Aunt Hortense propped herself up in the far corner and promptly dozed off, her ear trumpet in hand.
Emily stared at her aunt in mortification and confusion—a fairly regular occurrence with the elderly woman. She looked back at Cooper and found both his brows raised.
He cleared his throat. “I had not realized ferns lost their bloom so easily.”
She stifled a laugh as she glared at her caller.
Undeterred by their interruption, he next produced a box of chocolates.
She sighed. “How many more gifts did you bring?”
Humor took his countenance from dazzling to breathtaking. “All of them.”
“All of what?” Now she was quite confused.
“All the gifts I would have given you over the course of our visits. Since I was only permitted this one opportunity to lavish you with tokens, I did my best to cover everything.” He walked to the drawing room door and opened it. “Come, Mrs. Peppers, I told you I would convince her to accept all the gifts.”
Her housekeeper walked in, beaming from ear to ear as she led a procession of men and women carrying bouquets, chocolates, books, and even a few boxes she was certain came from a modiste.
“Cooper, this is outside of enough. I cannot possibly accept all these gifts from you.” She walked over to the plain boxes with simple ribbons around them. Opening one, she held up a fetching bonnet with feathers and ribbons in the first stare of fashion. She had never owned such a luxurious head cover. “And this? This is practically a declaration of our betrothal. No other man would be permitted such leeway.”
Her great-aunt snuffled and snorted in her sleep, drawing their attention for a moment, but then the frail woman settled back into a deep snooze.
“I’m sorry, but you forced my hand. If you will not accept everything, then give it away, for I shall not accept any of it back.” He stared her down as the servants departed the room. Once they were alone again, he stepped closer to her. “Do I need to convince you to accept all my gifts?”
Had it grown warm in the house? She tugged at the high collar of her day dress. “I— Cooper, I simply can’t—”
Closing the last bit of distance between them until her skirts wrapped around his boots, he said, “I see I must convince you.” And then he kissed her.
Emily’s head spun as his arms circled her and pressed her closer to his chest. The man plundered her mouth, stealing her breath and all rational thought. Her body’s desires took over, urging her to take what he offered, throw caution to the wind, and simply—feel.
With a soft, breathy moan, she capitulated. Melting into his body, she stopped fighting the myriad sensations the man evoked with his touch, his spicy, woodsy scent, and the earthy taste on his lips and tongue. Had he taken a drink before coming to shore up his nerves? How intriguing to think she might cause such a confident—some would say too confident—man to need some sort of artificial bolstering.
As she reveled in his kiss, her body came alive. Tingles danced over her skin, a feather-light touch that made her heart race, while her nipples pebbled to hard nubs that chafed against her linens and corset. And between her thighs, she recognized a dampness that spoke far too plainly of her desire for the man holding her.
Slowly, he pulled back from the kiss, dropping nibbles along her jaw that shot little trills of pleasure over her form. Once he was looking her in the eyes, his hands at her shoulders as a steadying influence, he smiled. “Please, take the gifts as a token of my friendship and affection for you.”
Oh, how she wanted to say yes, but propriety dictated she say no. Casting another glance in the direction of her still-sleeping chaperone, she bit her lip. Of course, ignoring propriety had become such a routine part of her life, she considered doing it once more. Gifts were few and far between in her life, let alone anything intended solely for her. She eyed the tip of a teal feather poking from the hat box and bit her lip in indecision. If nothing else, she could pawn the items and put the money toward her brother’s debt. Decision made, she nodded at Cooper. “Very well, I shall accept your highly inappropriate gifts. But the bargain remains. No further trinkets.”
“Agreed.” The man beamed as though she’d granted him his fondest wish. “Now, on to other business. Please, take a seat.” He ushered her over to the settee. Once she sat, he took the cushion next to hers and opened the folio sitting on the drawing room table. Lowering his voice to ensure their witness remained as she was—asleep—Cooper continued. “This is the standard contract for The Market, with a few changes per our agreed-upon terms. Please read through it carefully to be certain everything is as you remember agreeing to.”
