Her jaw dropped, but Rupert had apparently shocked her enough she was no longer threatening tears.
“Now?” she asked in an offended tone. “But it’s daylight. Everyone will see us.”
“We will arrive separately and go in the back way. Get your maid while I ask Lady Telford for a carriage.”
“Rupert, what are you planning?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Always, but . . .”
Not giving Vivian a chance to argue further, he grabbed her hand and walked as rapidly as he could to the house. When they regained the morning room, he kissed her, hard, on the lips. “I’ll wait here.”
She nodded as if she was in a daze, but did as he had asked. All he had to do was keep her with him.
Rupert found the lady in her parlor. “I need a carriage for Vivian.”
Lady Telford tugged the bell-pull. A footman popped his head in. “Get the plain black town coach readied. Keep it in the mews.” Raising one brow, Rupert glanced at her. “Vivian received a letter from her mother. Her father could be here at any time. I do not wish her to leave from the front of the house where she may be seen.”
“Very well.”
Lady Telford handed him a glass of wine. “Do I need to ask your intentions?”
“I wish to marry her. If she’ll have me.”
“Splendid.” She smiled. “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see two people in love take their vows.” Rising, she said, “I’ll see if I can speed things along, shall I?”
“Excellent.” Rupert paced, then after what seemed like an eternity, Vivian and Punt finally walked into the morning room. He held out his arm. “The coach is around the back. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”
He escorted them to the gate, saw them into the carriage, and walked down the mews. He needed to give Vivian enough time to change. It was a pity he had not had time to have the latest gown delivered. Yet perhaps she could wear it for their wedding night. When he reached the back of the Hill Street house, he took out his watch and waited another five minutes before using his key to open the gate.
A few minutes later, he strolled into the bedchamber. Vivian turned, eyes wide, staring at him. Her gorgeous silver-blond hair was loose and reached her hips, her petal-pink lips slightly apart, and she was trembling like a blancmange.
In two strides, she was in his arms. “You said you trusted me. Believe me now when I tell you there is nothing wrong with you.”
She swallowed. “The last time a gentleman saw me naked, it did not turn out well.”
“That man was a stupid fool.” A bloody, selfish, care-for-nobody.
He kissed her, sweetly, teasing her bottom lip with his teeth. A long mirror stood in the corner of the room, and he positioned her in front of it as he stood behind her.
“I don’t think I can do this.” Vivian hung her head, refusing to look into the mirror.
“You can and you shall. Let me slay your dragons, my lady.” Slowly he unfastened the top five ivory buttons, exposing her shoulders and the tops of her breasts. “Do you see anything odd?”
“No, but this can be seen in an evening gown.”
“Fair enough.” Rupert unbuttoned the next several buttons and the gown fell to the top of her hip, exposing a reddish, heart-shaped birthmark. “What about now?”
Her answer came out on a sob. “The question is can you live with me damaged as I am?”
“I’ll tell you what I see.” Rupert stroked the birthmark. “A lovely woman with high breasts tipped with nipples that remind me of light pink French roses. Your skin is so silky and perfect, it would make an angel cry in envy, and you carry your heart not only in your breast, but on the outside as well.” She relaxed a little against him. “Shall we go on?”
She nodded tensely, clearly still unsure of herself.
Gradually he eased the gown over her slim hips. With a soft swoosh, fabric fell to the carpet. “Vivian, you are the most exquisite woman who has ever existed, and I wish to spend the rest of my life worshipping you and your body’s faultless form.”
He turned her to face him and just when Rupert expected her to smile and agree, her face crumpled. “Why did he do that to me? Why did he lie?”
