The Viscount's Rose (The Farthingale Series Book 5) Read online

  Her eyes widened and she gasped. “How can you be certain?”

  “They’ve made no secret of their desperate desire to keep me away from Valentina. Of course I know. The entire family disapproves of her.” He groaned. “Rose, you must have suspected something. Were all my siblings involved? Even little Emily?”

  “No, she went in to take her nap before the effects of the wine overcame you. She’s completely unaware.” She began to wring her hands again. “Well, mostly unaware. She might have overheard a snippet or two of the plot, but I’m sure she didn’t understand it.”

  “You must have overheard some of it, too. Obviously not all of it or you would have warned me, even if it was only to save your pretty neck.” No, he wasn’t being fair to accuse Rose. “Sorry, I spoke out of turn. I know you’re confused and trying to be loyal to my sister. Loyalty is a commendable trait, but it is misplaced here. My family is to blame and will be punished.”

  She frowned at him. “Will you take no responsibility for this situation? Granted, your family might have stepped a little over the line.”

  He laughed in disbelief. “A little over the line? Surely you jest? They are leaps and bounds across any possible—”

  “Them? And what of your behavior?” Rose tipped her chin up in defiance. “Your siblings love you and only wish to see you happy.”

  “They have an odd way of showing it. Come to think of it, why are you still protecting them? You ought to be furious about what they did to you. Or have you not been quite truthful with me?”

  She emitted a huff of indignation. “Me? How am I to blame for your poor judgment?”

  “My…” He raked a hand through his hair. Of course, they all had to be wondering how he could be so idiotic as to worship Valentina. He knew his family loved him, but it was a little frightening to realize the extent to which they’d go to protect him from himself. They’d drugged and abducted him! No wonder their grandfather had referred to him and his siblings as little savages.

  In truth, they were, but so was his uncle, that old badger. Julian had dismissed the wild stories he’d heard about the earl’s exploits in his younger days as mere exaggeration, but no longer. “Rose, I need to know all of it now. Were you in on this scheme to some extent? Perhaps hoping to trap me into marriage? Tell me the truth and I’ll go easy on you. But you must tell me everything. You must have been aware that something was going on. Nicola adores you. She’d keep nothing from you.”

  Her eyes widened and her chin began to quiver. Oh, hell. He’d pushed her too hard and she was about to cry. “Not this!” she said with a gasp. “Not drugging you and bringing you here. And I would never agree to being stranded here with you. How dare you presume such a thing! How dare you believe I’m a base creature who would scheme to trap you into marriage! I’d never do such a thing.”

  She was working herself into a temper and he was fully to blame. Now that she was riled, not even his attempt at apology slowed her down.

  “What’s happened is a mere inconvenience to you, but the consequences are disastrous for me,” she said, her hands now curled into fists. “Surely, you understand this. I wish to marry for love, not out of necessity and shame. I wish to marry a man who loves me with all his heart and looks forward to sharing the rest of his life with me, not one who’ll feel resentful whenever he looks upon me.”

  He expected tears, for he had been a bit harsh with the girl. Instead she frowned, regarding him as though this mess was one of his own making and entirely his fault. “If you knew how much they disliked your icy countess, then why did you continue to court her? You obviously love your family and care very deeply for their feelings. More important, why did you kiss me? Or tell me that I take your breath away?” She appeared to grow angrier as she spoke. “You have a scheme as well.” Her chin was no longer quivering but tipped upward in defiance. “Kindly keep me out of your family disagreements. I don’t wish to be hurt by whatever game it is you’re playing.”

  He raked his fingers through his hair again, irritated that she’d managed to cast the blame on him and not his outrageously impulsive family. “It’s no game.” But he couldn’t tell her the real purpose of his courtship of Valentina. “Rose, you’ll just have to trust that I know what I’m doing. I promise you that I shall make things right in due course.”

  He sighed and shook his head. “I know you’re angry with me and although you’re still protecting them, I expect you’re furious with my family for dragging you into their nefarious plot.”

  She studied her toes for a long moment, then raised her pained gaze to meet his steely stare. “I’m sorry I ever met you. I wish none of this had happened. I was managing quite well on my own and didn’t need you to further complicate my life. And I certainly don’t need to marry you to validate my own worth.”

  Rose was right. He’d unfairly judged her, assuming she’d gone along with his family’s scheme in order to trap him into marriage, but it wasn’t so. Rose wasn’t that sort of girl. She had spirit and talent and so much heart. “I’m truly sorry for what I said. I had no right to accuse you. It’s obvious you’re innocent in all this and merely trying to protect my loved ones from my wrath.”

  She opened her mouth to respond and then snapped it shut, so he continued. “It’s commendable of you. I know you like my family, but what they did to both of us, especially you, is unpardonable.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at her. She was of average height and he stood a head taller, but he liked the way she still managed to stand her ground. “They went to a lot of effort to accomplish very little. They would have delayed my return to London for only another day or two at most.”

  Rose nodded. “They would have come up with another plot to detain you by then.”

