Viscount of Vanity Read online

  Longing coursed through her, settling at the sensitive flesh between her legs.

  She pressed closer to him even their mouths met again, their tongues dancing together. That’s when she felt his…staff…pressing into her lower stomach.

  It was hard and rather large, and she jolted just a bit to feel it between them.

  For a moment he pressed her closer still, allowing her to feel his outline. She had the urge to lower her hand and trace the edges, exploring his most intimate area, but before she could, he lifted his head, easing away.

  Gabriella wanted to cry in frustration.

  Perhaps it was the desire he’d stirred but even deeper than that, she just wished to be close to him and it felt as though there was an invisible barrier between them. Always.

  “I…” he started.

  “That was lovely,” she finished, her fingers rising to her lips. They were damp and a bit puffy.

  He stared at her mouth too, his gaze still dark as he watched her fingers with an intensity that stole her breath as surely as his kiss had done.

  Her arms were still about him and she slid her fingers down to his collarbone, steadying herself on the breadth of his shoulders.

  “It was very nice.”

  Nice? She repeated the word in her head, still holding onto him. She thought Mr. Sharpe was nice. Which was to say that she held him in high regard but without much affection. Was that what the kiss had been to Austin?

  She swallowed, pulling her hands from his shoulders and taking a step back. “I promised you honesty from the beginning.”

  “You did,” he said, his gaze narrowing.

  “I’m asking for a bit in return.” She clenched her fists at her sides as she drew in a fortifying breath.

  “All right.” He cocked his head to the side.

  “Madame Fleur said that sometimes…” She swallowed a lump in her throat, shifting on her feet. “Sometimes that when a man isn’t interested in a woman he is actually…”

  Austin’s arms crossed as he stared down at her. “Actually what?”

  Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and hands clenched and unclenched. “Interested in the company of other men.”

  Chapter Nine

  Austin blinked, her words nearly making him choke on his own saliva. Had she just asked him if he was a molly?

  He dropped his hands to his side even as he snapped his lips shut.

  This sort of confusion was what happened when a man made snap decisions and married a woman he didn’t even know. “If I were interested in men, I would not have kissed you like that.”

  She winced, nodding her head even as he turned away and headed for the only bedroom in the cottage.

  He’d made a mistake, he thought, as he raked a hand through his hair. Actually, he’d made several.

  Marrying Gabriella.

  Kissing her as he just had.

  Becoming so invested in her life and her struggles.

  Not just making love to his wife on the first night.

  He stopped at that last one. He spun about to find her just behind him, her arms wrapped about her own frame.

  He wanted this woman, there was no denying that. He had from the first. But he was a man who had thrived on control. He’d beaten a disease by being militant and the only time he’d threaten to succumb to its clutches was when he’d ignored his control and allowed baser instincts to take over.

  “I should go to bed,” he said woodenly.

  She nodded. “I’ll join you.”

  He was tempted to say no but where else would she sleep, and why didn’t Chad have a two-bedroom cottage, and why hadn’t he thought of that when he’d stocked this one? “I’ll take some blankets and sleep on the floor.”

  “Austin,” she said as she reached for his arm. “You haven’t answered my question.”

  Damn. He hadn’t. “No. I am not interested in men. Not even a little.”

  She gave a tentative nod. “I’ve offended you.”

  Yes. No. Maybe. “I told you. My terms are for my health. Nothing more.”

  She jerked her chin in agreement.

  Without another word, he began to strip off his clothing, his coat, his shirt, his boots. The cool air hit his skin. He was a cad. The thought made him straighten. She was a woman who’d been on tenuous ground her entire life and he’d inadvertently placed her in the same situation by refusing to be with her physically.

  She felt insecure in her position as his wife. He scrubbed the back of his neck. What a mess he was making.

  Gabriella stood in the middle of the room watching him, but not making any moves to take off her own clothing. He rolled his neck, attempting to gain control of his spinning thoughts. “Should I leave the room and give you privacy?” he asked, turning back to her.

  She shook her head. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t. The dress.” She pointed down over her shoulder. “It buttons up the back.”

  He blinked as he realized that she had no maid and no way of removing her own clothing.

  He’d have to undress her.

  A lump formed in his throat as he considered the intimacy of the gesture. Touching her clothing, her body… He was already shirtless. With a groan, he motioned for her to turn around.

  He undid the buttons of the top of her gown, untied her skirts, and then began working on the laces of her corset as she pulled the top of the dress off. He did his best to remove them with cool efficiency. He could remain detached. He’d built a life based upon self-control. She allowed the skirt to drop along with her petticoats and then turned to sit on the bed and remove her boots.

  But Austin stilled. Her chemise showed the better part of her shapely calves and he had the distinct urge to trace them with his fingers. Explore the outline of the flesh with his hand and then…

  Instead, he dropped to one knee and reached for her boot, gently removing one and then the other.

  He held her calf as he worked and, without thought, his fingers slid up to the back of her knee. The new stocking was silky and smooth, her slender leg supple under his palm.

