Page 18 of The Rogue’s Countess

His mother could be the most exasperating creature, and yet she had the kindest heart of anyone he’d ever met. It was difficult for her to refuse someone’s help when they asked for it. The charity ball for St. Catherine’s was a perfect example. He’d told her not to give way to Lady Gresham’s pleas, but she had anyway.

Gideon could only pray that whomever she’d secured as a personal secretary didn’t turn out to be someone who preyed on the goodwill of others. Determined to ensure someone hadn’t taken advantage of his mother’s kind heart, his weariness vanished, and he climbed the stairs two at a time. When he reached the second-floor hallway, he strode quickly toward his mother’s suite.

The sound of laughter echoed behind the closed door to his mother’s rooms as his knuckles rapped on the wood. His mother called out for her visitor to come in, and he turned the doorknob to enter her room. Another peal of his mother’s laughter filled the air, along with a laugh he didn’t recognize. The door swung wide to reveal an elegant room decorated in rich, jewel tones of blue and gold. As he crossed the threshold, he saw his mother reclined on her chaise lounge with a woman seated next to her. The stranger’s head was bent over a folded newspaper in her lap. His mother leaned forward and shook her head in protest.

“No, Phoebe, I’m certain that’s a description of Lord Pickward. It sounds just like the odious, pompous man.” The moment he cleared his throat, his mother looked in his direction and uttered a cry of happiness. “Gideon. You’re home.”

Before he could close the distance between them, Lady Wrotham was on her feet and hurrying across the floor toward him. He chuckled as he welcomed her hug and kissed her cheek.

“I take it you are glad to see me.”

“Of course, I am, my darling boy. I hope your business ventures were successful.”

“Quite. I decided to invest in a new shipping line that will ferry passengers and cargo back and forth from London to Amsterdam.” Gideon smiled with satisfaction at having made what he was certain was a sound investment.

“And did you find someone to answer questions about your tulips?”

“I did. The past two days were quite enjoyable. Baron Van Planate introduced me to Willem Ruigrok. The man was a fount of knowledge. I was even able to persuade him to sell me some of his specialty bulbs.” A movement over his mother’s shoulder caught his attention, and he arched his eyebrow quizzically at his mother. “I understand from Pendleton that you have a new secretary.”

“I do, indeed. Phoebe, come meet my son.”

Alva beamed as she turned slightly and stretched out her arm in a beckoning gesture. The woman quickly finished rearranging some papers on the top of a delicate secretaire, then turned toward them. The moment Gideon saw her face, he stiffened. It had been almost five years to the day since that moment in Montjoy’s gardens, but he’d never forgotten her or his anger when he’d learned who she was.

It had been a kick in the gut when he’d returned to the ballroom and learned his bewitching enchantress had crossed the ocean to land a title for herself. Lady Helstone was cut from the same cloth as another woman. Edith had been equally determined to marry money and a title.

When Edith had informed him of her betrothal to a duke almost twice her age, he’d wanted to throttle her. Several times before Edith had shown her true character to him, Gideon had considered offering for her. He hadn’t been destitute, but at the time, he’d had no expectation of inheriting great wealth or a title. Looking back, he realized how fortunate he’d been not to propose marriage to Edith.

She would never have accepted his offer. If anything, she would have laughed in his face. To think he’d ever thought himself in love with Edith was proof he’d been as wet behind the ears as a schoolboy. Money and social position were the only things women like Edith and Lady Helstone desired in life.

As the viscountess walked toward him, her movements were as elegant and graceful as he remembered. The unwelcome memory of a lush thigh and silky skin made his jaw clench with anger. Despite his irritation, he could almost smell the musky scent of her desire and slick heat as he’d buried himself inside her. It was a visceral memory that hardened his muscles.

The frown of confusion on Lady Helstone’s face as she walked toward him intensified his outrage. The woman belonged on the stage for looking at him as if they’d never met. As she drew closer, a polite smile tilted the corners of her mouth when she suddenly paled as she met his gaze. Alarm crossed her features as she curtsied and hesitated slightly before extending her hand. Before his mother could make the introductions, Gideon bent slightly to brush his mouth over soft fingers.

“Lady Helstone,” he murmured in a cool tone.

“You know each other,” Lady Wrotham exclaimed with delight, which dismay to sweep across Phoebe’s features.

“I’m not—”

“Surely you’ve not forgotten our meeting at Lord Montjoy’s home several years ago,” he said mockingly as he met her gaze. At his words, she seemed to grow even paler, and her slender throat bobbed as she swallowed hard.

“For…forgive me, my lord,” she stammered. “It was…that was a long time ago.”

“I’m disappointed you would forget our meeting so easily.”

His words sent a flush of color into her pale face, and Gideon gritted his teeth. Christ Jesus, had he just made it sound as if he was irritated she’d forgotten him? Gideon stared into large brown eyes that were wide with alarm. She should be afraid. The woman was going to regret using his mother to find a new husband and title.

“At last! It’s finally happened,” his mother exclaimed with a laugh as she eyed him with great delight.

“What has?” Gideon growled, certain he would not enjoy his mother’s teasing.

“You’ve finally met a woman who found it as easy to forget you as easily as you forget all the women whose hearts you break.” Glee filled his mother’s gaze as she teased him for having the tables reversed on him. Before he could protest his mother’s observation, Lady Helstone drew in an audible breath.

“Unless you have further need of me, my lady, I shall retire for the evening.”

The soft words made Gideon’s jaw clench. The woman was living here as well. Lady Helstone would begin packing her things tonight when he was done with her.

“But of course, my dear. It’s been a long day for both of us, but it was most productive.”