Free The Accidental Mistress by Kate Harper Page B

but initially they had found it difficult to leave their country house retreat and then Roxburghe had insisted they get married. ‘We’ve shocked the entire county. Poor Mama is mortified although I think the effusive congratulations are helping her to thaw. Nobody ever thought I’d capture a marquis.’
    Dev’s hand reached out to take her own. He pulled her against him, settling her at his side and she fitted there perfectly. They were on their way to the continent to embark on a somewhat delayed honeymoon. The Marquis had wanted to meet her family first and quash any unfortunate rumors.
    At least one objective had been achieved, Sophie reflected ruefully. The rumors still abounded.
    She knew that she had gotten things around the wrong way. A nice girl did not sleep with a man before they were married, although they had done precious little sleeping in the days following that first tempestuous coupling. Even now, the thought of their uninhibited lovemaking could make her blush, even as it stirred up passions that found an answering echo in the man sitting beside her.
    It was all very unexpected.
    Unfortunately, neither Alice nor her aunt were talking to her, or so she’d learned from her uncle who had written to offer his congratulations on her union. The tone of the letter suggested that he found his family’s attitude inexplicable but Sophie was sure neither his wife nor his daughter would tell him why. He did hint, however, that Alice might well be getting married herself, to Lord Halstead, a most worthy man.
    She sighed, nestling in a little deeper, smiling when Dev dropped a kiss on the top of her head.
    ‘Happy, my love?’
    ‘More than I ever dreamed I would be. Is it wrong to feel so very… so very liberated? It must be wicked for me to feel this good.’
    ‘Poor Sophie; no matter how much you long to play by Society’s rules, that sinful little body of yours won’t let you.’ And he slipped a hand up to cup a breast through the bodice of her gown, squeezing it gently. Instead of pushing it away, Sophie wiggled appreciatively.
    ‘And you?’ she murmured, ‘Are you happy, my Lord?’
    He thought about the long years of loneliness. His mother gone when he was so young, his father such a notorious rake and drunkard that half the houses in London where closed to him. Long years, where he had locked himself away, determined never to be hurt or abandoned again.
    Until Sophie.
    ‘Dear heart, you are my happiness. Something I intend to demonstrate for the rest of my life. Starting with tonight.’
    Sophie smiled, grateful for accidents and fate and the man beside her.
    And so very grateful for the night that lay ahead of them and all the nights that would follow.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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