Page 87 of Taming Ivy
"Her tiniest desire is met and carried out with dizzying swiftness.” Sebastian shook his head. The staff’s eagerness to do Ivy’s bidding was remarkable. Already they spoiled her, seeking her favor with almost embarrassing compulsion.
Ivy smiled at him. "I am a sorceress and have cast a spell over all your servants. They have no choice but to dote on me. Have a care, or I shall cast one over you as well.”
"Too late,” Sebastian replied lazily. "My fate is tied to theirs.”
"It’s said the bewitched are blissfully unaware and ignorant.”
The earl tsked, his eyes hot as they swept over her. “I am neither unaware nor ignorant. My state of bliss however, is entirely dependent upon my countess.”
A polite cough concealed Gabriel’s chuckle at the scandalous statement.
Flustered, Ivy turned to him. "How do you take your tea, Gabriel?"
Polite conversation ensued for the next half hour until Gabriel set his teacup down. "Thank you, milady.”
His action triggered some type of silent communication as Sebastian stood from his chair. "My dear, please excuse us. Gabriel has information to share with me, and it can no longer wait. I won’t be long.”
Gabriel stood as well, staring off into the distance, strangely reluctant to meet Ivy's eyes. The meaning behind the statement pounded into her awareness. Her heart clenched in painful degrees, the day growing dark although the sun still beamed bright and warm overhead.
The stormy night of her abduction was centuries away from Beaumont’s lush gardens. Birds chirped merrily from all corners, the sickly-sweet scent of roses and jasmine perfuming the air. Ivy almost laughed. Strange, how roses continued to remind her of death. Only now, Sebastian’s mortality frightened her beyond all reason.
"I understand.” Coming to her feet, Sebastian's hand touched her elbow. "I believe I shall visit the library. I've been wanting to explore it.”
"For some reason, it’s filled my thoughts as well,” Sebastian said in an obvious attempt to lighten her somber mood.
Ivy could barely swallow past the lump in her throat. The devil wanted her to remember every detail of that kiss in the library. Her gaze skittered away from his as an image of being against the bookcase flashed in her mind.
His grin widened even further.
"It’s an extensive collection of books, I'm sure I will find something to please me,” she said weakly. She should try harder to erase that scorching kiss. She should concentrate instead on why Gabriel sought the earl out. What report did he bring to Sebastian’s ears? Had they tracked Brandon down at last? Did they set the date and time of the duel?
Leading Ivy a few steps away, Sebastian's smile was wicked mischievousness, his whisper hot in her ear. "Might I suggest, ‘Chaucer’?"
Unreasonable, nauseating fear choked Ivy as she pulled free of his grip. His laughter followed her as she hurried into the house.
"The man watching Basford’s estate says a doctor from two villages over visited early this morning.”
"Is he certain?" Sebastian resumed his position at the small table, waving at Gabriel to do the same.
Gabriel nodded as he sat down. "We should go while Basford is likely to still be there.”
Sebastian mulled the options. How long the viscount might remain in Staffordshire was uncertain, and this need for revenge had become a living, breathing thing. Just that morning, he glimpsed yet another fading bruise on Ivy's creamy shoulder as she dressed. The rage it sparked was instant and hot.
"If we leave at once, we could be back before morning.” Sebastian decided. What should he tell Ivy? How to explain this abrupt abandonment on the fourth night of their marriage? The logical course would be to explain the reason for his departure after, and not before. If things did not go to plan, his original strategy of pinning the viscount to a duel would be kept, and she would be none the wiser.
"You wish to leave right away?" Gabriel cocked a brow at him.
They were both eager for this particular task to be done and over. It was dangerous, stealing into the viscount’s house in the dead of night.
“Yes. I do not wish to be away longer than necessary.” Sebastian wished the matter dealt with quickly. The time was better spent seducing his wife.
Upon informing Ivy of his impending departure, explaining an urgent matter required his presence at one of his smaller, nearby estates, her eyes narrowed slightly. She did not smile in understanding nor did she ask to accompany him. Sebastian held her hands, told his lie, and when he finished, she carefully pulled from his grasp. With the primness of a schoolmistress, her fingers laced together and dropped to her lap.
"Will you be back tomorrow?" She sounded indifferent.
"By dawn, I imagine.” Sebastian frowned. "My apologies for being forced to miss dinner. I’ve enjoyed our evenings together.”
"It is of no matter.” She waved in breezy dismissal. "I'm certain it is only the first of many I’ll spend alone.”
