Scandal Meets Its Match (The May Flowers #7) - Merry Farmer Page 0,90
is.” Phin grinned down at her as though everything were right in the world. “I know it’s traditional to ask a woman’s father for her hand in marriage, but since yours is thousands of miles away, I figured asking your fiancé would do.”
Lenore laughed and shook her head. “At least we’re no strangers to scandal now, because this is going to cause quite a stir.”
“One we will meet with grace and aplomb,” Phin said. “Or perhaps just by thumbing our noses at everyone else.”
“I like that idea.” Lenore hugged him tighter, happier than she ever would have guessed she’d be within an hour of nearly being murdered. A thought struck her, though, and she blinked, straightening. “Will you be all right?” she asked Freddy and Reese.
Her two friends looked at each other. They looked at each other like two men in love, which only made her question more important.
“We’ve managed to avoid the blackmailers and scandal-mongers so far,” Reese said with a shrug. “If the scrutiny becomes too pointed, we’ll just do what other men in our positions do and take an extended trip to the continent.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Freddy said. “I’m inclined to want to stay in London for a while to see what mischief these two get up to.”
Reese laughed and thumped Freddy’s back. His hand stayed there as his expression filled with affection. “We’d better head home and let these two sort out their next steps.” He started toward the door, Freddy with him. “I’ll have Florence pack a few things for you to wear tomorrow, since going out dressed like that is likely to cause even more of a fuss than has already been caused.” He nodded to the shirt and trousers Lenore wore.
“I’d almost forgotten I was dressed like this,” Lenore said once Freddy and Reese were gone and Phin had shut the door behind them.
“You look a fright,” Phin said, his grin heating. He adjusted his glasses and swept her with a look. “It’s highly improper for a woman to dress in men’s clothes.”
“Oh, is it?” Lenore crossed her arms, even though she knew he was joking.
“Yes. Which is why we should get you out of them as quickly as possible.”
Lenore laughed as Phin took her hand and marched across the hall and up the stairs, leading her along. “Good Lord, Phin. Not more than an hour ago, our lives were in mortal danger, and now you want to go to bed with me?”
“Love,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at her as they reached the top of the stairs and slipped into his bedroom. He closed the door behind him, finishing with, “I need to go to bed with you right now precisely because our lives were in mortal danger not more than an hour ago.”
He had a very good point. If she were honest, her heart was still racing and her body buzzing in such a way that she couldn’t have simply flopped into bed and fallen asleep, no matter how tired she was. She needed a way to expend her excess energy and to feel safe and loved in Phin’s arms.
Fortunately, he seemed to feel the same way about things as she did. He closed his arms around her with a deep sigh, pressing her body flush against his and leaning in to capture her mouth with a kiss. It was exactly what she needed, firm but tender, encompassing, and full of promise. She opened up to him, wanting nothing more than to lose herself in his embrace and to feel as though her heart had a home.
“I think we can dispense with formalities,” Phin said in a low, tempting voice, making quick work of the buttons of the waistcoat she’d donned. “Though I must say, you look utterly charming in my clothes.”
“I’ll have to wear them more often,” she said in return, flashing him an amorous smile as she mirrored his movements and peeled off his clothes. “And perhaps one of these days you can try wearing my clothes.”
Phin laughed out loud, pausing halfway through pushing the waistcoat off her shoulders and unbuckling her belt. “It wouldn’t be the first time I wore women’s clothes.”
“What?” Lenore’s hands froze in the middle of undoing the buttons of his shirt. She gaped up at him, barely able to contain her laughter.
Phin chuckled and shook his head. “It’s a long story that involves Lionel luring me into a theatrical production when we were in university.”