Viscount of Vanity by Tammy Andresen (beautiful books to read .txt) 📗

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. “You 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