Taming The Viscountess Page 9

  Her friend? In her anticipation, she’d momentarily forgotten she’d even left the townhouse that day. Clearing her throat, she shifted so that she wasn’t making herself so obviously available to him. She had leaned closer to him without even being aware of it.

  “It was good,” she said.

  “What did you two talk about?”

  “Things that ladies discuss when they’re together.”

  He waited for her to say more, but she felt her answer didn’t warrant further explanation so she didn’t continue.

  “Since I’m not a lady and I don’t have any sisters, you’re going to have to educate me,” he said. “What do ladies discuss?”

  Her brother and Corin had never cared to know what ladies talked about, so she couldn’t understand why Sebastian did. But then, she saw no reason not to answer him. Not when sitting close to him was strangely pleasing to her.

  “We talked about our marriage,” Celia told him. “Would you believe we’re mentioned in the Tittletattle? I ended up in the scandalsheets because my brother arranged this marriage between us.”

  “You were willing to go through with a scandal to marry Lord Durrant.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t count. It failed. Besides, that only made the second page of the paper. We were on the very first one.”

  He laughed. “We made the first page?”

  “Are you happy about that?”

  “I think it’s hilarious that a marriage is worthy of the front page of the Tittletattle.”

  “I suppose it’ll help you in that silly wager you’re making with those gentlemen at White’s.”

  He stopped laughing and straightened up, as if he suddenly remembered something. “Celia, this is very important. In fact, it’s why I brought you in here. Did you mention the wager to Loretta?”

  “No. It’s embarrassing to find out gentlemen are betting on how awful I am.” Then, leaning toward him again, she asked, “Who exactly took part in that bet?”

  “It’s important you don’t mention a word of this wager to anyone.”

  She frowned. Why did he ignore her question?

  “I need that money,” he said, still pretending he hadn’t heard her question. “It’s a sizable amount I stand to acquire in six months. That would benefit you as well as it would me.”

  Deciding to let her question go unanswered, she asked, “How much money are we talking about?”

  “Thirty-six pounds.”

  She gasped. “Thirty-six pounds? And only in six months?”

  He nodded. “But I’ll only get it if no one else outside of White’s learns about the wager. So can you keep it a secret?”

  “For thirty-six pounds? I sure can! Oh, let’s go to a ball! I can embarrass you in front of the entire Ton in one evening. It might make those gentlemen put more money into the bet.”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary. Thirty-six pounds is more than enough. I was surprised those gentlemen have so much money to waste.”

  “How much will you pay if you lose?”

  “I won’t lose.”

  While she couldn’t help but admire his confidence, she said, “There is always a possibility of losing, no matter how small it is. I thought there was nothing that could go wrong with the scandal I had planned, but I’m married to you instead of Corin.”

  “You swore you wouldn’t mention anything to anyone about this.”

  “I won’t break my promise. I just want to know how much you wagered.”

  “Three pounds. Everyone there put in three pounds.”

  “Does that mean twelve gentlemen think I’m awful?”

  He gave her a look that indicated he didn’t want to answer the question, which only led her to believe it was more than that who thought horrible things of her. Not everyone had entered the bet. Only twelve had. So how many of them thought she was awful?

  Sebastian patted her hand. “They’re all weak. You can’t trust a land lover to show any courage.” He stood up and grabbed his crutch. “Now you may change into another gown.”

  She thought of demanding exactly how many gentlemen had an unfair opinion about her. But did she really want to know? With a sigh, she decided not to press the issue and left the room.

  Chapter Nine

  During dinner, Sebastian glanced at Celia across the table as she quietly ate the fish and vegetables on her plate. At least this evening, she had joined him for dinner. True, she had willingly talked to him earlier that day, but it was still nice to know she had volunteered to join him. It was a big step in their marriage.

  He didn’t fool himself into believing they wouldn’t have some more difficulties along the way. Even with unruly crewmen, there were moments of peace. He wouldn’t bother wondering what the next point of contention between them would be about. That would come soon enough. He would just enjoy the peace while it was there.

  All that being the case, though, he could tell something was bothering her, and since he wished to establish a good relationship with her, he spoke up.

  “Are you one of those ladies who prefer to keep quiet when something is bothering you, or do you like to talk about it?” he asked.

  “I have no trouble speaking about things that are bothering me,” she replied in such a matter-of-fact tone that he couldn’t help but chuckle.

  Her eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t see why that’s amusing.”

  “It was exactly the kind of thing I expected you to say.”

  She swallowed the fish she’d been chewing and frowned at him. “Then why did you ask the question?”

  “Because it was the only way I could think of to get you to start talking to me. So what’s bothering you? Do you blame me for trapping you into this marriage?”

  “No, I don’t blame you for the marriage. I blame my brother. You’re a captain. When you see an opportunity, you take it.”

  “Should I take that as a compliment?”

  She shrugged as she speared her fork through the broccoli on her plate. “I would do the exact same thing if I were you.”

  “If you were me, you would marry you?”

