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There was an odd flicker in his eyes, as if he was disappointed by her answer. Certainly she was mistaken.
“See that you do. The guests will be departing tomorrow, and I will procure a special license. We shall be married by next week. I trust this is acceptable.”
“That…that is very soon.” His eyes dropped deliberately to her stomach and she blushed. “And what if I am not with child?”
He studied her with unnerving calm. “I pride myself on my control and strict temperance over my passions, Olivia. For the first time in years, I acted without regard for another, a thing I had promised never to do again. I kissed you and I lost my damned senses. Even if you are without child, I ruined you. I stole your virtue, and your future husband would have felt its loss. And I assure you, Lady Peabody is already speaking of your supposed disgrace.”
Livvie was still stuck on I kissed you and I lost my damned sense. “I…I lost a bit of me when you kissed me as well.”
He stared at her, and she wished she had not spoken with such boldness. Silence stretched on for what seemed like an eternity. “Let me assure you, I will never be so reckless again.”
“I do not mind…when we are married, of course.”
He made no answer and her heart started a slow thud. What did he truly mean?
“Are we to have a normal marriage?”
“Yes, of course.”
She now wondered what was truly normal. The farce of a marriage many in the ton had? Blank stares and cold touches, where one or both parties eventually sought a lover? Her stomach cramped at the very idea of Tobias betraying her in such a manner. “Good night, my lord.”
“Tobias.”
She allowed a smile to touch her lips and bury all the uncertainty she felt. “Tobias.”
He pushed from the desk and walked over to her with easy grace and cupped her cheeks. He tilted her head and pressed a kiss against her forehead. His touch and gentleness was so unexpected, she froze.
“Sleep well, Olivia,” he murmured and stepped back.
With a nod, she fairly ran from his chambers to hers, wondering what had just happened.
Chapter Eleven
Lady Sophie Rayburn, Viscountess Wimple, the woman Tobias had once been engaged to, was perfectly groomed, her slender figure sheathed in a high-waisted pale pink gown. Her long supple fingers clutched the folds of Tobias’s jacket and her pouting lips pressed to his.
Livvie felt as if she were suffoca
ting. It was through a veil of anger and pain she noticed Tobias’s eyes were open and glued to her, frozen at the threshold of his library. Without flickering a lid, he gripped the lady’s shoulders firmly and pushed her from him.
“Oh, Tobias, I’ve missed you so, darling. I cannot credit why you have ended the house party and dismissed all the guests. Only you would be so rude, and yet be admired for your actions. Everyone was positively atwitter at the announcement. Invite me to stay for a few more days and—”
Livvie slammed the door, and Lady Wimple jerked and spun around. Her delicate hands fluttered to her throat, but her brown eyes gleamed with cunning and spite. It was then Livvie realized this was all a contrived show and this harpy wanted her to feel the distressing jealously now surging though her veins. Her anger spiked and she walked farther into the library.
“To what do I owe your interruption, Olivia?”
Oooh, as if she had not caught another woman pressed against him. It was just last night she had visited his chambers and he had reassured her he would end all liaisons. He stared at her now with a chilling sort of watchfulness and she wanted to slap the icy reserve from his features. He despised emotional tantrums, but she wanted to indulge in one that very moment. But she needed to be ladylike.
The viscountess smiled. “Please do excuse us, Lady Olivia, but I was having a private meeting with the earl.”
Her control wavered.
“Well?” Lady Wimple demanded haughtily, looking down her thin but very elegant nose.
Livvie smiled. “You will pack your belongings and depart within the hour. I will order a carriage for you, and you will not be invited to Grangeville Park again.”
Shock slackened the viscountess’s features. It was evident she had not expected Livvie to be so bold and decisive. They both knew she had no real power and that Tobias could veto any of her edicts.
The viscountess walked a few paces forward and then angled her body toward Tobias so her breasts were shown to their best advantage. “Jealousy does not become your future countess does it, darling,” she drawled. “I did hear she was a bit…unconventional.”
