The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  Caroline studied his strong face. His blue eyes shone with concern or frustration. She wasn’t sure which, but he appeared uneasy being here. She took his extended hand and walked back to tell Rev. Smitten and his wife good-bye.

  Damon climbed inside the carriage beside her and they rode away from the rectory. He remained silent all the way home and Caroline didn’t try to converse.

  At the front door, Damon assisted Caroline out, and without saying a word he got back in and rode around to the stables. Caroline handed her hat and gloves to Mrs. Parker on entering the foyer.

  “You have a message on your desk, milady. Would you like a cup of tea?” she asked.

  “Oh no, Mrs. Smitten was quite gracious. I am filled to the brim with tea and cakes. I won’t need any lunch either.” Caroline headed to her private room at the back of the house.

  The cream-colored envelope lay in the middle of her desk, the feminine writing instantly familiar. Her mother had not written since the wedding. She opened the envelope and sat down to read her letter.

  “Mrs. Parker said you had mail.” Damon’s voice came from the door.

  “Mama has written. She said Papa is not feeling well. They are leaving London to go home.” Caroline frowned. “Almost nothing can get Mama away from London before the end of the season. I hope Papa is going to be all right.”

  Damon frowned. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. I came to tell you Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Christopher will be bringing Hannah home tomorrow. She indicated in her message that you had agreed it would be all right for Hannah to move back home.”

  “I saw no reason why she should not be here. She loves her new room and was anxious to return. We talked on the day I had tea at your aunt’s.” Caroline looked at him, puzzled. “I thought you’d be pleased.”

  “I had hoped we’d have more time alone before bringing her here.” Damon walked further into the room.

  Caroline laughed. “In two days we have a large group of people arriving for a house party, Damon. We will hardly have any time alone.”

  “Do you need additional help? I realize this is your first party where you will be the hostess.”

  “Mrs. Parker has added staff from the village. We began to prepare when I received your letter. All is in order. You do not have to fret that I will embarrass you, Damon. My mother taught me very well how to be the lady of the house.” Caroline bit her lip when she realized her words sounded sharp.

  “Well done.” Damon turned, and then stopped. “I have considered your request and sent a letter to your father about your nanny and Mary coming here. I hope the post arrives before they leave London, or I shall have to write again.”

  “Oh.” Caroline put her hand to her mouth as she watched Damon head back to his study. She looked out at the roses blooming in a nearby flower bed. Would she ever understand this man she married?

  He kept her on guard. Many times he seemed annoyed and frustrated with her. Then suddenly he’d do something kind and sweet. She thought he’d forgotten her request or had decided to deny it.

  Happiness swept through her. It would be so good to see Nanny Fowler and to have Mary with her. Agnes was kind, but she was not the same as having Mary to do her hair and listen to her rambling concerns.

  Tomorrow Hannah would move home, and the next day all the other guests would arrive. Caroline went in search of Mrs. Parker to make sure everything was prepared for their guests.

  Caroline retired early that night and hoped she’d have a visit from Damon. When he didn’t, she lay awake, wondering what to do. Was she brave enough to go to his room? She trembled inside at her daring idea.

  I will do it. I am strong and independent, and I was a bit rude this afternoon.

  Before she changed her mind, Caroline threw off the covers and went through the adjoining door, walked along the short interior hallway, and opened Damon’s door. He sat in a chair by a table with a candle lit and he had a book in his lap, but he wasn’t reading. He blinked at Caroline as though he thought he was seeing things.

  “I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to apologize for my sharp tone earlier today and thank you for sending for my nanny and Mary.” Getting braver, she moved further into his room. “May I stay?” Her heart pounded in her ears, and she was certain her shaking legs wouldn’t hold her much longer.

  Damon rose and approached her slowly. She shivered as though a cool wind blew across her heated body.

  “You dared to enter the lion’s den.” He purred the words when he stood in front of her. “What do you want, wife?”

