Chapter Twenty-Five
The next morning, Jack came out of his room for breakfast and spotted Vivian and Gabrielle walking down the hallway.
“Ladies, you look beautiful this fine morning.”
He wasn’t just being polite. Gabrielle looked lovely in a morning gown of emerald green which highlighted her dark hair and eyes. Vivian wore a rose-colored gown with an underskirt of pale pink silk. Her blond curls, so carefully tamed into an elegant bun, made his fingers itch to muss them until they tumbled freely down around her. He pictured her naked in his bed; her hair fanned out over his pillows.
Attempting to rein in his thoughts, he took a cleansing breath through his nose. “May I escort you downstairs?” he asked.
His mother, already seated, as usual, smiled at them as they arrived at breakfast. Jack bent to kiss her cheek. “Good morning, Mother. What is on the agenda today?”
“Today is the hunt. I explained all this yesterday at dinner. Weren’t you listening?” she said with some exasperation. “Clearly not, as you are not dressed in riding attire.”
He had, in fact, been quite distracted at dinner. He had been trying to pay attention to his dinner companion, eavesdrop on the nearby conversation of Count Moreau, and not stare obsessively at Vivian. She’d looked scrumptious last night. Her gown of pale peach set off her natural golden skin tone and made him want to nibble along her elegant neck.
“Jack, I said, are you going to go change?” His mother interrupted his thoughts.
“Uh, no, I don’t think so. I need to reply to a pile of correspondence. I think I will hole up in the study for a few hours.”
Lady Louise turned to Vivian. “And Vivian, are you also not riding this morning?”
“No, Lady Gilchrest. After the incident last season with Lady Quimby’s hat, I have decided I don’t hunt. I think I shall take the opportunity to do some drawing this morning.”
“And I have some letters to write,” Gabrielle added.
“Very well. Andrew is in charge of the hunt. I will be in the drawing room entertaining some of the older ladies who did not wish to participate. If you like, you may join us there later, ladies.” Setting her teacup down with an uncharacteristic rattle, she got up and sailed out of the room in a swish of skirts.
****
Vivian sat on the settee in her bedroom with her sketch pad and charcoals, determined to spend a pleasant morning drawing. If only the puppy would stop stealing her pencils.
“Pearl, come back here.”
Sighing, she got up once again to follow the dog across the room. She laughed at Pearl’s lack of stealth. The puppy simply raced over, jumped into her pile of blankets in the corner, burying the pencil under one corner. Rolling her eyes, Vivian knelt down in front of the pup, fishing out the pencil while scratching Pearl behind her ears.
“I really need to find you a proper dog toy, perhaps a length of rope to chew on.” Pearl scrambled onto her lap. Taking the puppy with her back to the settee, she settled the tiny dog in the opposite corner. Pearl looked up at her with large dark eyes. “It’s not your fault I can’t concentrate. It’s really to do with the too handsome for his own good captain downstairs.”
She stood to pace back and forth in front of the settee. Pearl padded across the cushioned seat, following her each time she changed directions.
“He’s such a puzzle. He keeps too much about himself close to his chest. Will I ever know what sort of man he truly is?” She began to tick off on her fingers things she had discovered over the past few weeks. “Owner of Aston Shipping, brother to the Duke of Gilchrest, a spy.” She threw her hands up in the air in frustration causing Pearl to bark excitedly at her.
“Oh, but Pearl, he is also a loving brother and uncle. A good friend. An excellent kisser…” Warmth flooded her cheeks as she thought about the last time they’d kissed, the way his strong arms had wrapped around her waist, holding her prisoner against the heat of his body. The way every nerve ending seemed to come alive at the brush of his fingers.
She sat down, and leaning back, she rested her head against a brocade pillow. Pearl scampered on top of her, licking her chin profusely. Vivian reluctantly admitted to herself the challenge of figuring Jack out was part of his appeal. And just what did that say about her?
Fifteen minutes later, armed with her art supplies, Vivian stood outside the door to the study. She didn’t bother knocking, but just softly opened the door, peering in to see if Jack was indeed inside. He lounged on the sofa, feet propped up on a low table, reading a ream of papers. When she entered the room, he looked up, and a smile spread across his face. A pair of spectacles were perched on his nose.
Her heart turned over in her chest. She was in love with this man. Not just infatuated with the idea of a dashing ship’s captain but head over heels for this strong, passionate, reserved man. Why a silly pair of spectacles could send her heart tumbling right into this truth, she hadn’t a clue.
He set his feet on the floor. “I was hoping you would come and find me.”
It was too late for her heart, she feared. She would just have to jump into the water and hope there weren’t any sharks still lurking about, because she needed more than anything to be in his arms right now. She closed the door behind her, twisting the lock. Walking across the carpet to Jack, she set her pad and pencils down on the table.
She gently removed the spectacles from his face. “Jack, will you kiss me? I feel as though it has been an eternity since you kissed me last.”
****
The look of longing on her beautiful face gave Jack a jolt. He pulled her down to his lap with one swift tug. His lips on hers, no gentleness, just all of his pent-up passion. She responded to him immediately, running her hands up his arms and into his hair, giving a tug as if to say, “more”. He sank into the kiss, running his tongue across her bottom lip, asking her to open up to him. With a mew of pleasure, she opened her lips and he plunged his tongue into her mouth tasting, taking. He could drown in her sweet kisses.
