The Desires of a Countess (16 page)

Yes, she still wore black. Apparently that statement
was one she chose to keep making whether he was in the room with
her or not, but the youthful grin kept her from looking like a
jaded widow. No, she looked like the sensual woman he had ravished
on a desk.

With an uncomfortable shuffle of his feet, Simon
cleared his throat. Almost immediately the bustling and chatter
ceased as four pairs of female eyes turned toward him. Ginny drew
back with a small gasp. Her face paled at his intrusion and the
wall of ice crashed down between them again.

“Girls, why don’t you go into Jack’s room and work
on packing his things? Make sure you do as we discussed and
separate as many of his toys as you can to be sent along first.
He’ll be very happy if his room is filled with something to console
him while he’s in a strange place.” As she returned her gaze to
Simon, her eyes narrowed. “I need a moment to speak to Mr.
Webber.”

The women murmured their acquiescence and one by
one, filed from the room. Simon wasn’t blind to the flirtatious
looks two of the girls shot him as they left, but he didn’t
register any feeling associated with the stares. He only had eyes
for Ginny, a thought more terrifying than anything else. Hadn’t he
tried so hard to convince himself that he would have wanted any
willing woman?

Taking a step inside, he tapped the door shut behind
him. He didn’t want the house to hear whatever argument they were
about to have. This was her sitting room, so he felt safe enough
for privacy. There wasn’t a bed.

Of course, there hadn’t been a bed in Henry’s
office, either and that hadn’t made much of a difference.

With his head spinning, Simon decided to get right
to the point before his mind went too far afield.

“I’m a little surprised you haven’t come to argue
with me about London.”

She gripped one hand into a fist at her side, but
her serene expression didn’t change. “Do you want to argue with
me?”

He pondered that question for a moment. Actually,
he’d often enjoyed their little war of words. She was a sharp
woman, and one who didn’t let much slip by her. He found it a
refreshing challenge to spar with her. But no, arguing was the last
thing he wanted to do at the moment.

“No, I don’t want to fight. I just wonder why the
change of attitude?”

Her answer was to shrug one shoulder, but he caught
her eyes make a quick sweep of his body from head to toe. It sent a
shock of heat through him that made standing near her all the more
difficult.

He swallowed hard, because when he met her eyes, he
saw how hazy with passion and dilated they were.

“What are you thinking when you look at me that
way?” he asked as he took a step toward her.

She drew in a sudden sharp breath and her hand
curled around the fabric of her dress. It was abundantly clear what
her answer was. She’d been thinking the exact same thing he had. Of
sex and sin. It drove him over the edge.

In two steps, he stood inches from her. She stared
up at him with wide eyes, but didn’t move away. In fact, her body
swayed slowly in his direction. He caught her in his arms to press
his lips against hers.

Instantly she responded and they were right back in
the place where they’d been in the office. Nothing else mattered
except for that moment and the out-of-control passion that flared
between them once again. When she clutched at his back and her
fingernails dragged across the fabric of his shirt, any attempt
he’d made to maintain control evaporated.

He pressed her back until she sank down on the
ottoman by the window. Immediately she dragged him down on top of
her to continue their passionate kiss. As she slid her mouth down
his jaw and to his throat, Simon cupped her breast.

Immediately she rose up to meet his palm. Any way he
touched her seemed to light a fire and she craved it, no matter how
many calm ways she’d convinced herself she could avoid this
desire.

“Please,” she panted, but was unable to say more.
She didn’t know how to ask for what she wanted.

He smiled wolfishly as he inched up her skirt. She
cursed the fact that this time she was wearing so many layers. It
would take forever to get out of her gown, stockings and
underthings.

His rough hands grazed the back of her knee and
Ginny bucked up. When had that spot become so sensitive? Or the
inside of her thigh? One touch from him and they were both sending
tingles of pleasure to the very core where she longed to feel
Simon’s hands and the thick erection that pressed against her
through his trousers.

