Page 82 of Taming Ivy
"You are insufferable,” she breathed.
Sebastian only laughed. "Save your judgment. At least until tomorrow morning.” His eyebrow raised slightly, a faintly challenging gesture Ivy could not ignore. "You could always retreat to the safety of your lonely chamber.”
Ivy pulled herself to a sitting position, arms wrapped about her knees as she considered the options.
On her impulsive orders, all her clothing and personal toiletry items were placed in the dressing room and not within the personal armoire in the lady’s chambers. The other apartment, spacious and feminine, lacked the same warmth and vitality as his. Ivy felt comfortable here, safe, somehow more alive in this room. There was no desire to spend even one night in that other cold, lonely, bed. Not if she were honest with herself.
Sebastian Cain was both calming and disconcerting to her senses all at once. Although she wished this marriage had not taken place, she gravitated to him. And while she hoped he would honor the vow giving her time to adjust to being his wife, the idea of not being near him was unimaginable.
Sebastian’s eyes flared with victory when Ivy settled back into the warmth of his bed.
She would stay. Whatever the reason, she would stay.
A knock came at the door, saving Ivy from his triumphant remark as he called out a command to enter.
“Good morning.” Gabriel smiled upon seeing her in the middle of the rumpled bed. “I took the liberty of assuming you would still be abed. I’ve brought Her Ladyship tea, hot chocolate, and coffee.”
Slouching at the intrusion, Ivy pulled the coverlet up to her chin, although Gabriel’s jovial tone indicated he was hardly surprised to find her there. With Sebastian’s impatient wave, he shouldered his way into the room, carrying an ornate tray, burdened with three gleaming silver pots and two smaller vessels containing cream and sugar.
“How thoughtful of you.” Ivy trembled with embarrassment from the tent of covers. “I prefer tea in the mornings, but hot chocolate is an occasional treat. There’s no need for you to go to such trouble on my account, Gabriel. I always take my breakfast in the dining room.”
“Do not fret, milady. I already knew your preferences, and I bring Ravenswood’s coffee up, regardless. He is a veritable bear in the mornings without it. It is no trouble to add a pot of tea and some sugar biscuits to tide you over until breakfast. Milord informed me you enjoy the Rosethorne tea from his plantation, so I took the liberty of having Chef brew it for you.”
“I have not had it for some time, but I do adore it.” She frowned at the puzzling statement of her habits being known, then averted her gaze at Sebastian’s upraised brow. How could she confess to throwing the remains of his gift into the fire during an inconsolable crying spell only two weeks ago?
Sebastian leveled a perturbed glance at Gabriel. “I have only managed to convince the countess to remain in my bed. I’d rather you not frighten her out of it by referring to me as an animal.”
“Very good, milord.” Gabriel gave Ivy a mischievous wink as he set the tray on a low fruitwood chest. “I’ll leave this and return later.”
“A splendid idea. Might I suggest you don’t come back at all?” Sebastian poured a cup of coffee without benefit of cream or sugar. “And, have done with this “milord” business.”
“See what I mean, milady? A real bear,” Gabriel murmured, then louder he said, “Perhaps it may be best if you ring when you would like your coffee and milady’s tea delivered.”
“If you will abide by that, then yes...” Sebastian muttered. “Good God, all I want is a bit of privacy in the mornings. It’s not too much to bloody ask, is it?”
Gabriel chuckled. “You must inform me when you wish for privacy. Damned difficult business to read minds.”
Ivy smiled at their bantering. Gabriel apparently delighted in pushing Sebastian’s patience, and even she was curious how far he might go before the earl snapped.
Sebastian’s lips tightened with annoyance when Gabriel, wearing a devilish smile, exited the chambers.
"What would delight your heart today? Hot chocolate and tea are only the beginning of the debauchery I intend." Picking up a delicate teacup, Sebastian poured a splash of cream, followed by tea and one cube of sugar.
Ivy did not know whether to be pleased or surprised. He remembered precisely how she preferred her tea. Of course, he would commit to memory everything about her when actively pursuing her as prey. Anything which might prove an advantage, no matter how minuscule the detail…
"A bath.” Accepting the tea, her eyes widened as Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed. He drank his coffee, his smile relaxed, as if this ritual was commonplace. How disturbing...that she should be so comfortable with the earl serving her a morning cup of tea in bed.
“I find it high on my agenda as well,” Sebastian paused, then continued in a wry tone. "Will you accept my assistance? I vow to be the perfect gentleman. Icankeep my hands to myself when required.”
Ivy’s stare was frankly disbelieving.
"I did not say it would be damn near impossible and extremely difficult, but I can do it.” His eyes glimmered with something dark and intent. “Will you trust me?"
Ivy sipped the tea, allowing its warmth to trickle through her. The thought of a bath in that intriguing room with its huge porcelain tub and elegant faucets was so enticing.
Lizzie explained the system yesterday, demonstrating how the taps worked and the process in which heated water was forced up from the kitchens through the piping system, the separate faucet allowing cold water to be added as needed. Sebastian's father modified the suite’s previous sitting room based on the steam baths in Rome. The inventions much impressed him as a young man; he spent a small fortune replicating them.
The tub was large enough for two adults. Ivy blushed, thinking one day she and Sebastian might share it. "I'm not sure.”
