Page 91 of The Best Marquess

Pippa pursed her lips and glared at her twin. The wretch had a lot of explaining to do about his activities of late, and once they had Finn tucked up safely in bed, she would interrogate him more harshly than the meanest magistrate in London. “Xavier, I hope you’ve taken heed of all the lessons learned today, and will make any love declaration in a safe, non-violent environment. Nothing wrong with saying I love you in a confectioner’s store. Or perhaps a library, sitting stop a pile of satin cushions.”

Her twin snorted. “Can’t see myself ever saying it, so no need to fret, Pip.”

“Never say never, lad,” said the physician unexpectedly as he knotted the end of Finn’s stitches before bandaging the wound. “I met my true love at the age of forty and made my declaration during the Battle of Talavera. Although…perhaps that’s not helpful to the discussion. Ahem. Madam, please remember to put a poultice on this wound site every few days, keep his arm pinned to the opposite shoulder, and ensure he rests. I am sure, sir, your wife will help you heed my instructions.”

“Yes,” said Finn. “She will.”

“Damned right,” said Pippa cheerfully, feeling like a boulder had been lifted from her shoulders.

Xavier laughed. “Pinehurst, I accept a certain responsibility for events, so will offer a warning; you’re about two minutes away from a severe ear boxing.”

She pointed at the parlor door. “You are one minute away. Begone, least favorite twin.”

An eternity later, after the constable had taken detailed written statements from them all, Lord Campbell and Sir Edwin had been marched away for questioning, and Xavier had taken Lady Campbell and Mr. Gordon home in his carriage, she and Finn were finally alone in the parlor. Abby had given them both a carefully fierce hug, before fetching Nerissa from upstairs where she’d thankfully been with her nurse. The little girl had enthusiastically greeted ‘Sweetie and Pip Pip’ and given them both leg hugs, but in the absence of hidden marzipan, had been quite content to go and visit someone next door called Bridget.

“Well, my lord husband,” said Pippa crisply, as she assisted Finn to his feet. “I think we should return to Hanover Square.”

“You aren’t really going to box my ears, are you? Doesn’t seem very sporting in my current state.”

Staring at the ceiling for a long moment, Pippa swallowed hard as her eyes gave up on being stoic and began to water. “I should. Because I don’t think you quite grasp how important you are to me. How necessary. I could not be happy without you. After sixteen years, a Finn-sized hole in my life would be unendurable. I am quite, quite happy to read about characters hurling themselves into shark-infested waters…or sword fighting an evil Prussian atop a moving carriage…or catapulting themselves over a flaming castle wall to bed a princess…but I do not wish you to do those sorts of things to prove your love.”

“Not even a one-harmed handstand on horseback?”

“Not even that. I feel love when you hold me. When you bring me books and pleasure toys. When you make me come several times because once isn’t enough. I want my love at my side and in my b-bed, petting me and c-calling me Pippet. Not in a d-damned t-tomb…”

Finn cleared his throat. “You like that nickname. I thought you tolerated it, but you truly like it.”

“I like it from you. If anyone else attempted to call me that, they would get a heel of the hand to the nose. Mr. Gordon has promised to teach me the correct technique because I asked very nicely. I also suggested that he start a class for young ladies needing to dissuade a persistent or unwelcome suitor; he thought it a wonderful idea and is going to discuss with Mrs. Gordon. I hope she says yes, because I will put Georgiana’s name first on the list.”

He laughed, then winced. “No jests, I beg of you. I should also add, some gentlemen might be alarmed by all that, but it just makes me love you more. And I will say I love you, often. And how splendidly wonderful you are. Because words are important. However, I will do my best to show you as well. Safely. In ways that make your heart happy.”

“Like petting,” said Pippa, stepping closer so she could rest her forehead on his uninjured shoulder. “That is much better than dancing with bullets.”

“Like petting,” he agreed, kissing the top of her head. “Let’s go home and look at ledgers. Or, I could show you my design sketchbook, which has many pleasure toys but probably far more drawings of you wearing your spectacles. I get a bit distracted thinking of them.”

“No, you will be going to bed and resting. I will examine the ledgers though. And the sketchbook. And the political documents, the contracts, and the estate deeds—”

“Pippa Pearl Pinehurst, if you orgasm right now, it is going to create awkwardness between us…ouch. Did you just crush my toes with exquisite precision?”

“Me?” she said, leaning back so she could look up at him and flutter her lashes. “Impossible. Us spectacle-wearers can barely see feet, let alone crush them. And in the absence of a new romance novel to read, I must devote my time to other pursuits.”

Finn sighed. “We have a new book due to arrive in the country shortly. The Queen’s Lovers. It’s about a widowed dowager queen who begins a scorching hot affair with her two bodyguards. Protection by day, double penetration by night.”

“What? I swear, if I do not receive the first copy from the first box…”

“On my honor, you shall. With an improved version of your favorite double dildo. Read about double penetration while receiving it.”

Pippa deliberately peered over the top of her spectacles. “All I heard just then was I love you, I love you, I love you,” she said blissfully, as she went up on her toes and kissed him. “You are indeed the best marquess.”

“Then let us go home and put me to bed. But there is definitely room for two.”

She curved a supporting arm around his waist, and together they ambled out of the parlor. They had conquered the villain, found true love, and were well on their way to happily ever after.

Just as it should be.

March, 1816

“My lord husband, if you orgasm eating a Gunter’s brown bread ice, it will make things awkward between us.”