The Offer (Baron 2)

“Money,” she said, anger deep in her voice now, “money is one thing, but what you, Phillip Mercerault, have done is quite another.”

That was true, he thought, pleased. He found himself wondering what she was thinking, for her eyes were vague now, and she was looking away from him. She’d said so little during the day, just the vows required during the ceremony, nothing more. She looked too pale. but he would change that soon enough. “There’s just one more waltz you must dance with me. Then, Sabrina, you may retire.”

Lady Dorchester’s words flashed through her mind. She shuddered, unable to prevent it. “No, I really don’t want to retire. I want to remain down here, with you, with our guests.” She saw that he was frowning at her and added in a strained voice, “No, I want to stay right here.”

He saw her furtive glance back up the stairs. It occurred to him then that she was thinking about sex. Sex with him, her husband. The thought of it scared her to her very toes.

He wanted to tell her again that she had nothing to fear from him, that he wasn’t about to force himself on her, but not now. Now wasn’t the time for such a discussion. He held out his hand as the strains of a waltz floated to his ears. “My dance, Sabrina.” He drew her hand through the crook of his arm.

“Keep your chin up. Try to smile. Don’t forget, this is supposed to be the happiest day of your life.” He gave her a huge smile. “It’s my happiest day.”

“You must be jesting with me,” she said, but she did manage a small smile.

“Perhaps I am,” he said, and led her into the waltz.

The colorfully attired group of ladies and gentlemen obligingly parted their ranks as Phillip whirled Sabrina around the dance floor.

She saw Lady Dorchester from the corner of her eye and missed a step. She felt Phillip’s arm tighten about her waist.

He gave her another dazzling smile, even laughed with those white teeth of his as he said, “Show the world how delirious you are to have me.”

“It is possible that I am delirious.”

“Not good enough. Think about my glorious eyelashes.”

That brought a giggle. “Excellent,” he said, dipped down his head, and lightly kissed her ear. “Just excellent.”

30

As the waltz drew to a close, he said, “Are you convinced now that your grandfather is on the mend?”

A genuine smile lit up her face. “Oh yes, Phillip. But his handwriting isn’t as firm as it used to be. That frightens me.”

“His handwriting will recover fully, just as the rest of him will.”

The music stopped and Phillip drew her into his arms and kissed her lightly on her mouth. “Well done. It’s over.” He kissed her hair amid applause and laughter from the ladies and gentlemen. He realized for the first time just how short she was. The top of her head barely came to his neck. Naturally he hadn’t realized it before. Most of the time she’d been flat on her back in bed.

He also realized that she was now his—his responsibility and the future mother of his children. Now that was a thought to make a man pause.

He drew her forward to stand at his side to receive their guests’ parting congratulations. A few were genuinely kind. More were cold, but polite. Some of the gentlemen gave her looks that if Phillip had seen, would have angered him. But for the most part, all had gone well.

One of the last guests to leave was Lady Barresford. She paused at Sabrina’s side. “You’ve managed to carry this off quite well, niece. You are more than fortunate that the viscount is an honorable man.”

“Yes, that is quite true. Thank you, Aunt.” She kept her eyes fastened to a mirror just behind her aunt’s right shoulder.

Lady Barresford nodded toward the viscount. “I bid you good evening, my lord. I leave you to your blushing bride.”

Phillip took Sabrina’s hand, raised it to his lips, and lightly kissed her knuckles. “Sabrina is too tired to blush, ma’am, though I’m certain that she would be inclined to do so at the tasteless comments she’s been forced to endure this evening.”

“That’s as may be,” Lady Barresford said, and drew herself up.

Sabrina saw with relief that Greybar was hovering beside Lady Barresford, her ermine wrap on his arm. “Thank you, Greybar. Her ladyship is on the point of leaving. Good night, Aunt.”

Lady Barresford gave her a look that promised more spiteful words, then allowed Greybar to assist her into her wrap. “Well, niece, you’ve made your bed, and now you may lie in it.”

It was a good shot, she knew it, but Sabrina just stared at her, her head cocked to one side. One thick braid looked in danger of falling. “Men adore innocence,” Lady Barresford added, then turned on her heel, whipped the ermine wrap over her shoulder, and marched out the front door.

Phillip turned to Sabrina. “Ignore her. Ignore all of them. Are you ready to sleep now, Sabrina?”