Vexing the Viscount (9 page)

“And after gulping it down like a sailor, you poured yourself another and then a third.”

“And I believe there might have been a fourth one in there somewhere, but that's where it gets fuzzy,” she said, collapsing into the same chair she sat in last night. “I know we were talking, but I don't remember the topic of conversation. I'm assuming it was your dreadful behavior at Lady Whitfield's party.”

Braden sat in the chair across from her. “Actually, we discussed your sister and family some.”

She frowned, but said nothing for a long moment.

“And then you attempted to seduce me.”

“You're mad,” she said with a laugh.

“Stand up, Tia.” For once, she did as he requested without question. “You stood in that very spot and loosened your hair for me.”

“While you sat in that same chair,” she muttered. “Oh dear God, I remember. I acted like a wanton last night.” Her hands covered her mouth as she sank back into the chair. “But I still don't remember what happened after you . . .”

“After I what?” He wanted to know exactly what she remembered.

“We kissed. You kissed me everywhere,” she said breathlessly. “My ear, my jaw, my mouth—you put your tongue in my mouth!”

“Had you never been kissed like that before?” The woman was in her middle twenties. How could she not have been kissed by some beau?

“No,” she whispered. “Your brother kissed me once, but it was nothing like that.” She stared at the carpet as if unable to meet his eyes. “Did anything else happen?”

Braden struggled with telling her the truth and letting her believe nothing else happened. “Nothing important.”

“Let me be the judge of that,” she said in a harsh tone. “Something did happen.”

“Let us just say we went a little farther than kissing.”

“You took my virginity, didn't you?”

“No,” he said in a righteous tone. “I would never have relations with a woman who was incapacitated by brandy. When I make love to you, Miss Featherstone, you will be sober and begging me to please you.”

“How dare you! I will never let you make love to me.”

He rose and pulled her up against his body. “You were begging me to pleasure you last night. And I have never been so tempted to take a drunken woman to my bed. But I did not.”

She blinked back tears. “Thank you for that, my lord.”

“Tell me something, would it have been all that awful if we had?”

“The worst, my lord. The worst.” She broke away and raced from the study.

“Far from it, Miss Featherstone. Far from it.”

T
ia ran to the relative safety of her bedchamber. After collapsing into the bed, she finally let her tears fall. He kissed her last night. And not just that punishing kiss on the dance floor. She remembered the sensation of his tongue swirling against hers. How it made her tingle from her breasts to her loins. He was right. She had tried to seduce him.

What had she been thinking?

Had the alcohol muddled her mind so thoroughly that she couldn't remember right from wrong? Was it lust that had spurred her actions? Or perhaps frustration at her situation?

She closed her eyes and one final memory returned to her. “Dear God, I let him suckle my breasts,” she whispered. How could she have forgotten that most amazing sensation? It had made her moist and she had rubbed herself against him, trying to get some relief from the growing feelings in her body.

He must think her nothing better than a strumpet. She had promised herself that she wouldn't give into temptation. She wanted marriage, not just a bastard child to raise on Middleton's estate. The tenants didn't care if she married or not, they only wanted her to have a child, a girl, to teach the healing ways. But she cared.

She had cared.

Now, after feeling those sensations, would she ever be able to resist him? She had to fight him. He wouldn't give her what she wanted most—love. Middleton would be happy to bed her and forget her. Jonathon had told her more about his brother than she should know. How after their father died, Braden did what he had to in order to bring extra money into the house until their mother recovered from her grief. Tia knew he'd stolen from people. And had probably done worse than that.

After hearing Emily's words, Tia had to wonder if Braden could have succumbed to murder to help his family, even if it was just he and Jonathon now. Could she be living under a killer's roof?

Would a killer have stopped a drunken woman from seducing him? She didn't think that he would. But being a gentleman and a murderer were two different things. Only last year, she'd read in the paper about an earl who had killed his own wife. Surely, most people would have thought him a gentleman until that night.

A shiver of fear raised gooseflesh on her skin.

She shouldn't stay here any longer. She had to get out of this house. But she had nowhere to go and no money. If she asked, Emily would give her enough to get back to Middleton Hall, but she was no better there on his property.

Or you could just ask him if he killed his cousin.

She almost laughed aloud at her conscience's attempt to redeem him. And if she left, she would never be able to help Jonathon. She wanted to hate Jonathon for making her believe he had an interest in her, but she couldn't. He had far too many problems. It was probably best that she let the idea of loving him go. But she still wanted to help him. He needed to find a way of fighting the demons inside him.

