Page 57 of Tempting Her Viscount

Chapter Twenty

They were quiet as they left London.

It was one of the many things he enjoyed about being with Celia. While some women were taught to fill any bit of silence with chatter, Celia was content to sit in peace and allow the moment to be.

How nice it would be to have a companion who was suited for letting a person to their thoughts?

“I have a new requirement for my wife,” he said.

“Oh?”

“She needs to be quiet.”

Celia’s brows pulled together in a way he’d only seen when she was about to take hold of Gray’s ear.

“Pardon?” The single word came across the carriage like a lash.

Kit realized how his words might have been interpreted and shook his head.

“That is to say, I want her to be content with silence. As we are right now. I don’t want every moment of my life filled with chatter. I will most definitely want to have conversations and will want her to speak her mind, but in the times when no discussion is necessary, I want to make sure she is suited to just be still.”

He winced and shook his head.

“I don’t imagine that made any sense. You must understand that after my parents died, I spent a lot of time alone. The servants cared for me when my uncle was at sea which was a large part of the time. And while the servants saw to my needs, they didn’t offer much in the way of companionship. As a result, there are times when I need to just sit.”

She nodded. “I understand. And probably for a similar reason. My father didn’t know what to do with a daughter, nor did he care to invest the time to try. He and Graham fought often so I was content to stay in my rooms and not call attention to myself. Silence doesn’t disturb me as it does some others.”

He was glad she understood him so well. He found himself leaning closer to kiss her, but then pulled away when he remembered why they were heading to the country in the first place.

“I think it best we move forward strictly as friends,” he announced though his chest ached to hear it.

Her eyes widened in surprise and she blinked a few times. “Very well. If that is what you wish.”

“It’s not actually. I want nothing more than to debauch you right here in this carriage, but I find myself hoping for something that can’t be, so I must stop.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. That wasn’t my intention. I hope you know that.”

“You’ve been very clear about what you wanted. I’m not so caught up in my own importance to not see you have different needs. It doesn’t mean either one of us is in the wrong.”

“I have felt guilty for not being able to offer you more.”

“No, Celia. You have nothing to feel guilty about.”

“Perhaps neither of us needs to feel guilty about anything. I enjoyed every moment we were together intimately. I have no regrets. I will always look back at this time with fondness.”

“As will I,” he agreed easily, feeling a weight lift. They’d offered each other comfort and pleasure during this time of transition in their lives. He didn’t have any regrets either.

She leaned over and rested her head against his shoulder and he pressed a final kiss to her citrus-scented hair.

After days of travel, they pulled into the drive of Blairgowrie Castle. When they came to a stop, the servants descended to take care of their luggage and arrangements. Celia was whisked away to her suite in the opposite wing as his, per his request.

It was one thing to wish to be friends with her, and quite another matter to have her close by in the nights when his body longed for hers.

Keeping his distance as well as his wits was imperative to his sanity. He couldn’t keep falling into her arms while also hoping to find someone else to marry. In the same way it was impossible to see the sun while one held a star.

When it was time for dinner, he dressed and headed for the dining room. Celia arrived shortly after, looking quite lovely. Her sable hair was styled in the same way it had been the night she’d been Selene.

He recalled that night and wished he hadn’t. After helping her into her seat, he took his own quickly before she might notice the way the memory had affected him.