Tainted Angels: A Regency Christmas Collection by Bradley Anna

Author:Bradley, Anna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2022-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

EPILOGUE

CLIFF’S EDGE, ESSEX, TWELFTH NIGHT, 1813

“Whatever happened to the costume you wore at last year’s Christmas farce?”

Penelope laid down her quill and turned around in her chair to glance at her husband. “What, you mean the prostitute’s costume?”

“Ah, yes. The prostitute’s costume, with the short, ruffled skirts and the low, tight bodice.” Will was lounging on the bed, his arms under his head and a dreamy smile on his lips. “Fetching little scrap of a thing, especially on you. How come you never wear it anymore? I miss it.”

Penelope raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you suggesting, my lord, that the Countess of Archer venture onto the stage dressed as a prostitute?”

He rolled lazily over to his side and propped his head on his hand. “God, no. I didn’t say a word about the stage, my lady. I was suggesting you wear it here, for me, in the privacy of our bedchamber.”

“You’re as wicked as you’ve ever been, Lord Archer,” Penelope scolded with a smile. She liked to tease her husband about his roguish ways, fondly referring to him as her Gentleman Rake. “Now hush, will you? I’m nearly done with this.”

Will let out a groan. “Can’t that wait?”

“No. I promised Maddy I’d have it finished by tomorrow morning so she could read it before the performance tomorrow night.”

Will had insisted on having another Christmas house party this year, and Penelope was writing a new play especially for the occasion. Their guests had insisted there be a Christmas farce, which perhaps wasn’t surprising, since there were a number of actresses among them.

“Maddy will understand. Come to bed, sweetheart.”

Penelope was reading over the lines she’d written, but the deep, husky note in his voice made her look up at him. She wore only a thin white night rail, and his gaze was fixed on the curves of her breasts. A shiver of awareness darted down Penelope’s spine, but she remained in her chair, tapping her quill against her quirked lips. “This will go much more quickly if you help me. Shall I read the Second Act aloud to you?”

“What, the entire Second Act? That will take ages!” Will flopped onto his back on the bed. “What’s gotten into Maddy, anyway? Why must she have the pages in the morning? The performance isn’t until tomorrow night.”

Penelope gathered up the pages spread across her dressing table and arranged them in a neat pile. “She’s nervous. I think it’s quite sweet, really.”

“She’s been on stage before. Why should she be nervous?”

“Why, because of Lord Notley.”

“Notley?” Will frowned up at the ceiling. “What about him?”

Penelope let out a sigh. “Goodness, gentlemen are dim about these things. It’s a wonder any of you ever marry. She’s in love with him, of course, and he with her. Do you mean to say you haven’t noticed? Lord Notley’s hardly left Maddy’s side since he arrived, and every time he looks at her, her cheeks turn as red as a peony.”

Will jerked upright in the middle of the bed, his eyes wide.

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