  Her pantaloons stopped his progress and he gave a growl of frustration. He wanted to feel her skin. He wanted to feel all of her.

  She looked down at him, bent down in front of her, a question marking her brow even as she nibbled at her lip.

  Austin stared up her full mouth, high cheekbones. He watched the way her teeth worked the flesh, his own need rising.

  This was not supposed to happen. He’d exercise the physical aspect of their relations at a specific time in a controlled manner. But he couldn’t ignore the desire building inside him. And, even worse, he didn’t wish to deny her…

  And he wanted to touch her. Explore her body.

  His cock ached with need, but he ignored the urge. He was good at that, forgoing his own pleasure.

  With sure hands he reached under her chemise and untied the pantaloons. As he pulled, she lifted up for him, allowing him to slip the garment down her legs.

  Even that small movement, the way she allowed him access, set him to flame.

  He pressed a kiss to the inside of her knee, skimming his hands along her upper legs and down her thighs.

  He felt her tremble and he could smell her desire, spicy and sweet, a scent that sent his own body spiraling out of control with need. Kissing her thigh, he ran his hands from her ankles all the way up her legs. He wanted to strip off her chemise and look at all of her, feast on her beauty; but her sensual aroma called to him, and he continued to kiss a trail up her leg.

  Her thighs naturally parted even as her hands ran over his shoulders.

  He gave her a gentle push backwards, so that she lay on the bed with her legs dangling over the side. He placed the back of her knees on his shoulders and then brushed the pad of his thumb through the curls at her apex.

  She was already slick with need and he groaned aloud. It had been so long since he’d experienced a woman’s desire. He’d forgotten how heady it was.

  Th
en again, perhaps it had never been like this.

  Even knowing how dangerous passion could be, he wanted to throw caution to the wind and bury himself between her legs. Instead, he placed a light kiss on her folds.

  She convulsed under his mouth, a shiver running through her. He let out a predatory growl. She was his. She belonged with him.

  He kissed her again and again, stroking her soft folds with his tongue, tasting and savoring her. She adjusted to his touch, moving to meet him, her fingers combing through his hair and urging him closer.

  Austin used his free hand to loosen his own breeches, taking his aching cock in his hand. Like this, he could control his body’s response.

  Gabriella whimpered, the sound only making him harder. He wanted this woman with every fiber of his being.

  She trembled and he increased the pressure, her legs shaking, as her head thrashed back and forth. His own breath quickened in response, but he still held some measure of control. Enough that he could enjoy her and the pleasure passing between them.

  Pushing a finger inside her, he felt her spasm around him, giving a cry of pleasure.

  He exploded as well, his seed spilling to the floor.

  His eyes closed as he lay his head on her belly. Austin was supposed to be holding back from a physical relationship except for the obvious exception of conception.

  But while he hadn’t overtaxed his body, he had pulled them closer together physically and emotionally.

  She tugged on his shoulders and he rose up, covering her body with his.

  He should care more about what he’d done.

  But he couldn’t. Instead, he pulled her chemise over her head and let his gaze wander down the perfect globes of her breasts, the flatness of her belly, before he wrapped his arms about her and lifted her up to draw back the covers.

  Then he tucked them both into the bed.

  Unlike the last night when they’d hugged the edges, tonight, she snuggled deep into his side, her contented sigh pulling at his heart. “That was so wonderful. I had no idea.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Go to sleep, sweetheart.” Tomorrow, he’d have to figure out how he would put some distance back between them.

  * * *

  Gabriella woke to the early-morning sun pouring into the window. She stretched, after what might have been the best sleep of her life, to find that she was alone in the bed.

  She lifted her head, hearing the sound of an ax cutting into wood. A few seconds passed and then the sound came again.

  Austin was surely chopping wood.

  At this hour?

  She sat up, clutching the covers to her front as hair spilled about her shoulders. She hadn’t had the opportunity to braid it last night.

  Rising from the bed, she washed and dressed, then began twisting her hair into submission as she pinned various sections. Her hair had always been very silky, making it difficult to style, but she tried her best.

  After close to an hour, she heard the door open. Was that Austin?

  He’d ceased chopping wood as she could no longer hear the methodical beat of his ax.

  He slid into the room. “The maid, Annie, is here to make breakfast.”

  His skin was flushed from the cool air and the exercise, and his hair was a bit disheveled. He stole her breath. “Could you do up my last few buttons?” She pointed at her back.

  “Of course.” He crossed the room. The gentle brush of his fingers made her flesh rise with goose pimples. “We’ve dinner with Chad and Abigail tonight.”

  She nodded, looking at his reflection in the looking glass. Part of her wanted to stand up, spin around, and toss her arms about him.

  She’d never felt closer to another person than she had last night and now…there was distance between them.

  He finished the last button, stepping back. “Our errands were interrupted yesterday. Shall we finish them?”

  She nodded. “Let’s.” She did stand then. “Have you given any more thought to when we’ll travel?” She was both excited to start a new life with him and a bit nervous to leave the village where she’d grown up. Here, she had people she could depend on even if many of her memories were filled with sadness.

