Page 82 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“Gloriana, I have been pursued by women all my life. Marie-Louise was willing enough because of my pretty face. Aristocrats and peasants alike have lusted after me. You have seen what it is like here in London. The fools pursue me no matter how rudely I behave toward them. It was always thus, and then I met you.”

She nodded.

“I fell madly in love, begged your patience until I could afford a wife, and then you tried to force me to marry you immediately. It was like the scene with Marie-Louise all over again. Consider my dismay, my utter devastation. I felt . . . duped. Shamed.” He let out a sigh. “I was disgusted, I am sorry to say, for seemingly you were just another scheming woman driven by lust.”

She grimaced. “There was an element of lust, but mostly I was young and impatient, and you were perfection—the personification of my ideals.”

He uttered an anguished groan. “I’ve never been perfect anything.”

She laughed. “I’m sorry, but you are still perfect to me. I vowed to love you forever.” She tried a rueful smile, but her voice quivered. “After that night, I wanted to hate you, but it would have meant breaking my vow. So I pretended to loathe you and everything you stood for, while I started a school based on what you believed. That was the only way to prove my love.” She paused. “I know that’s not logical. I don’t expect you to understand.”

“I understand perfectly. I am as illogical as you, ma belle, and happy that way.” He hugged her to him. He kissed her, slowly and lovingly. “Let us marry very soon.”

“Yes.”

They succumbed once again to passion. It was the most perfect night of her life.

Chapter 17

“Good morning, Miss Glow. I hope you slept well . . . Eep!”

Gloriana jolted awake. They must have slept for hours! She sat up, mortified, and clutched the coverlet to her nakedness. Beside her, Philippe opened an eye.

Elspeth blushed red as a strawberry, but her voice retained its usual asperity. “Well! It’s about time.” She plunked the tray with Gloriana’s morning chocolate on the dressing table, when usually she would have brought it to the bed. A jug of hot water was also on the tray, but she didn’t move it to the washstand. “But for the sake of others, Miss Glow, you might have considered locking your door.”

“I daresay I would have done so,” Gloriana retorted, her own color rising, “if I’d been expecting Monsieur de Bellechasse to climb in through my window.”

“Tsk.” Elspeth had retreated to the door, but now she turned just enough to face Gloriana while determinedly avoiding the sight of Philippe. She didn’t specify whether the ‘tsk’ was for such a dangerous method of entering or for entering at all.

Philippe smiled at Elspeth without a sign of gêne. He looked handsome, contented, and smug, which was frightfully unfair. Gloriana had just as much reason for contentment—perhaps even smugness—yet all she felt was awkward.

“Good morning, Elspeth,” Philippe said. “We all agree that it’s about time, but tell me, what time is it?”

“Good morning, sir.” The maid still didn’t look directly at him. “It’s nine o’clock of a fine spring morning, and how we’re to get you out of the house without being seen is beyond me.”

“I don’t care who sees him,” Gloriana said. “We’ll be married soon anyway.”

“I should hope so.” Elspeth unbent enough to move the jug of hot water to the washstand, but she didn’t venture near the bed.

“I’ll leave by the area stairs.” Philippe yawned. “Maybe your footman and I can seem to be servants on an errand. I’ll go procure a special license tout de suite . . .” He paused. “It will be a busy day. I have already hired actors to serve as decoys tonight, but I must make arrangements with Freddy Barnham, as well as with Lady Marianne, Mr. Turner, and a few others.” He raised himself on his elbows, and Elspeth yelped at the imminent exposure of bare male chest.

He waved her away. “Off you go. Can the cook give us breakfast in fifteen minutes or so? Nothing elaborate, just something quick and simple. I’ll need you to join us, as you must get in touch with Mr. Turner.”

“Yes, sir. Kindly assist Miss Glow to dress, as I certainly cannot do so under the circumstances.” She whisked herself out and shut the door.

“With pleasure,” Philippe murmured, “although I had hoped to spend a little time undressed this morning. Did you sleep well, ma belle?” He smiled, and Gloriana’s heart turned over.

“You look far too handsome in this tousled state,” she grumped.

“I shall not speak about what your beauty does to me, for it is sufficiently obvious.” She glanced down, gasped at the little tent in the coverlet, and hoped to God Elspeth hadn’t noticed. He took her hand and kissed it, and a bolt of desire shot through her. She blushed, and he added, “A pity I didn’t specify half an hour till breakfast—but I would rather our next lovemaking be slow, lazy, and erotic in the extreme.”

“Philippe, that is not helpful!”

He laughed, got out of bed, and quickly donned his clothing, giving her far too little time to ogle him. She found a shift and corset, and he laced it up for her. Soon she was dressed in an old morning gown.

Next came the ordeal of going downstairs. What must the servants think of her wanton behavior? Elspeth wouldn’t discuss it with them, but even if they didn’t realize Philippe had spent the night there, his presence at breakfast would give rise to speculation. A Warren can do no wrong, she told herself, but this particular dictum of her mother’s had been wishful thinking, as the Warrens were known for misbehavior.

They ran the gauntlet of no one except Gregory, who treated Philippe with cautious deference, and found Elspeth setting the table in the dining room. Two steaming dishes of scrambled eggs and sausage already awaited them, along with a wedge of cheese.