Page 45 of A Promising Little Scandal (Sensual Scandals)

There was a moment when Calliope admitted she was grateful that Sebastian was there. He was the calm reassurance she needed when she grew worried if Mary might make it through this. She had witnessed her sisters come down with fever over the years, but their father had also ensured that they had received the best care from the most prominent physicians in London. He had been willing to pay whatever it took to ensure they passed that hurdle with the greatest of ease.

Unfortunately, Mary Anning did not have that luxury. While Calliope did what she could to soothe her, it was apparent that whatever she did wasn’t easing her symptoms. She certainly didn’t want to have to tell Molly that she would have to bury yet another child. That wasn’t even an option.

She was still mopping Mary’s face with the linen when she felt Sebastian’s strong presence in the room. “I’m not sure what else to do for her,” she whispered. She dipped the rag in the cool water and twisted out the excess before she continued with her treatment. “I don’t know how to make a poultice, or the right sort of tincture.” She sighed heavily. “I’ve never felt so useless in my life.”

A firm hand touched her shoulder and squeezed gently. “I have no doubt that you’re doing everything you can.”

Calliope shook her head. “If only we had access to a proper physician, like Dr. Thierry Haimlin. He was such a wonder with Livy after she’d fallen through the ice that I know he could ensure that Mary survived now.”

“She’ll survive without Dr. Haimlin, because she has you by her side.”

“As if that makes any difference.”

He bent down and grasped her chin, forcing her to pause in her efforts and look at him. His gaze was so steady and sure, those dark eyes hypnotizing, that she couldn’t glance away even if she had wanted to. “I know if I was in that bed, I wouldn’t want anyone else looking after me.”

She swallowed. “Do you mean that?”

“I know you don’t believe much of what I say, and I daresay I have never given you cause to do so. Society certainly hasn’t helped to paint me in a favorable light, and I never really cared—until now.”

“I used to enjoy perusing the gossip columns, but I have learned that not everything you read is accurate.”

He smiled. “At least on that, we can both agree.” He held out a cup of tea to her and she accepted it graciously.

A second cup was lifted to Mary’s lips, and Calliope spoke softly to her as she urged her to drink. A few drops managed to dribble their way down her throat, but when Mary turned her head away, Calliope took that as a sign that she didn’t want any more.

Calliope tried several more times throughout the afternoon hour until finally the cup was empty. She set it aside. “At least that’s something,” she noted, turning to glance at the viscount.

He nodded in encouragement, and then rose to his feet. “I’m sure Mrs. Anning would like to hear some good news.”

“Yes,” Calliope noted. She glanced at Mary who seemed to be sleeping a bit more soundly. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

For a moment, an awkward silence fell between them, but then Calliope squared her shoulders and said, “Thank you for everything.”

“Of course.” He offered her a scandalous wink. “That’s what friends are for.”

“Indeed,” she returned with a smile.

He hesitated, reaching out to trace her bottom lip with his thumb. “Then again, if we were just friends, I suppose I could stop thinking of ways to kiss you.”

Calliope’s breath left her lungs in a rush. She would be lying to herself if the thought hadn’t crossed her mind more than once as well.

She took the initiative and raised up on her toes and pressed her mouth against his.

It was miraculous, like the first time they’d kissed, and yet, each time was even better. It was as if their souls intermingled just a bit more with the other. They understood those needs and desires and were eager to see that they were fulfilled.

Would this lust for Sebastian ever be assuaged?

She was afraid to answer that question.

“Can I meet you somewhere tonight?” he asked when they parted.

Calliope closed her eyes to gain control, and then slowly shook her head. “We can’t keep doing this.”

He laid his forehead against hers. “But I don’t want to lose you.”

“Then we’re going to have to find some way to simply be friends, and nothing more.” She hated this, because there wasn’t going to be an easy solution at the end of the day. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, and yet, they were both unwilling to give up their independence to offer anything long term. “I don’t want to lose you either, but I can’t live the rest of my life with a broken heart. No matter how much we want to prolong this affair, we cannot. We may not like it, but it’s the way it must be.” She didn’t want to speak what was in her heart, but she knew it needed to be voiced aloud. “When you return to London, I’m sure there will be another redhaired vixen to tempt you.”

He lifted his head and looked at her fervently. “It would have to be someone rather remarkable to make me forget you,” he whispered.

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