Page 92 of The Best Marquess

In the warmth and comfort of the carriage, Finn dug his spoon once again into the glass dish and heaped more of the rich, malty treat into his mouth. Not only had General Pippet enforced poultices on his upper arm wound site, she’d also insisted on a strict diet of barley water, chicken broth, and vanilla custard to assist with the healing process, as per the advice from textbooks she had perused. After two weeks trapped in culinary purgatory, even rare bloodied beef had started to sound appetizing.

But a brown bread ice…Utopia.

“I have a newfound appreciation for anything that isn’t invalid food,” he replied, shuddering. “Yes, you being cross is certainly a deterrent to hurling oneself at a man firing a pistol, but really, you should have proceeded directly to threatening barley water and broth.”

“Duly noted,” said Pippa, her satisfied look sufficient proof that spectacle-wearing bluestockings possessed a truly diabolical streak when it came to retribution for foolish activity. “And now, with that arm unpinned and you on the road to recovery, you can practice your oaths and declarations for taking that seat in the House.”

“Gah.”

“That is my line,” she replied, briefly removing her spectacles so she could clean them with a linen handkerchief. “But I’ve been pondering the matter, and believe we have been thinking about the House all wrong. It is not a barren wasteland of pompous pigs at a trough, well not completely. Taking your seat offers an opportunity for you and other young peers to turn a page on the past and champion things like warm, dry housing for the poor and education for all. Things like women’s rights.”

“True,” said Finn slowly. “I’m not the only younger peer with a progressive outlook. Devonshire also supports abolition of slavery.”

“Are you and he going to be friends, then?”

He grinned. “I can be magnanimous in victory. Besides, he did order a staggeringly large number of Bliss masks for an upcoming house party with the Carlton House set.”

“Huzzah, something good came from you being shot.”

Finn nodded. It had been one hell of a scandal, and they hadn’t been able to keep the story of Bliss and the shooting out of the newspapers. After a long discussion with Abby, they had decided to embrace the notoriety and open an appointment-only salon in the Golden Square parlor to display their pleasure toys and accessories. It was proving extremely popular; and while the odd few protestors sometimes marched outside, the four new armed bodyguards ensured there was no trouble.

As for Lord Campbell, he was cooling his heels in the Tower after being charged with attempted murder. Sir Edwin Ironside had been stripped of his political seat and banished back to the north. Lady Campbell was now thoroughly enjoying life with a large stack of romance novels and a full collection of dildos.

“No, the greatest thing was you declaring your love,” he said.

Pippa blew him a kiss before taking their empty ice dishes and setting them next to the Berkeley Square railing for the waiters to fetch later. “Before you get all sentimental about that, I do have a teeny tiny confession to make.”

Finn groaned audibly as he waited for her to sit back down, then he tapped the roof for the carriage to return home to Hanover Square. “Yes?”

“All those porcelain figurines that have been delivered, aren’t for shelves and mantelpieces. Mr. Gordon suggested I use them to practice the nose-breaking movement. My lessons are progressing well, but I need to train properly to truly be effective as a bodyguard.”

“Beg pardon?” he spluttered. “A bodyguard?”

“Well, yes,” Pippa replied patiently. “I know you have that delightful cane with the sword tip now, but someone must protect the owner of Bliss when he is out strolling, traveling in a curricle or carriage, or perhaps taking a bath in that enormous new permanent marble tub. Villains are always waiting to slither out of the sewer.”

He shook his head, marveling at the woman he’d so sensibly married. “You did this deliberately, didn’t you? Sweetened me up with an ice, before cannonballing that fact into the conversation. I’m surprised there aren’t caramels as well.”

“Moi? Look at this face. The very portrait of innocence.”

“I might believe it…in the bedchamber,” he said, trailing a finger over her bodice and nudging both nipples, currently clamped with the discreet new version crafted of plain gold.

Pippa whimpered, her back arching. “Why, Lord Pinehurst, are you insisting that I accompany you there, then atone with acts of a singularly wicked nature?”

“Correction of wayward wives is important. A husband’s solemn duty.”

“I did promise to obey. I may even do so occasionally.”

“Then I am the most fortunate of men.”

She smiled graciously. “You are indeed. Really though, we must practice bedding at least as often as I practice breaking noses. Then we’ll be quite prepared for when we begin trying for a child. Which I think perhaps should be approximately February of next year. Lilian felt rather unwell in the early stages of pregnancy with Amanda; time it all correctly, and we could once again avoid an entire Season of ton balls and soirees, then welcome a dear wee babe in time for Christmas.”

“Have I told you lately how much I adore your practical mind?”

“Yes. But you may also show me with pleasure toys.”

Finn took her hand, turned it over, and brushed his lips across her wrist until she squirmed on the leather squab and panted. “As you desire, my lady wife.”

When the carriage pulled up in front of Pinehurst House and a footman opened the door and lowered the step, Finn climbed out, amused at Pippa’s unsubtle efforts to make him walk faster. His marchioness would have to work hard to earn her orgasms today.