  He meant it as a joke, but she seemed particularly serious as she said, “I would take the money Anthony offered me. I know I have a significant dowry. It was one of the few things my parents left me. If I were you, I would have rushed to take the money.”

  “Are you bothered that more gentlemen weren’t eager to get their hands on your dowry?”

  “No. I had only wished to marry one.” She ate her broccoli then let out a long sigh. “If you really want to know, I’m trying to figure out why Lady Eloise did some troubling things to my friend.” She made eye contact with him. “Are you familiar with Ladies of Grace?”

  “No, I can’t say that I am.”

  “It’s an exclusive group. Gentlemen have their gentlemen’s clubs. Ladies have Ladies of Grace, except we don’t accept just anyone. We’re selective in who gets to join.”

  “White’s doesn’t accept just anyone, either. I had to barge my way into the establishment in order to talk to your brother when he was there.”

  To his surprise, her eyes lit up in interest. “You did?”

  “I would have gotten thrown out if I hadn’t insisted on staying.” Noting the slight smile on her lips, he asked, “Did I just give you a reason to like me?”

  “Well, I do admire someone who knows what he wants and goes after it, especially if there’s opposition to it.”

  Since she wasn’t one to offer a compliment unless she meant it, a strange surge of pleasure swept over him. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. He’d never concerned himself with silly matters like feelings before. For him, action meant everything. Feelings were irrelevant. He suspected she was ruled more by her feelings than logic, which was the only reason she would run headlong into a scandal the way she had.

  “Anyway,” Celia continued after she took a sip of her wine, “I am troubled by the way Lady Eloise treated Loretta. Loretta was the friend I visit
ed today.”

  “Yes, I remember. What did Lady Eloise do to Loretta?”

  “She lied to Loretta about the time of her dinner party, and she tried to get Loretta’s husband into her bed. Loretta’s always been a kind person. I’m afraid people are inclined to take advantage of her.”

  “Like Lady Eloise is doing?”

  She nodded. “When Loretta and I joined Ladies of Grace, I was led to believe that all the ladies in the group were bound to be good to one another. We could lie or try to take someone else’s husband as a lover if we wanted, but we weren’t to betray one another. I don’t like knowing that is not the case. What’s the point in being a part of something when you can’t trust the others in the group?”

  “I happen to agree with you. A captain must have crewmen who will be loyal to him at all times. Otherwise, he runs the risk of mutiny. A smart captain does everything he can to avoid it by choosing the right crewmen to join him out to sea.”

  She thought over his statement and nodded. “You’re right. There’s no point in being in something if you know the others in the group want to betray you. Loretta was wise. She left the group. I’m going to do the same thing. In fact, I think I’ll start my own group. Lady Eloise isn’t the only one who knows how to impress important people. I can, too. I’ve been studying etiquette for a long time now, and even if some gentlemen are afraid of me, ladies aren’t. I know some daughters, sisters, and wives who have influence. And Loretta will be the very first member of my very exclusive group.”

  He smiled. He really liked the way she thought. Yes, he could see why she intimidated many gentlemen. Most wanted a wife who would do whatever they wanted. Celia was a lady who could think for herself, and more than that, she wasn’t going to let anyone stand in her way. If she had been born a gentleman and if he could have secured her loyalty on a ship, she would have been his first mate.

  “What will you call this group?” he asked.

  “I don’t know yet, but when I come up with the name, it’s going to be better than Ladies of Grace.”

  “I’m sure it will.” He would expect no less than that from someone of her determination. With a grin, he turned his attention back to the meal in front of him. “And I’m sure you’ll make it better than Lady Eloise’s group.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you being serious when you say that, or are you saying that just to please me?”

  Surprised she would even assume he didn’t mean what he said, he lowered his fork and made eye contact with her. “I never say anything unless I mean it.”

  Her expression softened. “Good. Because I can do it.”

  “I know you can. I have a feeling that you can do anything you want if you want it badly enough.”

  “I can if there isn’t anyone getting in my way.”

  “You don’t think Lady Eloise will get in your way?”

  “Oh, she’ll try. I have no doubt about that. But this isn’t something that requires others to do something for me. It’s only when I need someone’s help that I end up getting into trouble.”

  It was curious that she should word things that way. “Does it bother you if you need someone’s help?”

  “Yes.” She picked up her glass and paused. “You can’t control what another person does. All you can control is what you do.” Then she took a sip of her wine.

  He crossed his arms and studied her. “Are you saying this because you weren’t able to marry the gentleman you wanted, or do you feel that way about other things?”

  She set the glass down. “I think that with other things, too. My failed attempt at the scandal just happened to be the event that made it all clear to me. If I want things to be done right, I need to take care of them myself. Loretta would have done a good job. She’s loyal in all things. It was just her blasted conscience that wouldn’t let her go through with it.”

  Surprised she should say the word blasted in such a casual manner, he chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “You say exactly what’s on your mind with no regard to who else is around.” He gestured to the butler who wasn’t all that far from them.

