Forbidden Count

by Victoria Pinder

  Nothing wrong with that. Patrice shouldn’t have to pay for the wedding, especially since Sheena had been the bride. Sheena nodded and said, “Excellent. Matteo, stay and help. I’ll go ring for tea and coffee to be served in the afternoon sitting room.”

  Patrice called out from behind her, “The afternoon sitting room? You know where that is?”

  Sheena smiled and refused to even blink. Her adrenaline rushed, as Patrice was right. She hadn't learned the house, but for now she needed to count on what Matteo had told her—that the staff would find her. “Of course. Matteo, finish this business and I’ll meet you there.”

  She made her way back down the hall and remembered her directions. The sun set in the west, so an afternoon serving of tea would be best in that direction.

  Now she needed to find a window so she could figure out which way that was.

  She opened a door to a room that seemed like a sitting room with green and white chairs that almost matched her dress.

  She twirled around. There was no direct sun, but she thought this might be in the south direction.

  The door opened behind her and a housekeeper dressed in black entered. Sheena held the folds of her dress still and gave a polite nod of her head. “Hello, I’m Sheena, Countess Golchin. I was hoping to introduce myself and ask if you can help me.”

  The woman bowed to her as she said, “Fiona Pierce, at your service ma’am.”

  Manners were impeccable here, it seemed. Perhaps that was why Matteo had spent his life rebelling. She offered to shake Fiona's hand and said, “Are you the head housekeeper?”

  The woman's grip was firm and she nodded. “I am.”

  Good. Sheena had helped her father manage one of the most profitable restaurants in all of Paris and had years of running benefits and training to be a lady.

  This was the first time she'd ever introduced herself this way, as a countess, and her heart raced. She stuck to a business tone. “This weekend I’ll be hosting a benefit to introduce myself to polite society. I hope the household can handle the event?”

  “Of course,” Fiona said. "We have a formal dining service that can host five hundred in the ballroom.”

  Sheena stood taller, happy she had her list already in the hidden pocket of her dress. “My husband and I went to speak to Mr. Alfonso regarding the invitations.”

  Fiona said, “You can give them to me, ma’am, and I’ll ensure he receives them.”

  She reached into her pocket for the USB drive with her invites and handed them over. “Perfect. Thank you.”

  Fiona accepted the device and put it in her own pocket. “I’m happy to serve you, Countess Golchin.”

  Sheena relaxed slightly. “And now for your advice. My husband’s ex-girlfriend is here. We’ll need tea served. I said an afternoon sitting room but I don’t know the house.”

  “The light is wrong in here to show the new countess at her best as hostess,” Fiona said, and Sheena breathed easier. Fiona understood light and settings. The housekeeper guided her down an adjacent hall. “This way.” The walls here would be perfect for warmer colors, though she’d install uplighting wherever she needed it for her art shows.

  Fiona opened a door at the end of the hall and asked, “Will this do?”

  This room had a light-green effect with pops of white. The setting sun outside added the right light stream to show off the room like a glow and the gardens with a pool were just past the window. Sheena placed her hand on her hip with pleasure. “Perfect.” She turned toward the grand piano. “Does the piano play?”

  “It’s in tune.” Fiona turned to leave. “I’ll get the tea served…”

  Sheena called out, “Wait.” Fiona faced her again and Sheena asked, “Do you have a moment, Ms. Pierce?”

  The housekeeper folded her hands in front of her. “Yes. What’s on your mind?”

  Sheena’s heart beat faster again. But all those years in school had led her to this moment of running a large household. She ignored the twitches in her skin that made her jumpy and said in a nice, even tone, “My husband mentioned that the staff changes the furniture often.”

  Fiona’s nose twitched and she kept her head down as she said, “The count and his father entertained impolite society—we knew one day you’d arrive and not want any memories of those times.”

  Sheena nodded. “There will be no more naked parties or redheads. Not while I’m here.”

