“I am staying, James.”
He breathed deeply, and a look of implacable determination settled on his face. “I must tell you I am going to return tonight. And the next night after until I have repaid Mr. Winters’s money in the month he demanded.”
The shock of his revelation caused words to wedge in her throat. He had done this. For her. For their future. And she had been about to run away with the stupid thought that this was how she could save him. One did not give up on love. One fought for love because love endured everything. A hot tear rolled down her cheek. “I will be there, in disguise, of course, watching you and cheering you on if it is allowed.”
It was his turn to falter. “Poppy…”
“If this is what you must do, I will be by your side as you do it. I will not hide from it, no matter how hard it is.”
“I might get beat up a lot,” he muttered, tugging at his cravat.
A teary laugh slipped from her. “I will tend to every wound afterward.” Then uncaring they might be observed, she walked into his embrace and hugged him fiercely. “I love you, James, so very much.”
A carriage rattling by slowed, and the curtains were pushed aside, and three faces shamelessly peered out.
Poppy ignored them, and the knowledge that they would set the gossiping tongues wagging. James placed a tender kiss upon her forehead. “I love you, Poppy, more than you’ll ever know.”
James then guided her to the carriage that would return her to Daphne’s home, made a courtly bow, and walked away.
“I do know, James, I know.”
Poppy lowered the carriage curtain as it set into motion, taking her to a future she had not seen this morning but one she embraced wholeheartedly.
Eight weeks later…
Poppy was the Countess of Kingsley, and her husband had somehow obtained the title of a bare-knuckle king, a title only a few gentlemen of society had the honor of holding. They had married by special license only after he confessed the depth of his love and what they must do to be with each other. Life then had been filled with peculiarities but with many joys.
She dabbed a cloth soaked with whisky over a cut above his eyebrow and placed a tender kiss there. “I am very glad that was your last fight,” she whispered. “While you are a great fighter, it has been hard watching you fight.”
“I know, my love,” he murmured, hugging her close to him. “We have paid back Winters and have set aside a good amount of funds to help in the restoration of our estates. With the many investments I have made, we shall be well, I promise it.”
“I know,” she said with a soft smile. Though she had watched every one of them, there were nights Poppy sat in the audience, tears coursing down her cheeks at the painful and desperate lengths James traversed to protect his family and to repay Henry’s debt.
She was not sure if this was the time to tell him. They were in Worsley’s club in a private room on the third floor. Poppy lifted her hand to her head and removed the veil. Her love looked up at her.
“What is it?” he gruffly asked, searching her expression.
“Are we still leaving on a honeymoon?”
“Yes. We will spend three months away. We deserve this.”
Poppy took a breath. “I…I am with child.”
A flash of joy shone in his eyes, and his happy laugh rippled through her. “Are you certain of it?”
“I am almost ninety percent sure. The doctor will be coming by to confirm it.”
They stared at each other, then chuckled together. “I cannot believe how unbelievably happy I am,” Poppy said, emotions tightening her throat.
“Believe it,” he murmured before pulling her into his arms and kissing her endlessly.
Thank you for reading My One and Only Earl!
I hope you enjoyed the journey to happy ever after for James & Poppy. Reviews are Gold to Authors, for they are a very important part of reaching readers, and I do hope you will consider leaving an honest review on Amazon adding to my rainbow. It does not have to be lengthy, a simple sentence or two will do. Just know that I will appreciate your efforts sincerely.
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If you loved that sneak peek at Viscount Worsley, he has his own book—Sins of Viscount Worsley, and if you’ve not read it, you can grab a copy here!
Grab a Copy!
Lord Kentwood, the author of the very scandalous book A Guide to Passionate Romps between a Lord and his Lady, has his own story—For the Love of the Earl, and an unexpected surprise. You can grab your copy here! Please note this book was previously published as An Unconventional Affair.
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Stacy Reid
Acknowledgments
I thank God every day for my family, friends, and my writing. A special thank you to my husband. I love you so hard! Without your encouragement and steadfast support I would not be living my dream of being an author. You encourage me to dream and are always steadfast in your wonderful support. You read all my drafts, offer such amazing insight and encouragement. Thank you for designing my fabulous cover! Thank you for reminding me I am a warrior when I wanted to give up on so many things.
Thank you, Giselle Marks for being so wonderful and supportive always. You are a great critique partner and friend. Readers, thank you for giving me a chance and reading my book! I hope you enjoyed and would consider leaving a review. Thank you!
About Stacy
USA Today Bestselling author Stacy Reid writes sensual Historical and Paranormal Romances and is the published author of over twenty books. Her debut novella The Duke’s Shotgun Wedding was a 2015 HOLT Award of Merit recipient in the Romance Novella category, and her bestselling Wedded by Scandal series is recommended as Top picks at Night Owl Reviews, Fresh Fiction Reviews, and The Romance Reviews.
Stacy lives a lot in the worlds she creates and actively speaks to her characters (aloud). She has a warrior way “Never give up on dreams!” When she’s not writing, Stacy spends a copious amount of time binge-watching series like The Walking Dead, Altered Carbon, Rise of the Phoenixes, Ten Miles of Peach Blossom, and playing video games with her love. She also has a weakness for ice cream and will have it as her main course.
Stacy is represented by Jill Marshall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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