Emily perused the one-page contract, taking careful note to ensure the stipulations were in accordance with her memory. Satisfied, she nodded and nudged the folio back toward him. “It all looks in order.”
“Good. Did you also notice that either one of us may break the contract with forty-eight hours’ notice in writing?” He reached into his coat pocket and produced a fountain pen.
“I did notice that line. I am fine with the addition.” She nodded, all business even as her pulse thrummed wildly beneath her skin. The rush of the forbidden made her jittery with excitement.
“Very good.” He leaned over and signed his name with a flourish to both copies of the agreement. Next, she took the pen and followed suit. Once she was done, he handed her a copy. “For you, my lady.”
“Thank you.” She set the document aside and folded her hands in her lap. For an awkward moment, she wondered if he might suddenly leap upon her person, but then she reminded herself that Cooper was a gentleman, and they had both signed the contract.
Cooper shifted on the seat next to Emily, who seemed terribly uncomfortable now that the contract had been signed. Deciding he needed to get her past this awkwardness, he angled his body toward her and asked the one question he knew would get her past whatever reticence had settled in. “Tell me again why marriage is impossible?”
She huffed in a most unladylike manner. “I have already explained this.”
He worked very hard to keep a straight face. “Have you? I don’t recall having that conversation.”
“You remember it very well. You had just pulled a necklace from my bosom,” she hissed at him.
Determined to have a bit of fun, he drew his brows together. “Truly? I should think I would remember that.”
Realization caused her mouth to pinch. “Do not provoke me. I am no simpering miss to be cowed by such behavior. I am not wifely material for the same reasons your ridiculous ploy to rile me shall fail.”
He could see her struggle for composure until a calmness fell over her features.
“I am too independent to make a good wife.”
Giving in, he grinned unrepentantly, “Ah, yes. I do remember you mentioning such a notion.”
“It is no mere notion, as you put it. It is fact. No man wants a thief for a wife.” Her gaze softened and grew a bit damp as she struggled with the truth as she knew it.
For a moment, he considered pulling her into his arms and comforting her. But he knew it would only reinforce her belief that he saw her as weak. The truth was he’d never met such a strong woman. She was fierce and fiery, determined to come out ahead in a way that stroked his most dominant instincts to life. He wanted to protect her, help her. Not because she was weak, but because he could make her life better. Safer, even.
Frustration and a little bitterness slipped through his determination to win her. “Chin up, Emily. I’m sure you’ll find some poor fool to marry who wouldn’t notice a little theft here and there.”
“Do stop your irksome prattle. If you are going to stay, we should have tea and speak of civilized things.” She cast a glance at the pile of gifts, and then at her great-aunt.
“Perhaps I should leave you to sort through your new things.” He turned his knees so he faced her. Despite hating the need to end their visit, he dared not overstay his welcome. Gaining her trust was a key pa
rt of his grand plan to convince her to marry him.
To his surprise, she offered a genuine smile. “You should stay and see me enjoy your gifts. I’ll have Mrs. Peppers bring a tea tray.”
“Never say I passed an opportunity to take tea with a beautiful woman.” He settled back on the sofa and waited for her to rise and approach the boxes.
She did stand, but first, she rang for her housekeeper and ordered their repast. Then she approached the gifts. “The hat is just lovely. You have excellent taste.”
“I’m glad you think so. Now open the rest so I may enjoy your enthusiastic delight.”
He settled back and took in the engaging sight of Emily amidst her presents. In general, she had been nothing like what he’d expected. Recalling his foolish belief that she’d be a docile spinster, he snorted to himself. Now he was looking forward to unleashing the hellion in his bed.