  “I suppose I’ll find out soon enough what it is they intend to do next. But getting you safely back to Darnley Cottage is the problem at hand. How do I accomplish it without causing scandal? We’ll have to be careful and keep out of sight. Can’t have a villager or a gentleman walking these scenic trails recognize us.”

  “Um, do you know where we are?”

  He nodded. “On Darnley property. My uncle’s hunting lodge, no doubt. He hasn’t used it in years, but it has obviously been dusted and restocked. Recently.” He returned to the chest, donned his boots and the fresh shirt conveniently provided for him, and then stared out the window again. “Since the blackguards turned out to be my own family, I suppose there’s no need for us to escape until the weather improves.”

  He lit the lantern as the darker clouds approached, turning the late afternoon sky as black as night. “Make yourself comfortable, Rose. Are you cold?” He held out a chair and motioned for her to sit. When she did so, he returned to the chest and grabbed his jacket to tuck it over her trembling shoulders.

  He was furious, but also elated.

  A night alone with Rose.

  Could he keep his hands off her?

  Hell no.

  CHAPTER 10

  ROSE FELT THE steady beat of Julian’s heart against her cheek and the warmth of his strong embrace. His fingers stroked up and down her back, gently caressing her until she floated down from the celestial heights he’d sent her to. Is this how it would always be between them?

  She’d tasted whiskey and traces of currant scones on his breath as he’d kissed her on the mouth, his kisses deep and probing and unrestrained. Despite the wild heat in his eyes and the coiled tension in his body, she had not been afraid that he would force her to go beyond what she was willing to do. In truth, she was willing to be led anywhere with him because of the way he held her, his touch always gentle and protective despite his superior strength.

  Knowing she was safe with him had allowed her wanton urges to break free, and as he’d kissed a scorching path down her body, she’d done the same in return, making her way along the muscles and musky heat of his chest and shoulders.

  The two of them were still in disarray. His shirt was off, his mus
cled torso in full view, including the scars that again brought an ache to her heart. But those imperfections were what made him perfect. Heroically ideal. There was a wondrous, bronze sheen glowing from him, surely an effect of the firelight.

  Her camisole was wrapped around her waist, her own pale body open to his full view. Not that the sheer fabric would have covered much in any event.

  His eyes turned smoky green as he studied her. “Trust me, Rose. No matter what you may see or hear once we’re back in London.”

  She hesitated.

  He sighed. “I know. I don’t deserve it. My actions have been unforgivable, but they’re not dishonest. I can’t abide dishonesty, for it reveals a mean and petty spirit. You wouldn’t understand it. You’re too kind and noble in purpose.”

  She glanced down at herself. “Does this look noble to you?” She tried to straighten her clothes, but he stopped her with the gentle grasp of her hands.

  “Yes, in fact it’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever beheld. Don’t cover yourself up just yet. I love the way you look. The pink of your breasts, the cream of your skin, the deep blue of your eyes, and the fiery gold of your tumbling hair. There isn’t anything lovelier than you on this earth.”

  “And you’re not being dishonest?”

  He lightly brushed back a lock of her hair. “No, sweetheart.”

  She leaned into the gentle touch of his hand across her brow. She wanted this for the rest of her life.

  She wanted him.

  I love you, Julian.

  But how could she admit it to him now? They were trapped here because of the scheme she’d set into motion. It mattered little that his family had carried it out well beyond the bounds of reason. To drug them and trap them in this hunting lodge together was madness, but she’d lose him if she confessed the truth now.

  No, don’t tell him. Hang on to him a little while longer.

  She’d tell him all in the morning when her head was less muddled. Indeed, there were a hundred reasons not to spill all yet, most important among them a purely selfish one. She wanted to hold on to the magic of this night a little longer.

  She wanted forever, but knew she would have to be satisfied with this one moment.

  The truth would come out along with the rise of tomorrow’s sun. She rested her head against Julian’s chest, soothed by the strong, steady beat of his heart and the protective warmth of his arms wrapped around her.

  Tonight she’d revel in the magic, even if it was a lie.

  “Rose, you’re awake. I’m glad. We must talk,” Julian said, hearing her quiet footsteps as she tiptoed into the kitchen the next morning. She was trying not to disturb his sleep as she wiped the fog off the window and peered out.

  She turned to him in surprise. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  “You didn’t.” If only she realized just how badly sleep had eluded him. Despite the drugs and whiskey that ought to have put him in a stupor and left him loudly snoring through the night, he’d been up and pacing into the wee hours thinking of her. “This thing that’s happened between us—”

  “I know,” she said, her voice laced with ache as she eased from the window she’d just cleaned with the sleeve of her gown. The sun was now streaming in and it took a moment of squinting against its brilliance for his eyes to adjust. When they did, he saw just how fragile she appeared, for her gaze was uncertain and filled with doubt, as though she knew he was about to break her heart. “Please let me speak first, Julian. There’s something important I must tell you. It’s been weighing heavily on my heart.”

  He rolled to a sitting position and groaned as his muscles rebelled against his slightest movement. As dawn broke, he’d finally stretched out atop the kitchen table, preferring it to the floor that he would have had to share with a family of field mice who’d been forced to seek shelter from the rain. “Rose, I—”

  “Truly, it’s important and if I don’t confess now, I don’t think I’ll have the strength to do it later.”

