An Artful Seduction (22 page)
Read An Artful Seduction Online
Authors: Tina Gabrielle
Tags: #historical romance, #category, #entangled publishing, #art, #sisters, #forgery, #georgian era, #scandalous, #revenge, #earl, #fling, #Enemies to lovers, #london
Epilogue
Three months later
“How long must I endure that satisfied grin on your face?” Brandon asked.
Grayson’s smile widened as he glanced at his wife across the parlor. “Get used to it. Our honeymoon is far from over.”
Grayson marveled at how much his life had changed over the past months. He’d obtained a special license and married Eliza. They’d returned from a honeymoon visiting his country estate in Lincolnshire, and he’d moved both Amelia and Chloe into his London home. Sara was thrilled to get not only one new sister, but two more, and the three had become fast friends.
As for the Peacock Print Shop, Eliza had been hesitant to sell the business since it had saved her and her sisters from the poorhouse. Grayson had understood her connection to the shop and together they’d found a partner to run the business on a daily basis. Meanwhile, Eliza had started a new part of her life as Lady Huntingdon.
Brandon stared at Amelia as she laughed at something Sara said. “Do you think she’ll give me the time of day now that she’s the sister-in-law of an earl?”
Grayson shrugged. “You’re to be betrothed to a duke’s daughter, remember?”
Brandon shook his head. “It hasn’t happened yet. I cannot bring myself to even court her, let alone propose.”
Grayson didn’t envy his friend. The longing on Brandon’s face was unmistakable every time he glanced at Amelia. Brandon had to either forget her or bed her and Grayson wondered which would eventually win out.
But that was his friend’s dilemma. Grayson’s thoughts returned to his beautiful wife as she approached carrying a glass of champagne. Eliza looked delectable in a sea foam gown that heightened her chestnut curls and the swell of her breasts above the tight bodice.
“Your dress is driving me to distraction. I can’t wait to remove it tonight,” he whispered in her ear.
She struck his hand lightly with her fan. “Tsk. Tsk,” she said, but her emerald eyes said something else entirely.
“I’m happy to see that your sisters have adjusted well to living here,” Grayson said.
“Yes. But I still can’t believe no one has spoken ill of us after the truth has come out in the newspaper.”
The reporter from the Royal Academy had reached out to Grayson for an interview for the opening of a new gallery. Grayson had granted the reporter an interview, but instead of commenting on the new gallery, he’d told the reporter that his new wife was the daughter of the forger of the
ton.
The reporter had dropped his pad twice before he’d furiously finished scribbling his notes.
As soon as the article appeared in the newspaper, the gossips had been in their glory. But rather than the malicious gossip Eliza had dreaded, the fervent drawing room whispers had been of how the love of art had brought together a powerful earl and a wronged woman. Of course, Viscount Pickens had been bitterly outspoken, but his criticism had been drowned out by the romanticism of the marriage.
“I told you not to worry, my love.”
“But how did you manage to finally silence Viscount Pickens?” Eliza asked.
“I believe he discovered that he owned one of your father’s forgeries in his own private gallery.”
Her mouth gaped. “You told him?”
“I didn’t, but the Duke of Desford did.”
“How did you get the duke to agree?”
“He was very grateful for the return of his stolen Rembrandt. When I learned he was to attend a function Pickens was hosting, I stated in passing that I believed Pickens owned a forgery. Pickens stopped his tirade immediately thereafter.”
She giggled. “I wish I’d seen it.”
“Me, too.”
The butler announced it was time for dinner and the guests headed into the dining room. Grayson pulled Eliza aside. “I cannot wait another second to tell you I love you.”
Tears formed in Eliza’s eyes. His arms closed around her and she pulled his mouth to hers. He kissed her tenderly as his heart thudded in his chest. He didn’t regret the past. Not a single second. Without it, he never would have met the woman who had given him hope, love, and such a bright future.
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Acknowledgements
Writing a book takes much support from family, writing partners, and professionals. I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful husband, John. Thank you to all my wonderful friends at NJ Romance Writers and RWA.
Thank you also to my supportive agent, Stephany Evans, for her wonderful feedback on my books. A note of thanks to my editor, Alycia Tornetta, at Entangled Publishing as well.
I’m also eternally grateful for my readers. Without you there would be no books!
About the Author
Best-selling author
Tina Gabrielle
is an attorney and former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia.
She often picked up a romance and let her fantasies of knights in shining armor and lords and ladies carry her away.
She is the author of adventurous Regency historical romances,
A Spy Unmasked
and
At the Spy’s Pleasure,
books
In The Crown’s Secret Service
series
.
Tina has also written
In the Barrister’s Bed, In the Barrister’s Chambers,
Lady of Scandal
, and
A Perfect Scandal
from Kensington Books.
An Artful Seduction
is the first book in the Infamous Somertons series, and the next two books will be released by Entangled Publishing soon!
Publisher’s Weekly
calls her Regency Barrister’s series, “Well-matched lovers…witty comradely repartee.” Tina’s books have been Barnes & Noble top picks, and her first book,
Lady Of Scandal
, was nominated as best first historical by
Romantic Times Book Reviews.
Tina lives in New Jersey and is married to her own hero and is blessed with two daughters. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her website to learn about upcoming releases, join her newsletter, and enter free monthly contests at
www.tinagabrielle.com
You can also find Tina on
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,
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, and
Instagram
.
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