Page 68 of The Rogue’s Countess

Moments later, she breathed a sigh of relief as the footman removed her plate then replaced it with a dish on which rested a small cheese pastry. The cooked cheese savory smelled delicious, and she eagerly took a bite of the talmouse. It was as heavenly as it smelled. A chuckle from Gideon made her look at him, and he grinned.

“I’m glad to see something on the menu pleases you.”

“Everything has been excellent.”

“Except for the beef.” A soft snort of amusement escaped him as he arched his eyebrows at her in a clear challenge for her to deny the observation.

“The beef was excellent. I simply wasn’t hungry.”

“And now your appetite has been renewed.”

“Yes,” she sniffed with exasperation. “I believe it’s a prerogative, as well as an expectation by men, that a woman should always demonstrate a tendency to change her opinion whenever the mood strikes.”

“A fact you have illustrated quite well tonight.”

“Are you mocking me?” Phoebe scowled at him, and Gideon laughed.

“Yes, I think I am. I enjoy seeing you glare at me. Your eyes sparkle when you’re irritated, and you blush prettily.”

For a moment, Phoebe continued to glare at him before she shook her head in disgruntled disgust.

“I cannot compete with you in a verbal battle. I am far better with my pen.”

The moment she spoke, Phoebe froze in her seat. Her gaze locked with Gideon’s, and her mouth went dry with fear. Dear God, what in heaven’s name had possessed her to say such a thing.

“Your pen? Are you telling me you’re a fledgling writer?” Gideon’s smile was disarming and free of any suspicion. Grasping at the lifeline he’d given her, Phoebe rolled her shoulders in a small, dismissive shrug.

“A very bad one, actually,” she lied. “But I do enjoy putting my thoughts on paper.”

“Perhaps you should engage Currer in a duel of pens and write your own column.”

“Good Lord, no,” she gasped. Phoebe’s panic escalated as she tried to think of a way to escape the corner she’d managed to back herself in. Her only available option was to lie again. “My writing is nowhere as scintillating as Currer’s.”

“Why not let me be the judge of that?” Gideon’s mischievous expression made her heart stop beating before it resumed and crashed into her chest.

“Absolutely not,” she exclaimed as her eyes widened in horror.

“I am baiting you, my sweet.” Laughing, Gideon captured her hand in his and kissed the inside of her wrist as he met her gaze. “I enjoy seeing you flustered. It makes you all the more beautiful to look at.”

Gideon’s words made her draw in a sharp breath. If only his endearment had been heartfelt. His lips pressed into her wrist again, and a second later, his tongue flicked out to swirl across her skin. A gasp escaped her at the sensual caress, and Gideon’s eyes narrowed as he pinned her beneath his gaze. Phoebe’s heartbeat raced out of control, and she trembled at his touch. Suddenly aware of her vulnerable state, she quickly pulled her hand free of his grasp.

“You are a rogue, Gideon Alexander,” she said breathlessly. A pleased look swept across his features.

“If you chastise me so sweetly, I shall need to act the rogue more often.”

Gideon grinned with satisfaction as he leaned back slightly to allow the footman space to set a pastry tart in front of him. There was a smoldering fire in his gaze that made her body tense as an electric pulse streaked through her. Phoebe barely managed to suppress a soft gasp as she drank in the masculine beauty of him.

Although he was completely relaxed, there was a latent animalistic magnetism about him that declared how easily he could bring a woman to her knees. Phoebe’s heart crashed into her breast at the thought. If the man had not owned her heart already, she would be in danger of losing it now. She looked down at the pastry the footman had set in front of her and drew in a quick breath. The pastry was shaped in the form of a heart, and on either side of the heart were the letters G and P.

“I see Mama’s romantic nature has been conspiring with Mrs. Murray.”

“Yes, I can see that.” Phoebe fought to keep her voice from sounding breathless but clearly failed as Gideon leaned forward to clasp her hand in his once more.

“I didn’t lie the other day when I said things would be good between us, Phoebe. I am quite sincere in that belief.” A glint of something undefinable flickered in his gray eyes, and it ignited a small flame of hope in her heart. Unable to think of a suitable reply, she nodded her understanding then looked down at the pastry again.

“Shall I start on the G while you devour the P?”

Phoebe had meant it to be a light-hearted remark but realized it was anything but that. He had already stolen her heart, and she had no doubt he would soon possess her body and soul. It was inevitable. She glanced at Gideon and saw an odd look crossed his face as he stared down at the tart. It was as if he was uncertain about something. She frowned in puzzlement as she studied his expression.