Page 46 of Tempting Her Viscount

Chapter Seventeen

“Celia, will you marry me?” Kit asked his reflection. It had been well over a month of them spending time together, both in and out of bed. Despite their plans to assist each other in finding other people, they hadn’t and he could only hope that meant she was content with being with him.

For his purposes, he was more than content. He was happier than he’d ever thought to be. Celia was everything he wanted in a wife. She was funny and beautiful, but more than those things he could converse with her about nearly any topic, big or small.

He’d been practicing his proposal every morning before leaving for Penbrook House to enjoy breakfast, but though he’d mastered the five words days ago, he’d yet to speak them to her.

Today would be different. He left early so he could speak to her before Gray joined them. How wonderful would it be to announce their betrothal the second the man arrived at the table?

Kit frowned. Depending on the state of Gray’s head, it might do better to wait until he’s had his coffee.

Shaking his head, he left the house knowing the first thing he needed to do was earn Celia’s hand. Worrying about what he might say to Gray would come after she’s said yes.

And if she didn’t?

She’d refused him years ago. As a young man of twenty, he’d been laid low by her rejection. Gray had told him she chose Hamlin over Kit because the older man could care for a wife easier than a man strapped with debt. Kit understood, and a very small part of him had wondered how he might afford to take care of Celia as she deserved. But his heart…that wound had yet to heal fully.

He took a deep breath before entering the house with a nod to Alfred, the Penbrook butler, who was clearly waiting for Kit to arrive as always.

Sneaking into the breakfast room, he placed a soft kiss on the nape of Celia’s neck and enjoyed watching a shiver wash over her body.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning to you, my lord.”

The naughty girl knew he liked it when she pretended formalities.

“Countess.” He let the last letter hiss over her skin earning another shiver. “How did you sleep?”

“Very well? And you?”

“My arms were empty. I dreamed of having you there to fill them.”

She turned and he saw the longing in her warm brown eyes. He couldn’t wait another second.

“Will you marry me so our arms never need to be empty again?”

She blinked and stuttered. They were forced to pull away when Guthrie entered with a dish.

They stood in silence while the older footman situated it to his liking and left again.

“You know I don’t wish to—”

“I know. As you’ve said, but is that because you fear it would be like your first marriage?” He winked. “Because I assure you, it would not. Particularly in one very pleasurable way.”

“I understand that. Which is why that is not my concern.”

“Then what is it, Celia? Allow me to put your fears to rest. We would be perfect together. We are friends above all else, which I feel is a better foundation for marriage than most people have when they wed.”

“I cannot argue that I see you as one of my dearest friends. If not the dearest. But I can’t allow myself to be trapped by a man.”

“And that is how you would see a marriage between us? A trap? You think I would chain you up and keep you from doing what you want?” He forced the smile to stay in place even as she turned the knife in his chest. How many ways would this woman destroy him? He shouldn’t have asked. It had been too soon. He’d grown impatient.

“If what I want is to experience sexual relations with other men?” she asked.

He glared at the carpet. “That wouldn’t be acceptable, but I’d make sure you didn’t wish for anyone but me. By now you certainly know how single-minded I am when it comes to your pleasure.”

“Yes.” Her cheeks flared with a blush proving she was recalling some time in their recent past when he’d pleased her. “But I only know you, Kit. I only know your touch and your taste. Imagine if you came to me in the same way. Wouldn’t you wonder what other experiences you could be missing with other women?”