Vexing the Viscount

She looked up at him with worry on her face. “Did this exhaust you? I knew we shouldn’t do such a thing until you were completely healed from the poison. I should let you get some—”

“Sweetheart, I am well. After making love, it takes some time before a man is ready to do that again.”

“It does?”

He smiled at her innocence. “Yes.”

“I am learning quite a bit about the male anatomy.” She put her head back down on his shoulder.

“What did you do if someone asked you a question about such things?”

“I referred them to my mother.”

He chuckled. “I think I’d prefer you to your mother when discussing such things. She is . . .” His voice trailed off so as not to insult her mother.

“A termagant?”

“Now, I wouldn’t have called your mother that,” he said in an innocent tone.

This time she laughed. “I would. Sometimes I think she scares her patients as well.” She sobered. “Honestly, her patients respect her completely.”

“I have heard she is excellent at what she does.”

“Yes,” she said faintly. “Definitely better than me.”

Braden closed his eyes. He was certain she was thinking back to her patient that died of the belladonna poisoning. If only there was some way of helping her get over her guilt. He rolled her over onto her back and stared down at her. “Have you ever asked your mother if she suffered something similar to what you are going through with that child?”

She shook her head. “No. How could I? She is the one who told me to let it go and learn from it.”

He cupped her cheek with his hand. “Sweetheart, you did learn from it. I’m living proof of that.”

“I know. And you might not be here if I didn’t take my mother’s advice, but letting that little girl’s death go is impossible.”

He couldn’t imagine the anguish she suffered over this child’s death. He wanted to take away all her pain. Slowly, he brought his head down and kissed her softly. Kissing her warmed his heart in a very unexpected way. He pulled back and stared down at her again. Oh dear God, he loved her.

The shock was almost too much to bear. He hadn’t loved someone since.... Thankfully, a knock on the bedchamber door interrupted his insane thought process.

“My lord, Mr. Adams and Mr. Cranborne are here to see you.”

“I shall be down in a few minutes. Pour them some brandy or tea.”

“Of course, my lord.”

Braden kissed the tip of her nose. “I must go. If you would like to join us in the library that would be fine.”

“Thank you,” she said, before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him sweetly.

“Do that again and I will forgo my friends in lieu of your tempting body.”

She smiled up at him. “Go speak with them. Let your poor body rest a while longer.”

She had no idea that his body was nearly ready to go again. “As you wish.”

Braden dressed quickly and joined his friends in the library. Walking into the room, he said, “Good afternoon. What did you find out?”

He walked to the corner cabinet and poured a brandy for himself. Both of his friends were already sipping their drinks.

“Breaking your vow again?” Jack asked before putting his glass on the table.