The Desires of a Countess Read online

  She paled a fraction, and it was plain that his request upset her. There was a primal protection in her eyes that would have put a she-wolf to shame. “I’m not sure-”

  He narrowed his gaze. “And why not?”

  She struggled for an answer, but the look in her eyes didn’t change. He could see she wanted to say she so much, but couldn’t. Not without revealing whatever it was she concealed so desperately.

  Finally, Harriet supplied the answer her friend couldn’t give. “Little Jack lost his father such a short time ago. I think Ginny is nervous about bringing any new influences into his life, isn’t that right?”

  Relief washed over Ginny’s face at her friend’s explanation. “Yes.”

  Simon smiled. The fact that Ginny had a loyal friend in Harriet was a good sign. If she inspired protectiveness, then she had to show warmth, even vulnerability. Even if she never demonstrated those qualities to him, it somehow relieved him to know she had them. Still, his charge was to take care of Jack, as well as Jack’s money. He didn’t intend to let these two women put him off that responsibility.

  “That is an understandable worry, my lady. But your son will need a male influence in his life. Thanks to the trusteeship, that privilege has fallen to me. Of course, I’ll be mindful of his young age and recent loss, but I will meet him before I leave here.”

  Ginny opened her mouth to speak, and from the flash in her eyes he could tell he was about to get an argument that would likely blister his ears. But before she could utter a single syllable, Harriet rose to her feet.

  “Ginny, looking at the weather, I think it would be best if I departed before dessert. Will you escort me to the door?” She gave her friend a hard look, one that drew Ginny’s eyes away from him. The two women locked gazes and Ginny nodded slowly.

  “Yes, very well.”

  Simon rose to his feet to bow to Harriet. “It was a great pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Percy.”

  “Yes.” Harriet smiled genuinely at him. “I understand a great deal more than I did before we met. I hope to face you on the playing field soon, Mr. Webber.”

  “Yes, I look forward to that, as well. Good evening.”

  Ginny tossed him a withering glance as she swept from the room. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Simon smiled. That statement sounded like a threat.

  “I look forward to it, my lady.”

  As he watched her disappear down the hall, he realized just how true his words were. Despite his confusion, he was waiting with bated breath for the moment she returned to the room.

  ***

  “Be careful, Ginny. If you want to make him go away without a fight, you mustn’t antagonize the man so!” Harriet whispered as they approached the foyer.

  Ginny paused to glare at her friend as those unnamed emotions bubbled up in her again. “And what about you? Did you have to keep taking his arm, looking at him like you found him attractive?”

  Harriet’s mouth fell open in shock. “What?”

  “You were flirting with him,” she said in a harsh whisper.

  “I did no such thing!” Now her friend’s low voice was full of outrage. “I was simply being friendly to try and make up for your shocking lack of manners. Don’t forget, my friend, it wasn’t I who was touching his hand with my bare skin and leaning into him like I craved his touch. That was you when I came into the Green room tonight.”

  “I-I-” Hot blood rushed to Ginny’s cheeks at the reminder of her earlier weakness.

  Harriet’s eyes grew wide as if she’d happened upon some delicious discovery. “You’re jealous!”

  The heat in Ginny’s cheeks doubled. “No, I’m not. I can’t stand Simon Webber.”

  Her friend shook her head slowly. “I think not. He frightens you, but I can tell by the way you watch him that there’s more to it than you want anyone, especially him, to know.”

  When Ginny stared at her in stony silence, Harriet shrugged one shoulder. “You can face your own emotions or deny them. But try your best not to make him an enemy. That isn’t the way to get rid of this man, of all men. If you challenge him, he’ll meet the challenge, not back off as you want him to.”

  The hardness in Ginny’s glare slipped away at the rationality of her friend’s advice. Despite her earlier jealousy, and in the recesses of her heart she could admit it was jealousy, she knew without a doubt that Harriet’s motives were only to protect her.

  She gave a slow nod. “I’ll do my best to be friendly. But it’s very hard when he’s making pronouncements about what he will do and not do with my son.”

  “Under the circumstances, I didn’t think his request was all that outrageous, but Jack isn’t my baby.” Harriet’s face clouded with sudden sadness. “Perhaps I’d feel differently if…”

  Ginny frowned as her own troubles fell away. Harriet hadn’t been able to conceive a child with her late husband. In her own selfishness, Ginny had almost forgotten all that pain. She gave her friend a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  “I’ll be good as an angel,” she promised as they broke their embrace. “And you be happy. You’ve saved me from myself once again. This is a habit that I appreciate more than you’ll ever know.”

  Harriet’s bright smile as she slipped out the door was Ginny’s reward. She watched the carriage take her friend away in the sprinkling rain, then turned back to face the dining room with trepidation fluttering in her chest. Now she would be alone with Simon. Just like she had been earlier when she’d been possessed by the strange, powerful urge to feel his touch.

  She shook away the thought and straightened her shoulders. She would maintain control. Control was all she had left.

  Chapter Four

  Simon glanced up as Ginny returned to the room. The tight smile that tugged her lips did nothing to hide the distress in her eyes. Though he hadn’t been able to understand everything she and Harriet had said to each other in the foyer, he’d gathered that they were in disagreement over something. Well, not over something. Over him.

