The Heart of a Scoundrel by Christi Caldwell

Author:Christi Caldwell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Regency, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Christi Caldwell
Published: 2015-10-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The following morning, as promised to Phoebe, Edmund drew his black stallion to a halt before the Viscount Waters’ townhouse. In the light of day, with space between him and Phoebe, he acknowledged the practicality of this visit, and more, the logicalness of the offer he’d put to her father. With her gentle lavender scent no longer clouding his senses and that full, delectable mouth made for his, he’d been able to divorce those earlier, tumultuous sentiments she’d unleashed within him from the emotionless reasons to make her his marchioness.

Edmund dismounted from Lucifer and with reins in his hand, eyed the front of Waters’ townhouse. The curtains rustled from a floor-length window and Phoebe peeked around the fabric. Their gazes caught and held.

There was no emotion involved in this decision. Nothing but an insatiable lust, a desire to make her his. Then she winked at him and with a slight wave of her fingertips, dropped the curtain back into place and the heart he didn’t know still beat thumped hard in response. You bloody liar. There was nothing practical or logical in making Phoebe his wife and yet he wanted her anyway—would have her anyway. A primitive male need filled him. For in doing this, in marrying her, she would belong to him in ways she’d never belong to another. Edmund’s stare landed upon the viscount’s waiting servant.

The liveried groom blanched and darted his gaze about, seeming to contemplate escape, and then ultimately sidled closer to claim the reins.

Edmund started past the young man and climbed the viscount’s steps. The old butler who was fast becoming a familiar face opened the door in anticipation. A slight smile lined his aged cheeks which he quickly buried. “My lord,” he greeted and stepping aside, he sketched a bow.

Edmund shrugged out of his cloak then handed it off to a waiting footman. “I’m here for the viscount.” He withdrew a card and held it out to the butler, who took it and eyed it a moment, before nodding and motioning him forward.

“If you’ll follow me.”

The other man didn’t wait to see if he followed and moved at a surprisingly brisk pace down the corridor. Edmund tugged at his lapels and trailed after the man. He gritted his teeth at the quick movements that strained the muscles of his leg.

Alas, their journey was not to be a quick one. “Rutland, my friend.”

He winced at the jovial greeting issued by the lady’s younger brother who stepped into their path. Tamping down a sigh of annoyance, Edmund executed a stiff bow. “Barrett.”

Except, that crisp, laconic utterance proved little deterrence. “Were you coming to call?”

By the hopeful glint in the young man’s eyes it registered. He blanched. By God, the pup thought he was here to see him. He opened his mouth to deliver the blunt, coolly aloof response he would have at any other point in his life—before her. Edmund caught himself and forced a grin, the expression painful. “I’ve matters of business to attend with the viscount.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.