Miss Watson's First Scandal (A Miss Mayhem Novella) Read online

  “I thought that the case, too. But everything has been arranged now and there is nothing to stop them. The banns will be called on Sunday and the marriage should happen shortly thereafter. You’ll be glad to know the bank has no further interest in this house.”

  “So you’re free to return to London.” Abigail stood and hurried to the front window, staring outside at the bright sunny day without really seeing anything beautiful in it. He was leaving and there wasn’t anything she could do to change his mind. He had responsibilities and he would honor them. Tears threatened to fall down her cheek and she held them back ruthlessly. When he was gone, she would blubber all she liked. But she wouldn’t waste what was left of their time together.

  “I’m not as free as you think. I made a promise to stay, if you remember. But there is one other important affair that must be settled before I could possibly return to the capital. Something that has become very, very urgent and important to me.”

  “Princess.” She sagged. “I suppose now my brother’s future is assured I am able to take care of her for you.”

  “Good.” He moved to stand behind her, hands resting lightly on her upper arms. “However, she is not at the forefront of my mind right now. And if I can resolve that issue to my satisfaction then Princess’ care will be assured.”

  Puzzled, Abigail faced him. His expression had become serious once more. “What is it?”

  “I need you to do something for me,” he whispered so softly that Abigail strained to hear.

  When he said nothing more immediately, Abigail nodded. “Anything.”

  “You agree without knowing exactly what my request entails?” David brushed his fingers along her cheek. “I want to marry you, my love.”

  “You do?” Abigail clenched his coat lapels to keep from falling. She had hoped but never dared let herself believe that he would propose today.

  He cupped her face with both hands, smiling down on her with a wide grin. “I couldn’t possibly have had any other thought in my mind after the events of the past few days. I should have explained myself better last night, but you’ve turned my world upside down and I must confess I like the confusion very much. I love you. Marry me. Come live with me in London and I promise to give you everything you need. My name. My boundless devotion. My every spare moment.”

  “Oh.” Abigail’s eyes filled with tears. He wanted to marry her. She couldn’t believe it really was happening. She closed her eyes to savor the moment and memorize how she felt. Having all your dreams come true was like spinning in the dark with only the bright moon to ground you. The tears fell down her cheeks, but she quickly blinked them away and raised her face in case he got the wrong idea of them.

  David, however, frowned at something over the top of her head. “My love, I don’t mean to be impatient, but I’ll need an answer very soon. Your brother is about to come home and will not be happy to see us alone like this. Your reputation means everything to me.”

  He removed his hands from her face as the front door opened. He stepped back just as Peter reached the parlor doorway.

  Peter blinked. “Hawke, what the devil are you doing here?”

  When David glanced at her, she nodded quickly. “I will.”

  Peter approached, glancing between them. “What’s going on? Have you been crying, Abigail?”

  “Of course I have.” She smiled at David. “I’ve just been made the happiest woman in Brighton. Mr. Hawke—David—has asked me to marry him and I’ve gladly accepted.”

  “Like hell you have.” Her brother turned on David, fists clenched. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble? You stay away from my sister.”

  “I cannot do that.” David’s gaze flicked in her direction, another smile broke free, making him appear so much happier than before. “I love her.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You only love money.”

  David sighed, a little sadly. “I do love Abigail and cannot bear the thought of not seeing her every day.”

  Abigail caught David’s hand and clung to his arm. “I feel exactly the same. Please be happy for me.”

  “Utterly out of the question,” Peter snapped. “You’ll be miserable and I’m putting a stop to this nonsense now before it goes too far.” Then he stormed out of the house without another word or backwards glance.

  “Now that reaction I hadn’t considered,” David muttered. He drew Abigail closer and pressed his head to hers. “My darling. My love. I’ll convince him.”

  “How? He seems so set against the idea.”

  “Leave it to me.” He twisted to kiss her cheek, and then brushed his lips softly against hers. “I’m not so easily put off as to believe his first answer. I count myself a skilled negotiator.”

  Abigail threw her arms around his neck, afraid to lose her chance at happiness. “Maybe he’ll change his mind by the time you come back from London.”

  His arms tightened. “I’m not leaving Brighton until you’re mine,” he murmured against her ear. “Who knows what scandals you’ll embark on if I’m not here to distract you?”

  She laughed and drew him closer. “There is nothing to fear. I’ve saved all my scandalous plans for you.”

  David returned her embrace, his warm hands cradling her against him.

  Afraid their time alone was short, she raised her head and kissed his lips hungrily, hoping to remind him of the passion they had shared last night and what was to come when they were married.

  When he drew back, Abigail had successfully rumpled him.

  “I should go before someone else walks in.” He glanced around, guilt clear in his expression. “But hold onto that feeling until we’re married. No more sneaking into my house.”

  Abigail pouted. “If you insist, but it will not be easy to stay away.”

