Page 93 of The Rogue’s Countess

“Did you hear what I said, Gideon?”

His mother’s voice barely registered with him as he whirled around and headed toward the door. As he brushed past Lady Wrotham, he heard her speak his name again.

“Not now, Mama. I need to see Phoebe.”

His stride long and fast, he charged out of the library, crossed the entryway, and ran up the steps. In less than a minute, he was outside Phoebe’s door. Gideon raised his hand to knock, but stopped. What if he was wrong? A voice in the back of his head chastised him for wavering. Gently he knocked on the door’s wood paneling and waited for her to answer the knock.

When the door didn’t open, and there was no sound from within, his body tightened with fear. Slowly opening the door, he saw Phoebe standing at the window, which looked out over the garden that adjoined the solarium. As if suddenly sensing she wasn’t alone, Phoebe looked over her shoulder. Her eyes widened in surprise before she turned to stare out the window again.

“Go away, Gideon.”

The listless note in Phoebe’s voice twisted his insides, and Gideon didn’t move for a moment before he stepped fully into the room and shut the door behind him. At the sound of the door clicking shut, he saw her sag slightly, and a small sound echoed out of her. It was a soft cry of pain that tore into him with the savagery of a wild animal. He took a step forward, and the moment the floor squeaked beneath his feet, Phoebe whirled around to face him. Trepidation furrowed her brow before her expression became cold and devoid of any emotion.

“Since you refuse to leave, am I to assume you wish to collect the first installment of my penance?” Her voice was icier than a winter’s wind, and Gideon’s gut knotted up at her question.

“I deserved that,” he said quietly. Phoebe jerked slightly as her eyes widened, and her expression became one of humorless skepticism. Gideon winced at her disbelief. Once more, her features became devoid of emotion, and she turned away to stare out the window once more.

“If you’re not here to demand your rights as a husband, then leave.”

“I’ll go if you answer one question and answer it truthfully.”

Tension wound his muscles tight as he waited for her to agree to his request. After a long moment, she nodded but didn’t turn away from the window.

“If I said I loved you, would you believe me?” At his soft question, she didn’t move, but he saw her shudder. “Phoebe, look at me.”

When she didn’t turn around, he slowly closed the distance between them. Fear wrapped a vise around his chest as he halted a foot away from her. Afraid she might dart away from him, Gideon didn’t try to touch her. Instead, he stood quietly behind her. Muscles knotted with tension, he cleared his throat.

“I love you, Phoebe. I have since that night at Montjoy’s. I didn’t understand what I was feeling, but the harder I fought it, the harder it was for me to deny that I loved you.”

Phoebe didn’t move. She simply stood motionless in front of him, so close and yet so far away. Gideon’s stomach twisted viciously into knots as fear sent his heart slamming into his chest as if it were a battering ram. God help him. If he was wrong, he would be in hell.

“I said I would go if you would answer my question truthfully, but you’ve still not answered me.” Gideon dragged in a ragged breath as dread wound its way through him. “Look at me, Phoebe. Do I go or stay?”

The words were barely out of Gideon’s mouth before a quiet sob escaped Phoebe, and she whirled around to throw herself into his arms. Uncertain how to interpret her reaction, Gideon remained silent as he wrapped his arms around her and absorbed her violent trembling. After a long moment, she lifted her head to meet his gaze.

“I do love you, Gideon. I love you so much.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she pressed her body back into his. Relief surged through him, and he closed his eyes as he pulled her tight against him. They stood like that for some time until Gideon gently pushed her away from him a few inches.

“I need to explain about last night.”

At his quiet statement, Phoebe grew as still as a wild animal sensing imminent danger. Panic and apprehension were plainly visible on her face as the color drained from her cheeks. In an attempt to ease her fears, he kissed her lightly.

“I told you before we married that our marriage would never resemble the one you had with Helstone. Last night, I made a grave error and unintentionally broke my word to you.”

Phoebe opened her mouth as if about to speak, but he pressed his fingers against her lips and shook his head so he could finish.

“Before the gala, the Duchess of Stockdale led me to believe she intended to cause discord between us and attempt to humiliate you. When I escorted the duchess out of the ballroom last night, it was simply to issue her a warning. I made it clear that if she did anything to cause you pain or humiliation, I would make her deeply regret doing so. But I was so intent on saving you from being hurt that instead of saving you pain, I inflicted it, and I deeply regret doing so.”

“That is an error easy to forgive,” Phoebe whispered as she pressed her forehead into his chest. “My sin isn’t. I’m so sorry I wrote that terrible chapter, Gideon. I was hurt and angry. I know that isn’t an excuse for what I did, but—”

“No more recriminations or apologies, my love.” Gideon bent his head and kissed her. “I burned it. It’s gone. I’m simply relieved to know it’s not what you really think of me.”

“And can you forgive me for mocking you in the Chronicles?” There was a look of apprehension on her face, and Gideon frowned as if seriously debating his response.

“Gideon,” she gasped with a note of fear in her voice. With a grin, he kissed her.

“Forgive me for teasing you, my love. I merely wanted to be sure there wasn’t anything I wanted P. Currer to apologize for publicly.”