Chapter 7
Cooper had thought to leave well enough alone after having made plans with Emily to meet for the first time at The Market, but once he’d found out—purely by accident—that she would be attending the theater that evening, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see her sooner than planned. With that in mind, he’d called on each of the Lustful Lords and extended an invitation for them to join him in his box.
He arrived first, followed quickly by Lord Wolfington and Lord Lincolnshire. Neither man was accompanied by a lady, so the three chatted about their plans for later that evening.
“Is everyone planning to attend The Market later?” Wolf settled into a chair, stretching his long legs out.
Linc laughed as he followed suit. “Don’t we always?”
Cooper lifted one shoulder as he scanned the boxes across the theater for the woman who had captured his interest. “I have plans.”
Linc sat up. “What do you mean you have plans?”
“I’m meeting a woman at The Market, but not with you lot.” Cooper continued his perusal of the other box occupants.
“Another man succumbs to the wiles of a woman.” Wolf sighed and shook his head. “It’s a bloody travesty, the second Lustful Lord to fall under the yoke of domestication.”
“If you were to assume the woman who has enticed me is domesticated, you would be mistaken.” Cooper laughed, trying to picture Emily as a demure domestic woman, which was odd considering he’d once counted her his ideal candidate for a stable, scandal-less wife.
As Linc and Wolf considered his statement, Lord and Lady Stonemere entered his box. It was the first group outing the man had attended since his marriage. His lady wife, though dressed in the first stare of fashion, also exuded a sensuality that had Linc and Wolf standing up and taking notice. Normally, Cooper would join them, particularly having sampled her wares along with her husband, but tonight his mind was focused entirely on Lady Emmaline—his hellion.
As the newcomers were welcomed by Linc and Wolf, a flash of lavender caught his eye. He turned to focus on the new arrivals across the theater—not that he’d been cataloging each empty box—and found the very object of his desire, Lady Emmaline.
His gaze stroked over the artful folds of her gown and the appealing dip of her neckline as he relished what the night held. When their gazes locked, her eyes widened in surprise at finding him so near. Then there was a movement in the back of the box she occupied, and her back was presented. As he imagined bending her over later and plunging deep within her hot core, his cock grew hard and his breath shallow. Need had him by the balls, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Cooper, what are you staring at that you have yet to say hello?” Stone ripped him from his deeply sensual thoughts and returned him to the moment.
“My future, but I am glad to see you and your lovely lady wife.” Cooper bowed over Lady Theodora Stonemere’s hand and then hugged his friend. Images of the one night spent in bed with Stone—and more particularly Theo—flickered dully in his head. A faded image that seemed to grow more and more faint after each encounter with Emily. For months after, if he were honest, he had wrestled with a terrible bout of jealousy. He found it hard to believe Society could produce two unique and engaging women, but to his great stroke of luck, it seemed it had.
Stone raised his brows and looked at Cooper curiously. Clearly, he had questions. “Dare I assume love has struck our merry band again?”
“Let’s call it infatuation for the moment.” Cooper tipped the corner of his mouth up ruefully. “The object of said infatuation is less than welcoming of any deeper sentiment.”
Stone, Linc, and Wolf all laughed while Theo patted his arm. “If anyone can convince her of the merits of love, it’s you.”
He couldn’t hide his surprise, even as his friends laughed harder. For far too long, he had been about the hunt, and then an entanglement-free arrangement. He’d cut Sarah, the merry widow with whom he’d had a dalliance, loose once he’d decided to do his duty. But his friends likely remembered him waxing poetic about his easy arrangement with her not all that long ago.
“While I have my doubts, she’s a stubborn, freethinking woman such as yourself. But I do aim to try to sway her to my thinking.” Cooper offered a roguish grin and a wink.
Theo narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before a beatific smile appeared on her face. “Then I wish you all the joy Stone had convincing me to settle down.”
Cooper wanted to groan at the politest curse he’d ever been gifted. “Theo! I thought you liked me.”
