Page 92 of The Chef and the Countess

Liam chuckled. “All we have to do is rest for a while, and I will be ready again.”

“It appears I married an unsatiable man.” She sighed happily. “Thank goodness.”

Liam laughed. “And I married a thoroughly passionate woman. Thank Jaysus.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Sorry to disturb!” Fiona said loudly. “A telegram arrived from Italy. I’ll slip it under the door. Carry on!”

“Italy?” Celia wrapped a sheet around her and she hurried to the door to pick up the telegram. By the time she returned to bed, Liam had turned up the gas lamp by the bed. She scanned it, and then gasped.

“What is it?” Liam asked.

“Shinwell has been seriously injured at the steel mill. He is paralyzed from his midsection downward. He is not doing well, and my aunt is returning to London immediately.” Celia looked up from the telegram.

“Shinwell is in America already?” Liam couldn’t believe this turn of events.

“The Atlantic crossing takes only a few days and it has been over two weeks since he left. Shinwell must have gone right to work in the mill.” She paused, and shook her head. “Paralyzed. What a turn of fate. I feel terrible.”

“Love, you have a kind heart. Your cousin is a villain, and justice has been meted out. Even if he survives, he will never father children, which means there will be no heir for your uncle. Unless the villain managed to get his new bride with child already.”

“It is a possibility, but a slim one, I assume.”

“Is there anyone else to inherit?”

“I don’t know much about my uncle’s family, but I don’t think so. There must not be, because Darrington always mentioned that Shinwell was the only chance for the earldom to carry forward.”

“Then your uncle will also pay a price for his criminal life. The earldom dies with him. Good. Do not give those loathsome men another thought.”

“You’re right, of course.” Celia folded the telegram and placed it on the nightstand. “I wish—”

“What do you wish, love?” Liam murmured as he pulled her into his embrace.

“I wish Corrine and Mitchell were here, and I miss Selena. I’m worried about her, Liam. Who knows where she is?”

“First, it’s nearly February. Corrine and Mitchell will return to London on March 1st. No time at all. As to your other friend… When Drew and I were in the Devil’s Acre, he swore he saw the duchess lurking about the dark alleys.”

“What?” Celia cried.

“He chalked it up to extreme fatigue. Let’s be honest: why would a duchess be in such an infamous neighborhood? It makes no sense.”

“It does sound incredible. But it would be a good place to hide. Who would look for a runaway duchess there?”

“I have a feeling we will discover more, and sooner than you think. Meanwhile, let’s sleep, love. We have the rest of the afternoon and night before us.”

“Liam?” Celia said softly.

“Hmm?”

“I love you so very much.”

Liam’s heart soared. He’d never tire of

hearing it. “And I love you most desperately.”

A future with Celia?

Liam, filled with hope and anticipation, was more than ready to live, love, and experience it all. The future was bright, and he was determined to embrace it with all his heart.

Epilogue