Struggling against the weight of him, she managed to
wedge a hand between their bodies until she came in contract with
the hot length of him. Immediately he let out a strangled groan
that she caught with her mouth.

Suddenly, Simon let out a quiet curse and shoved
himself off her. As he clamored back to his feet, Ginny stared up
at him, her body quaking with unfulfilled need.

“What? Where are you—?” She cursed herself for
begging but her frustration was at a peak. “Simon?”

He shook his head as he fastened the buttons of his
shirt and shoved the corner she’d dragged out back into the waist
of his trousers.

“No. You told me what you wanted,
and I agreed with you.” His green-blue eyes narrowed. “I won’t have
you use the way I feel, then tell me later that
I
took advantage. If you want me,
you’ll have to come to me.”

Ginny blinked at him as she struggled to sit up. He
was going to leave? Pull away just when she had thrown her doubts
to the wind? But of course, she deserved it. When she used his
feelings against him, she’d done exactly what he accused her
of.

She opened her mouth to say something, though she
wasn’t sure what. All she knew was that she needed some way to
explain to him. Before she could speak, the door behind him flew
open and Robert Dennison stalked into her room with Ingram half a
step behind.

With a yelp of surprise, Ginny surged to her feet
and smoothed her dress.

“Mr. Dennison, you cannot just barge into my lady’s
private chambers,” her protective butler was snapping out, but
Robert strode in anyway.

His dark eyes narrowed when his gaze locked on Simon
then slowly slid to her. She tucked an errant curl back into the
mess of her bun and tried a weak smile.

Simon pivoted and the look he gave Robert would have
frozen Ginny’s blood cold if he’d sent it in her direction. His
face twisted with anger and whatever frustration remained in his
blood and his body.

“Don’t you know how to be announced?” he snapped as
he took a menacing step toward Robert.

But instead of retreating back,
Robert leapt forward until the two men came practically
nose-to-nose. “I’m a friend of the family, Webber. What right
do
you
have to be
in Virginia’s private chambers?”

“That’s between her ladyship and me.” Simon’s voice
was low and furious.

Ginny hurried forward. Robert had already balled his
hand into a fist and Simon looked willing and able to accept any
challenge the other man might make. The last thing she needed was a
brawl in her chambers. Her day had been trying enough already.

She wedged herself between the two men. “You are
worse than schoolchildren. Honestly, you’re grown men.” The two
continued to glare at each other, but Simon slowly backed away a
step. She glanced over at her butler. “Ingram, you may go.”

The older man looked unsure and ready to drag both
men out by their ears. “Are you certain, my lady?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She smiled as her butler backed out the door. She
trusted Ingram and the rest of her staff implicitly, but the last
thing she needed was for them to begin gossiping about the two men
who’d fought over her in her bedroom. Lord knew they had enough to
chatter about when they went below-stairs.

Once the door shut, the smile fell from her face.
She turned to Simon first since he seemed more likely to step down
if she asked him. And she was still reeling from his rejection.

“Mr. Webber, you and I have said everything we need
to for now.” Their eyes met and she was barely able to hold his
gaze. Her voice dropped a level. “Please, just go.”

Robert let out a soft noise of triumph and his eyes
lit up with glee. The look he shot Simon made Ginny wonder if she
had truly averted that fistfight, but thankfully Simon didn’t rise
to Robert’s bait. Instead, his mouth thinned into a frown but he
kept his eyes on her.

“Very well, my lady. But remember what we
discussed.”

She shivered. That she’d have to make the first move
if she wanted him again? How she could forget? She had no doubt
that would be all she thought about the whole way to London.

“I remember perfectly well,” she said, filling her
tone with icy distain to cover her own spiraling emotions.

Simon glared at Robert, then turned on his heel and
left the room. Once he had gone, Ginny could breathe for the first
time since he’d appeared in the doorway. Yet she also felt a
curious sense of loss.

