Epilogue

Giving away his mistresses had become a habit for the Earl of Framlingwood. Though Sophia would never tell him so. This time was special as Lady Camilla had arranged a smaller ceremony so that the earl might walk Sophia down the aisle.

He had asked her for the privilege and she could not deny him after what he'd done to take Edward Green out of her life forever, even if the earl never knew that was the reason. She'd discussed her husband's death at length with Joshua in the last few days whilst they'd allowed Lady Camilla to arrange a small wedding ceremony for them. Joshua had no qualms about what Lord Framlingwood had done. Sophia still didn't know how to feel. Perhaps she never would, but she vowed one day to ask the earl why he had ended a man's life for her.

"You look lovely," the Duchess of Chelmsford said, as she straightened the gown she'd had made especially for Sophia's wedding. Sophia shuddered to think what the former Captain El, the powerful duke's new duchess, had paid to have the dress made up so quickly. She'd tried to thank them both when they entered Sophia's music room for the wedding, but the duke had only smiled and said, "Nothing is too good for one of my wife's friends."

The dress was exquisite, a sort of copy of her Vauxhall dress done in a heavenly shade of light blue with pearls instead of sparkles on the overskirt. The earl had gifted her a delicate tiara to wear in her hair. Nathaniel Charpentier had catered a divine breakfast for those in attendance to join before the actual ceremony. He and Mr. Carrington-Bowles had teased Joshua mercilessly about wanting the guests out of the house as soon as the register was signed and the vicar was paid.

She wanted to be a good hostess but was glad of the guests' hasty leave-taking as well. Joshua had supervised the renovation of the largest bedchamber on the third floor as a surprise for her. He and the servants had been ruthless in their efforts to keep her away. No amount of bribery or cajoling would sway any of them.

Thank goodness the music room was rather large. Once they moved all of the instruments save the Grecian harp into another room, there was space for chairs for their guests and even an aisle for her to walk on the earl's arm. Joshua had situated everything so that the other mistresses, including Adrienne and her husband could view the ceremony through the viewing window in Joshua's bedchamber. His former bedchamber as his belongings had already been moved into the chamber he was renovating.

"She is indeed lovely, Your Grace." Mrs. Collins adjusted Sophia's tiara. "You've done so well for yourself, my dear. He adores you. He will likely be an idiot again, but always remember he loves you." She and Sophia glanced at the front of the room where Mr. Carrington-Bowles stood with Joshua and the vicar.

"You look very pretty as well, Mrs. Collins." Sophia twitched a fold in the housekeeper's new dress. Lady Camilla had sent over a rich, dark blue silk gown for Mrs. Collins to wear as she was to stand up with Sophia.

"Are we ready, my dear?" Lady Camilla walked up on Mr. Charpentier's arm. "I think everyone is here. Nathaniel…if Dickie tugs on that neckcloth one more time, I shall be forced to throttle him."

"I think if we sit on either side of him, the problem will be solved.' He winked at Sophia and carefully led the great lady to her seat. The immaculately turned out Dickie did indeed sit up straight and cease tugging his neckcloth.

The duke and duchess took their seats beside Lord Daedalus and Lady Daedalus. In front of them were the barrister, Mr. Forsythe, and his exquisite wife as well as Archer Colwyn and the chess mistress he was to marry. The Rutherfords, even Top-Lofty, stood across the back of the room, grinning like fools. How she wished the other mistresses were in the room with her, but she sensed their presence behind the wall where Mrs. Collins had arranged an arch of flowers fresh from the hothouse, at the earl's expense, of course.

Speaking of whom, the Earl of Framlingwood, dressed in his usual splendor, stood next to her and offered her his arm. She happened to glance back and saw the harpist, Elias Avars, enter the room and sit at her harp. He smiled and nodded and began to play An Appreciation of Beauty.

"I believe that is our cue," the earl murmured, and drew her arm through his. "As they say in the world of the opera."

She smiled, though her eyes were bright with tears. "I can never repay you for all you've given me…Derek. For all you have done to keep me safe."