  He kissed her again, a deep drugging kiss that went on and on. He lifted his head and began to laugh. “Abigail, what would I do without you? I am the luckiest of men, but I want everyone to know it before the next time you’re in my bed for I doubt I’ll let you out again.”

  Abigail laughed with him, but she also plotted her next scandalous adventure in his arms. The idea of never leaving his bed was very appealing.

  EPILOGUE

  Waves crashed and fell in a steady rhythm along the shoreline of their swimming spot, but David didn’t pay them any attention. His heart pulsed with a different rhythm now, part panic, part exhilaration. Abigail would be his wife. He just had to convince her stubborn brother it was in everyone’s best interests without revealing the extent of the relationship. Abigail had already seduced him and he’d taken advantage of her too. There was only one course of action he could take. “I haven’t changed my mind. I won’t.”

  Beside him, Peter Watson let out an exaggerated huff. “How could you possibly marry her?”

  “The better question is how could I not want to? She’s lovely, sweet, intelligent, and makes me far happier than I’ve ever been. There is no one else.”

  And there never would be. He was quite certain it was Abigail or no one. He’d be a bachelor until his last breath without her.

  The frown on Peter Watson’s face grew. “She hasn’t a penny.”

  David shook his head. “Money plays no part in this.”

  “It does for some of us,” Peter said somewhat mulishly.

  David sighed as he realized the real cause of Peter’s objection. David wanted to marry Abigail because he loved her, whereas Peter would marry an heiress he didn’t love for money. If David didn’t know Miss George so well, he might have felt some pity for Peter. But Miss George was capable of great passion, as proved by her many stories. The man just needed to discover it for himself.

  He tried another tack. “I understand you’re surprised by this turn of events. In truth, I never imagined I would propose to Abigail when I first arrived in Brighton. But I love her and I will not leave without making her my wife. I’ve written my business partner and have taken leave from my duties in London until we are married.”
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  Peter’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You’d make that big a sacrifice?”

  David worked to suppress a smile as he thought of last night. “Waiting for Abigail is no sacrifice.”

  “Hawke,” Valentine Merton called.

  David glanced behind and spotted his friend picking his way across the rocks to reach them. He waved. “Where have you been?”

  “I was up late and slept late as a consequence.” Valentine gave him an amused look. “Saw another fascinating constellation last night. It seems the night sky is growing more and more interesting every time I view it.”

  David suppressed a groan. Valentine had seen him and Abigail together again in the garden. “Never fear, I was just discussing the matter with Peter.”

  “Liar. We were not discussing the damn stars.” Peter gestured at David angrily. “This fool thinks to wed my sister and I don’t believe they’ll suit.”

  “Congratulations, Hawke,” Valentine said instantly, slapping David on the shoulder. “He’s a lucky fellow, Watson, not a fool. Oh, and congratulations to you too. My sisters have just finished relaying the news that it’s all set between you and Miss George. They say she is utterly delighted.”

  Peter scowled.

  Valentine suddenly rubbed his hands together. “My, my, this has been an exciting time in Brighton. Two proposals in the same week, and one scandal in the wind.”

  David frowned. “A scandal?”

  Valentine wagged his finger. “You’ll have to stick around to find out. You miss out on so much by disappearing so quickly each year. A week is nowhere near long enough. Summer is a very exciting time to be in Brighton and this year seems to be the most promising.”

  “I’ll be here,” David assured him.

  Peter scowled. “He’d better be here. I’m sure Abigail and Miss George are plotting a double wedding even as we speak.”

  David drew in a deep satisfied breath of sea air and then smiled. That was the yes he’d been waiting for all his life.

  The End

  Thank you so much for reading Miss Watson’s First Scandal. I hope you enjoyed it! Please consider leaving a review—either positive or negative. Reviews help others find a book that’s right for them.

  Miss Watson’s First Scandal is book 1 in Miss Mayhem Novella Series.

  Find out what’s next, or sign up for my mailing list to hear about new releases at http://heather-boyd.com

  About the Author

  Heather Boyd is the author of sizzling romance with an historical bent. A fan of regency England settings, she writes m/f and m/m stories that push the boundaries of propriety and even break the laws of that time. Brimming with new ideas, she frequently wishes she could type as fast as she can conjure up new storylines.

  She lives with her testosterone-fuelled family north of Sydney, Australia.

  For more information visit

  www.heather-boyd.com

  Also by Heather Boyd

  The Wild Randalls Series:

  Engaging the Enemy

  Forsaking the Prize

  Guarding the Spoils

  The Distinguished Rogues Series:

  Chills

  Broken

  Charity

  The Hunt Club Chronicles:

  Almost an Equal

  Barely a Master

  Hardly a Stranger

  Novella/Short stories:

  One Wicked Night

  In the Widow’s Bed

  Love Me Tender

  Wicked Mourning

  The Almack’s Alternative

  Love Me True

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Heather Boyd