by Platt, Meara
“Like what you see, Violet?” He chuckled. “I think your tongue just rolled off the bed.”
Chapter Fifteen
Romulus had silently sworn to himself he’d give Violet the day to recover. But he broke that oath the moment he awoke the next morning and saw her asleep beside him, her dark hair splayed across her pillow and the sheet not quite covering her breasts. Their dusky, rose tips beckoned him.
He groaned, knowing he should not wake his beautiful wife. She was sleeping peacefully, her breaths even and relaxed. He could tell by the light rise and fall of her magnificent chest.
His wife.
He loved the sight of her, especially in his bed.
As he contemplated what to do next, she stirred and stretched, and then opened her eyes and turned to him.
Her smile lit up his heart, for it was as brilliant as a ray of sunshine. “Good morning, Romulus.”
“Good morning, my love.” He meant to ask her how she felt after last night, but he didn’t want to know the answer. He wanted to be inside her again, holding her warm, creamy body against his.
He kissed her.
She kissed him back with ardor.
He cupped her breast.
The fleshy mound felt warm and soft.
She arched her back and moaned.
It was all the encouragement he needed. Blessed saints! He’d take any crumb she offered, but she was not holding back her love. She offered him everything.
He did not hesitate to take it. The two of them were suddenly wild things, groping and laughing as they writhed and twisted in the sheets, desperate to wrap themselves around each other. He would have refrained, although it would have killed him. She only needed to refuse him, and he would have understood.
But she wanted him, surprising him as she took the lead and encouraged his less than proper behavior.
Her face hid nothing of her desire.
Her eyes were closed and her lips sensually parted. Her skin was pink and flushed. And her breasts…he dipped his head and closed his mouth over one sweet bud, suckling it, guiding her to her shattering climax before he claimed his own.
“Violet, that was…Lord help me, I’ll be dead by thirty.”
She laughed and rolled atop him, her hair in a wild, silken tumble around her shoulders. “We shall both meet the same fate, I fear. I doubt we’ll go quietly. What you do to me, Romulus…the things you make me feel.”
“I know, my love.”
She sighed. “I was peacefully waking, and the next thing I knew, I was on fire and consumed in the burning heat of you. We shall go together in a burst of flames. You roaring, me purring. Or perhaps I shall be singing to you as we turn to ashes. I know how much you love to hear singing. Especially first thing in the morning.”
He liked her teasing manner.
He liked that she awoke happy and smiling.
Was there anything he did not adore about her?
The light rap at their door surprised them both.
Romulus slipped the sheet over her shoulders to cover her, and then hastily donned his trousers before crossing to the door and opening it just enough to speak to whoever stood on the other side of it.
His newly hired valet was before him, his expression strained. “Captain Brayden, I’m so sorry to disturb you.” He shrank back, as though fearing Romulus would sack him on the spot.
“What is it, Winwood?”
The man stared down at his feet, terrified to so much as glance up lest he accidentally glimpse the woman occupying Romulus’s bed. His wife, of course. But the poor valet obviously was not used to husband and wife sharing a chamber. They would have to work a practical schedule before his valet and her lady’s maid each ruptured a kidney over this situation.
Winwood cleared his throat. “This letter was just delivered. The messenger said it was important and he would await Mrs. Brayden’s answer.”
Romulus arched an eyebrow. “Mrs. Brayden?” He grabbed the note, expecting it was a mistake and he would recognize the Admiralty seal affixed to it.
No mistake.
The note was from Lord Forester.
He already disliked the man. What right did he have to disturb Violet on the morning after her wedding?
He wanted to rip it up before Violet read it, but that would rank among the stupidest things he’d ever done. She’d never trust him again. Besides, Violet might not be looking over his shoulder, but her ears were surely perked and she’d heard the note was for her. “Have the messenger wait in the kitchen. Ask Cook to offer him a cup of tea.”
