Page 59 of The Rogue’s Countess

The moment the smile on his lips vanished, and his expression became one of deep concern, she stiffened. Was it possible he cared for her? The thought sparked a small flame of hope in her breast that she quickly extinguished. Gideon wasn’t marrying her for love. He was marrying her out of a sense of honor and duty.

Gideon came to a halt in front of her, with only the stairway bannister separating them. His hand covered hers where it rested on the railing. The instant he touched her, an electric current streaked up her arm. Phoebe jumped slightly at the touch, and his gaze narrowed at her.

“You’re unwell.” It was an emphatic statement, but behind it was a concern that made her heart skip a beat. She forced a smile to her lips and shook her head.

“No, I’m simply tired. I did not sleep…well last night.”

Phoebe tripped over her words to avoid saying she’d not slept at all. He studied her face for a moment as if questioning her explanation, then he nodded. Gideon’s smile returned, and she fought hard to extinguish the hope that tried to flare to life as he offered his hand to her.

“Come, I’d like you to review the nuptial agreement Chesterton has drawn up for us.”

“I’m sure everything is in order,” she said as she hesitated to take the hand he’d offered her. Gideon gave her a stern look.

“I believe that to be the case, but nonetheless, I wish you to review the document. It also requires your signature, and Chesterton is here to witness the signing.”

Gideon’s fingers flicked slightly in a silent demand that she accept his hand. As her palm slid against his, a small tremor rippled through her. Instantly, his fingers tightened around hers. Gideon’s gaze locked with Phoebe’s as she descended the stairs to the entryway’s tiled floor. The air in her lungs vanished as an emotion she couldn’t decipher flashed in his gray eyes before it was replaced by desire. It was a smoldering look that made her heartbeat become a thunderous roar in her ears.

Desperate to keep as much emotional and physical distance between them as possible, Phoebe tried to pull her hand from his. The moment she did so, Gideon’s grip tightened again. Her gaze flitted down to look at their hands, and her stomach lurched as his thumb began to traced small circles over the back of her hand.

Phoebe inhaled a sharp breath, and as her gaze locked with Gideon’s, the promise of something wild and potent flared in his eyes. It called to her as if he were a mesmerist controlling her simply with the strength of his gaze. Almost as if she was in a dream, Gideon slowly turned her hand over and bent his head to kiss the back of his wrist. The instant she shuddered, he straightened upright to study her for a long moment.

Gideon’s expression made her think he was about to ask her something, but he didn’t. Instead, he pulled her gently toward the library doorway. A tall, plainly-dressed man immediately rose from a chair in front of Gideon’s desk as they entered the room.

“Chesterton, this is Lady Helstone, my fiancée. Phoebe, this is Wilbur Chesterton, my solicitor.”

“Mr. Chesterton,” she murmured with a nod.

“A pleasure, my lady,” the man said with a pleasant smile that softened the solicitor’s plain features. “My best wishes for your forthcoming marriage to Lord Chelmsford.”

Phoebe murmured a thank you as Gideon, his hand at her elbow, guided her around the desk to his chair and tapped on the papers lying on the leather desk blotter.

“It’s a simple, straightforward agreement, which lists everything we discussed. If you see something you don’t like, we can make adjustments.”

“This really isn’t necessary, Gideon.”

“I think it is,” he said quietly as he lowered his head to brush his mouth against her ear. “I want you to trust me never to hurt you again.”

His words were a scourge on her heart. Gideon might not want to hurt her again, but he would. Phoebe had no doubt about that fact. Even now, despite knowing the heartache she would endure in the future, she wanted to be in his arms again. Phoebe’s body hummed with tiny vibrations at his nearness. She wanted him touching her—bringing her to life again.

The thought tightened the muscles at the apex of her thighs. She was mad to be doing this. She should run away as fast and as far away as she could this very minute. Gideon didn’t give her the option. The instant he raised her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across her fingertips, she was lost. Fire streaked across her skin with the strength of a raging inferno, and she sank down into his desk chair to review the marriage contract he’d had the solicitor draw up.

When she came to the section as to the annual stipend she would receive, she gasped in shock. Two thousand pounds a year until her death was exorbitant. With a vehement shake of her head, she jerked her head up to look at him.

“This is too much, Gideon. Half of this, even a quarter, would be more than sufficient for my means.

“It is the sum I’ve decided on, Phoebe. It will not be changed. How or what you wish to spend or invest the allowance is entirely up to you.” Despite the emphatic note in his voice, she protested.

“I cannot agree to this.” Her reply caused his jawline to harden. It indicated he had no intention of being swayed on the matter.

“Just as there are conditions you would never agree to alter, this is one I refuse to change. The annual sum will stand as is.” Suddenly a small smile tipped the corners of Gideon’s mouth when she objected once more with a shake of her head. “At least I am reassured you are not marrying me for my money.”

Phoebe flinched at his comment, and he immediately covered her hand where it rested on the desktop. The warmth and reassurance in his gaze said he had been teasing her, but it did little to assuage the pain in Phoebe’s heart. His generosity was more than she deserved, given her treatment of him in the Currer Chronicles. When Gideon arched his eyebrow at her in an autocratic fashion, Phoebe was forced to accept his decision.

It didn’t take long for her to finish reviewing the document, and Gideon had been true to his word as to the freedom he intended to give her. The only objection she had was the stipend Gideon refused to change. A knot formed in Phoebe’s throat as she reread the stipulation they would both remain faithful to their vows.

Should either of them failed to comply with the condition, an immediate petition for divorce would be filed on the part of the injured party. It was a pointless item to include as Gideon was the only man she would ever want until she drew her last breath. Phoebe raised her head and looked at the solicitor seated across from her.

“Where am I to sign, Mr. Chesterton?”