Page 75 of The Rogue’s Countess

Edith,

While your title will still provide you access to society, I can easily make you a pariah in a substantially large segment of the Marlborough Set. I will not allow you to distress Lady Chelmsford with your vindictive, malicious games. Additionally, I believe your husband might not enjoy hearing that you have been enjoying bedroom sport with his good friend, Lord Marberry.

I know such a betrayal would deeply anger his grace. As we both know how much you loathe the countryside, I’m certain you will be quite unhappy when the Duke decides to spend a great deal of time in the country. I highly recommend that you keep your distance from my wife. Failing to heed this advice will be to your detriment. “

Chelmsford

Gideon folded the note in short, choppy movements before turning to face his butler.

“Have this sent to the Duchess of Stockdale. Immediately.”

“Yes, my lord,” Pendleton said firmly as he accepted the note and left the study.

Still furious at Edith’s maliciousness, Gideon paced the floor in front of his desk. God help the woman if she hurt Phoebe. He’d see Edith destroyed even if it meant calling in every marker he was owed or selling his soul.

The sound of female laughter made him suppress his anger, and he walked out into the entryway to see his mother coming down the steps with Phoebe behind her. At the sight of his wife, Gideon’s heart slammed into his chest as the air was sucked out of his lungs. Tonight she wasn’t simply beautiful. She was radiant. The gown she wore was the vibrant pink of the inner petals of a Comte De Chambord Portland Rose. The hue complimented her warm, peach-colored complexion, and as she met his gaze, Phoebe’s cheeks flushed with color. Lady Wrotham reached his side, and he absently offered his cheek for her to kiss. Laughter bubbling out of her, the marchioness patted him on the shoulder in almost a sympathetic gesture.

“You see, Phoebe. I told you he’d be speechless.”

At his mother’s cheerful observation, the flush of color in his wife’s face deepened. Still unable to take his eyes off of his wife, he closed the distance between them and took her hand in his. As he brushed his mouth across Phoebe’s fingers, Gideon smiled.

“You’ll be the most beautiful woman at the gala, my lady.”

“Thank you.” She blushed again, and Gideon chuckled as he leaned forward to kiss her. At the last second, she turned her head slightly so his mouth caressed her cheek instead. Gideon was uncertain what to make of her movement, and as Phoebe’s gaze met his, she darted a glance toward his mother.

“Are you suddenly afraid to kiss your husband, Lady Chelmsford?” he asked softly.

“No,” she whispered in dismay. “But we are not alone.”

“Mama, would you mind terribly if I kissed my wife properly?” Gideon tossed the question over his shoulder while keeping his gaze locked with Phoebe’s.

“Gideon.” Phoebe’s soft gasp was drowned out by Lady Wrotham’s laughter.

“Not at all, dearest.”

He arched an eyebrow at her, and Phoebe uttered a noise of amused exasperation. Satisfied that he would have his way, Gideon grinned as he bent his head and kissed her soundly. As he broke the kiss, he was pleased to see her eyelids fall slightly until she had a sultry, slumberous look about her.

“Consider that a taste of what’s to come later this evening, my lady,” Gideon murmured.

“I was right to call you a rogue, Lord Chelmsford.” The breathless note in her voice pleased him.

“As I recall, you find rogues quite exciting. And later tonight, the Countess of Chelmsford will find out just how much of a rogue her husband is.”

“You’re impossible,” she whispered, but her eyes shimmered with laughter and an emotion that took his breath away. Was it possible she was in love with him? The thought was an exhilarating one, and he had the sudden urge to drag her upstairs and declare his feelings for her.

“Gideon, if you’ve finished teasing your wife, do you think we might leave? I told Lady Gresham we would arrive early to ensure everything is in order. I do wish I’d not agreed to the woman holding the gala at Gresham Place. Our ballroom isn’t that much smaller than hers, and it would have made things so much easier.”

“As I recall,” Gideon said with amusement. “I told you not to let the countess convince you to do all the work while she takes all the glory.”

“Must you keep reminding me? But, if I had refused, Phoebe would not be with us now.” Lady Wrotham said with a note of pique in her voice.

“A point well taken.” Gideon smiled as he turned to look at his wife. A haunted look flitted across her face before she met his gaze. The warmth in her brown eyes and her happy smile made him dismiss the expression as one of his imagination.

“Well, we shouldn’t delay any further. I have a distinct feeling Lady Gresham is in a state of panic as we speak.”

“Of course, Mama,” he said as he gave her a small bow and followed his mother and wife to the front door.

A short time later, the three of them were standing in the entryway of Gresham Place. They were met by the Countess of Gresham, who was clearly frantic as she greeted them.