Page 41 of Her Sort of Scoundrel
He blinked, his green eyes full of confusion.
“Why on earth am I needed at your meeting?”
Fiona licked her lips as she reached up and buttoned his shirt, though everything in her wished she could remove the garment entirely.
“It’s an anniversary meeting. To mark the one year since our inaugural gathering.”
“And…?”
Fiona met his gaze squarely. “For many of the ladies, your appearance was apparently their favorite part of that meeting.” She couldn’t quite keep the chagrin from her tone.
He chuckled and then turned serious when he noted that she wasn’t laughing.
“I was hoping that the content of the meeting might have been memorable.” Fiona handed him his jade green waistcoat.
“I understand, love.” As he put the garment on, he offered a sympathetic look. Then he tipped his head thoughtfully. “But was it not your favorite part too?”
“I…” Fiona’s first instinct was to deny it.
She and the other widows had talked about their plans and hopes for the club, given each other tips on what banks dealt fairly with lady customers, and a few had mentioned their favorite charities. They’d agreed that participating in charitable endeavors would be a cornerstone of the club.
And then Dash had burst into her home. Back into her life. That moment had changed everything, and she was grateful. So very grateful for every day they’d had together since.
“Yes.” She smiled. “I liked it very much indeed.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. A warm, soft, tender kiss that she’d come to adore as much as the passionate ones that left her breathless.
“So, you’ll give them an encore performance?” Fiona fussed with his tie, though she knew Morley would disapprove of her efforts.
“I’ll make a showing, but we should go in together.”
Fiona didn’t think that would fully satisfy the group of ladies, but she liked the idea better than him performing some role that no longer reflected their relationship.
A few minutes later, they descended the stairs of Granford House hand in hand.
“I’ve told them that we’ll have to move all of our future meetings.”
Dash squeezed her hand. “Not having second thoughts, are you?”
He’d been thrilled when she’d told him that she was ready to let Prescott House go because it meant they’d share one home as a family with Aurelia, but he’d urged her to consider the matter carefully.
“No second thoughts whatsoever.” Her mind and heart were settled on the matter. She no longer had any fears about her marriage to Dash. He respected her wishes, her bold ideas, her desire for more independence than most husbands would allow.
“Ready?” he asked before opening the door that led between their conservatories.
“I am.”
A moment later, they stepped into the gathering of ladies.
Tabitha stood. “Welcome, Lord Granford.”
“He didn’t burst in like before,” Jocasta groused quietly.
“I prefer my wife’s hand in mine,” Dash told them in a jovial tone. “Also, I wasn’t in the finest mood that day a year ago.”
“You did look like rather…worked up,” Cecily said with a smile.
Dash chuckled. “But look how well it’s all turned out.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss against Fiona’s cheek.
