Earl of Baxter (Lords of Scandal 8)
His throat clogged with emotion. “What if I don’t? What if that selfish bastard’s legacy is deep within me? You heard me yesterday. I…”
“Stop,” she said, pressing her hand to his cheek. “You were trying to take your very last pleasures, which I understand. I just don’t want you to think like that. Think like your life is the most precious gift in all the world. Because it is to me.”
He opened his mouth to speak, to argue but then he thought about what he’d say to her if the conversation was reversed and he closed his mouth again. “We’re going to have to teach each other how to value ourselves.”
She grinned at them. “That’s an excellent way to think about it.”
He shook his head. “I won’t regret yesterday. It was the best day of my life.”
“Oh Mason. You’re insufferabl
e. You nearly put yourself into an early grave.”
“But at least this time it was with love instead of worry and regret.”
She laughed then. “Never again. Do you hear me?”
“I’ll try.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “You’ll help me when I need it, won’t you.”
“I will. Always.”
Chapter Thirteen
Mason sat in a chair next to the fire, watching his wife read.
It had been a week of wedded bliss. He’d never been happier.
He was recovering nicely, though he needed to sleep a great deal. Fortunately, Clarissa was excellent at keeping him company during his naps and at night, and in the early morning hours. He grinned.
“What are you staring at?” Clarissa gave him a mock look of annoyance.
He chuckled. “My beautiful wife, of course.”
She sighed, setting down the novel. “It still seems like a dream.”
He reached for her hand. “Do you miss Natty and the other girls now that you’re here with me?”
She nodded. “Yes. I do. But I’ve seen them nearly every day and I’m excited to begin my own journey. As a countess, I won’t be working in an orphanage day to day like I planned…”
He winced. He was so happy with her at his side but she’d given up a great deal to make that happen. “You’re not disappointed, are you?”
She shook her head. “Of course not. I married the best negotiator in England, I’ve been told. And he will certainly start acquiring properties for more orphanages while I begin hiring staff and supplying goods for children in need.”
“I think I can do that,” he grinned as he gave her hand a squeeze.
“Once you are recovered.”
A knock sounded at the door as the butler entered. “The Earl of Goldthwaite is here to see you, my lord.”
“See him in,” Mason let go of Clarissa’s hand, rising.
Logan entered, a frown marking his jaw.
Mason skipped the formalities. “What’s wrong?”
Logan stepped forward. “When the orphanage first caught on fire, I put out a call in the neighborhood. I’d pay handsomely for information.” He rubbed his hands on his thighs. “A woman has come forward. Says that the men who attacked us were always coming in and out of a place on Fletcher Street.”
Mason straightened as Clarissa stepped up next to him. “What does that mean? Is that where my blackmailer—”