The Undoing of a Libertine (Somerset Historicals 2)

“Well, he means that he finds greater beauty in a woman when she is in gentle disarray, rather than having her dressed in perfect, ordered arrangement.”

“Do you agree with him?”

“Yes…I’d say that I do.” He touched a finger to her cheekbone. “It reminds me of you.”

Georgina didn’t say anything. She just looked into his deep blue eyes. She couldn’t. There were no words she could form that would prove adequate for all he’d done since coming to her room tonight. All he’d ever done.

“That first time…when we met in the rain. The night in the library when you came at midnight, wearing your hair down. Right now, in this bed, lying next to me.” He caressed with his finger. “You are never more beautiful to me than when you are like this. As you are right now.”

Georgina leaned in to kiss him, feeling it was the most natural response she could give and knowing there was nothing—no words at least—that she could say after such a beautiful declaration. Instead, she drew as close as possible with the blankets still between them and brought her lips to his. He kissed her back, sweetly and soft.

He stayed next to her in the bed, never pressing for more than a kiss or a chaste caress. Jeremy’s gentle, slow kisses and trailing fingers drawn through her hair filled the minutes. She could tell how much he liked touching her hair, and thought it felt wonderful to have him do it.

So they spent their first night together in this way. She floated off to sleep eventually, comforted by his presence and hoping he drew comfort from her. Georgina couldn’t help thinking about what tomorrow would bring, as well as the future with this man who’d come for her just this morning. The person who would guide her life from this point on. The father of her children. The man who said he wanted her and did not care about her past.

She never felt Jeremy leave her bed. When she woke early the next morning, he had already gone. Georgina could still feel his presence clearly though. The lingering trace of spice from his scent was all over her.

Chapter Fourteen

That sweet bondage which is freedom’s self.

—Percy Bysshe Shelley, Queen Mab (1813)

Myers brushed imaginary lint off Jeremy’s jacket while he stood at the mirror remembering the night before. He thought about how Georgina accepted him into her room last night. Trusting him. He’d felt wretched when she’d misunderstood his reasons for coming. Even in her distress, she would’ve let him take her to bed and have his way. As much as he looked forward to bedding her, Jeremy was determined not to foul up the start of his marriage. He prayed to God for mercy in letting him please just do this one thing without gross misstep. He’d get her signature on the wedding certificate first as was right and proper. Georgina deserved as much, and Jeremy was determined she would have it.

She couldn’t know the real reason he’d gone to her room and stayed the night. And he didn’t plan on telling her the “why” of it either. After learning Pellton’s true motivation for marrying Georgina, Jeremy couldn’t get to her fast enough. He’d never known such fear or the need to protect so fiercely. He hadn’t thought too much beyond getting her out of Oakfield and under his protection. It had taken all his strength to wait the few hours needed to procure the special license to wed, dashing off several letters of instruction in the process. The moment the marriage document was in his hand, he’d steered Samson in her direction, and by God if the lovable beast hadn’t sensed his urgency, delivering Jeremy to Georgina’s doorstep in record time. Myers didn’t even arrive at Oakfield until well after dark in the coach. Jeremy believed luck must be courting him because so far all things had neatly fallen into place. He was dressed for his wedding, had won the pledge of his bride, and had a coach to take her away in.

Last night he couldn’t have stayed away from her for any price. And if he’d been forced to, he would have remained awake all night outside her door to ensure no one came to try to take her from him or hurt her. Jeremy did not trust Pellton, not one iota, and as for the nephew, he couldn’t even bear to think on him for even a moment without feeling bile rise up his throat.

But last night… What a treasure. A gift he’d remember until his dying day. Jeremy would never forget how she looked when she opened her robe. Her body was like a dream—a very erotic sexual dream. Long legs, curved hips, and full breasts he couldn’t wait to sample. It had taken all his strength to cover up that luscious body. But even more than her physical attraction, he’d not forget

how wonderful it had felt to sleep beside her, to watch over her while she slept, knowing she was safe and that she’d belong to him always. Early this morning, he’d reluctantly left her bed before the servants rose for the day. The sight of her sleeping form etched in his mind still caused his stomach to flip a little.

“You’ll do quite well, sir.” Myers stepped back to affirm his handiwork. The dark blue of the new jacket contrasted with a gold and blue waistcoat nicely, complementing his own coloring even in Jeremy’s opinion. “You do a credit to your lady. In such a suit, you look very fine.”

Jeremy looked sharply at his valet. “And the man under the clothes? Do you think he will do credit to the lady, Myers?”

Myers lifted wary eyes to meet his master’s. “Without a doubt, sir.”

“Do you speak truth to me?” Jeremy shocked himself by asking such questions. Opinions of paid servants did not factor into the equation. He should not care what others thought of him.

“Always, sir. You do right by those under your care, and I have no doubts you’ll do the same for your lady,” Myers said in his unperturbed way, reaching forward to straighten the hem of the jacket that sat perfectly level already.

The man must be in disbelief at his master’s foray into the seas of matrimony. Jeremy was as well. He couldn’t imagine doing anything else though. He was marrying Georgina, and that was that. In the next hour, he would gain a wife and become a husband.

“I’m glad you’re confident,” he returned wryly. “Say, have you seen my bride this morning?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How did she look to you?”

Myers actually cracked what appeared to be a smile. The man hardly ever showed emotion. He’d been with Jeremy since he’d finished university. A former medic in the British Army, his more mature steadiness ever in effect, he rose to any occasion with a minimum of fuss, but was clearly enjoying the show today.

“She looked elegant and very beautiful on her father’s arm. You are to be congratulated, sir.”

“No, I meant how did she seem? I know very well of her beauty,” Jeremy barked back, frustrated.

“Seem, sir?” Myers arched an errant brow, obviously savoring the moment.