Page 60 of The Rogue’s Countess

At her question, the man pulled out two additional copies of the agreement from a portfolio he held and moved around the desk to point out all the places she was to initial or add her signature to each copy. When she’d finished, Phoebe rose from her seat and stepped aside to give Gideon room to sign the papers as well. Long, strong fingers took up the pen, while his other hand held the paperwork in place. The memory of those powerful hands caressing her made Phoebe draw in a sharp breath.

Gideon immediately paused and turn his head to look at her. Swallowing hard, she forced a smile to her lips. Although his gaze narrowed slightly, her expression appeared to satisfy him enough to continue signing the marriage contract. Several seconds later, she watched him sign his full name in hard, firm strokes, with the final letter of his title ending in a small flourish.

Phoebe wasn’t surprised by the fact his middle name was Alexander. The silent pronunciation of his name in her head made her want to whisper it out loud. Just like everything else about him, it was as powerful as the man. His name possessed a strength that signaled he would do as he said. He would protect her, even from himself.

But he was the last person she wanted protection from. What she wanted—needed from him was his love. It was something she knew she would never have, but it didn’t stop her from wishing for it. As Gideon straightened upright, he eyed her with amused curiosity. His expression made her cheeks grow hot, and he trailed his forefinger across her cheek with a smile before he nodded at his solicitor.

“Thank you, Chesterton. If you’ll keep one of these copies in your office safe, Lady Helstone and I will ensure the safety of our individual copies of the contract.”

“Of course, my lord,” the man said with a polite nod of his head. With efficient speed, the solicitor collected his paperwork, stored them away in his leather satchel. When he was finished, he offered them a small bow. “If you have any questions or wish to make any changes, please let me know, my lord, my lady. I have one last stop to make on my way home, so if you will excuse me, I shall see myself out.”

“Thank you for drawing up the document so quickly. I am appreciative, although I imagine I will pay dearly for it.” Gideon’s cheerful reply made the solicitor smile.

“It was a pleasure to accommodate one of my most valuable clients.” With another bow, the man hurried out of the library.

When they were alone, Phoebe’s heart began to race. She wasn’t sure whether it was excitement or trepidation at being alone with him in the same room where the change in their relationship began. As she met his gaze, his expression was somber.

“Unless you’ve objections, I made arrangements for us to be married the day after tomorrow at eleven o’clock. I was able to convince the registrar to come to Chelmsford House to perform the ceremony.”

“Convince?” Phoebe’s tension eased slightly as she smiled with amusement. She was certain Gideon’s convincing was more of a demand than persuasion.

“Perhaps persuaded would be a better word.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.” She laughed.

A second later, the grin on Gideon’s handsome features took Phoebe’s breath away. With every passing minute in his company, she was beginning to fully understand the man she’d dreamed about for the past five years was real. She’d not been wrong about him. Gideon wasn’t the debauched rogue she’d depicted in the Chronicles.

He was pleasant, thoughtful, generous, and kind. There was a reason why there was a trail of broken hearts in his wake. With that realization came the reminder that her life was about to become an existence of joy and pain. No, it already was.

Just being in his presence had Phoebe teetering between happiness and sadness. She should have left Chelmsford House when she’d had the chance, even if it had meant living in a cottage that was smaller than she’d planned. Oblivious to her inner turmoil, Gideon smiled.

“I did allow him to select the time, although I would have preferred to give Sebastian and Constance more notice. But when I spoke with Sebastian, he indicated his mornings were free for the remainder of the week.”

“I’ll send a note to Constance this evening. She didn’t express any conflict that might prevent her from being present.”

Phoebe lowered her gaze for a moment at the copies of the marriage contract the solicitor had left for them. If she’d been able to resist Gideon last night, she wouldn’t be standing here discussing their wedding. Sensing he was studying her, Phoebe looked up at him. The puzzlement on his face made her body tense.

Without meaning, too, her gaze flitted to the couch where they’d made love, then back to him. A look of regret crossed his chiseled, aristocratic features, and Phoebe wanted to sob from the pain it caused her. It was obvious Gideon was regretting the actions that had forced him into this situation.

She drew in a breath and released it as she swallowed hard. Phoebe knew better than to suggest they wait until they were certain she was with child. Gideon had fought hard to convince her to marry him and had refused to wait. He’d made up his mind to do the honorable thing, and her stubborn nature was no match for his in the matter. This morning she’d been too tired and drained of emotion to say no to him. That hadn’t changed.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to see if your mother requires anything of me.” Unwilling to let him see how much his remorse pained her, she turned to leave him, but his hand caught her arm to hold her back.

“Before you go, I have something for you.”

There was a strange note in his voice, and his gray eyes darkened with an emotion she didn’t recognize. He reached into the pocket of his trousers to pull out a small box. Certain she knew what he held in his hand, she took a quick step back. It was one more thing tying her to him that illustrated the deep water she was treading. Not even a fairy dancing on the fine strings of a cobweb was an adequate description as to the state of her emotions right now.

“I don’t think—”

“Damnit, Phoebe, you can’t keep jumping away from me every time I say something or, God forbid, touch you.” Frustration filled his voice as he slapped the small box down on the desktop and viciously shoved it toward her. “Every Countess of Chelmsford has worn this for the past two hundred years. It’s yours now.”

Uncertain as to what to say, Phoebe met his gaze for a moment. Frustration had tightened his mouth to a thin line, and she flinched before reaching for the box and slowly opening it. The late afternoon light shining through the windows danced off the brilliant emerald ring nestled inside a bed of midnight-blue velvet. Set inside a circle of diamonds, the gemstone sparkled like a small light in the room’s shadows. It was exquisite, and it was impossible for her not to draw in a sharp breath of pleasure.

“It’s beautiful,” she said quietly with awe as her fingertips brushed over the gem.

In an unexpected movement, Gideon took her hand in his and pulled the ring from the box. Gently, he slid it onto her finger. When the ring was in place, he held onto her hand and met her gaze.

“It’s not half as lovely as you are, Phoebe.”