Page 76 of How to Wed a Courtesan

After a joyous twirl, he set her down and caught her face in his hands. ‘I love you, Lottie.’

‘And I love you, Evander.’ She leaned up towards him and pressed her lips to his.

He kissed her once, firmly, then gave her a second kiss, and a third. His hand cupped the back of her head and her lips parted in anticipation for the brush of his tongue. They held each other, savouring the freedom of finally giving in to their affection. Not through a need for comfort, but out of love.

‘I’ll never let you down again,’ he said between kisses. His forehead rested on hers. ‘I’ll always be here for you. Whenever you need me.’

‘I know,’ Lottie said.

He pulled her to him once more, laying her head against his chest, where she could hear the thud of his strong heartbeat, as fast with delight as hers.

Out of nowhere, something banged against the door.

Lottie and Evander started as the doors flew open and Sarah tumbled in with a glass in her hand. She hopped up and looked around, clearly searching for some excuse to offer. Behind her stood Andrews and the cook, both equally as flustered as Sarah.

‘Ah, this glass.’ Sarah gave a nervous titter. ‘I found it sitting in front of the door and was just taking it to the kitchen to ensure the scullery maid sees to it.’

‘And I thought you’d be bringing it, so I came up to get it.’ Cook gave a flash of a smile and reached for the glass. ‘There was a shortage, and I wanted to be certain...er...that we had enough.’

Lottie nodded slowly, not believing a word.

One of Evander’s arms remained around her shoulders.

‘Don’t let these two fool you,’ Andrews said airily. ‘They were using it to eavesdrop.’

Sarah huffed and thrust her hands on her hips. ‘Don’t go acting so high in the instep, Andrews. You started listening too.’ She wagged a finger at him. ‘And if you hadn’t been trying to grab the glass—’

But Andrews was no longer listening. He pitched the tip of his nose into the air and strode from the wayward group with exactly the ‘high in the instep’ demeanour of which he’d been accused.

‘Well, I supposed we needn’t break our wonderful news,’ Lottie said in playful chastisement. ‘As it appears you are already well aware.’

Sarah gave a wide, eager grin.

‘When shall we wed?’ Lottie asked Evander.

‘As soon as possible—so you don’t change your mind.’ He winked at her.

‘That’s the truth, my lord,’ Sarah piped up, and folded her arms over her ample bosom. ‘I always said Lord Westix was a smart man.’

Lottie laughed at that. Giddiness flowed through her, leaving her effervescent. ‘How about this Saturday?’

In truth, she would have wed Evander right then and there. There was something so liberating about finally giving in to her desire to marry him, to love him. It was like throwing off weighted moorings and being left feeling light enough to float away.

‘I can ensure the food is done in time,’ Cook offered.

‘I can take care of anything else that’s needed,’ Sarah said quickly. ‘And Andrews will be most helpful with whatever might be required of him,’ she called out loudly.

From somewhere down the hall came a quiet scoff.

‘If you’re serious,’ Evander said to Lottie, ‘I can secure a special licence in two days.’

‘That would leave us with two days to spare in the event of any delay,’ Lottie mused aloud.

‘There won’t be a moment of delay.’ Evander cocked a brow.

‘That’s four days until we’re wed.’

Evander furrowed his brow in an exaggeration of mock concern. ‘What will people say?’