  He didn’t know whether to be amused or guilty.

  “Mrs. Percy is off home?” he asked as he rose from his chair.

  Ginny paused with a sidelong glance for him, then returned to her seat. “Ye-yes. The weather.”

  “Hmmm.” He cocked his head to catch her eye without success. “You seem disappointed.”

  Finally, her gaze came up to meet his. Panic filled her eyes, and he almost felt sorry for her. Obviously it was hard for her to keep track of and explain all her lies. He only wished he understood why she felt compelled to tell them.

  “I’ll miss her company. No hostess likes to see a guest leave early,” she said softly.

  “Is being alone with me so very terrible?”

  Her reaction was exactly what he’d hoped for. She blushed a deep pink and picked up her balled napkin to begin twisting it slowly again. He realized, and not for the first time, that he liked her flush, for it meant the loss of the icy exterior that she controlled so very well.

  He didn’t force her answer, but instead held out an arm to her. Her eyes followed his movement and sent as much heat through him as her earlier touch had.

  “Will we have a drink, or do you want me to leave, as well?”

  Her eyes widened and her inner struggle was apparent by the tortured look on her face. And he hated it. Flustering her was one thing, truly upsetting her was another entirely. He hated that she viewed him as her enemy. He wanted to know why, but he couldn’t ask her outright. If their first encounter that morning were any indication, she would only twist his questions until they were both so frustrated he’d be forced to leave.

  Something he wasn’t ready to do just yet.

  Finally, she slipped quietly from her seat and swallowed hard. “Of course we’ll have drinks. I wouldn’t be a proper hostess if I didn’t offer you after-supper refreshment.”

  With hesitation, she stepped closer. He wasn’t sure at what point her proximity affected him. One moment she was an a
lluring woman across the room, the next her lilac scent hypnotized him and her warmth radiated through him before she even took his arm.

  And then she did, and every piece of his self-control shattered, replaced by a pounding, throbbing need he hadn’t experienced with another woman for as long as he could remember. Her hand curled around his bicep, and it was as if she’d branded him. Though the sensation of her touch was anything but unpleasant, he felt a curious urge to pull away from the intensity. Somehow he held both his manners and his ground.

  As they walked down the hallway toward the sitting room, Simon stole a glance in her direction. She didn’t seem as affected by their contact as he was. Except for a slight increase in her breathing, she looked as calm as ever. It made his lack of control even more annoying.

  “Ginny,” he began as they entered the room and she took a seat.

  Her calm dissolved as her face flashed up to his in surprise. “What did you call me?”

  He smiled. So there was a way to break down her façade without a touch. “Mrs. Percy called you Ginny earlier tonight. I decided I liked it better than Lady Westdale, or my lady, or even Virginia. It suits you.”

  She drew in a deep breath, but didn’t speak for a moment, as if she were contemplating what was an entirely inappropriate move on his part. He’d begun to doubt the sense of it himself when she let out a short sigh.

  “I suppose if you want to call me Ginny, it won’t do anyone any harm. After all, we’re practically family. In private, you may call me whatever pleases you.”

  He contemplated all the things that would please him to do with her in private, but did his best to keep the images at bay.

  “Then it only seems fair that you should call me by my given name, as well. In private.”

  Again, her silence filled the room as much as her words had. He had no idea what thoughts were going through her mind. She’d neatly shut him out with what was obviously a well-practiced look of detachment. Why had she been required to master such a skill that forced her to push other people away?

  “Simon,” she finally said.

  A little thrill raced through him as her smooth lips formed his name. It was accompanied by yet another image of her writhing beneath him, saying his name as he ran his hands over the lush curves of her body.

  He had to leave. Immediately.

  Whatever spell this witch had woven over him was too powerful to deny. But deny it he must, because she wasn’t his to have. Even if he could, any relationship would only eventually bring each of them pain and disappointment. He doubted even the beguiling Lady Westdale could make him stay landlocked for long. Like his father had before him, he’d seek the sea for comfort when he grew restless.

  “Perhaps a drink is a mistake,” he said, his voice as thick and heavy as his manhood was becoming with every moment he stood so close to her. “Perhaps I should go back to the cottage.”

  Yes, the cold rain would probably do his aching body some good, especially certain portions.

  The spell between them momentarily lifted as she turned to the window. Rain streaked across the glass, and even in the darkness it was evident how foul the night was.

  She sank her teeth into her lip and said, “I-I know that the cottage is in… disrepair.”

  He almost laughed. That was a nice way to put it.

  “If you and your first mate would like to stay in the guest quarters tonight, I would have you.”

  Their eyes met and Simon searched her face for some kind of ulterior motive. All he saw was genuine kindness mixed with a healthy dose of guilt. Though touched by the change, he wondered why she would go back on her plans so quickly. After all, she’d obviously gone to a lot of trouble to make his stay uncomfortable.

  He couldn’t help but lean in closer. “If you’re distressed by me sleeping under your roof, I’m happy to stay in the cottage, disarray or not. I wouldn’t want to bring you any kind of shame, Ginny.”