  “I want to feel you holding me.” There, she’d said the words. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

  His gaze roamed from her head to her feet so intently it felt like a caress. “Your tongue is often sharp. What can I do to soften it?” Damon ran his tongue over his teeth.

  She shuddered, but it wasn’t from fear. Desire flashed in her core and she leaned toward him.

  “What do you suggest, Damon?”

  He swept her into his arms and took rapid strides across the room to his bed where he dropped her. When his hand went to the belt of his night robe, she turned her head. “Look at me,” he demanded.

  Caroline watched as he pushed the robe off his shoulders and it fell to the floor. He looked superb in his nudity. “You don’t sleep in a night shirt?” she asked.

  “I find them restricting. You might try sleeping in the nude. You’d be surprised how comfortable and freeing it is.” He watched her expression closely.

  She tried to cover the shock of his words. “Does any lady sleep in such a way?” She had to admit the idea tempted her.

  “None would admit it, but I’m certain there are some who feel comfortable enough in their husband’s presence to discard all their clothing.”

  * * * *

  When she bit the edge of her lip, desire raced through his veins, and his cock came to full attention. She had taken him by surprise when she came into his room. His heart had jumped and a ravenous hunger for his wife had built a fire in him.

  He waited, wondering if she’d take his subtle dare and remove her gown. She rolled to the side of the bed and sat. Then she stood and, taking hold of her nightgown, she pulled it up and over her head.

  Her beauty took his breath. Her breasts were small but firm, and her nipples a rosy color. They beaded when he looked at them. Her midriff curved into a small waist. When he lowered his eyes to her lower lips, she trembled. Damon glanced at her face and saw desire in her eyes.

  He continued to view her lovely body. Soft, blonde hair covered her mound and her legs curved in all the right spots to her small feet. Delectable and delicious, he wanted to love her and taste her.

  Damon pulled her tight against his body. “See how well we fit together, my dear. Your softness complements my hardness.”

  He lifted her chin and kissed her mouth. “I intend to kiss and taste your sweet body all over.” Her eyes flashed with a golden light, and his heart thumped heavily in his chest. Damon lifted her onto the bed and followed her down.

  His lips trailed from her mouth, to her neck, and he stopped at the place where her heart beat strong against his lips. He glanced at her face. “I excite you.”

  Her pretty face flushed as she nodded yes. He grinned and licked across the spot. Then he nibbled on her neck and shoulders before kissing each breast and sucking on her nipples.

  She groaned and stirred under him. Her hips rose and rubbed against his hard, hungry cock. His kisses continued along her abdomen. Then he separated her pink folds and licked her clit. She tried to pull away from him. Shock showed on her face.

  “Relax, darling, this is quite proper between husbands and wives.”

  “Then why have I never heard of it?” she asked with a trembling voice.

  “I doubt this is proper conversation even when ladies are alone.” He pulled her closer and licked her clit and the sweet juices from her pussy. “You taste delicious.” He put one finger into her pussy opening and her hips rose.<
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  “I can’t stand any more.”

  “Sure you can. We’re just getting started.” Damon moved his finger around in her pussy and her back bowed as she made a keening sound.

  “Please,” she said.

  “Please what?” he asked. “You have to be more specific.”

  “Put you cock inside me,” she said, in a demanding tone.

  Damon chuckled. “And so I shall.” He positioned his cock at her opening and plunged in. Her body shook, and her head went back as her orgasm filled her with joy. Her pussy had tightened around his cock, and he thrust in and out quickly.

  Her pussy rippled against his cock. He let go, enjoying the ride, as his cock pulsated and his very hard orgasm shook him inside and out.

  He held her in his arms as their breathing slowed. Damon kissed the top of her head. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Her smile beamed at him. “I’m very fine.” She snuggled her head into his shoulder and closed her eyes.

  When she fell asleep, Damon reluctantly carried her to her bed. A part of him wanted to keep her beside him, but another part reminded him he mustn’t love her. If he did, what would happen to his plan for revenge?

