Satisfaction washed over Leo as he took in the scene in Scarlett's parlor.

Adelaide unclasped her cloak and set it on the back of the settee. Beneath it, she wore a gauzy, rose-colored gown that floated across the carpet as she walked to the middle of the room.

"Lord Humphries," she stated, clasping her hands together and spinning to face the man. "I cannot imagine why Scarlett would wish to marry you. I overheard that you've been forcing her to pay your expenses and upkeep a house that does not even belong to her. And all that from a widowed woman with no income?"

"I didn't force her, Your Majesty," Lord Humphries protested.

"Regardless," Adelaide continued. "It makes me wonder if I should investigate if you've been paying all your other dues."

"I—I pay my dues, Your Majesty," he was quick to say.

Addie cocked her head to the side. "Is that so?"

Lord Humphries nodded, his head bouncing comically. At least, it was comical to Leo. Humphries certainly wasn't laughing.

The queen looked down at him. "Thank you for assuring me of that, my lord. May I also receive your assurances regarding other matters?"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Adelaide nodded. "Naturally, Lady Humphries will be marrying whomever she chooses."

"It's me," Leo intercepted, smirking.

Addie turned, raising a brow in his direction.

"She chose me," Leo added, just to make it clear. He flashed a grin at the queen, who smiled warmly in return.

The smile faded as soon as she swiveled back toward Lord Humphries. She cleared her throat. "Lady Humphries will vacate your property soon. As she has been the one paying the Humphries House staff, she may also decide to offer them employment at her new residence with Lord Farrington."

Leo couldn't contain a grin and noticed that the others in the room were reacting similarly. Theo's amused green eyes didn't leave Adelaide as she continued to command Lord Humphries.

Leo found it fascinating. When Leo first came upon Kingfield and Adelaide, the duke had scooped her to his side possessively, standing in as her protector. Now, he stayed back, observing in awe as his wife took control of the situation. 

"Lord Trotten," Adelaide said as she regarded Will. "Do we tolerate blackmail?"

Will cleared his throat and replied with a sly smile. "No, we do not."

"No, we do not," Addie repeated, looking back at Lord Humphries. "And if any scandal emerges regarding the Aston family, I shall personally hold you accountable. Would you like me to hold you accountable for such a thing?"

He shook his head. "No, of course not, Your Majesty."

"They are my friends, after all," Addie said with a wave of her hand. "All of these people are my friends." She gestured around the room. "I like to think that I treat my friends quite nicely. But my enemies..."

Will leaned forward, whispering, "You were right, Humphries. I'm not the king's lackey anymore. But I am the queen's."

Leo chuckled before catching Eades' eye. The man shot him a bewildered look, and then his gaze continued to shoot between the players in the parlor.

"You had planned to take my lady to another country to wed, is that correct?" Addie asked Lord Humphries with a raised brow. But the earl didn't seem to know how to answer that question, his mouth gaping open unattractively.

Lucky for him, the queen continued. "It is my suggestion that you maintain that plan."

Lord Humphries' brows furrowed. "Your Majesty?"

"Well, without Lady Humphries, of course," Addie clarified with a tight smile.

"You mean for me to..."

"Leave the country, yes," she finished for him. "That is what you wanted, was it not?"

Adelaide didn't care to hear his answer, though, and Leo had to hide his smile behind the back of his hand.

"So, do you have any questions?"

Lord Humphries' eyes grew wide. "No, Your Majesty."

"Good," Addie said with a nod of her head. Then, she took a step forward and snatched the marriage contract from his hands. "This," she stated, looking at the document, "will not be needed any longer."

Sticking her arm out, she passed the parchment to Leo, who didn't even think twice before tossing it into the fire. The flames licked the contract until they engulfed it completely. And soon, it was mere dust.

"Well, that settles that," Adelaide concluded. "You may leave now, Lord Humphries."

"I'm sorry. Leave, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, leave," Addie repeated. "If you need to gather belongings from this residence before your trip abroad, you may return to your home in..." She glanced at Leo. "A fortnight?"

Leo shrugged and then nodded. Scarlett could begin living with him this evening for all he cared. But two weeks would give her adequate notice of making the transition.

"He gets to decide when I can return to my own house?" Lord Humphries asked, incredulity laced in his words.

"Yes," Addie said simply. "As Scarlett is not present. A fortnight should also give you plenty of time to arrange for your travels. I shall even send footmen to your home to assist you with anything you should require. They can be there later today." Leo knew that her accommodating smile was just a facade for the truth of the matter. The queen would be watching Lord Humphries carefully.

At that implication, Humphries mouth drew in a tight line, though he didn't say anything. What choice did he really have? Everyone watched him expectantly until he finally realized that they were waiting for him to depart. He stood, warily glancing about the room.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said, bowing. He turned and nearly ran into Theo, who was still standing near the doorway. "Your Grace," Lord Humphries said stiffly. Theo responded with a stony glare.

