Page 58 of Tempting Her Viscount

This was over. They were friends as they had been before the masquerade. As they hopefully would continue to be.

Once he resolved himself to this decision, it made it easier for him to enjoy his meal with Celia. They shared stories of Graham’s mishaps and Kit might have provided more than a little ammunition for her to use against her brother when next they disagreed on something.

He would have to apologize to Gray for that later. But it was just too much fun to watch her laugh. He remembered the times before things became complicated between them, when they would spend their mornings amusing each other with inappropriate comments and jests at Gray’s expense.

He’d missed this. While he’d enjoyed every second of having her in his bed—or hers—this was different.

“Would you care for port and a cigar?” he asked.

“No, on the cigar, but I’ll take a port,” she answered.

“Yes, well, we’re in Scotland so rather than port, I have good whiskey.”

“Then I shall have that instead.”

He led her to his study and poured them each a glass.

She looked about his study and laughed.

“I feel privileged to get to see the elusive activities of what happens when the women are exiled to the drawing room to await the men.”

“Prepare to be disappointed, countess. We sit around with port and cigars and discuss new laws coming before the house of lords and who will vote for or oppose it.”

“You don’t speak of who you’ve taken to your bed?”

“Occasionally it comes up, but I don’t. A woman deserves discretion when it comes to such things. Besides, I generally take port with Gray and talking about you would set him off his digestion so close after dinner.”

They laughed again.

“I must admit, it has been entertaining to see how Gray’s skin turns green when I speak of taking a lover or an insinuation regarding the two of us together.”

“You, my lady, are the devil incarnate.”

“Why yes, yes, I am.” They laughed together again. But unlike the times recently he didn’t feel the twist of pain at knowing she would only ever be his friend and not his wife.

As he’d hoped, it was beginning to feel more natural. He’d accepted it wouldn’t be more than this and what they had was a friendship many would envy. He’d spent far too much time dwelling on what he didn’t have, he’d nearly neglected the wonderful thing he had.

“I’ve missed you,” he said and felt his cheeks burn when he realized his words would make no sense to her.

But she didn’t question him or even seem confused by his odd comment. She simply smiled and nodded. “I’ve missed you too.”

*

Celia woke aloneand for a moment she found herself wishing she had gone to his home instead of staying at hers. Then she remembered where she was and what had happened the day before.

She and Kit were resolved to being friends only. While she missed him in a physical sense, she understood this was for the best.

Kit was right. They couldn’t continue to carry on the way they’d been and still find other people. Specifically other people who wanted the same things they did.

Ready to start her search, Celia headed for the stables. She’d read many a gothic novel highlighting liaisons between the mistress of the house and a strapping groom from the stables.

However, the head groom was actually a woman named Melanie. The only men in the stables was a stout Highlander who was probably in his sixties, and a spotty boy no more than ten and seven.

“Can I help ye, my lady?” Melanie asked.

“I’d like to go into the village. Would you mind to ready a horse for me?”

“Ach, aye. Right away.”