  Chapter Twelve

  Hannah rushed in and hugged her brother and Caroline before running up the stairs to her room.

  “She is so excited to be with the two of you,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “I think she sees Caroline as the sister she never had, and will probably tag along behind her for a while.” Elizabeth looked warningly over at Caroline.

  “I shall look forward to it. Being an only child, I have always wished for a sibling. I had neighborhood friends but that is not the same.” Caroline motioned for Elizabeth and her husband to be seated.

  Damon sat on the settee beside Caroline. “Rook told me he was a neighbor of yours and yet the first night I met you, I felt you didn’t like him.”

  “Rook changed when he went to town. He lost interest in anything that didn’t entail gambling, racing horses, or women.”

  Damon and his uncle laughed heartily. “My dear,” Damon’s uncle said with a smile, “all young men go through such a stage. Thank goodness most of us mature. Then after marriage our wives complete the change.” He turned to his wife and smiled. “I mean that in the best possible way, my love.”

  Elizabeth laughed and patted his hand. “Ah, Christopher, I was the one who needed calming down. You were my prince.”

  Caroline watched as the pair looked into each other’s eyes. By their words and action, their love was open for all to see. How she wished Damon and she could come to feel the same for each other. Perhaps what happened last night would bring them closer. But she’d been disappointed to awaken in her own room this morning.

  Damon stirred restlessly. “Uncle Christopher, I have a new mare. Would you like to see her?”

  “I certainly would. I envy you the stable of horses you have acquired. I’m sure the ladies will enjoy a good gossip while we are gone.” He winked at his wife and Caroline.

  Lady Elizabeth moved to sit beside Caroline. “How are things going since our last talk?”

  Caroline told her about the gunshot and her visit to the rectory.

  “What did you hope to find out about my sister and Damon’s father? Damon was most likely right about poachers. I have heard of the unrest lately, and I know Christopher has been concerned about riots. He spoke to the owner of the factories. But it didn’t help.”

  Elizabeth’s open face and clear blue eyes encouraged Caroline to share her concerns. “I need to talk with you privately. We could be interrupted here. Hopefully during the house party we will have an opportunity to go for a walk, and I can share my suspicions.”

  “Have you shared them with Damon?” Elizabeth asked.

  “I tried. He didn’t want to hear anything that seems to clear my father of being the villain.”

  Elizabeth took her hand. “Don’t give up on him. It is hard to see another way when you have been headed in one direction for so long.”

  Caroline didn’t reply. She caught a glance of someone in the hall. She walked to the door. “Charles, may I help you?”

  Charles frowned at her cool words. “I’m joining Lord Royston for a meeting in his study.” He started to stride down the hall.

  “Stop.” Caroline’s voice rang out. “My husband is at the stables with his uncle. He must have forgotten about your meeting. Perhaps you can join them there.”

  “I’ll wait in his study.” Charles started to continue down the hall.

  “No. My husband’s study is his private domain. You may either come back later or go to the stables.”

  Charles stomped rapidly back toward her. His fists clenched and his face flushed. He started to speak when he saw Lady Sommerplace come to the door of the sitting room. He took a visibly deep breath and unclenched his hands.

  Charles bowed to both women. “I will join the men at the stables.”

  Elizabeth watched him go out, shutting the door softly. “That man has always seemed strange to me. It is hard to believe he could be any relation to Damon and his father.”

  “I agree. His eyes show malice most of the time,” Caroline added.

  She and Elizabeth walked back into the sitting room. Elizabeth looked worried when she sat and faced Caroline. “Christopher considered letting him go after my brother-in-law’s death. Damon convinced him it would be too much work to have our steward try to handle both estates. He said Charles would be needed. I guess Christopher agreed because he let Charles stay on.”

