“Not completely, perhaps, but I was at least one tenth in love with ye when I realized ye’d pulled yer pistol on Mr. Evans after he dared touch ye.”
She chuckled. “And the rest?”
“Yer willingness to fight for what ye want. Yer fondness for Mr. Cunningham. Being Mr. Cunningham. Renegotiating with Mr. Cooper. Believing in me when no one else did. Following me all the way to Scotland. Reuniting me with my mother. Setting me free. Showing me every second how much ye love me in return. All yer sweet kisses. That’s more than enough for one hundred percent and I’m just getting started.”
“I love you too,” Charlotte whispered while tears stole into her eyes and her vision blurred. “For saving me when you weren’t obligated to do so, for helping me out of my bind with Mr. Cooper. For showing me how to live and for always offering help whenever I needed it. You risked your freedom – your life – to save my reputation.”
“Instead, I ruined it.”
“Not that I mind.” She raked her fingers up through his hair. “I would gladly risk scandal and ruination a thousand times over as long as it means I’ll be yours.”
“Ye’ll always be mine, lass. This I swear.” He captured her mouth once more, cementing the certainty of his words with a kiss so thorough it left Charlotte breathless.
Not that she minded. She kissed him right back with equal fervor while joy swam through her veins. She loved this man for countless more reasons, and as long as they had each other, nothing else mattered.
22
The Windham ballroom, seven years later.
* * *
Standing off to one side, Marcus casually sipped the brandy he favored over the bubbly champagne being passed around by the footmen. A white marble pillar to his left allowed him to savor the music in peace. He loved the classical pieces being played but hated the idea of having to meet with the peers who had been invited to celebrate Regina’s birthday. She’d insisted he be there of course, so he was, without revealing his presence.
The brandy slid down his throat, its spicy flavor heating a path straight to his stomach. Later, when all the guests had gone home, he would meet in private with Guthrie and the other dukes for a game of cards – an activity he always relished because they treated him as their equal.
“Supper is ready,” the butler intoned once the last piece of music had faded.
Chatter ensued as guests began moving toward the adjoining room. Marcus waited for the subsequent silence, then stepped out from behind the pillar and crossed to the terrace. There was plenty of time to enjoy a bit of fresh air before the guests returned.
He pushed through the French doors and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of jasmine that clung to a nearby arbor. And froze as soon as he realized he wasn’t alone.
“If only he would pay more attention to me,” said the lady who stood a few paces away. “But what would ever compel him to?”
Marcus peered through the darkness. The lady stood alone, a little off to one side. He glanced around. There was no one else.
“Do you have any idea?”
Marcus paused. She must have heard him arrive and probably thought him a friend of hers. He began to retreat. The last thing he needed right now was to offer romantic advice to a woman who loved a man whose interest clearly lay elsewhere.
“Oh, if only you would speak.”
Halting, Marcus cleared his throat. “Forgive me. I believe you must have mistaken me for someone else.”
The lady spun around so fast she nearly lost her balance. “Who are you?”
He stared at her. “Apparently not the person you believed you were addressing.”
“No. I…um…” She looked askance.
“Riiiibiiiit.”
Marcus frowned. “Were you conversing with a frog?”
“Not at all,” the lady said at the exact same moment as a fat toad hopped out from behind her. It paused for a moment before continuing onto the grass beyond the terrace. She sighed. “Maybe.”
Marcus chuckled. “How unusual.”
“It wasn’t very helpful.”
“Not with its advice perhaps, but maybe by lending an ear.” He tilted his head in thought. “Do toads even have ears? I’m sure they must.”
The lady gave him a hesitant smile. “I should probably go back inside. Being out here alone was all right until you joined me. Now it would be improper.”
She moved toward the French doors behind him. He would not stop her from leaving. To do so would be wrong, possibly ruinous for her if she were found keeping his company. A pity, since he’d enjoyed their brief encounter.
Marcus turned to watch her go as an older gentleman exited onto the terrace. His gaze immediately settled on the young lady. “Louise. What are you doing out here?”
“I was merely taking a small reprieve,” Louise replied in a more timid tone than the one she’d used with Marcus.
“Go and find your mother. She’s in the supper room waiting for you.”
“Yes, Papa.”
The young lady offered Marcus a swift smile in parting, and then she was gone. Her father, however, remained. His dark expression focused solely on Marcus. “I know who you are, Mr. Berkly, and as such, I demand you stay away from my daughter.”
“With whom do I have the honor of speaking?” Marcus asked. He’d never met this man before, which clearly put him at a disadvantage.
“The Earl of Grasmere.”
Marcus held the man’s gaze. “A pleasure, my lord.”
“A pity I can’t say the same,” Grasmere said. He snorted with visible disdain, then walked away.
Raising his glass to his lips, Marcus polished off the rest of his brandy. There had been a time when men like Grasmere would have thought him a fine catch for their daughter. But that was a long time ago, before his father’s crimes had come to light, before he’d been hanged for murder, before the title the Berkly family had held for nine generations had been absolved.
Expelling a sigh, Marcus went back inside, crossed the ballroom to the hallway beyond, and made his way to the exit. Remaining for the sake of the music alone was no longer enough. What he wanted now – what he wished for most – was a chance to dance with Lady Louise so he could find out why she spoke to toads. And since that would never happen, he found no reason to stay.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Her Scottish Scoundrel. If you enjoyed this novel, you’ll also enjoy the sequel! Order your copy of The Dishonored Viscount today so you can read Marcus’s story too!
Or if you haven’t read the previous books in my Diamonds In The Rough series, you might consider starting at the very beginning with A Most Unlikely Duke where bare-knuckle boxer, Raphe Matthews, unexpectedly inherits a duke’s title. Figuring out how to navigate Society won’t be easy, but receiving advice from the lady next door may just be worth it.
You can find out more about my new releases, backlist deals and giveaways by signing up for my newsletter here: www.sophiebarnes.com
And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook for even more updates and fun book related posts.