Everyone laughed again, since they were all well aware of the struggle Stone and Theo had gone through to make their marriage work. But it seemed they were doing well together in the end.
“I do like you, immensely.” She cast an inquiring look at her husband, who nodded. “Which is why I am asking you to stand as godfather to our next child when he or she is born.”
Cooper would do anything for Stone, his best friend, and possibly more for the spirited woman he’d married. “Of course, whenever that day comes, you may count on me once more.”
Their box grew very quiet.
“But I am asking you now, Cooper.” Theo’s brows rose high up toward her hair as she waited for him to comprehend her statement.
Pregnant? Theo was pregnant? Again? Cooper was both pleased and a little worried all at once. After all, it was the logical outcome of marriage and then marital relations, but somehow, even with Theo having recently given birth to her and Stone’s first child, it seemed shocking. After taking a moment to let it sink in, he felt the joy for his friends burst through the chaos of all the other emotions. “Congratulations!” He scooped Theo into a tight hug.
Once he let go and stepped back, he caught Emily staring at him from across the theater, one brow sharply raised. Her little display of jealousy pleased him as he turned to thump Stone on the back.
Then the lights flickered, so they all took their seats. Cooper was man enough to admit it was good having Stone about again, even if it was only while they were at the theater.
Emily sat in a blue room in The Market, her pulse racing as she toyed with the mask she’d worn into the establishment and waited for Cooper to join her. She assumed it was known as the blue room since every fabric covering almost every surface was some shade of blue. Despite the multitude of blues, the palette worked together, running from the palest cornflower to the deepest navy. She studied the space for a moment more before her focus shifted to her own internal thoughts, particularly the ease with which she had escaped for the evening.
It turned out slipping away once Arthur had engaged in his nocturnal carousing was far too simple. With Aunt Hortense as her sole chaperone at home, there had been no one to gainsay her when she blithely announced she was going out to the theater with Lady Gladstone—a theater lover through and through, who would likely let her slip away without much fuss—and her daughter. To her surprise, the very man she was to meet later also appeared at the theater.
Watching him greet a woman in his box whom he then publicly touched in a terribly intimate
way—a mere hug, mind you, but one simply did not embrace in public—caused her to doubt his trustworthiness. Of course, sitting alone waiting for him as she stewed over what she had seen had her questioning everything she had agreed to—possibly even her sanity.
A sharp knock sounded, driving her to her feet as the door swung open and delivered Cooper into the room. “Ah, there you are. I hope I did not keep you waiting long.”
He crossed over to her and pressed a kiss to her cheek in greeting. It was such a casually intimate gesture, she pressed her palm to the spot that seemed to tingle from his lips as she tried to absorb an unexpected swell of emotion. “No, of course not.”
He stripped his coat off and laid it carefully over the arm of a brocade-covered wingback chair. “May I offer you something to drink?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.”
Without any further comment, he poured a whisky for her and one for himself. After handing her a glass, he sat in another chair and perused her from head to toe.
Earlier that evening, she had considered her choice of dress carefully. She had opted for a green watered silk with an organza overlay and a plunging scooped neckline that was as daring as propriety would allow a spinster. But when his gaze lingered at her breasts, almost caressing them, she found herself excited despite the displeasure lingering from the theater.
“Come here.” He waved her over to where he sat regally in his chair.
She harrumphed and remained seated as she sipped the whisky he’d poured her. Not anticipating the burn from the liquor, she coughed and sputtered. Once she recovered from the unexpected momentary lack of oxygen, she pinned her companion with a glare. “I believe you need to explain that woman in your box at the theater before I shall come anywhere near you.”
Cooper blinked, almost as though confused for a moment. Then a smile split his kissable lips before a chuckle escaped. He laughed for what seemed an eternity, all while she sat fuming. Partly because she was jealous—there was no denying the aberrant emotion—and partly because she was terrified of all the things this dangerous man already made her feel.
Taming His Hellion Countess Page 5