With a sigh, she resigned herself to her fate. She had to reason with, or convince, Middleton to stay here a few more days so she could investigate the Red Door.

And as her mother always told her, there was no time like the present. Tia walked to the basin and washed her face. Looking up into the mirror, she pinched her pale cheeks for a little color and arranged her hair. She also pulled up the bodice of her dress to cover herself more. The last thing she wanted was to make him think she was a strumpet.

Determination swept over her. She could do this. No, she
would
do this. She walked out of the room and down the stairs. Finding Nelson in the salon speaking with a maid, Tia waited until he finished.

“Mr. Nelson, where is Lord Middleton? I need to speak with him.”

“In the library, miss.”

“Thank you.”

She strolled down the hall to the library and found him staring at a map of London. “Going somewhere?”

“Yes. Now what can I do for you, Miss Featherstone?”

“I wanted to ask a favor of you.” She walked over to the shelves lining the walls and stared at all the books. She slid a finger down the buttery leather binding of one book.

“Go on,” he said, not looking up from his map.

“I was hoping you would agree to let me stay here a few more days.”

“No.”

“That's it?
No
. Don't you want to know why?” Tia tried her best to keep her frustration out of her voice.

“No.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

Middleton sighed before moving away from the desk. Several lines creased his forehead as he frowned. “Yes. That is all I have to say on this subject. You are leaving tomorrow morning.”

“What do you mean,
I
am leaving? Won't you be coming with me?”

“No, I have some business to attend to here. I won't be back until it is complete.”

Her mind spun with emotions. If he wasn't leaving, there was no reason she had to go either. “Then I will stay until your business is finished. I promise I shall behave this time. I won't leave the house without a maid. I will let you know exactly where I am going at all times.”

He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the desk. The movement only accentuated the breadth of his shoulders. “You are a terrible liar, Miss Featherstone.”

She stared down at her hands. “I cannot leave yet.”

“Sit down. There is something I haven't told you and I believe it will change your mind.”

“What is it?”

“Sit down, Miss Featherstone,” he commanded.

Tia took the closest seat. “What is wrong?”

“Before I left to find you, your mother informed me of an . . . an incident with your sister.”

“My sister? What happened to Mia?” Her eyes opened wide as her mouth fell open. She had felt as if something had happened to Mia, but she'd ignored the sensation. She should have known better. They were always sensitive to each other's feelings.

“Yes.”

Her mouth went dry. “What happened?”

“Your sister was abused by a man. She will be all right. She is staying at Hartsfield Park until they catch the man who did this to her.”

And this was precisely why Tia had never given her affections away as her sister did. It led to nothing but trouble. “I see,” was all she managed to say. “It was that new man she was with, wasn't it?”

“Honestly, I don't know.” Middleton walked over and handed her a handkerchief.

Tia hadn't realized she was even crying. “I told her not to see him. She wouldn't even tell me his name. Only that he was new to the neighborhood.”

“Come here.” He helped her to her feet and brought her into the safety of his arms. “I'm sorry, Tia,” he whispered. “But you needed to know why I was insisting you return.”

“When did this happen?”

“The day before I left.”

“But that was almost a month ago. Why didn't you tell me when I was here a fortnight ago?” At that point, she might have been able to help her sister. But now it seemed unlikely that Mia needed her.

“I didn't have the chance. After being shot and then drugged with laudanum, you were gone when I woke.”

“What were her injuries?”

“I'm not completely certain. I believe her ribs were either cracked or bruised and she was hit on her face.”

Tia's analytical mind took over. “Even if her ribs were cracked, she'd be healing quite nicely by now.”

Middleton pulled back slightly. “True, but you still need to go to her.”

“And I will, but in a few days' time. There is something I must do first.”

“Oh? And what would that be?” he asked in a harsh tone. “I can only assume it has something to do with my brother.”

Tia closed her eyes. There was something in his voice that tugged at her heart. She couldn't explain it, but there was a desperation she'd never heard before. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Stay out of my brother's life. You don't know the real Jonathon. The man you met at Middleton Hall was an illusion.”

“You're wrong.” Tia backed up when he glared down at her with his icy cold eyes. “I know you are. Jonathon and I talked for hours. I did know the real Jonathon.”

“He would not have told you everything.” Middleton stepped closer to her. “He knew how to woo a woman and that is all he was attempting to do with you.”

