Her voice was breathless behind him as he pulled her along. He nodded at guests and eyed a servants’ door nearby. They had almost reached it when Mr. Hudson, the reporter for the Times, stepped in front of him.
“Lord Valentine,” Hudson said, and Quint noted that the man was holding his notebook like armor. “Might we have a word?”
Quint gave Catie a quick glance, then pulled her to his side. “What is it, Mr. Hudson? As you can see, my wife and I have a ball to host.”
“Yes, you’ve been busy all evening. That was an interesting scene with your sister, Lady Valentine. Care to elaborate?”
Catie paled, and Quint stepped in for her. “No, she does not.”
“Then what do you have to say, Lord Valentine? There have been charges of impropriety, even illegality, connected with your wedding. Were you not engaged to Miss Elizabeth Fullbright?”
Quint narrowed his eyes. He’d successfully deflected most of the questions and controversy by leaving Town and exercising his power as a peer. Why was Hudson bringing it up now?
Behind the reporter, Quint saw Fairfax standing a few feet away. His handsome rival was smiling smugly.
Quint turned back to Hudson. “How much did Fairfax pay you to ruin me, Hudson?”
He heard Catie gasp beside him and took her hand.
“I don’t know what you mean, Lord Valentine,” Hudson said smoothly. “I have quotes from Lady Valentine’s own father and sister. Fairfax has nothing—”
“Fairfax has everything to do with it,” Quint said, closing in on the reporter. Hudson stepped back. “You’ve always supported him over me. Perhaps I should mention something about the value of impartial journalism to your editor, Mr. Hudson.”
“Perhaps I should mention the role opium played in your wedding, Lord Valentine. An opium-eater in the Cabinet. What will the public say?”
Quint released Catie and grasped Hudson by the neck, thrusting him against a pillar.
“Quint, no!” Catie called. “Think of your position.”
But he didn’t care about his position anymore. He didn’t care what anyone said or thought about him. He only cared about Catie. He would protect her.
“Listen to me, Hudson,” he growled. “You print whatever lies about me you choose, but you leave my wife and my marriage out of this.”
Hudson put his hand over Quint’s and loosened his grip. “I would like to, my lord, but with the public so divided, and the prime minister so uncertain, I fear I must tell our readers the truth.”
Quint breathed in and out, felt his head spin, and saw his dreams and his future slipping away.
And then he turned to his wife. She was there, beside him, looking at him with so much trust, so much faith. In her hazel eyes, he had all he needed—and more.
“Quint?” she said uncertainly.
“One moment, sweetling,” he murmured. Slowly, he turned back to Hudson. “I have a new story for you, Mr. Hudson. Something I think your readers will find even more fascinating than my wedding.”
Hudson raised his eyebrows and the pad. “I’m listening.”
“I am no longer seeking the Cabinet position. In fact, I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Fairfax’s appointment.”
Hudson’s eyes widened. “You are serious, my lord?”
“Print it, Mr. Hudson. If you don’t, I will.” He turned to take Catie’s hand again, then swung back to Hudson. “And leave my wife out of it, or I promise you, Hudson, you will have more than your story to worry about.”
With that, Quint pulled Catie after him and headed directly for the servants’ door. The corridor was dark and littered with forgotten serving trays and glasses. Quint hoped the servants had abandoned it temporarily as well.
Quint knew he’d just ended his career. He knew he’d just tossed away all his dreams, all he’d worked for. But as Quint pulled Catherine inside the servants’ hall and leaned against the door, closing it, enveloping them in the dim glow of a distant candle, he didn’t care. His career was nothing. Nothing mattered except Catherine.
“Quint,” she said, her voice worried, “did you just tell that reporter you were ending your bid for the Cabinet?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “That doesn’t matter to me anymore. All that matters is that I’m here with you.” He leaned in to kiss her.