  Fiona looked up and her face was crimson. “Excellent to hear.”

  Sheena stilled and then decided to be firm as she said, “From now on, you’ll need to go through me for major furniture changes in the future. I can’t plan a benefit and have my favorite chair suddenly disappear, though the charity set up sounds like a good thing to keep in place. We’ll discuss what’s needed monthly to help others too?”

  “I look forward to our meetings then.” Fiona didn’t flinch at the new order. “I’ll notify you when the appraisers are here so they can give you their reports.”

  She swallowed. “Sounds good.”

  Footsteps echoed in the hall. Fiona backed up toward the door without turning her back to Sheena. “Your guests have arrived, my lady.”

  “Thank you.”

  Patrice walked three feet away from Matteo as they entered the room. Matteo kept his hands in his pockets. Patrice pouted as she saw the head housekeeper leave. She crossed her arms and said, “She speaks to you. I’m in shock.”

  “Ms. Pierce is a darling.” Sheena remembered another lesson—always treat the staff with respect and speak kindly.

  Patrice shook her head as the tea service arrived. Two servants pushed a metal cart with a tea pot and various pastries or sandwiches on trays. Patrice obviously didn’t care that she was heard as she said, “The woman was a harpy who lectured me on decorum.”

  “I can’t imagine. Fiona is sweet and quite proficient as the head housekeeper from what I can tell.” Sheena waited for the staff to leave and then asked, knowing they probably still listened in, “There must be some mistake. Were you wearing something inappropriate?”

  Footsteps echoed in the hall, meaning the staff had gone—maybe. “As the lady of the house, you should be able to run around in your underwear and still be respected.” Patrice eyed the pastries.

  Perhaps that was the problem. Patrice might be a lady through family connections, but she certainly didn’t seem to be trained. Sheena tapped her finger to her cheek and then went toward the tea pot to serve. “A noble home isn’t a small apartment in the city that you share with friends, unless you are in your private suite.”

  She poured three cups of tea and uncovered some chocolate-dipped biscotti that made her mouth water just from the sight. She passed out the tea.

  Patrice looked down her nose as she said, “I didn’t think you were a lady at all. I thought your father owned a… café.”

  Matteo stood next to her, their arms brushing. “Sheena and I attended the same schools as children.”

  Patrice rolled her eyes. “So you grew up with the silly rules of behavior and no chance to ignore them.”

  Right. She had. Sheena picked up a tray of cucumber sandwiches, which in her opinion were the worst option available all the time, and nodded. “Please sit and enjoy your tea.”

  Matteo took the offering and ate, like he didn’t mind the cucumber at all. Sheena gazed at the chocolate and wished she had one, but she’d not ruin her white gown without being seen first.

  Patrice gulped her tea without taking anything to eat. “I just want to say that I’m happy for you both. I came here to pay off my debt, that’s all. Gaston is waiting for me at the local pub just off the estate.”

  “Matteo and I send our regards and wish you every happiness with Gaston.” Sheena wasn’t sure she believed that Gaston was really there, not with the sultry glances Patrice gave Matteo. She held her tea near her chest and said, “I’m sure your intentions were noble.”

  Patrice put the tea cup back on the serving tray and shook her head. “I
didn’t think you’d believe me.”

  Sheena refused to say she didn’t. She motioned toward the tray. “Please stay and have a small snack to tide you over.”

  Patrice stepped back with a huff. “I won’t intrude on your honeymoon period anymore. Goodbye.”

  The woman left, her footsteps echoing in the hall. Matteo said, “You handled that wonderfully, Sheena.”

  He kissed her cheek, and he smelled better than any desert she’d tasted. She sipped her tea and turned toward Matteo. “She’s happy. We’re happy. Why wouldn’t I treat her politely?”

  He put his tea cup down and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Agreed. Do you really think you can be happy here, with me?”

  Her heart stirred. Being with Matteo was better than she’d ever imagined. She laughed and pressed her hand against his chest as she said, “With you? That’s part of the bargain?”