  He quirked a brow. “Are you tired of the cottage?”

  She stepped close to him. “Not at all. I’m just…” She reached for his hand, wanting to touch him when she said the next words. “A bit nervous, I suppose.”

  He softened, his fingers lacing through hers. “We’ll stay for a week or two. I’ve some legal matters I want to make certain are ironclad before we leave.”

  She crinkled her brow. “Legal matters?”

  He gave a small sigh. “I’ve heard that your father can be quite cunning. I want to make certain he can never insert himself into your life again.”

  She blinked. He was right to worry about her father, she’d just had no idea he was actively working on her behalf. It made something inside her melt. “Why did you go to the village last night if not to drink?”

  His hand slipped around her waist. “I need to know more about him so that I can keep you safe from his schemes.”

  She lowered her head to his shoulder, breathing in his heady scent. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He brushed his lips against her forehead. “I need to clean up, then we’ll eat and leave. Will you give me a few minutes?”

  She stepped back and reached for the final pin on the tabletop, inserting it into her hair. He patiently waited for her to finish, but she sensed that he was eager for her to go. He didn’t shift or tap his foot, but he was so…still.

  Which made her ache inside. She’d seen him undress last night. She’d like nothing better than to study him in the light of day. Touch him. Express her thanks for all that he’d done for her already.

  Chapter Ten

  Austin placed his wife’s gloved hand in his arm, cursing the weaknesses of his body. That wasn’t true. He’d mostly mastered his body.

  It was his mind that was misbehaving.

  Gabriella shone brighter than the sun on his arm this morning. Every time he looked at her, she stole his breath. And thoughts of touching her again, tasting her again, filled his mind.

  They were walking down the village street, people all about them and all he could think about was getting her alone.

  He wanted to hold her on his lap and kiss her senseless, stroke her back, explore the thick strands of her hair.

  He itched to send her pins scattering to the floor while he explored every inch of her body with his mouth. His cock twitched again. Fortunately, his jacket covered his excitement.

  Not that it mattered. No one looked at him. They all stared openly at the woman on his arm. Most of these people had known Gabriella her entire life, but many gaped as though seeing her for the first time.

  He understood why.

  Dressed properly, she looked every bit the lady she’d always been and more lovely than any he’d ever seen before.

  No wonder he could think of little else besides touching her.

  And with startling clarity, he realized he was fighting a losing battle to hold himself apart from her.

  Which scared him half to death.

  He’d run on a wooded trail before the sun had even risen and then chopped wood for more than an hour to try and wear his body out. His efforts, however, weren’t working. Every time he was near her, he forgot his exhaustion, energy and desire jolting through him once again.

  They finished their shopping and returned to the cottage, passing the afternoon quietly before preparing for the evening. Tonight, he’d talk to Chad about which barrister to approach to make certain Gabriella had a home and income of her own.

  Now Gabriella emerged from their room, wearing a crimson dress and her hair artfully dressed into a sensational coif with the help of the maid.

  Every muscle in his body tightened. If she’d been gorgeous this morning, she was devastating now. She smiled at him, her dark eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “Y
ou look magnificent.”

  He quirked a brow. “Me?” Then he reached out a hand. “We’re going to have to get you an entire wardrobe in red.”

  Color stained her cheeks as she placed her hand in his. He bent down and kissed the warm flesh. Her skin, like velvet under his lips, tasted of lilac. His hand came to her waist, and he longed to crush her against his chest and press their bodies together.

  But they needed to go to dinner. Not only did he need Chad’s help, he needed to insert space between him and the woman who was dominating his every waking thought.

  She slid her hand along his arm. “Shall we go?”

  “We shall.”

  He escorted her into the carriage. Well, Chad’s carriage. Yet another item he’d have to procure to see her brought to Everfield. He’d left his carriage back in London when he’d escorted Chad and Abigail here from the city.

  “I’m nervous,” she murmured next to him. “What if your friends don’t like me?”

  “You’ve already met Abigail. She’s the one who sent me to your aid.” But he slipped an arm about her shoulders. “And they’ll love you.”

  “Tell me about the baron and the baroness.”

  “Let’s see.” He settled her closer. “They’ve only recently wed. Abigail is an heiress to a shipping empire.”

  “An heiress,” Gabriella breathed.

  “And Chad was a failing baron who made the match to shore up his finances. But if I’m not mistaken, they’ve fallen in love.”

  “Really?” Gabriella sat up straighter. “How wonderful.”

  He looked at her profile in the shadow interior of the carriage. “I don’t want you to mistake what I’m saying. Abigail didn’t know she was an heiress. In fact, her mother also passed away and her father was gone on an extended journey. They didn’t know they owned shares in the company, and for a time, Abigail and her sisters struggled to even eat. I’m telling you this so that you know you have far more in common with her than you might think.”

  Gabriella leaned further into him. “Thank you. I was feeling disadvantaged. That’s good to know.”