Page 43 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
Theodore slept for only a few hours. He came awake while it remained dark outside, and it was still raining. He slowly extricated himself from Beryl’s warm body, which was pressed so firmly against him. He gathered his clothing, quickly dressed, and went to his room. He was feeling drained, so he collapsed on his bed and promptly went to sleep.
When Theodore awoke for the second time, the rain had ceased. He pulled back the curtain and opened the window to the cool morning air. The sky was dark and cloudy, yet he felt that nothing could ruin his mood. He had breakfast and went to the library to see what matters needed his attention. He reviewed ledgers and correspondence until it was time for lunch. He wondered about Beryl, but he was sure that she was engaged with the children. He would seek her out later.
He could not help but think that he had not even bent his cardinal rule. He had broken it, irretrievably. There was no going back. It was a rigid rule which, in the past, he managed to maintain. He had always been so careful not to cross the line with any of the staff in his household, but Beryl had made him throw caution to the wind. He had never been one to be indecisive or flit from one decision to the next. He never had difficulties ordering his thoughts before this woman invaded them. He could not think of another woman who distracted him this much,ever. She made him lose his head.
Theodore stood up from his desk. He must eat.
He opened the library door, went through it, and collided with Beryl. They stood still for a moment. Her bright-colored eyes met his, and he could not look away.
He watched her curiously and finally said, “Were you coming to see me?” Theodore took a step back, and he gave her body a bold, sweeping gaze.
She blinked, and her thick black lashes swept her cheeks. “No. I am playing hide and go seek with the girls.”
“I see. Would you step into the library for a moment?”
Theodore did not wait for a reply. He opened the door, and Beryl followed him inside. She closed the door and faced him. Theodore could not resist. Her lips were plump and red. Theodore’s finger traced the delicate softness of her lower lip. He brushed his lips to hers, and she was warm and welcoming.Their kiss was long and leisurely, but he raised his head when he felt his cock stir.
“I have thought about doing that all morning.”
“And I have thought about doing this.” Beryl pulled him into a sure embrace as her mouth covered his. She gave his lower lip a tender nibble, and he moaned.
Beryl broke the kiss and gazed deeply into his eyes. “Now, I must find the children.”
Theodore did not want to let her go. “I want to play.”
Her breath hitched, and he had no doubt she understood his double-entendre. Her bosom heaved, and he wanted so much to touch her breasts.
“Very well,” she whispered.
“When it is your turn to hide, if I find you before the children do, I will get a kiss.”
“And vice versa,” she breathed against his cheeks.
Theodore chuckled and followed her through the door. Her sweet derriere swayed in front of him, and he looked around to ensure they were alone before he gave her a small pat. He was thinking of what she could do to calm his racing heart. It was not going to happen at this moment. He blew out a harsh sigh.
Beryl spun around and her eyes flashed. “You will behave.”
So bossy and sassy. Theodore chuckled. As they walked down the passage and approached the next doors, he said, “I will take this one.”
Beryl opened the door and disappeared into the room. Theodore spent the next hour playing with Beryl and the girls. He had even forgotten he was hungry. Louise and Mattie were thrilled that he was playing with them. Mattie did not let it go unremarked that he had never played hide and go seek with them before. Her tiny voice pulled at his heartstrings, and he vowed to make time to engage in the activities Beryl plannedwith the children. He was beginning to believe that he would feel more fulfilled by it.
Just when Beryl was making her way back to the tutor room, he whispered, “Have dinner with me tonight.”
They stared at each other, an unsettling awareness between them. She smiled, and that was all the answer he needed before she swayed down the hallway. Theodore sighed. It would be a long afternoon.
Domestic bliss.That was what Beryl, Theodore, Louise, and Mattie had settled into. There was happiness and harmony in the household. It had been weeks since they had first made love, and they had been together every night. There were even stolen kisses during the daytime. Beryl had let go of any shyness she had, and she embraced a sense of relaxation and a deep sense of calm. There was joy, and there was happiness, yet something was missing, and Beryl knew what it was.
Theodore was complicated and mysterious. She was hoping that after they made love and spent so much time together, he would have started falling in love with her. Yet, it did not appear that he had. Instead, she was the one who had all her emotions in a knot. She could not truly understand it. She had never desired something so much and thus far it had only led to unfulfilled longing. There were a few times that she caught herself staring at him, and the longing she felt frightened her. Was she not the one who said she would protect her heart?
Beryl had just had dinner with the children. She was keen to ensure they did not think they were being neglected at mealtimes, so she did not take all her meals with Theodore. They had finished, and the children were having an afternoonnap. Theodore had sent for her so she went to meet him in the library. She never pegged Theodore for a romantic, but having played the pianoforte alongside him several times changed that impression. It was so … intimate.
Could it be that he had made a decision about them and that is the reason why he invited her to the library?
Beryl arrived at the library and knocked.
“Come in,” he beckoned. He was standing by the window and gazing out when she entered.
“You wanted to see me?”