  He tugged her closer and said, “Yes.”

  “Good thing I said yes, then. What about you? I don’t have Patrice’s natural thinness. I’m short and slightly curvy in comparison.”

  He traced her back. “Sheena, you’re better than I deserve. I’m happy that you were my bride.”

  Tingles grew inside her, but she laughed like she hadn’t a care in the world and kissed his cheek. “Good. So now that we’ve had tea served, let’s have those chocolates.”

  He caressed her lower lip with the pad of his finger and a spark grew inside her that she’d never thought possible. Her body was alive and waiting for his touch when he asked, “Before dinner?”

  If they closed the door, no one had to know what they did. She sighed, willing to forget the mints as she said, “I’m willing to live a little as they look delicious.”

  Matteo kissed her. She could get used to this. She’d married a man who stirred her every desire, kept things simple and happy, and was quite possibly, her true love.

  Chapter 10

  As the moon began to rise in the night sky, Matteo decided to quickly tour the ballroom into his home. Sheena had spent hours here, which was why he’d taken a stroll. He was curious about her final choices, so he wiped his feet on the carpet at the front door and noticed the cherry trees that lined the foyer, like they had at his wedding.

  Sheena must have ordered the staff to recreate the white flowers and cherry blossoms that smelled sweet.

  Clearly he needed to change out of his jeans so he rushed through the house as the staff hung portraits on the wall of people he’d never seen before. The one closest to him was the ring leader in a bright circus.

  The party tonight would be different than his previous parties, and that was probably for the best.

  He made his way to the bedroom and saw Sheena tossing her sixth outfit on the floor, as if she couldn’t quite decide what look she wanted. The white gown with green she’d worn earlier was now tossed on the bed, clearly discarded. He jumped over a tossed white tulle skirt and slipped his shoes off before he damaged anything. Sheena stepped out of the closet wearing a peacock around her neck. “Your friends RSVP’d.”

  Sheena was prettier without all that makeup on her face, but he kept his mouth shut on that. She might take it wrong as she prided herself on artistry. “Perfect. I’m looking forward to seeing Astorre.”

  She tossed the peacock necklace on the bed like she hated it and wanted something else. “No, he’s still missing and off with the American woman.”

  He’d intended to take a quick shower and get ready to help her, but he glanced down and his body was hard again, wanting his wife as she wore her bra and panties picking out more clothes in her closet. “Who is coming to our party tonight that I’ll enjoy?”

  She gave him a quirky half-smile and said, “Stefano, Chelsea.”

  He followed her as she meandered further into the closet that now housed dresses for the countess and crowded his suits to half. He picked out a white shirt and black pants for later. “What about the castle?”

  Sheena nodded as she sorted through dresses she’d never worn. “Yes, the entire royal family will be in attendance. The married couples were easy, but then there are four dukes, twelve earls, twenty-four viscounts, and fifty barons, all single, which meant I needed to round up women to invite in addition to the couples. I hadn’t intended this many to accept.”

  Matteo knew Sheena had probably preselected people loaded with decorum. This was the first time in his lifetime that any of the royal family had showed up at his home. From his years of throwing events for the “sinners” he understood that people came uninvited, too. He brought his clothes selection toward the door as Sheena picked out a white gown that she could have worn to the wedding. “You’ve planned for the party crashers?”

  “Of course.” She stepped into the dress as she said, “Bridal is probably a good look for tonight.”

  Half of what he’d passed on the floor was white, which meant she’d thought that before, so he didn’t comment on the dress. “Then we’re good. The house can sleep them all if we need to.”

  Her face paled as she zipped up her gown. “We don’t want that—what a nightmare for Ms. Pierce. How come your house is as large as a palace?”

  Matteo headed toward the bathroom. “This was never technically a palace.”

  “I get that—but why is it so big?” She twirled to check the dress in the mirror from all angles.