  Her eyes misted as she swayed toward him a fraction. The room seemed to be shrinking around them. It grew ever hotter and closer.

  “The roof leaks, Simon,” she whispered.

  He barely resisted the urge to touch her face, but instead lifted his hand to wrap a single stray lock of hair around his fingertip. It was as soft as silk. “I’ll have the roof fixed. That’s why I’m here. Not to frighten you. Not to intimidate you. Not to…”

  He cut himself off before he could say too much. They were too close as it was and he knew a kiss could easily shove them over an edge where they couldn’t return. As much as he wanted to take that plunge, he needed to pull back, to do his duty and protect himself.

  But just as he gathered his strength, Ginny wrapped one slender hand around the nape of his neck, and pulled him down for a hot, wet kiss that sent fire shooting through his veins.

  ***

  Ginny surprised herself as much as she obviously surprised Simon when she crushed her lips against his. But whatever shock he felt seemed to disappear, for he brought his arms around her waist and pulled her against him until it was more than evident that the desire that had coursed between them wasn’t only coming from her. In fact, Ginny could feel the hard steel of his erection pressed against her thigh. But instead of that arousal frightening her as she knew it should, she arched against it.

  He took her silent invitation with a fervor that pushed her even further over the edge. His tongue swept against her own, massaging her before he began to slowly brush across her teeth, her cheek. She gathered sections of his coat in her fists as she tried to keep from making another sound with all her might. She failed and a deep, low groan of pleasure escaped her lips.

  He cupped her face and continued to grind his lips against hers. First hard, then soft, but never painful. Never punishing. Bit by bit, all her defenses were eroded and she gave in to the pleasure with every part of her that had been so lonely over the years. Every part that had yearned for the warmth this near-stranger now offered her with his skillful lips and hands.

  Near-stranger.

  She opened her eyes. With effort, she pushed him away and stumbled a few steps back. What was she doing? Simon Webber was a potential enemy, not someone with whom she should be exchanging passionate kisses in the sitting room.

  He stared at her, his face dark with desire and his eyes flashing with a heat that told her he would take her in his arms again if she asked. And she wanted to, despite the loud, rational voice in her head telling her to back away. Run away.

  She dropped her gaze. There was no way she could concentrate with him staring at her like he wanted to have her on the floor that very moment.

  “I’m sorry, my lady,” he finally said in a low voice that was rough with desire. “I don’t know what came over me.”

  Ginny lifted her head with a gasp of shock. He was apologizing? After she’d lost control and initiated the kiss? He’d responded, but she had been the one to start it because of that weak part of her that yearned for affection. Henry would have exploited that weakness to his full benefit, but Simon took responsibility for it.

  Now she was more confused than ever.

  “I-I’ll have Ingram show you and your man to the guest quarters,” she stammered.

  She certainly wasn’t going to engage in an analysis of what had just happened with the man. Not until she had regained control of her spiraling senses.

  He watched her for a long moment, then shook his head. “Under the circumstances, perhaps that isn’t the best of ideas.”

  Biting her lip, she considered that. He was right. Having him down the hall would only serve as a reminder of what they had just done. Her memories would be reminder enough. She had a feeling that stolen moment would haunt her for a long time to come.

  “Yes, I see your point.” She tilted her head as she pondered their predicament. “What about the stables? They’re dry and warm and will offer you shelter until we can determine better accommodations during your stay.”

  For a moment, the silence hung thick between
them, but then he nodded. “That would be fine. I’ll fetch Adam and retire. Thank you again for…”

  He trailed off with a shrug that encompassed everything from supper to the searing kiss. With difficulty, she nodded and he left the room.

  Once he was gone, Ginny sank into the closest chair and covered her eyes with both trembling hands. What had she done? And more to the point, why had she done it? One moment she was trying to be polite to the man for her own protection, the next she was entangled with him, panting for more than just a few kisses.

  She let out a soft groan as she stood up and paced to the fireside. Her head pounded as she looked with unseeing eyes at the flames.

  Despite everything, she wanted Simon Webber. That desire was keener than anything she’d ever felt before. And more terrifying than she dared consider.

  ***

  “A dry bed in a warm house,” Adam sputtered as he and Simon hurried toward the stables through the renewed downpour. “Why in God’s name would you choose a drafty stable over that?”

  Simon shrugged. He’d hardly listened to his friend’s words since he’d found him. Why start now?

  “It’s better than a leaky cottage. Stop complaining.”

  Adam wrinkled his brow, but mercifully stopped his rambling for the remainder of the walk. Of course, the silence between them only allowed Simon’s mind to wander back to the way Ginny had crushed her mouth against his and offered him a brief moment of heaven. Brief, but long enough for him to know full-well that he wanted more than just at taste of her lips. He wanted her beneath him, on him, around him. He wanted her red hair down around her shoulders like fire. He wanted to hear her cry out with pleasure. The pleasure she found at his mouth and hands.

  “Blast,” he muttered as he shoved his fists deep into his pockets.

  “Beg your pardon?”

  Adam was giving him that strange look again. Simon knew it well. It was the one his friend gave when he was about to start prying into things that were none of his affair.