Page 69 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

Chapter Twenty-Four

After a good cry, Harlow felt much better. Reese was a perfect gentleman to not mention the way she’d fallen apart in his arms. He’d also not mentioned the mess she surely looked or the dampness she’d left all over his shirt.

She’d thought she was fine, but it seemed this near-death experience was one too many.

It did give her an idea though.

“I’ve thought of another thing I’d like to do to get back at my uncle for what he did,” she told Reese.

He chuckled and drew her closer. “It was already quite devious, but tell me your plan.”

For the next hour they discussed the elaborate details of how she could ensure her uncle would be begging for mercy. Reese offered his own ideas and between the two of them she felt confident it would be even more terrifying than their previous plan. The man deserved everything she had devised to torment him. And when she was done, and he was broken before her, she would be able to put all of this behind her.

At least that was what she was hoping for.

“He will rue the day he betrayed me,” she said sounding a bit sinister with her rough voice and threatening demeaner. “Do you think your mother will help me with my costume?”

“The woman seems determined to stir up scandal of late, so I’m sure she would be elated to help ye with your dramatic revenge plot.”

“You don’t think it’s too much?” she asked.

He laughed and she realized how much she liked hearing it. He didn’t laugh as much as he should, she would make it her goal to have him laughing more often.

“I definitely think it’s too much, but it’s perfect.”

When her eyes grew heavy, he kissed her softly and got out of her bed where they’d been lounging comfortably.

“I shall leave you to your rest. You had a tiring day and if I stay I’ll be in danger of falling asleep here.”

The idea of sleeping next to him all night, where he might banish her nightmares, was tempting. She thought of how nice it must be to wake up next to someone in the morning. All the things they could do in their room before starting the day.

It wasn’t until she was snuggled down in her covers and she heard the soft click of the door that she realized they hadn’t been intimate as they’d been before. He’d said he’d wanted to hold her, but she assumed he would get to those other things when he was assured she was fine.

Perhaps, she thought, lying together talking and touching was the most intimate they’d ever been. Even if their bodies hadn’t joined, their hearts had. She knew he truly cared for her. And she certainly cared a great deal for him as well.

If he proposed again, she wouldn’t hesitate to accept, for it was clear he didn’t want her for money, or simply because he’d taken her virtue. They could be quite happy together. Especially when they could share a bed without having to sneak around.

If he asked simply because he wished to rather than because of his mother’s threats and pressure she would be happy to become his wife. And until then she would be satisfied being his lover. And friend.

The next morning after dressing, she made her way to the breakfast room and smiled when she found the earl in his place at the head of the table.

“Good morning, my lord.” She dipped a curtsey to Reese before turning to the countess. “Lady Breckenridge.”

“Good morning,” his mother greeted her while Reese simply winked and waited for her to take her seat before he dug into his meal.

“I was going to tell my mother of your plan, but thought you might want to share your diabolical scheme yourself.”

As they ate, Harlow shared her thoughts. At first, the countess seemed shocked by Harlow’s deviousness, but then after some thought she agreed to help. And even came up with some ideas herself.

“That is very good,” Reese said. “Shall we meet after luncheon to start working on things? As for now, I am going to take Harlow and Belle on a stroll that hopefully results with the three of us returning to the house.”

His mother raised her brow at Harlow. “See that you do, young lady. We’ll not have you hanging about on a cliff all day.”

“I wouldn’t think of it,” Harlow promised and got up to take his offered arm. They were quiet as they walked across the lawn to the gardens. Belle had already run off to chase a rabbit, leaving them alone. As soon as they were ensconced in the shadows of the trees, Reese turned to her and kissed her thoroughly.

“I wanted only to hold you last night, but I woke up wanting you fiercely,” he admitted while kissing up her throat.

“Here?”