  “I said that word a lot while I was forced to finish the wedding breakfast.” She paused. “In fact, I said worse than that before I was finally done. My grandparents would have been ashamed if they’d heard me. But he’s a butler. He can’t punish me for saying what I want.” Then her eyebrows rose in interest. “Will you take it upon yourself to serve up a punishment for my unladylike words?”

  “No. I’ve heard much worse on the ship. You can go around London saying whatever you want for all I care.”

  “I would never talk that way in public. I only do it when I’m alone.” With a glance at the butler, she shrugged. “Or when I won’t be held accountable for what I say. I’m not a simpleton. I know when it’s appropriate to do something and when it isn’t.”

  He grinned. She was a wonderful contradiction. She was dressed very much like a proper lady. She held herself well. Her back was straight. She took small bites and drank in sips. He could tell she’d been raised to have the best of manners. But it was all a pretense to hide the passionate person that lingered just beneath the surface.

  “I hope you know,” he began, leaning forward, “that I’m very happy with our marriage. I realize I’m not the gentleman you wanted, but you’re the kind of lady I’ve always wanted to be with. I think if you gave me a chance, you’d see that we are a good match.”

  She didn’t respond. Not that he had expected her to. She was still in love with Corin. That much was obvious. And though she had no trouble speaking her mind, she didn’t want to tell him something he didn’t want to hear. But he knew. She didn’t have to come out and say it. Even if she didn’t blame him for this marriage and even if she admitted she would have done the same thing if she were him, he still wasn’t her first choice.

  Perhaps, in time, that would change. They had only married yesterday. She needed to get used to the idea of being his wife. He was able to make peace with the arrangement right away because he hadn’t loved anything except the sea. She didn’t have to compete for his affections with another lady.

  His attention went back to his plate, and they continued eating the meal in silence.

  ***

  That evening, Celia decided not to bar the doors of her bedchamber before she went to bed. She wasn’t quite sure if she hoped Sebastian would come into her room or not. She hadn’t come out and invited him to her bed, but she hadn’t told him that he wasn’t welcome, either. Perhaps if they’d had a proper courtship and she’d accepted his proposal, the whole matter wouldn’t be as confusing as it was.

  Part of her did like him. There was something exciting about him. He was nothing like her brother. Her brother was so easily manipulated, but she had a feeling Sebastian was telling her the truth: he did exactly what he wanted regardless of what others thought of him. He barged right into White’s without being invited there. No other gentleman in London would have dared to do such a thing. That was, by far, the most impressive thing she’d ever heard of anyone doing. Lady Eloise might have been excited about Loretta’s husband, but Celia thought Sebastian was a lot more intriguing.

  Celia let out a sigh and rolled onto her back. Trying to sleep was proving to be an impossible task. It didn’t help that her body ached to let Sebastian touch and kiss her again. It was his fault. If he hadn’t brought her so much pleasure earlier that day, she wouldn’t know how much better it felt when he gave her an orgasm than when she did it to herself.

  She wasn’t going to get any sleep if she didn’t get rid of the ache between her legs, and the longer she waited for him, the more painful it was getting. With a groan, she got out of bed and went to the door connecting their bedchambers. She wasn’t sure if he had chosen to block her from entering his bedchamber or not. She wouldn’t have blamed him if he did since she’d done that to him, but the least she could do was test the doorknob.

  It tur
ned out that he hadn’t locked her out. She peeked into the room. Moonlight filtered through the bedchamber, allowing her just enough light to make out the furniture in the room. She heard a light moan come from the bed. Appalled, her jaw dropped. Sebastian wouldn’t bring another lady to his bed when she was in the other room, would he?

  She stormed over to his bed, fully intending to catch him in the act of ultimate betrayal, but to her surprise, he was by himself.

  He jerked straight up in the bed as soon as he saw her. “What are you doing?” he asked in alarm.

  It was then she realized he’d been taking care of himself. Maybe she should have been embarrassed to have caught him in such a vulnerable position, but it excited her to know he had been so aroused from the time he’d spent with her when she was bathing that he had a similar ache to hers.

  “I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted. “Mind if I join you in bed?”

  When his eyebrows furrowed as if he wasn’t sure she was being serious, she decided to prove she was by removing her chemise. His gaze traced the length of her body for a moment before he drew back the blanket and invited her to join him.

  Out of curiosity, she let her gaze sweep over his body, just as he’d done with hers. For a moment, she noted his right leg, which had been cut off just below the knee. The stump had healed well, at least it looked like it had. But her gaze didn’t linger there. It settled on his erection.

  She knew what happened when a gentleman took care of his needs, but she hadn’t actually seen a gentleman do it. Interest piqued, she slipped into the bed beside him.

  “Does my lack of a full leg bother you?” he asked.

  “No. It’s not your leg I’m interested in.” Then, on its own accord, her gaze returned to his erection. “I’ve never seen a gentleman release his seed. Do you mind if I watch while you take care of yourself?”

  The corner of his mouth turned up. “Would you rather do it for me?”

  “You’ll let me do that?” She’d read about the technique, though she’d never done it.