When he reached the door, Adelaide called out.

"Oh, and my lord?"

He spun, giving a careful perusal of the room before giving the queen his attention.

"Do use your time wisely," she said. "I should hate for us to have to make...different plans."

Leo saw it. The uncertainty and shock in Lord Humphries' eyes that told him this man wouldn't be a bother again. Humphries nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty."

And then he was gone, and Leo sighed in relief.

Emilia was the first to break the silence after they heard the front door shut. Her laugh sounded through the room. "Did you see his face?"

Theo strode over toward Addie, kissing her on the forehead. "Nice job, dear. Humphries might be under the impression that we killed King Ernest, though." He chuckled into her hair.

Addie shrugged. "He may think what he wants. It is one of many rumors about me, and it isn't like anyone should really care to hear it. I daresay most were relieved by his demise. Regardless, I hope Humphries will no longer be an issue."

A giggle slipped through her lips, and suddenly she was a completely different woman than the one who'd been standing there just before, demanding fidelity from her subject.

Then she glanced toward Eades.

"Lord Eades, is it?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

She smiled. "I lingered in the hallway for quite some time before coming in. I wanted to hear what Humphries was going on about before stepping in. And I appreciate what you said."

Eades swallowed, lifting one shoulder before letting it drop. "Lettie—Scarlett is my friend."

"Well," Addie said while leaning into Theo's embrace. "I'm glad."

Now that the terror of losing Scarlett and Maverick had faded and his head had cleared, Leo recognized it too. He owed Lord Eades. Not only did he defend Scarlett, but he'd also defended Maverick.

"Thank you," Leo said, stepping forward with his hand extended. "For.." Leo paused, uncertain exactly what to say. "For everything, Eades."

He nodded and grasped Leo's hand, shaking it. "Well, you're not the person I thought you were, Farrington."

Leo's lips tilted up in a half-smile. "Likewise, Eades."

"Addie? Theo?" Emilia piqued. "What are you even doing here?"

Adelaide sighed. "Will sent word that Scarlett was unwell. I wanted to see how she was faring."

"She's much better," Leo said, happy to be able to report as much. "She is sleeping now."

"Good," Addie breathed. She hesitated. "Scarlett was there for me at a moment where I felt very alone. And though I know she isn't alone, I still wanted to be here for her if she needed me."

Leo closed his eyes as he shook his head. "She did, Addie. I did. Thank you."

"Of course, Leo," Adelaide replied, her smile reaching her eyes. "If there are problems..."

Leo nodded. "I'll let you know."

Suddenly, exhaustion took over his body, dripping into his bones like a drug with a delayed effect.

"I think I need to sleep," Leo said, swaying on his feet.

"I think it is time we all depart, anyway," Will muttered, his arm wrapped around Emilia, resting on her growing bump. The others nodded in agreement.

"Tell her we are thinking about her, Leo," Adelaide requested, and Leo assured her he would.

"We'll see you at the wedding?" Theo asked, raising a brow. He let go of his wife momentarily and strode over to Leo, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations, Farrington," he murmured with a sly grin.

They all left then, wandering out the door and to their own homes. But Leo had no desire to see his bed. He knew that from then on, he only wanted to rest his head where Scarlett was. And she was upstairs.

Opening the door to her chambers, he padded his way across the carpeted floor.

Scarlett lifted her head, her hair mussed. The disheveled look was so unlike what Leo was used to seeing.

He loved it.

"What's going on? I thought I heard other voices," Scarlett muttered. Her eyelids fluttered closed again.

Leo climbed into the bed and pulled her to his chest, enjoying her nearness. He'd never been so grateful for a moment before. Not after the last twelve hours. 

"Nothing," Leo breathed.

One eyelid peeked open again.

"Leo, you're lying." She frowned. "I said I was done lying to you. Now I should hope you could do the same for me."

"Scarlett...I'm tired."

"Tell me," she insisted. Both of her eyes were open now, peering over at him.

"Fine," Leo relented. "I shall tell you, but you must know that everything is okay."

Scarlett nodded, but her frown deepened.

Wanting to clear that expression from her face as quickly as possible, Leo hurriedly explained what had occurred downstairs.

"I don't understand," she said when he finished. "I don't understand why he would want me that badly. He's never cared about me before."

Leo kissed the crown of her head. "Some men only want something when they know it is just out of reach."

Scarlett glanced up at him, and her eyes revealed the way her mind worked. He watched her absorb his words and quickly intervened.

"It's not me, love," he said. "Never me. Because you are very much within reach, and I've never wanted you more."

She blinked, her expression softening.

Leo cupped her face with both hands. "Understood?"

In reply, she pressed her lips to his. And that was all Leo needed. He grabbed Scarlett, wrapping her in his arms. And together, they fell into a deep slumber.