeing no one but Lady Catherine without a dance partner, he tells a lie. He approaches Lady Catherine as if they are betrothed, and the ploy works. The horrid mother and her daughter abandon their pursuit of him.

But Ethan’s mother spies his ploy and is so relieved that she’s found a way to marry him to a reputable young lady that she tells everyone of their engagement. To his horror, word spreads and it’s his duty to see the lie through. This is the worst thing that can happen, and no one but his mother is happy about it. Not Lady Catherine. Not her doting father. Not even Ethan. But his mother is sure it’ll all work out…eventually.

His Reluctant Lady: Book 3

Will she choose marriage to avoid a scandal?

From the moment Mister Christopher Robinson meets Lady Richfield at a ball, he wants to marry her. But Agatha Lyons has no desire to enslave herself to another cruel husband. She’s very happy as a widow and is determined to stay that way. Unfortunately, she is hiding a secret, and if it's discovered, it could ruin her reputation.

When a little slip exposes this secret, Mister Robinson sees his chance and makes her a deal: marry him or risk scandal. Will she keep her independence as a wealthy widow or will she succumb to a second husband who not only threatens to ignite her dormant passions but makes her want to give up her heart as well?