And it had the potential to drive him utterly insane.
She was a vision of grace and temptation, her gown hugging her petite waist, accentuating the gentle swell of her bosom that teased above the neckline. Her brunette hair, usually so simple, was now styled in elegant curls that pinned above her head and cascaded down her temples, drawing attention to her slender neck. For a moment, Gideon resented the fact that she had all but forced him into marrying her. Had their circumstances been different, perhaps she would have been the next lady to warm his bed after Mademoiselle Dubois.
For a breathless moment, Amelia seemed unaware of his presence. She entered the main room of his private quarters, looking anxiously around with her fingers delicately tracing the door handle as if preparing to flee at any second. He continued to study her, waiting for her to notice the partially open door to his bedchamber. When she noticed the door, she still didn’t see him but approached it cautiously.
“Your Grace?” her voice, soft and uncertain, filled the room as she nudged the door further open. Her eyes landed on his face… before—ever so slowly—wandering down his body, taking in the sight of his bare, muscled chest.
In truth, Gideon had completely forgotten about his state of undress. He’d dismissed his valet earlier—wanting to be alone—and had been halfway through dressing when his mind began to wander. Now, witnessing the deepening shade of pink on Amelia’s cheeks, he was grateful for his absentmindedness.
“Well, you certainly took your time,” he drawled.
“I wasn’t aware that I should hurry to see you,” she answered after a slight pause. Gideon raised his brows in surprise. Her tone had a sarcastic bite to it that he’d never heard from her before. But her attention was still so focused on his bare chest that he wondered if she was even aware of what she’d said.
“Are you enjoying the view?” Gideon teased with a light chuckle.
Amelia’s eyes snapped to his and her face grew such a bright shade of red that he was almost concerned she had caught a fever. She quickly looked away, mumbling, “W-why did you ask to see me?”
“I just wished to admire your lovely face.” Gideon moved gracefully towards his bed, where his shirt lay discarded. “Is that so wrong?”
“I find that very hard to believe,” she muttered under her breath, still looking everywhere but him.
“And why is that?” With ease, Gideon pulled his shirt over his head, adjusting the collar around his neck. He was tempted to ask Amelia’s help in getting dressed, just to see her squirm, but he decided against it. “Do you not see yourself as beautiful?”
Amelia didn’t answer, folding her arms instead.
Gideon, not missing a beat, picked up his cravat and began tying it meticulously around his neck. He closed the distance between them, angling his head to capture her flushed face in full view. “Don’t tell me?” he gasped dramatically. “Have you never been courted before, Amelia?”
“T-that is none of your concern!” she gasped.
“How could it possibly be none of my concern?” he laughed, genuinely taken by her flustered appearance. “Whatever concerns you, concerns me, dear. That is the bond shared between husband and wife.”
“Is that so?” She locked her eyes on him, her demeanor shifting. “Then what of you? I will not be surprised if you’ve never courted a lady either.”
Gideon’s smirk only widened at her bold suggestion. “You’ve got me. I have not.”
Amelia blinked, clearly taken aback. “You have not?”
“Courtship and commitment are far too serious for a man of my tastes, who would much rather prefer the liberties of bachelorhood. However,” he added with a sly grin, “That is not to say I haven’t savored the pleasures of many a lady’s company. Anything else you wish to know?”
“You have never been in love then,” she said, though it sounded slightly like a question.
Gideon shook his head. “I have no wish to be. Love is a folly for the ignorant and pitiful.”
“Having someone to love makes life far more fulfilling and enjoyable,” Amelia countered softly. “And less lonely.”
There was something about her tone that made his humor bank a bit. As if she understood the sting of loneliness almost as much as he did.
As if realizing the weight of her words, she quickly covered them up with, “Will you tell me why you took on the guise of the Masked Rogue?”
Gideon sighed, a pinch of annoyance drowning the empathy he’d felt for a moment. “You don’t need to know everything about me,” he stated coldly. “Anyway, I summoned you here to inform you that we will be attending a soiree hosted by a close friend of mine tonight. If I recall correctly, it will mark our first public outing as husband and wife, and so, for the occasion, I have prepared a gown for you to wear.”
Gideon gestured toward the far end of the room, directing her attention to an open armoire. Hung up was a beautiful blue gown with lace trimmings and a tulle underskirt. On a hassock next to the armoire were two ornate boxes—one containing a stunning sapphire necklace and the other, a pair of pearl earrings.
Amelia made no move towards them. “Thank you,” she quietly replied. “I shall ensure I am ready on due time.”
“Now that we are married, there is no need for you to retreat to your own chambers to get dressed.”
She stared at him, seemingly bemused. The sight was oddly endearing. “Do you mean for me to get dressed in here then?”
