Page 78 of The Rogue’s Countess

“Yes, of course.” Phoebe nodded as she averted her gaze. “It was simply the idea of Currer doing such a thing.”

“Well, I’m not blind to the fact that if we were still at odds, you would have gleefully pointed these out to me.” He chuckled and bobbed his head toward the confection fragments in his hand. “In fact, I imagine you would have put my head on a silver platter and included one of these on the side.”

“While I’ll not deny I would have been gleeful in pointing out the bees, I know I would have been remorseful, shortly thereafter,” she said.

“Of that, I’m certain, as I would have eventually found an opportunity to administer a suitable punishment.” Gideon smiled before he bowed his head to study her intently. “In fact, I think I will extract a penalty from you tonight simply to remind you that there are consequences to teasing me.”

“I’m sure whatever penalty you administer will be quite pleasurable.” The sultry look of passion flaring in Phoebe’s eyes made Gideon draw in a sharp breath as his body knotted with need. Christ Jesus, the woman had him well and fully at her mercy, and she didn’t even know it.

Laughter echoed through the air behind him, and Gideon turned his head to see a small cohort of the Rockwood family walking toward them. Louisa was the first to reach them, and she greeted Phoebe warmly.

“Oh, Phoebe, you look beautiful. That dress is the perfect color for you.” Louisa lightly kissed his wife’s cheek and then the other. “And now you’re the Countess of Chelmsford. How wonderfully romantic.”

The youngest of the Rockwood family turned to a tall man behind her wearing a black eye patch. Dressed in the traditional Scottish formalwear, the man cut a striking figure. Terrible scars extended past the man’s leather eye covering, and Gideon’s gaze fell on the black glove covering one of the Scotsman’s hands. Apparently, the man had lost more than just an eye. Gideon noted the Black Watch pin on the Scotsman’s kilt. The Scottish regiment was known for their fearlessness and bravery on the field of battle. In all likelihood, the Scotsman had earned his battle scars somewhere in the Sudan.

“I don’t believe either one of you have met my betrothed, the Earl of Argaty.” Love made her face glow as Louisa touched the man’s arm and gestured toward Gideon and Phoebe. “Ewan, this is the Earl and Countess of Chelmsford. Gideon is a dear friend of the family. He and Sebastian attended Cambridge together.

“A pleasure, my lady.” Argaty bowed over Phoebe’s hand, then turned and used his left hand to shake Gideon’s in an awkward move. “Lord Chelmsford.”

The earl stepped aside to allow Percy and Rhea to cheerfully greet the two of them with their best wishes. As Rhea joined Louisa and Argaty to converse with Phoebe, Percy clapped him on the shoulder.

“I was delighted when Sebastian said he’d stood with you at your wedding, Gideon. I’ll be honest, I thought you were hell-bent on avoiding marriage.” Percy shook his head as he grinned. “But I have to agree with my brother. It appears being married suits you.”

“It does,” Gideon said with a smile as his gaze turned to look at Phoebe. Almost as if she could sense his gaze, she turned her head slightly. Their eyes met, and the smile on her face as she looked at him made his heart crashed into his chest. Reluctantly, he turned away from his wife’s smile to look at Percy. “I can’t remember a time when I’ve ever been happier.”

“Well, all marriages have the occasional rough spots, but I cannot recommend the institution enough.”

“I think I’ll collect my bride for a dance.” Gideon nodded toward the doorway as the orchestra began to play a waltz.

“An excellent idea,” Percy exclaimed as he moved toward Rhea.

Moments later, Gideon guided Phoebe out onto the dance floor. As he pulled her into his arms, she smiled up at him. The sweetness of her smile made his heart swell in his chest. Gideon had no idea what he’d done to deserve the happiness he was feeling at the moment, and he didn’t want to know. All that mattered was that Phoebe was his, and he would do whatever it took to make her happy.

“You’re looking pleased with yourself,” Phoebe said with a laugh. “What are you thinking?”

“That I’m happy.”

“Oh,” she gasped softly and averted her gaze. Gideon’s gut twisted into painful knots.

“Am I to assume you’re not?” he asked. Phoebe jerked her head with a look of surprise on her sweet features.

“No. Not at all. I mean…I am quite content.”

“Just content?” Gideon’s lips twisted in a small, ironic smile. He had his work cut out for him when it came to capturing her heart. “You cut me to the quick, Lady Chelmsford.”

“I regret having done so.” Phoebe laughed as she met his gaze, and he drew in a sharp breath at the intoxicating sensation her smile had on his body. “If it pleases you for me to say I’m happy, then I shall.”

“Thus it begins.” Gideon arched his eyebrows as he met her gaze. “A wife agreeing with her husband simply to silence his protests.”

“I am doing no such thing.”

Phoebe laughed and wrinkled her nose at him in the most adorable fashion, and frustration swept through him that they were here instead of at home. A small voice in his head reminded him they were leaving for their wedding trip in a few days. He would have plenty of time to woo his wife then. And he had every intention of sweeping Phoebe off her feet.

The waltz was over far too quickly, and Gideon guided Phoebe to the edge of the dance floor, where Constance and her husband, the Earl of Lyndham, greeted them. Phoebe was laughing at a witty remark Constance had made when Gideon saw Edith out of the corner of his eye. The woman was obviously making her way toward them, but her progress was hindered by several different people stopping her from reaching them. Determined to protect Phoebe, Gideon leaned over to brush his lips across her ear.

“I just saw someone I know, and I need to have a word with them. I won’t be gone long. Will you be all right until I return?”

“Of course,” she said with a ready smile. “Constance will keep me occupied until you return.”