Pushing that aside, she turned to Robert. Though his
face had lost some of its tension, there was a look about him that
made her nervous. What had Harriet said? That she shouldn’t trust
the man?

She motioned to the doorway. “Why don’t we retire to
the parlor?”

“Aren’t you entertaining in your bedroom now,
Virginia?” he sneered.

Ginny froze. Though she and Simon had both looked
disheveled, they hadn’t been locked in an embrace. And more to the
point, it was none of this man’s business even if they were. She
was a widow, not a blushing debutante. If she wished to entertain
the entire Royal Navy in her boudoir that was her affair, certainly
not Robert Dennison’s concern.

“I don’t like your implication.”

His face softened and the bitter jealousy that had
been so clear in his eyes the moment before was covered under an
apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry.” He offered her his arm. She hesitated,
then took it and he led her to the parlor. “I don’t like Webber and
I took my emotions out on you. I shouldn’t have spoken to you in
such an abominable fashion. Please forgive me.”

As they entered the parlor, Ginny released his arm
and paced to the fire. She didn’t want to reveal too much.

“Don’t concern yourself about Simon. I can handle
him.” Her mind flitted to images of him pinning her down on the
ottoman, his hands creating waves of pleasure she could easily be
swept away by.

Was
that
handling him?

Robert’s eyes narrowed as he took a step toward her.
“He’s obviously upset you. I could easily take care of him for
you.”

“No, thank you.” She brushed aside her fantasies and
did her best to focus. “Why did you come?”

He sank into one of the chairs before the fire and
motioned her to take the other. Ginny bit back a sigh of
irritation. It appeared he was settling in for a long talk, which
was the last thing she wanted or needed at the moment. But there
was nothing she could do to deter him. She had to be kind until
she’d convinced him to put off his inquiry into Henry’s death.

“I heard you were preparing to leave the shire.” He
frowned. “I was certain the information I received was mistaken
until I saw the trunks in your chamber. Are you leaving
Westdale?”

“Yes. Mr. Webber feels it would be good for Jack’s
future if I reestablish some ties in London Society.” She sighed at
the thought.

Robert pursed his lips. “So Webber says go and you
just go?”

Again his voice took on a nasty, accusatory tone
that set Ginny’s teeth on edge. It was just about enough.

She rose to her feet and turned her back on him. “I
don’t have to answer to you about my activities, Robert, or the
reasons behind them. In fact, I think it would be best if you
leave.”

“If you’re in London I cannot promise I’ll be able
to hold back an investigation. And you might not like where that
leads.” His tone was icy cold.

Ginny slowly turned to face him. He’d risen to his
feet and stood staring at her. She’d never noticed before just how
unfeeling his eyes were. Or how he focused his attention on a spot
much lower than her face.

“Robert, are you telling me that if I don’t stay in
Westdale as you wish, you will immediately launch your inquiry?”
She dropped her voice a level as she stiffened in outrage. “Are you
threatening me?”

He gave her a thin smile. “Of course not. I’m just
informing you that I plan to do my duty.”

Harriet had been right, Robert couldn’t be trusted.
He might not know the truth about Henry’s death, but he had clearly
sensed her nervousness about it. And now he planned to use that to
keep her away from Simon.

How different the two men were. Neither wanted her
to be with the other, but Simon always respected her decisions.
He’d never said a word to her about Robert, even when she’d used
the magistrate’s appearance to get rid of him. But Robert stooped
to threats with an ease that was frightening.

“Of course.” Ginny crossed to the door and opened it
wide. She motioned to the hallway with one hand. “I understand your
meaning perfectly. You’ll excuse me if I don’t offer you tea. I
have much to do to prepare for my journey.”

The false smile faded from his face as he stood up
and came to the door. He paused in front of her to stare at her
hard. “I could offer you a world of protection, Virginia. Or I
could bring you much heartache. Think about that while you’re in
London. Good day.”

He turned his back and left before she could offer
any response. Not that she had anything to say. She stared at his
departing figure, too shocked to find any words at all.