"You are repaying me, Sophia." He hesitated for a step but then continued their trip down the aisle. "You are happy, and you are loved. That is payment enough." He turned to kiss her on the forehead and placed her hand in Joshua's. "Don't fail me, Norcross," he said quietly.

"Never," Joshua replied. The earl took his seat on the other side of Lady Camilla. Sophia and Joshua turned to face the vicar who was busy readying his book.

"Are they in there?" she leaned up to whisper in Joshua's ear. She inclined her head every so slightly toward the spot where the viewing window into his chamber stood. They had reversed the glass so the mistresses could see.

He leaned down to touch his lips to her ear. "They are. They insisted on helping me dress. I cannot tell you how many times my arse was pinched. I lost count."

Sophia covered her mouth but a squeak of laughter escaped. The vicar gave them a stern glare. "Dearly beloved," he intoned. Sophia listened intently to every word, but she marveled at the wonder of it all. She'd never had a family, not one she would ever claim. The family behind her and Joshua, hidden behind that silly viewing window, had made her life better. They'd made her better. They'd each sacrificed or provided help or looked after her in some way or another and expected nothing in return.

And the man beside her had taught her to love, not just him, but herself. She'd done as Margot had said. She'd gone after what she desired most because she deserved that. With Joshua she always would. She gazed up at him and spoke her vows in a clear, strong voice and hoped he knew just how much she loved him.

The house was finally empty and quiet. The guests were gone. The Rutherfords and other servants were downstairs with Saida, Lily, Margot and Gabrielle making quick work of the delicious food left over from Mr. Charpentier's divine breakfast.

Sophia was already in discussions with the chef to provide food for the opera house once she and Joshua opened their theatre on Maiden Lane.

Now, however, Sophia was blindfolded, naked, and being guided down the third-floor corridor to her new bedchamber. "This is silly, Joshua. What if one of the servants sees us prancing about the house naked?"

"They won't. I told Mrs. Collins to shoot them if they leave the kitchens in the next hour. Careful, love. Wait a moment." She heard him open a door. Warm air flowed out of the room where someone had obviously built a nice fire in the hearth. He steered her across thick, soft carpets and positioned her very carefully. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Slowly, he dragged his hands up her belly, across her ribs, and stopped just beneath her breasts.

"Joshua," she moaned. "Please."

"Take off the blindfold," he whispered in her ear whilst he covered her breasts and squeezed gently.

She gasped at his erotic touch, then blinked and looked around her. The entire room was mirrored. The walls were mirrored. She looked up. The ceiling was mirrored. Everywhere she looked she saw herself in his arms, his face hungry for her. His hands loving her scarred body. He turned her slowly in his arms and bent to touch his forehead to hers.

"What have you done?" she asked in awe.

"I've made a place where I can feast on your beauty in every way. Where you will never doubt how gorgeous you are and will always be in my eyes. I love every part of you, Sophia, inside and out, and no matter how long we live, you will always be my beautiful, tempting, magnificent Sophia.

He knelt at her feet and pressed his mouth to her cunny. He loved her with his lips and tongue slowly as if she were a dish to be savored. She stroked his hair and threw back her head, unable to look away from the image of the two of them in the grip of pleasure that roared through her like a storm. She cried out his name. He stood and lifted her into his arms. When he placed her on the dark blue counterpane she saw the canopy of the bed was mirrored as well.

She gave a long, loud sigh as he slid his cock inside her. "How on earth did you do this?" she gasped as she wrapped her legs around him.

"The duchess," he panted. "She found my request amusing, but she helped me order everything I needed."

They came together slowly as if they had all the time in the world and their love would never end. As Sophia arched her body to meet his, she realized with a man like Joshua, love never would.

If you loved this tale of another mistress of Grosvenor Street getting her HEA, don't miss the next thrilling installment in the series, "5 Pearls for the Earl" - Book 3: A Pearl Desired

An accused poisoner plucked from the streets of a Moroccan port finds security as an earl's mistress.

The favorite Highlander physician of London's bored noblewomen harbors a shameful secret.

Will the sensuous Saida poison Hamish, or will they find the courage together to escape the confines of their unfulfilling lives? Don't miss this hunky Highlander tale.