Tia's anger surged. She'd had enough of Middleton speaking so poorly about a man who only needed help. She was angry with herself for believing his brother's fine words. Before she could stop herself, she slapped his cheek harder than she had ever hit another person.

“Bitch,” he swore, then pulled her up against him, holding her wrists behind her. She struggled against his strength. “You are getting on a coach tomorrow for the Midlands.”

“I'm sorry I hit you,” she whispered. “I—I don't know what comes over me when you're near. I want you to understand my feelings and stop disregarding them.” Her breasts were crushed against the hard muscle of his chest. She could feel every breath he took as his chest rose and fell. Staring into his blue eyes, she felt herself sinking into a pit that she knew would be dark, but she couldn't help herself. There was something about this man that she had never felt with another.

“You are going home.”

“I will do anything to stay,” she cried.

He pushed her away from him. “Do not say things you don't mean.”

“I meant it. I'll do anything.”

Middleton closed his eyes as if fighting some unknown demon. “There is only one condition to you staying.”

“What? I will meet your conditions. Anything.”

“You will be my mistress.”

 

Braden knew how wrong it was to ask that of her. Surely, this would force her hand. She wouldn't give up her innocence to find his brother. This would get her out of his hair . . . and his life, at least for a short while.

“You cannot be serious.” The wavering tone of her voice gave him a shot of confidence.

“I am. For as long as we are in London, you will warm my bed. You will be a willing lover. Anything I want from you, you will do.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “Anything.”

“I . . .”

“Make your decision. The coach in the morning or my bed tonight.”

She pressed her lips together. “This is dreadfully unfair.”

“So is life, Tia. Now make your decision.”

“I need a few moments to think on it. I can't make such a life-altering decision in just a few seconds.”

She turned away from him, but Braden knew he hadn't frightened her enough yet. He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her up against his chest. He pressed light kisses on her neck. “What is your decision?”

“I can't make a decision so quickly,” she said.

“Of course you can,” he whispered near her ear. He ran his tongue along the outer shell of her ear until she shivered. “Tell me.”

Make the right decision
, he willed her
. Turn me down. I don't deserve the pleasure your body will bring.

“I don't know!”

“Yes, you do.” He rubbed his thumbs across her breasts until her nipples tightened. He was certain she would back down. She didn't want to make the same mistakes as her sister. “Your body knows.”

“Just give me a few minutes,” she begged

Braden slowly moved away from the sweet heat of her body. “Very well, I am a fair man. You have until dinner, but no longer. I want your answer then. If you choose me, we will have plans for the evening. If not, you will be locked in your room until morning.”

“I understand,” she said quietly.

“Good.”

“What would our plans be if I decide on you?”

“A gaming hell. I have an urge to gamble. As my mistress, you will go wherever I desire. Even if that means attending a ball or party. Every person will know you are my mistress and the men will dream about what we do in bed.”

She pressed her lips together as her face went pallid. “I understand. But back to this evening. What gaming hell did you place on visiting?”

“The Red Door.”

Her face lit up. “The Red Door?”

Oh hell, what had he done? Why would she have an interest in the place? She couldn't have heard about Jonathon's scuffle last night.
Lady Eldridge
. Emily might have told Tia about it. Damn. “It was just a thought. I may actually try a different place tonight.”

Seeing her crestfallen face, he knew he was right. She had heard the news.

“Middleton, may I ask you something?”

“I'm quite certain I should say no, but go ahead.”

“I was very foxed last night and while I remember some of the embarrassing things I did, the one thing I can't completely remember was the kiss we shared. Before I make my decision, I would like a kiss.” She cleared her throat. “A real kiss.”

“A real kiss?”

“Yes. Like last night.”

He couldn't do this. Kissing her again was madness He'd never be able to resist her. Was there some way he could kiss her that would repel her? He had never been taught how to disgust a woman.

“Make your decision,” she said, almost as forcefully as he had to her.

“Very well.”

She walked into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her breasts pushed against his chest, sending blood to a part of him that he needed to control. He lowered his head and kissed her softly. Even such an innocent kiss was enough to make him hard. There was no way of resisting her when he wanted her naked body wrapped around his.

Instead, he decided on another tactic: passion. He moved them back a few steps until he had her pressed between the wall and his body. Then he slid his tongue across her full lips until she opened for him. The sensation of her tongue on his sent a primal longing through him. Pressing his hips against her, he heard her moan as she realized how badly he wanted her.