Just because he detested Forester did not mean he had to punish the messenger.
When Winwood strode away, Romulus shut the door and turned to Violet. “It’s for you.”
“Me?” She had already hopped to her feet and was tossing on her chemise, rushing to pull it over her slender body. Lord, her body. “I was sure it was for you, from the Admiralty.”
She took the note from his outstretched hand and opened it, reading it where she stood. “Jameson wants me to meet him at the Royal Society this afternoon. His sister will be there, of course. They want to set up the hall for maximum effect and want me there to test my voice and see where it carries best.”
“Can’t they do it with another singer?”
She frowned at him. “It wouldn’t be the same.”
He wanted to argue the matter, but couldn’t. He understood only Violet’s presence would do. He would never allow just anyone else to perform his duties as captain on his ship. As much as he did not like or trust Forester, this was about Violet and her reason to be. She’d been given the voice of an angel. Her father called her his songbird. The orphanage was where her mother had been raised.
He had to give his all in supporting her or risk breaking her heart. “I suppose we had to get out of bed sometime today. Of course, we’ll go.”
“We?”
“Violet, we’ve been married less than a day. I’m not letting my new wife out of my sight.”
She arched an eyebrow, looking very much like an imp. “There will be singing.”
“Your singing. Something I can easily tolerate. I’ll remain with you the entire time. I’m sure I’ll be transported by your every lilting note.”
“What a load of hogswallop.” But she threw herself into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Romulus. This means a lot to me. I’m so very grateful.”
He twirled her around, laughing. “Just how grateful?”
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll find a way to reward your low brain tonight. You forget, I’ve been reading more than The Book of Love.”
“What do you mean?”
“My cousin Lily’s baboon study. Baboons mate, too. In the wild. In the raw. Perhaps I’ll teach you a baboon mating trick or two.”
He groaned. “My heart has stopped beating. You’ll have me dead before I reach twenty-nine.”
She put her ear to his chest. “Nonsense, Romulus. You are in perfect health. Even your heart is strong.”
“It’s beating so hard, it’s about to pound a hole through my chest.”
She gazed up at him innocently. “Oh, then perhaps we ought to forget all about those baboon sex tricks.”
“What?”
“Shall I give you a sample now?”
“Hell, yes.”
*
Romulus propped his shoulder against one of the columns in the rear of the impressive Royal Society hall, a magnificent, white marble homage to the great civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. Violet stood in front on a stage that must have been erected for another function but appeared to serve perfectly for the charity recital.
He listened to the soft trill of her voice, amazed by how effortlessly she reached the high notes. He felt a deep stir of pride in his heart when she sang one of the songs chosen for the recital.
It was as though the melody floated across the room on angel’s wings.
He heard the magic in her voice. Felt its gentle beauty f
low through his body.
Others responded the same way. Within moments, workers and visitors began to wander in to quietly listen, their eyes wide with enchantment, knowing they were hearing something quite special.
Violet’s eyes were closed as she sang.
She had no idea of the effect her voice had on others.
Despite his instinctive dislike of Forester, Romulus had to give the man credit for recognizing Violet’s gift of song. He’d shown more faith in Violet than he had. Indeed, he was disappointed with himself, for he had quickly dismissed it as just singing, albeit excellent singing.
He was wrong.
Her gift was so much more.
Violet opened her eyes when her song ended and was taken aback by the crowd that had gathered and the cheers now filling the great hall.
She blushed and gave an embarrassed bow.
Her gaze sought his. It wasn’t hard for her to spot him leaning against one of the columns. Braydens were tall. He was no exception.
Relief shone in her eyes when she saw him, and her smile was as sweet as melted sugar.
“I love you,” he mouthed, hoping she could read his lips.
People began to come up to her to offer their compliments.
Romulus was uncertain about the steadiness of the stage, so he plowed his way forward to be close to Violet should matters get out of hand. Forester came up to him, a wry smile on his face. “You married the little songbird, I hear.”
