Page 41 of An Earl, His Valet, & Their Wife

“Beg pardon, my lord, my lady, Mr. Hunter,” he said hastily, a crumpled newspaper in his outstretched hand, “but there is something you must see before the vultures descend.”

Once the butler retreated and the three attending footmen were politely dismissed, Gerard shoved aside some dishes, then spread the newspaper out on the table. Seconds later, he gasped. “That wretched bastard…”

Katherine leaped out of her seat to dash around the table so she didn’t have to read upside down. Oh God. The shocking headline was like something out of a terrible play. Except it was real.

A PLOT MOST DIABOLICAL

Bluestocking Countess and Scottish Valet scheme to deceive Earl!

Heir’s grave fears for his lordship’s wellbeing!

Fury burned through her. It didn’t matter that, as per usual with scandal sheets, no actual names were used; the number of recently married earls with a Scottish valet could be counted on the fingers of one hand. But the details included were truly astonishing: that she had been shunned by her family for her shameless ways, and Gerard had a criminal past! There was even a paragraph stating that Michael should permanently retire to the seaside for his health.

Katherine glanced up at her men, ready to offer all manner of ideas for vengeance. Like tossing Nero into a swamp or locking him in a haunted dungeon. “This is slander, surely. How dare they print such vile lies? Gerard having a criminal past? My God.”

Except Gerard didn’t roll his eyes or explode with righteous rage. He bowed his head and stared at the table.

Shocked at the vulnerability of one she considered a rock, Katherine swiftly placed her hand on the small of Gerard’s back. “Whatever it is, you can tell us.”

“I already know,” said Michael softly.

Gerard’s eyes flared. “Ye do? How?”

Her husband smiled and kissed his valet’s cheek. “I wasn’t quite so lust-blinded that I didn’t do my due diligence before hiring you. What I learned was difficult to hear. But it only made me admire you more, because you’d come so far. And…in all honesty, I felt rather smug knowing my valet possessed such a wide range of talents. Skills far beyond ensuring my person is impeccably presented.”

Katherine inhaled unsteadily. “What can you do, Gerard? You know the kind of books I enjoy, the bloodier, the better. A sharpshooter, perhaps? Something with gunpowder?”

“Nothing so loud. I ken how tae fight bare-knuckle,” said Gerard slowly as he flexed his fists. “Apprentice wages didnae pay the rent, so I fought illegally at night. I had a dagger tae protect myself…and used it. A growing lad needs feeding, so I stole anything not nailed down. Oh, and I took items from the church poor boxes, fashioned them into something better, and sold them. Once I had enough coin, I hired a tutor so I might learn how tae speak and write like a Sassenach and blend in. Michael was…Michael is the only one who accepted the real me. Blunt. Blasphemous. Bad-tempered. I will love him ’til I die.”

What a tale! How terribly he’d suffered in his journey to so-called respectability.

“How brave you were,” said Katherine. “How strong and clever. I would not change a thing about you. But answer me this, Gerard. If I held you safe in my heart for always…do you think you could love me too? Even just a little?”

Both men stared at her.

Oh God, had that been too needy? Entirely too pathetic? As a child she’d thought having one person to love her wasn’t too much to ask. However, as the years passed it became clear exactly how foolish and unrealistic that dream was. If life in society proved anything, it was the rareness of love, especially when duty and position were considered infinitely more important. But if there was even a chance now…

Gerard rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “I’m already in love with ye, Katie,” he said gruffly. “Nae a little. All the way, for a Scot cannae love in half-measures. You’ll be forever in my care. Forever under my protection. My countess, just as Michael is my earl. Tha gaol agam ort. I love ye.”

Tears blurred her vision, then streamed down her face. “R-really?”

Michael immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders, the easy affection so comforting that she leaned in for more. “Not one—both of us, Katherine. Just like there’ll be two men in your bed. Your husband and your lover. Two sitting across from you at the table, two who’ll bring you books and syllabub. Two who’ll help you be whoever you wish to be. Who’ll cheer you in sad times and dance with you when your heart is so full you simply must twirl. Who’ll adore you and all the children we have. Every day. Without fail.”

“That sounds perfect,” she whispered. “I thought that by holding out for something real, I’d missed my chance entirely. This is beyond my wildest imaginings. How could a marriage of convenience lead to such happiness? But you walked into my father’s library and changed my whole life. How did you do that, Michael? How do you have such courage when your mind and body sometimes makes it so hard?”

“I’m not going to dissemble. It was very difficult,” said her husband, his arm tightening around her shoulders. “Mama wasn’t well and wished to hold a grandchild in her arms. Gerry understood the demands of duty, how no one wanted Nero to inherit, and supported me unreservedly. Any missteps were mine. But Katherine, you showed equal courage in accepting my proposal. No, far more. After signing all those marriage documents, I far better understand what a woman surrenders, and it is appalling. You took a leap of faith on me. Beyond that, you welcomed Gerry into our intimate times when a great many wives would not.”

“I’m no martyr, Michael,” Katherine interjected. “As I said, I find you both exceedingly handsome. For different reasons. Do you know, the first time I was introduced to Gerard I thought devil and angel.”

Gerard snorted. “Me being the angel, obviously. All redheads are.”

She giggled and smacked his hand. “Obviously. But the fact that I didn’t have to choose or deny a part of myself is a precious gift indeed.”

“None of us had tae choose,” said Gerard. “That’s the strength of a trio. We can all have what we want most. So much love and nae big sacrifices.”

Michael picked up the newspaper and folded it in half to conceal the gleeful headlines. “There’ll be some sacrifices. Those in society who won’t receive us. Unrelenting gossip. Balls and house parties and soirees we’ll never be invited to.”

Katherine scowled. “Anyone who sides with Nero over us can go bathe in the Thames. We know the truth. Those who care about us know the truth. And enough gentlemen of good standing bore witness to our marriage to confirm there was no fraud or coercion. All that matters is we live happily ever after. Together.”