Page 73 of The Rogue’s Countess

Even though he didn’t love her, Gideon’s generous display of comfort made her love for him deepen even more. She’d been right all these years to believe he was a good man. The warmth of his mouth on her brow made her tremble slightly, and Gideon pulled her closer.

“I swear to you, sweetheart. No one will ever treat you so badly again. No one.”

She didn’t acknowledge his reply. She simply accepted his warm embrace as a moment to treasure in the future. A moment to sustain her when he discovered the truth as to her feelings for him and looked upon her with pity.

Phoebe didn’t know how long she’d been tucked in his embrace, but the sound of Gideon’s heartbeat in her ear slowed to a small murmur. Above her head, she could hear his gentle breathing with the occasional breath that was almost a snore. Even in his sleep, he hadn’t released her. As she gently twisted her body away from him, Gideon’s arms tightened around her. Startled, she threw her head back slightly to look up to see him studying her intently.

“Are you so eager to leave my bed, Lady Chelmsford?” There was a possessive look in his gray eyes that made her heart skip a beat. She shook her head.

“No. I thought you were asleep and that you might be more comfortable without me clinging to you.”

“I like it when you cling to me,” he said with a smile that made her drawn in a sharp breath of pleasure.

In a swift move, he rolled her onto her back and slid his hand along her body until he reached her hip. A second later, Phoebe gasped as his fingers parted her folds, and he pressed two fingers into her. Gideon’s smile broadened.

“Shall I make you cling to me again, my sweet?” The question was emphasized with a stroke of his fingers, and all she was capable of was a small moan of pleasure. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

With his fingers still teasing her body, Gideon lowered his head and kissed her. Without hesitation, Phoebe responded to his caresses by sliding one hand down across his chest to his thick, hard erection. The moment he sucked in a sharp breath, she murmured her own question against his mouth. His only answer was to deepen his kiss.

§ § §

Phoebe woke to a soft sound of metal against stone. She reached behind her for the warm body that had been pressed into her back when she’d fallen asleep, but she was alone. Sitting up in bed, Phoebe saw Gideon poking at the fire. A robe covered his body, but his legs were clearly visible, and she remembered how those strong legs had tangled with hers as they’d made love several more times in the past few hours. Amusement spread through her as Gideon muttered an oath as he continued to poke at the fire. She laughed softly, and he looked over her shoulder at her.

“It appears you are also not very good at stoking fires.”

At her light-hearted teasing, Gideon scowled at her, and she laughed harder. With obvious disgust, he muttered another oath and shoved the poker into its stand. Striding back toward the bed, he threw off his robe, and she drew in a silent breath at how beautifully male he was. Gideon slipped beneath the covers and pulled her into his arms.

“You were shivering, and I was trying to warm up the room. So it appears I’ll have to hold you to keep you from freezing,” Gideon said as he sank back into the pillows and nestled her into his side before dragging the covers up over them.

“It’s the beginning of May,” she teased. “I can hardly believe I was shivering that badly.”

“The weather is still chilly at night, and stop protesting when I’m trying to care for you.” The disgruntled note in Gideon’s voice made her smile as she looked up at him.

“Are you always so irascible when you are having a restless night?”

“As I recall, you are the reason for my inability to sleep well, my lady.”

“Me? Don’t you dare blame me.” She laughed as he scowled at her again. “I’m the one who’s been awakened at least twice in order for you too—”

“Indulge myself in the delicious sweet charms of my wife?” He finished her statement with a satisfied grin.

“Aha, so you admit that you have no one to blame but yourself for your lack of sleep.” Phoebe laughed again as Gideon’s expression became one of annoyance, but she saw the laughter gleaming his eyes. His aggravation vanished to be replaced with a wide grin of self-satisfaction.

“I admit only that my wife is beautiful, and that I cannot be blamed for finding pleasure in her arms.”

Although his words were playful, there was a glint in his eyes that said he was sincere in his statement. Phoebe’s heart skipped a beat as her cheeks grew warm beneath his gaze. She quickly dropped her head and pressed the side of her face into his chest. Content to lie quietly in his arms, Phoebe watched the fire that had suddenly sprung to life in the fireplace. She smiled as a rumble of exasperation drifted out of him. The sound said he’d seen the fire beginning to burn brightly in the hearth. The silence between them had a calming effect on Phoebe, and her eyes were drooping slightly when Gideon shifted his position.

“Phoebe?”

The serious note in her voice made her look up at him. In the firelight, his sober expression gave his strong features a severe look. Instantly, her nerve endings fired with trepidation. Uncertain as to what was to come, she slid away from him slightly into the pillows and waited for him to continue.

“Mama told me that you were working at Sabine’s before she persuaded you to come work for her.” The question in his voice made her flinch, and she looked away from him.

“Yes.”

“I’d like a bit more explanation than a simple yes, Phoebe.” Despite the gentleness in his voice, she heard the demand as well.

“There is little to explain,” she shrugged as she continued to avoid his gaze. “Alfred’s heir arrived a few months after Alfred was dead, and as I had no claim to Helstone Place, I was shown the door.”