A Most Improper Rumor by Emma Wildes

Author:Emma Wildes [Wildes, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780451239587
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2013-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

“You certainly know how to make an entrance.” Harriet’s tone was dry, but her expression sympathetic.

Alicia, having just bathed to wash the odor of smoke off her skin and out of her hair, turned from the mirror and dropped the hairbrush to her lap. “Yes, well, I might have paused to at least grab my dressing gown, but Ben was rather impetuous about an instant departure.”

That was accurate enough. Then, to compound his sin, he’d deposited her on the front stoop and dashed back into a burning building. Thankfully a note had arrived in his hand saying the fire was contained and he would be by to collect her in a few hours.

Her sister’s mouth twitched into a grin. “Now that we know all is well, everyone escaped safely, and the house is relatively undamaged, do not be offended, but this is all quite amusing, Allie. The ton will love it.”

She had no doubt that was unfortunately true enough. “I’m sure they will,” she said gloomily. “I can see the scandal sheets now. Lord and Lady H. forced to flee burning house in a state of undress in the afternoon. Whatever could they have been doing?”

“Or,” Harriet suggested with mirth in her voice, “Mysterious fire catches a certain earl and his lovely wife in an indelicate situation. Perhaps those of the below-stairs inferno were not the only flames in the house.”

Relieved enough no one was hurt, especially Benjamin, Alicia actually had to laugh. Though she was embarrassed to a certain extent, it could have been much worse. “What about: Mortified in Mayfair. Will bedsheets turn into the next trend in afternoon attire? One daring countess apparently thinks so.”

They both dissolved into laughter, but Hattie sobered quickly. “You could have been injured. Of course, Ben would take all due care to see you to safety no matter what you were wearing. Mortifying as it might be to be carried right from your bed, it is still rather romantic if you ask me. People will twitter over it for a while, but they can hardly criticize a happy marriage.”

“I believe I’d like for my romantic moments to be less public.” Alicia found it impossible to be as tranquil or optimistic over what had happened. First the threatening note and then a sudden fire? It could be coincidence, of course, but she suddenly understood all too clearly Angelina’s misgivings over the safety of her lover. Could Ben defend himself from every contingency? No one could.

That terrified her.

Hattie, who knew nothing about how potentially dangerous the situation really was, merely said, “Your husband is usually quite understated, so I imagine it will be all back to normal very quickly.”

Understated? Alicia might disagree, recalling how he swept her into his arms so recklessly, and he had certainly taken over the situation with ease. “I’m really not that concerned over the whispers.”

Her sister might not quite understand Ben’s former role as an adviser—or whatever it had actually been—to the Crown, but Harriet wasn’t a fool.

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