  He placed his clothes on the counter and stripped off his sweaty t-shirt from skating around the grounds as fast as he could. He stripped down to his blue boxer briefs. “In the fourteenth century, it was rumored that the queen was having an affair with the Count of Golchin.”

  She stopped twirling and faced him. “So affairs are part of your family history?”

  Her eyes widened as she waited for his opinion, so he gave her a thumbs-up as he said, “The count enlarged the estate so the two could be sequestered, out of the public eye, and close enough that they were a day’s ride from each other.”

  She practically sparkled, happy with the white strapless dress that showed off her curves. “So they were in love?”

  He turned on the water as he needed a fast shower. The moon would be fully seen soon. “I have no idea. It’s all rumor and ancient town gossip used to explain bad behavior.”

  He stepped into the shower and lathered his hair with shampoo. Footsteps sounded outside the closet in the bathroom as she said, “Our guests will arrive soon, my darling.”

  “Darling?” He rinsed his hair, clean.

  She said, “Well, love sounded a little strong.”

  He quickly finished his shower, turned off the water, and stepped out.

  Sheena drew lines under her lashes that made her blue eyes pop. Matteo dried off and said, “I see, though I wouldn’t mind being called love. It’s better than darling.”

  She put the eyeliner down and stared at him, then laughed. “You’re easy to be with, Matteo. I didn’t expect that when I married you.”

  She returned to the mirror, adding blue eyeshadow like she was drawing a feather. He said, “I didn’t expect you at all and when I asked you to be my wife, I thought you were going to be so rule-oriented, like one of our professors, that I wasn’t sure we’d ever get along.”

  Her face wrinkled but she tried not to laugh as she continued to apply her makeup.

  He glanced out the window. The lights were turning on in the garden which meant evening was about to commence. Sheena finished whatever she was doing to her eyes that made them sparkle in royal blue as he said, “It was more about me. I was in trouble a lot back in school.”

  She took some lipstick from her makeup bag. “That was because you and your friends were always joking. Astorre must’ve joined you and Stefano after school ended. How did you meet him?”

  Astorre. If he’d gone to school with him and Stefano, his grades would have gone from dismal to nonexistent. However, he’d lived next door in Paris and come to one of his parties. “When I moved to Paris after college.”

  She quickly powdered her
face. “When you did, I was worried we’d run into each other. But that never happened.”

  He pulled on clean boxer briefs and pants though the image of unzipping her dress ran through his mind. “I would have made sure it did if I’d known you’d blossomed into such a beauty.”

  She held the lipstick in her hand. “Matteo Korbel, I can’t believe Patrice let you go like that. I never would have.”

  He tugged on his shirt and half-buttoned it when he said, “Glad you were there.”

  She put her makeup away, then breezed past him into the bedroom. He followed. She picked up her tossed-around clothes and put them in one pile. “I’m excited to see Chelsea again.”

  The way her body bent reminded him of this morning and he grew harder at the sight. He tried to ignore it as he found his socks. “How did you get started doing benefits? From what I remember about you, you always had a paint brush in your hand, creating art, not organizing events.”

  She dropped a last scarf onto the pile. “I realized fast that many artists have amazing skills, but they lack the social know-how. I learned how to be a lady, when I wasn’t born into it, and by running benefits, auctions, and trade events, I put my training into action so I could help.”

  Most girls he’d known weren’t as successful as Sheena, which was another reason he’d been surprised by her agreement to marry him. “And make money.”

  She turned around with a satisfied grin. “Yes, though as Lady Golchin, I will only be part of the benefits and auctions, which means I’m giving up shows and trade events.”

  Part of that job description meant she fit perfectly as his wife in a way no other woman would have. Sure, he made money to add to the Korbel coffers, but Sheena, she was clearly talented. He hoped what he offered was enough as he crossed the room and took her hand. “Will you miss that?”

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t need to be so busy, and one day I want to learn every inch of this house—I keep getting new ideas to showcase art.”