↫Mischief in Mayfair↬

Thank you, my dear readers, for waiting for me whilst I took my reprieve. But I come back to you with the most interesting news. Readers, did you know that the gentlemen of London placed a scandalous bet on Lady Humphries? It would seem that a long list of our precious titled lords thought that they might succeed in winning the countess for themselves.

But I'm certain you've heard that our Lady Humphries is marrying the well-appointed Lord Farrington in a ceremony that the Queen herself is attending. And Lord Farrington is one gentleman whose name did not make it to the betting book. So unfortunately for our White's patrons, their winnings are being wasted with no one to collect on them. Dear me.

My lords, let it be known that this is what happens when you overestimate your appeal and underestimate the worth of a woman.

Yours, Madame Mischief

Scarlett married Leo in a small, but beautifully idyllic, ceremony at St. James Cathedral. The limited number of guests had seemed rather odd considering the size of the chapel, but everything was worth it the moment that Scarlett saw the way Maverick beamed up at his brother from the front row.

He really was the most adorable child. The color of his hair and eyes were exactly the same as Leo's. Even despite the child's round face and small, slanted eyes, it was clear that they were siblings.

In a surprising new friendship, Damien sat next to Maverick, and he smiled up at Scarlett with genuine warmth. She knew that Damien might never become close with Leo, but she loved him for supporting them.

Scarlett wore a gown of cerulean. It was draped off her shoulders with lacy, billowing en gigot sleeves that framed the silken, cinched tie around her waist. The bodice cut lowly across her chest, accentuating her bare collarbones. A lacy overlay draped over her cloud-like skirts, and Scarlett truly did feel like she was walking on air.

Leo gaped at her the entire time, and the adoration in his gaze sent warm vibrations through her body. His blonde hair was neatly brushed back from his famously handsome face, and his wedding attire was simplistic but perfect.

Leo didn't need anything flashy to bring attention to him. Everything about him—his devilish smile, his bright, earnest eyes, and his adoring laugh—were simply eye-catching by themselves.

Scarlett still couldn't believe that this was happening to her.

In her heart, she always knew that she'd become Leo's lover in some way or another. The effect of their heat was undeniable, like the way the sun pinkens the skin or a fire warms the soul.

But she never would have expected that Leo would love her. That he would marry her. That they would surpass acquaintances and flirtations and secrets and lies to become what they were today.

Friends.

And in love.

The wedding breakfast hosted at the Aston manor was not like the ceremony. It was not small. Scarlett could have sworn that half the ton was present, making her feel oddly welcomed and special. Leo's parents weren't ashamed of his choice in a bride at all. On the contrary, they seemed positively thrilled.

It would seem that Leo's love was powerful enough that now Scarlett had a whole new family.

She was shocked to find that she loved the entire affair. It had been going on for hours. But she needed to escape the crowd for just a moment. She had a meeting to attend.

Stepping into the dusky Aston Manor library, Scarlett saw Emilia, Will, Adelaide, and Theo chatting quietly as they sat in the leather chairs in the corner. She was about to join them when a silver-haired duke caught her eye.

"Your Grace," she said warmly, stepping to the side of the room where the Duke of Weston stood nursing a glass of something undoubtedly strong. "I am so glad you could be here."

"Please," he said with a curve of his lips. "By now, you must call me Andrew. The rest of this lot does." He gestured to the others. 

Scarlett returned his smile. "Fine, Andrew."

She paused, glancing about the room at the people she'd grown close to.

It was all because of this man, the Duke of Weston.

"You never did tell me how you knew who I was," she said, turning back to him. "How you knew I was Madame Mischief when you approached me about helping Adelaide."

A smirk appeared on Andrew's face.

"I had been paying attention for a while. Reading what events were covered in Mischief in Mayfair and noting who had attended them. Thinking about who would benefit from writing such a column. But then do you remember that time at Lady Worthington's dinner party when I told you that everyone knew about my desire to find a wife?"

Scarlett groaned, realizing how easily she had fallen into his hands. "No one knew, did they?"

"No one knew." He laughed. "And, of course, it wasn't true." There was a little twinkle in his eye. "So when I saw the article about it in Mischief in Mayfair several days later, it was rather confirmed. You were the Madame."

Scarlett nodded. "But how did you know?"

His eyebrows furrowed. "Know what, my lady?"

"How did you know that you could trust me? You came to me with talk of treason, Andrew."

The older man sighed. "Sometimes it is easy to spot an unhappy soul. You were listless, my dear. At first, I wondered if you were truly oblivious to the power that was in your hands. And then I realized that you knew. You simply did not care."

"I never wished for power," Scarlett said immediately. "I wanted freedom. Freedom from being tied to a name I did not want and money I did not have."

"Precisely."

"Precisely?" Scarlett echoed.

"You are the same as Adelaide. You are the same as Emilia. In their own way, freedom was all they ever wanted. All three of you are the type of women who, given a purpose, will fight to break chains. Not make them."

Scarlett looked at the other women, smiling happily with their husbands. Emilia was free of an unfair reputation and judgment. Adelaide was free of the man who'd killed her family.

Scarlett was free of her schemes and lies.

"But your writing didn't have a purpose, Scarlett," Weston added softly. "Not one that you cared about. So I offered you a chance to change that."

