Vexing the Viscount

She put her head back down on his chest and attempted to keep the tears at bay. How would she be able to endure knowing he was so near, but unable to touch him, kiss him, or soothe his worries? It would be impossible. She would give in to her yearning for him.

Listening, she heard his steady breathing and realized he had fallen asleep. She let her tears fall. Crying didn’t help, but she couldn’t seem to stop. Why would he press her to marry him when he didn’t love her? Was he frightened someone was trying to kill him, so he wanted to be married with an heir on the way? It seemed the only answer that made any sense to her, except there were many women in Society who would fall at his feet for the chance to become a viscountess.

She tossed and turned all night, barely sleeping at all. Finally, at seven, she slipped out of the bed and headed to her room. Her head ached from lack of sleep and worrying. Perhaps lying down in her bed would help. She reached for the door handle and then stopped when she heard a commotion down in the hall.

“Where are they?” a woman demanded.

Tia froze. She knew that voice all too well. She couldn’t possibly be here. That would mean she knew about Tia’s relationship with Braden.

“My lord, is she with you?” Nelson said calmly.

“Yes, Nelson. This is my wife. She is looking for her sister, Miss Featherstone.”

Chapter 20

Braden woke to Tia slamming the bedroom door and shouting at him. He rubbed his eyes before opening them to see her standing near the foot of the bed with wide eyes and looking frantic. She was speaking so quickly, he had no idea what she was saying. “Tia, slow down and tell me what is wrong,” he demanded.

“They are here,” she said. “Both of them. Oh my God, he told Nelson she was his wife! That cannot be true!”

“Who is here?”

“My sister and her husband! He sounded just like the Earl of Hartsfield. But she wouldn’t marry him. No matter how much he loved her, she would never feel comfortable marrying an earl.”

Hart was here? In London? He rolled over and looked at the clock. “Why are they here at this hour?”

“I have no idea! You must get up!” She came around and pulled his arm. “Maybe I should hide. Just tell my sister you never found me.”

“Sweetheart, if your sister is here, she has already heard the rumor that you are my mistress.”

She covered her mouth with her hand. “No,” she mumbled.

“Why does it matter if your sister knows that we are lovers? She had relations with two men before Hart. I doubt she will condemn you for doing the same.” Slowly, he slid out of bed and rang for his valet.

“Of course she will admonish me. I told her that I would never do such a thing. I said dreadful things to her when she took up with that second man.”

He drew her into his arms and hugged her. “It will be all right. I shall be there with you.”

She nodded her head slowly against his chest. “I would still prefer to hide here.”

He chuckled softly. “I have never seen you so skittish. Just

calm yourself and we will face them together.”

“Very well, but be warned, she was born five minutes before me, so she believes she is my big sister and can tell me how to live my life.”

“Duly warned. Now go call for a maid to help you dress. We are not going to meet them like this.”

She finally giggled. “I do believe seeing you dressed—or should I say, undressed as you are—she might understand why I am with you.”

Braden laughed. “So you are only with me for my body?”

Finally, her adorable coquettish manner recovered as she leveled him a seductive grin. “That is the best part of you.”

“Go,” he said with a laugh.

She rushed to the connecting door and turned the handle, but the door didn’t move. “Why is this locked?”

“Because you haven’t unlocked it from your room,” Braden said with a chuckle.