How to Survive a Scandal by Samara Parish

Author:Samara Parish
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2021-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

I feel so ill.” Cassandra collapsed on the chaise in a dramatic manner.

“You shouldn’t have eaten so many sweets.” It was the proper thing for Amelia to say but hypocritical in the extreme given she had also overindulged in wrapped peppermints.

“It might be best for you to sleep it off, little sister,” Benedict said. “It’s well past your bedtime.” He leaned in close to Amelia. “Yours too.”

She yawned. “I think you might be right.” In London, she could dance until dawn, but after just a few weeks of country hours, she simply wasn’t up to it. She held her hand out to Cassandra. “Let’s go to bed, little one.”

The house was empty. All the servants had been given the day off to enjoy the fair, and although it was nearing midnight, none had yet returned. Only the pad of their feet on the carpet broke the silence.

“Good night, poppet. Sleep tight.” Amelia kissed Cassandra on the forehead and walked down the hall to her room, leaning on Benedict all the way.

Inside, the fire had gone out.

Drat.

In her first week—back before they’d hired help—Amelia had learned the art of making a fire. But it was difficult, and it was too late for her to be bothered tonight. It was also too cold for her not to bother.

“Dash it.”

“I’ll get it.” Benedict crossed to the fireplace and began to empty the ash into a bucket.

Exhausted, Amelia sat on the edge of the bed and unlaced her boots, tugging them off and arranging them at the end of the mattress.

Her husband was a very useful man. She couldn’t imagine any of her London beaus knowing how to light a fire.

He was a very nice man too. And handsome. With broad shoulders and muscular arms that felt lovely to hold.

“Pardon?” he asked. Still kneeling before the fireplace, he twisted to face her.

“Excuse me?”

“You said something.”

She shook her head. “No, not at all. I wasn’t thinking—saying—anything.” Heat crept up her neck. The late hour and her woolgathering were going to get her into trouble.

The flames held, and he stood, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, I guess that’s good night then.” He made no move to leave though. And she didn’t want him to. They’d been dancing around it for days, this attraction.

But he was her husband.

There was no one around.

And really, there was no reason not to kiss him again. And whatever came next.

“I can’t get out of my dress.” She stood and took two steps toward him, her pulse thrumming through her veins.

“You can’t get out of your dress?” She couldn’t tell if the flames from the fireplace were dancing in his eyes or if he was as scorching as she was.

“My lady’s maid is out.”

He crossed the space between them in three quick strides, coming to stop just inches from her. Close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath. He rested a hand on her waist. His fingers flexed and pressed into her, but he left those few darned inches between them.

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