Page 51 of The Lady's Guide to Marrying a Viscount
She’d never desired a man like this. Never wanted someone to have such control over her, but she knew Mallon’s pain and his need, his weakness and vulnerability. In return, she wanted to give him everything. She wanted to know him and for him to know her.
At her urging, he pinned her down, joining her in the hungry race toward rapture. When it came, she arched to meet it, vaguely aware of his body tensing, oflabored breath and his final thrust, locked together as she let go, giving herself to the flashing darkness of her climax, spinning her into the abyss.
Afterward, she asked him to stay, wanting to feel his chest against her back as she drifted to sleep. Listening to his steady breathing beside her, she realized she was truly happy. Mallon needed her love just as she needed his.
It was time to banish the spectres and begin a new life together. First, she had to speak to Hugo. She’d been cruel, leading him on, but she could put things right.
Geneviève wascareful to lock the drawing room door. The last thing she needed was an interruption. The dogs trotted in behind, making an immediate circuit around each chair and a second sweep of the perimeter, in search of crumbs.
Outside, the sky was starkly white, the windowpanes frosted across each corner where the sun was yet to touch. Fortunately, the fire had been blazing for some time, making the room quite cozy.
She decided not to beat around the bush.
“I hold you in the highest affection, Hugo, but I fear I must step back, discovering that another holds a prior claim.”
Hugo looked most put out. “A prior claim? Dash it, Geneviève! What do you mean? I’m no philanderer! Barely know how to talk to a woman, come to that. Itwasn’t until you showed up that I realized what all this romance malarkey was about!”
Geneviève kept an arm’s length between herself and Hugo, lest he take a sudden notion to prove himself with a kiss.
“No one could accuse you of the least impropriety,” Geneviève asserted. “But, I think you underestimate your charm, Hugo dear. For there is one whose love for you is of long-standing. She holds such deep regard I fear it would break her heart were I to continue our courtship.”
Hugo looked utterly baffled.
“You wouldn’twantto break a woman’s heart, would you Hugo?”
“Well, of course not! But how’s a chap to navigate all this love-business when he hasn’t a clue who’s taken a fancy to him.” He rubbed his forehead.
“I hardly like to interfere…” Geneviève crossed her fingers behind her back. If shewasemploying some deceit, she hoped the angels would forgive her, it being in a good cause. “Perhaps, I could tell you, if you really do need my help…”
“I wish you would!” declared Hugo, shaking his head in puzzlement. “For I can’t imagine who you’re talking about…unless it’s the girl in the post office in Princetown. She’s quite pretty, you know, and always very friendly.” He looked suddenly alarmed. “But I swear I’ve only ever asked her for stamps!”
“No, no!” Geneviève coughed to suppress her laughter. “The lady in question is far more intimately connected with youHugo. Can you truly not guess?”
“Intimately connected?” Hugo blinked rapidly, clearly rifling his mental list of possible female candidates. “Not Mrs. Wapshot’s spinster cousin!” An expression of horror overcame him.
“Hugo!” Geneviève was, at last, obliged to be stern. “The woman of whom I speak is quite your own age and suitable in every way, as far as I can make out. It’s Beatrice, Hugo! Beatrice!”
Hugo’s mouth opened and closed several times without any sound emerging. Finally, he gulped. “Well, that’s rather better than Mrs. Wapshot’s cousin—or the girl in the post office.”
“Yes, it is.” Geneviève allowed herself a broad smile. “Had you really no inkling? Haven’t you seen how she looks at you? Like a princess who’s sighted her prince over a garden wall but isn’t quite sure how to jump over.”
“Perhaps. Sometimes. Just now and then.” Hugo tugged on his ear. “I look at her, too. We’ve known each other forever. I never thought it meant anything.”
Geneviève ventured to put a hand on Hugo’s arm. “I’m all for seizing the day. Now you know she’s your true match, you mustn’t waste time. I wouldn’t even tell your mother, if I were you. Drive over to Beatrice today and make your proposal. It will be such a surprise for everyone. Just think what pleasure you’ll be bringing both your families! The most wonderful Christmas gift of all! And I wouldn’t hang about with a long engagement, either. Show Beatrice that you’re all in by setting the date as soon as possible.”
“By Jove!” Hugo was almost bouncing from foot tofoot. “I can’t thank you enough. He grasped her in a firm handshake, beaming with excitement. “And jolly decent of you to let me know, what with us having begun our grand passion.” He looked suddenly sheepish. “I do hope this won’t cause you too much unhappiness, knowing we won’t be together after all.”
“How could I stand in the way of two people so obviously meant for each other?” Geneviève extracted her hand, discreetly giving it a reviving rub.
“I wonder if it’s too late to drive into Exeter for a ring…” Hugo squinted at the clock on the mantel. He seemed to have taken Geneviève’s suggestion very much to heart.
“Ah!” Geneviève gave a satisfied smile. It was certainly a relief to have the concluding part of her plan presented so naturally. “There, I can help.”
She drew out a blue velvet box from her pocket.
“This is yours, left to you by your grandmother. In the Rosseline family for generations, Hugo, and now passing to you.”
Opening the lid, he made a noise not unlike that uttered by Geneviève herself on first seeing the perfectly crafted jewel.