  Hannah swept in the room like a breath of fresh air, and both Caroline and Elizabeth smiled at her obvious joy. “I was thanking Mrs. Parker for my beautiful roses, Caroline, and she said you picked them and arranged them especially for me. How did you know I love pink roses?”

  Caroline patted the seat beside her. “Come join us. I love roses, and I knew you liked pink because you favor that color in your clothes. I thought you might enjoy them.”

  “My room is wonderful and it smells of roses. I am so excited to be with you and Damon. Not that I don’t love being with you, Auntie Lizzie, and Uncle Chris, but…”

  Elizabeth waved her hand. “No need to explain, my dear. It is perfectly normal and right for you to want to enjoy being with your brother and his wife. After all you have seen him for only short periods these past many years.”

  Damon, his uncle, and Charles joined them. Caroline went out of the room to order tea. She sensed Charles’s cold eyes on her as she left the room. What was he planning next? Caroline had no doubt either he or someone he paid had shot at her. Her heart rate increased at the thought. She would not let him scare her away. She lifted her chin.

  I will win this battle.

  * * * *

  Carriages began arriving early. Caroline greeted their first guests, Lord Edward Sylvester and his wife, Lady Katherine. Caroline noticed Katherine’s pale face. She asked Mrs. Parker to put Lord and Lady Sylvester in a downstairs room.

  “Thank you, Lady Royston. I hope it is not inconvenient for you to make the change. I do appreciate not having to go up and down stairs right now.” Katherine Sylvester blushed.

  “It’s not a problem. You are increasing?” Caroling asked softly.

  Katherine nodded and ducked her head. “Edward said we must refuse the invitation. He is so worried about me, but I have been looking forward to getting out one more time before I am confined to our estate.”

  “I understand, and I would have been very disappointed if you had not been able to attend. Our husbands are having a long conversation. Shall I walk with you to your room?”

  “Please do.”

  Mrs. Parker had placed the Sylvesters in a back bedroom off the rose garden. A slight breeze blew the curtain inward and brought with it the fragrance of the flowers.

  “I have looked forward to knowing you better, Lady Royston. Our husbands have been friends since school. I hope we can also be friends,” Katherine said.

&n
bsp; Caroline admired Lady Katherine’s gentle manners. She had kind, brown eyes, and golden-brown hair. Caroline thought briefly of her mother and knew Katherine Sylvester was a role model of how her parents would have liked Caroline to behave. Why had she not followed her mother’s guidance? There was nothing unpleasant about this lady.

  “I hope I have not been too forward in asking for your friendship?” Katherine Sylvester looked anxious.

  Caroline realized she had been staring at her and had not replied. She hastened to reassure her. “It is I who must ask you to forgive my poor manners. You reminded me of someone. I was trying to remember who. Please call me Caroline. If we are to be friends, we mustn’t be so formal.”

  Katherine smiled, relieved. “I think I must rest for a few hours, or Edward will fuss.” She chuckled. “He is worse than my mother, but then he remembers Damon’s mother, and how she died in childbirth.”

  Caroline sat on the bed beside Katherine. “Are you afraid?”

  Katherine’s brown eyes darkened. “Most of the time, no. The main difficulty is I don’t know what to expect. All the older ladies love to share the most horrible stories with you.”

  “Remember,” Caroline whispered to her. “They are old ladies and they survived.”

  Katherine laughed. “I had not thought of that, thank you so much.”

  Edward Sylvester walked in, filling the room with warmth and strength. He was tall and broader then Damon. His light-blue eyes twinkled with good humor. “It is good to hear my wife laughing. She has been too much with her mother and her old cronies. I hesitated about us coming at this time, but I see already it is good. You are good for her spirits, my lady,” he said to Caroline.

  “I am looking forward to this weekend. We will get to know each other better. But I will leave you now, so you can rest from your journey. Dinner is at eight, but please stroll about the house and gardens, wherever and whenever you wish.” Caroline slipped out of the room and found Damon waiting outside the door.