A Viscount's Vengeance by Edie Cay

Author:Edie Cay
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781734439762
Publisher: ScarabSkin Books

CHAPTER 11

Pearl was pleased that Lily had recommended the red dress. She would never be bold enough to wear it outside the house, but if making James unable to look above her clavicle was the result of it, good. She wanted him to pant after her like a stray dog. He deserved it if he was still thinking of his time with Lady Kinsley.

As Mr. Barton left the drawing room, James approached Pearl with his arm out to escort her. She took his arm, noticing then that his cravat was pinned with a pearl. How could she not believe it was for her? He was dressed to match, with a red waistcoat in the same exact shade as her gown. Lily must have conspired with his valet. His arm was warm, and she could feel it all the way through her white gloves. She hoped he was outright sweating.

“I wonder what is on the menu for tonight?” she mused aloud. Did James know about his mother’s meddling? The aphrodisiacs stuffed into every course?

James shook his head, clearing his throat as they processed. “Haven’t the foggiest.”

No, he had no idea. They entered the dining room in silence. She didn’t know what to say any more than he did. She might be showing off more skin than she normally did, but entering the drawing room, seeing him holding the mending in front of him, all she could think of was him in front of the fireplace, finding pleasure in his fist. It was all she could do to keep her mind in the current moment.

Instead of remembering the curve of his thighs, the planes of his stomach, she catalogued what she saw. The banquet that had once held the curious teapot, the chandelier lit with beeswax candles, the table set with silver, and her husband. Her husband who had every right to put his hands all over her, hands that could perform marvelous things on a piano. What could they do on her?

She stripped off her gloves, and she could swear James was watching her. Did he want her? He’d spoken that double-entendre in the drawing room. But then, he only just left his mistress. Men likely went through some kind of withdrawal. She didn’t know that for certain, but from the way Mrs. Coldcroft talked about it, some men were addicted to bodily pleasures just as some were addicted to opium.

The footman delivered the soup course, revealing it to be another ginger broth. Of course it was.

“More ginger,” James commented.

“Indeed,” Pearl said, dutifully eating.

James stared at her, working his jaw. That silly, square jaw that could cut paper. “I like ginger.”

Pearl swallowed. She didn’t think he was talking about the spice, and rather talking about her hair. All she could do was blink. His words weren’t aligning with what she had thought he wanted. Maybe she was wrong? “I see.”

He seemed chastened, and she could have pinched herself. How did a woman encourage her husband to flirt at the dinner table?

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