The door to the library banged open, startling Scarlett. Leo pranced in, his eyes immediately maneuvering the room until they rested on her. "Sorry I'm late," he said, striding toward Scarlett. "Mav's bedtime." When he reached her, he rested his hand on the small of her back and leaned in. "I hope you can forgive me, Lady Farrington."

A little thrill went through Scarlett at the husky sound of her new name as it rolled off of Leo's tongue.

"Leo," Andrew said quietly, drawing both of their attention with his ever-demanding presence. "Congratulations are undoubtedly in order."

"Thanks, Weston," Leo answered, giving him a smile.

"I have a gift, of sorts, for you both."

"That is quite kind of you, Andrew," Scarlett said.

"Well, it is not from me," he replied, shrugging.

Scarlett frowned and saw Leo mimic her confused expression.

"It is from Lord Clemonte," Andrew explained. "As you know, he's been unwell. In fact, he's been unwell for quite some time, though many were not aware. And he asked me to help him with something."

Andrew turned his attention back toward Scarlett.

"That is the other reason I approached you to help us with Adelaide, Scarlett. I thought you might be the right person."

Her confusion only grew.

"Lord Clemonte has always been a just voice in the deceitful world of publishing.  He asked for my help in finding someone to pass on his shares of Potter Publishing to. He knew that his years were limited due to a condition that has been attacking his lungs, but he had no one to inherit his holdings. And there are people in his business that he did not want to gain more power."

Andrew spun and grabbed something off the table behind him, setting his glass of liquor down as he did. When he turned back around, there was a pile of parchment in his hands.

"He wanted me to let you know that he was very sorry that he couldn't attend the festivities today. But he hopes you will accept his wedding gift. His stake in Potter Publishing, including control of The Times, in your name." Andrew nodded his head at her, and Scarlett's mouth dropped open.

"My name?"

"Yes, Scarlett. Your name." Weston smiled.

"But—" Scarlett looked over to Leo. "But now that we are married..."

"Yes, yes," Andrew intervened, bobbing his head back and forth. "Technically, it belongs to Leo as well. But I trust you can jointly manage."

"Oh no," Leo said with a laugh. "It's all hers. No one wants me touching newspapers."

"I don't...I don't know what to say," Scarlett stuttered. She was overwhelmed by the thought.

Andrew must have noticed the look in her eyes. "It need not be a large job, as long as you pick the right people to do your bidding. But in the end, you have the power to decide. And you have the freedom to do as you wish."

He gave her a wink.

Scarlett, all of a sudden, realized that it had gotten quiet behind them where the others were sitting.

Andrew walked casually to a chair and dropped himself into it.

"You just have everything planned out, don't you, Weston?" Theo asked, grinning. The handsome duke appraised his mentor carefully.

"Oh, no," Andrew was quick to say. "I could never have guessed half of what has happened in the last years. I merely knew I wanted Addie on the throne."

"Don't downplay yourself now, old friend," Will added. He sat next to Emilia, his hand thrown casually over her lap with his thumb rubbing the side of her leg lazily.

Yes, fine," Andrew let out with a sigh. "Before our group came together, you were all a little lost, a little drowned in the direction of your lives. And I was hoping you'd all save each other in some way."

Leo's hand slid across Scarlett's back until he was gripping her side tightly, and she saw out of the corner of her eye how Addie leaned into Theo, looking up at him adoringly.

"And Victoria," the Queen muttered. "You've all saved her. Protected her."

She sighed, looking at all of them. "I know I was reluctant. But we made the right decision in staying silent about her and Theo. No one seems to know what to make of the rumors, and I reckon it will stay that way. No one will ever really know the truth, and the unknowing will save her. And me."

Addie stood then, walking to the window. Outside, the carriages were rolling through the sunny drive, reception guests still coming and going. Snow glittered as the wind pushed it into the rays of light. In the distance, Scarlett heard the chimes of church bells.

Addie paused in the sun's shadow, sidled between the old books of the library. Her small crown was a halo upon her head. It was a melancholic scene, a queen before a city that would never truly see her truth.

After a moment, Theo stood, walking toward Addie and placing his hands on her waist. His head was at a height where if he wanted, he could rest it upon the jewels in her hair.

"I know the truth," Theo said, just loud enough so that the rest of them could hear him.

Addie spun. "I know, darling. I know."

She intertwined her fingers into his. "The truth will live in the way you look at her in the morning. It will live in the way you cherish her in the evenings. It will live in the way you raise her as your daughter, a future queen."

Addie took a deep breath. "Deceit might have bred her, but she won't grow burdened by it. She'll grow knowing the honor of sacrifice as a ruler. And she'll grow knowing we love her."

Scarlett couldn't see the expression on Theo's face, but it wasn't hard to imagine.

"Well said, Adelaide," Weston's gravelly voice murmured.

"Now," Addie said briskly, striding toward the drink cart, "I propose a toast to the newlyweds."

And then they each took up a glass and saluted love.

As soon as Scarlett set her cup back down on the table, she let out a shriek as Leo hoisted her into his arms.

"If you'll all excuse us," he announced, sounding extremely pleased with himself. "It's time for me to take my wife home."