Romulus nodded.
“I ought to be insulted. I wasn’t invited to the wedding even though Violet’s family and mine have been friends for decades.”
Romulus decided to be civil to the man. “It was immediate family only, and many of them could not be present on such short notice either. We wanted to keep it a small affair.”
“Ah, I understand. She’s delectable. Turned out quite beautiful, although she showed none of that promise when she was younger. Obviously, you were caught in a compromising position. What was it? A mere kiss? Or did you manage more?”
Romulus curled his hands into fists. Why had he bothered to be civil? “Nothing at all like that,” he said, speaking calmly although he wanted to knock out a few of this scoundrel’s teeth. “It was a matter of love at first sight. Why delay when you know it’s right? She felt the same. We married.”
The crowd had now started to disperse, so Romulus climbed onto the stage to stand beside Violet, knowing he was responding like a possessive arse, but he did not like Forester anywhere near her. Nor Forester’s sister, for that matter. Where was she? He’d noticed her earlier, so there was no question she was around.
As he surveyed the hall, he saw her slip back in from a small door off to the side. To his surprise, Finn strode out after her. Perhaps they’d been discussing the donations and where within the Royal Society offices they were to be held for safekeeping until deposited in the bank.
After all, the recital was to be an evening affair, a time when all banks were closed.
Finn had an odd look on his face. Had he been doing something more than merely discussing bank deposits with Lady Rawley?
Romulus was no hound, but he had far more experience with women than Finn had, and certainly more experience with women like Lady Rawley. She was not to be trusted. Blessed saints! He hoped Finn had more sense than to be swayed by her kisses.
Forester had also climbed onto the stage and now followed his gaze to where Finn and Lady Rawley stood. “Ah, I see my sister has been amusing herself with your cousin.”
“Are we through here? Violet and I have things to do today.” Such as undress and have wild, baboon sex in bed. Or on the floor. Or on the table.
Lord, he thought Forester was depraved. How was he any better? The thoughts he had of Violet would make a pirate blush.
However, he was going to speak to Finn first. His cousin was a wizard with investments, but a dolt when it came to women. In truth, it was quite possible Finn was still a virgin. If so, it was even more important they speak, for Lady Rawley was not the right woman for his first experience.
He knew her sort, bitter about her lot in life. Never satisfied. Ready to blame everyone for the poor choices she’d made. Felicia was much the same. These women had married for the title and were now bored out of their minds. Not even widowhood and the freedom it afforded, satisfied them. Felicia was proof of that.
But Lady Rawley was still married, albeit unhappily.
He did not care if the dalliance was consensual. The last thing he wanted was Finn involved in a scandal, called out by a humiliated husband.
How were he and Finn to have this discussion in front of Violet? Obviously, they couldn’t. But neither did he wish to let Violet out of his sight. He glanced around. There were still a few of the Royal Society Fellows milling around the hall. He could steal outside with his cousin for a few minutes. “Finn,” he said, hopping off the stage and striding toward him. He gave a nod to Lady Rawley and then impolitely hauled Finn away, “I wanted to ask about your mother. Lady Miranda did not look well yesterday.”
“She didn’t?”
Gad, Finn was even more naive than Violet. How had the wildebeests failed in looking after their own? “No, not at all. She looked quite yellow.”
He marched his cousin outside so that they now stood on the steps leading into the hall. The air was cool and crisp, and the sun shone down on them. Finn was immediately defensive. “What’s this about? My mother has never been sick a day in her life.”
“What were you and Lady Rawley doing just now?”
“Nothing.” But a blush shot into his cheeks.
“I knew it. Did she try to kiss you?” Romulus ran a hand through his hair in irritation. “And you let her?”
“Christ, Rom. I’m not a three-year-old. So what if she kissed me? It isn’t as if I made the first advance. It didn’t mean anything. There was no more to it than that. She’s married.” He shrugged. “What was I supposed to do? Push her away? Blubber and wail like an infant? Declare she offended my delicate sensibilities?”