  “Confess?” He arched an eyebrow, at first certain she was in jest but realizing her expression was anything but mirthful. Now he was curious as to what this enchanting innocent could have done that was so devastating. “Go on,” he said with a nod, unable to imagine that Rose held any deep, dark secrets.

  She remained standing beside the window, unwilling to approach him, and took a deep breath before she began to speak. And then another. “I plotted against you. In fact, I instigated the entire affair.”

  He shook his head and laughed. “Rose, you don’t have to lie to me to protect my family from my wrath.”

  “That’s the thing. It isn’t a lie. I came up with the plan to lure you to the Cotswolds and other schemes to keep you here for the entire week. Oh, not the part about knocking you out and dragging you to this hunting lodge or bringing me along with you, but… everything else… mostly everything, was mine.” Having started, she now blurted the rest. “So I completely understand if you never wish to see me again. Or speak to me ever again. I deserve it. I’m so sorry, Julian. I never meant for all this to happen. It’s all my fault that it did.”

  He stood and took a step toward her. “So you weren’t an innocent victim?”

  She skittered back, falling onto the window seat as the backs of her legs struck it and knocked her off balance. “No. As I said, I came up with the original scheme… with the help of my sisters.” She swallowed hard. “I’m not that clever, but I told them about Nicola’s worries about you and Valentina and I understood immediately when Lily explained about lions and tigers and other such animals who roam across the African plains. You know, hunting beasts, and how they separate their prey from the herd and then pounce on that poor, defenseless creature.”

  He took another step toward her.

  “Only, you’re rather big and not so defenseless, but that’s neither here nor there. The point is, that’s all we contrived to do with you at first, separate you from your London friends. For some reason Nicola thought I would be bait for you. It was ridiculously easy—all we had to do was request that you escort us all to Darnley Cottage.” The little nub of her throat was madly bobbing up and down. “But your siblings and dear aunt and uncle—they’re quite delightful, by the way, if one overlooks this barbaric stunt—worried that it wasn’t enough, so apparently they decided to… to… well, this.” She waved her arms to encompass their situation. “So I was also abducted—quite by surprise, I had no idea that was coming—and dropped here with you.”

  “You were completely unaware?” He tried to stem his anger but wasn’t doing a very good job of it.

  “Of course! What sort of girl do you take me for?” He had no need to respond to the question, for her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink and she began to stammer an answer to her own question. “A terrible girl, I know. That is, I do understand that I’ve behaved abominably in…” She sighed and her cheeks now turned to crimson flames. “But the passion I felt last night under your expert tutelage was exquisitely real.” She cleared her throat. “Yes, but that doesn’t excuse my actions. Abominable in every possible fashion. I completely understand if you consider what happened last night a mistake.”

  Having been up to her eyeballs in schemes, having lied to him, was he now expected to believe that her response to his touch was honest? Was she even a virgin?

  Hell, yes. She hadn’t faked that.

  Still, it didn’t excuse her other behavior.

  “It was a mistake,” he said, trying to sound unaffected, but the girl had gotten to his heart and getting her out of it was not going to be easy. He drew close, but ignored her hopeful gaze as he peered out the window. “Now that the storm has passed, I’ll return you to Darnley Cottage and then I’m heading straight to London.”

  “You’re still going to London?” At first she appeared incredulous, then her chin began to quiver and her eyes watered as she realized that he meant it.

  He nodded. “This afternoon.”

  “Oh.” Her chin was stil
l quivering and her eyes were now glistening. He wasn’t certain he could remain angry if she broke down and cried. Damn, she’d burrowed herself that deeply into his heart. All a lie. Were those tears she appeared about to shed also a lie?

  “It’s for the best.”

  “Back to your countess?” She took a deep, ragged breath and let it out slowly.

  “Yes. Nothing’s changed. I apologize if I’ve misled you. No harm done. You were mostly faking anyway. As was I.”

  “You were?” She gasped. “Not about that. You couldn’t have been. It was real. It felt so right. I’ll treasure the moment always. Won’t you?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “What? I’ve offended you?” She deserved his anger, but he felt no glee in distancing himself from her. Even if she were telling the truth about her response to his touch, which had been spectacular in every way, he still had to keep her safely out of the way while he dismantled Valentina’s spy operation. Once that was done, he’d decide if he ever wanted to see her again. “Forget it, Rose. I assure you that my family will keep this incident quiet and you’ll have nothing to fear going forward. I’ll return to Valentina, and you—”

  “No!” She shook her head and then her fingers curled into fists at her sides and her eyes began to blaze. “Are you jesting? I know you don’t love her. I know there’s something mysterious going on that forces you to remain with her. My behavior may have been unpardonable, but that doesn’t change the fact that this woman is wrong for you and that she’ll make you miserable for the rest of your days if you… if you… I don’t even dare say it. Simply put, you don’t belong with her.”

  He reached for his shirt and slipped it on, not bothering to adjust the cuffs that were still rolled up from the night before. “We’ll give it another hour or two for the sun to dry the wooded footpaths and then we’ll go.”