Sophie sighed, deeply content. She put up a hand to brush back the dark locks from his forehead. “You’ll have to marry me; you’ve thoroughly compromised me. We’ve been away for far too long.”
“I always intended to marry you. From the moment I first saw you in Lady Asfordby’s ballroom.”
Sophie studied his face in the moonlight. “Did you really?”
“From the moment I saw you dancing with that upstart Marston,” Jack admitted. “I was smitten then and there.”
“Oh, Jack!”
After the necessary exchange of affection brought on by that revelation, Sophie was the first to return to reality. “Dear Heaven,” she exclaimed weakly. “We’ve been gone for hours.”
Jack caught the hint of concern dawning in her voice. “Don’t worry. Horatio knows you’re with me.”
Fascinated, Sophie stared at him. “Did you tell my aunt, too?”
“Good God.” Jack shuddered. “What a horrible thought. If I had, I’d lay odds she’d have given me instructions. I don’t think my pride could have stood it.” Jack dropped a soft kiss on one delectable rosy peak. “Your aunt, my love, is just plain dangerous.”
Privately, Sophie agreed but was far too distracted to find words to say so. Sometime later, her mind drifting in dazed consideration of the future he had spread before her, the home, the family—everything she had ever wanted—with him by her side, she returned to his point. “Speaking of marriage, sir, you have not yet asked me to marry you.”
“I have—you quibbled and refused.”
Sophie smiled into the night. “But you’re supposed to ask me again, now that my uncle has given me permission to receive your addresses.”
Jack sighed lustily, then shifted to move over her, one elbow planted on either side, his expression arrogantly commanding. His eyes, deep dark pools within which passion still smouldered, transfixed her.
“Very well, Miss Winterton. For the very last time—will you marry me? I realize, of course, that you are only a lady of expectations and not an heiress. However, as it transpires, I neither need nor want a wealthy bride. You, my beautiful, desirable Sophie—” Jack bent his head to do homage to her lips “—will do just wonderfully. You, my love, fulfil all my expectations.” Another kiss stole her breath. “Every last one.”
A soft smile curving her lips, her gaze misty with happiness, Sophie reached up to slide her arms about his neck. Her acceptance was delivered, not in words but in those actions which, to her mind, and Jack’s spoke best.
* * *
AS THE WEBB CARRIAGE rocked into motion, leaving the shadows of Vauxhall behind, Lucilla sank back against the squabs. On the opposite seat, Jeremy and George yawned and closed their eyes, their faces wreathed in seraphic smiles. Behind, in the smaller carriage, Toby, Ned and Clarissa were doubtless still exclaiming over their exciting evening. Lucilla, however, was not impressed.
She had just been informed that Jack would be returning Sophie to Mount Street by a different route.
It was several long moments before she trusted herself to speak.
“And you told me not to meddle.” With an audible humph, she cast a disgusted glance at her spouse.
Horatio was too wise to answer. He smiled serenely, glancing upriver as the carriage rattled over the bridge.
* * * * *
The Secrets of a Courtesan
Nicola Cornick
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Regency world of Fortune’s Folly, a town set in the wild Yorkshire Dales where scandal, danger and romance are but a step away!
Eve Nightingale has run away from London and created a new life for herself in the little Yorkshire market town, but when her former lover, the handsome and charismatic Alasdair, Duke of Welburn, arrives in Fortune’s Folly, all her secrets are in danger of exposure. Can Eve and Alasdair rekindle the love that once united them or will they be driven apart forever?
It’s a very great pleasure to see The Secrets of a Courtesan in print for the very first time. This prequel to my Brides of Fortune series has previously only been available in ebook format and I have had so many requests from readers wanting a print copy. Here it is, especially for you!
Very best wishes,
Nicola