Romulus frowned.
“Fine,” his cousin said, sighing heavily. “I’m not proud of kissing a married woman. I never would have considered it. She surprised me by throwing herself at me. I was caught unprepared. And don’t you dare repeat any of this to anyone.”
“I won’t. I give you my oath on it. But you must watch out for her, Finn. She and her brother are up to something shady. I think they’re after the donations.”
“What?” Finn shook his head and gave a dismissive laugh. “Why? Is this because you’re convinced no woman would want to kiss me unless she had an ulterior motive?”
Damn it. Now he’d insulted his cousin. “No. Don’t be daft. I don’t give a fig about your experience with women. This is about avoiding a disaster for Violet. I don’t trust Forester or his sister. Keep alert. Don’t let her seduce you into doing something stupid.”
“When have you ever known me to do something stupid?”
“Never,” Romulus muttered. “But men go mindless when sex is involved. Just be careful if she offers you more than kisses. You aren’t the prize. Those donations are what she’s really after.”
Finn folded his arms across his chest. “Are you through insulting me in every way possible?”
Romulus winced. “Yes. I’m sorry. Truly. But this is important. Violet will be devastated if those funds don’t get to the orphanage. I hope they do. I hope I’m wrong about all of it, but I feel this pair is up to something. I dare not even discuss it with Violet. She thinks they are her friends. Now it is your turn to give me your word. Please say nothing about my suspicions to Violet or anyone else, for that matter.”
“What about our cousins?”
He sighed. “Fine, you can tell the wildebeests. But only if it proves absolutely necessary.”
Finn nodded. “We’re good then. You have my word. I’ll keep it between us for now. I’ll let the others in on it if I sense danger.”
“Thank you.
I’d want the family looking out for Violet, especially if I’m called to duty and can’t be here for the recital.”
His cousin gazed toward the door. “You had better go inside. I’m sure Violet will be missing you, although I can’t imagine why. You’re just a big pain in the arse.”
He cuffed Finn. “Just keep your breeches buttoned.”
He strode back inside.
The hall was empty.
His heart shot into his throat. Where was Violet? She had been out of his sight for less than five minutes. Damn it, she wasn’t a toddler. But it wasn’t merely that she was missing. It was that she and the Foresters were missing together.
Since she hadn’t gone out through the main doors, she must have– “Violet! There you are. What happened? Where did you go?”
She hurried to his side and rolled her eyes. “Ugh! Can you believe those old fossils who run the Royal Society? Jameson and Valerie were late for another appointment so they hurried off shortly after you left. Their carriage was waiting for them in the alleyway outside the hall so they ducked out the back way. I went in search of a ladies retiring room. I finally found it behind the relics room.” She pointed to the small door through which Finn and Lady Rawley had earlier emerged. “It’s a tiny chamber near where they store their musty artifacts. Obviously, comforts for the ladies were added merely as an afterthought. Men!” She grunted in disgust, then smiled at him. “I like you, though.”
He laughed in relief and kissed the tip of her nose. “I like you, too. Shall we go home?”
His heart was still in a rampant roar. He hadn’t been able to calm himself down yet, even though Violet was perfectly fine and nothing untoward had happened.
“I’m a little hungry. Blakney’s Confectionery is not far from here. It’s a wonderful little sweets shop. They make the most heavenly pies. Do you mind if we stop there first?”
He nodded. “Sounds perfect.”
Blakney’s was just as Violet had described it to him. Cozy. Cheerful. Wrought-iron chairs painted white and colorful linens in vivid red. He ordered an apple pie with cinnamon topping. Violet ordered a lemon tart. He had just finished his first slice and was about to dig into the second when Violet cleared her throat. “Would you mind terribly if we dined at Uncle John’s and Aunt Sophie’s tonight?”
