Page 10 of A Simple Marriage (Millionaires of Mayfair #2)

After barely sleeping, Pippa had surrendered.

Perhaps surrendered was too harsh a term. She’d relinquished any thought of rest as her mind had been consumed with images of Hugh in bed.

With her.

First, it had been simply kisses.

Oh, she was lying to herself. There were no simple kisses with that man. Her lips still tingled from the feel of his mouth against hers. His lips were softer than she’d ever imagined. Every kiss had led her farther down a path that she had hoped never ended.

Last night she’d been inundated with endless, sensual dreams where he was over her, under her, beside her, all the while teaching her lessons of pleasure. Good heavens. If the heat of her cheeks were any indication, she was blushing in the privacy of her own room.

But when she had dreamed that they had finally joined their bodies together, her body had rioted in a complete dereliction of duty. Every inch of her had burned with the memories of his tongue enchanting hers. As she grew more feverish, the dastardly man conquered her dreams like a Viking. She’d awoken drenched in sweat, and she ached for something that only he could satisfy. As her hand drifted down her stomach to relieve the achiness, she knew it would be short-lived.

As the hours crept by like a slow-moving worm, she’d given up any hope of additional sleep. She had risen at the ridiculous time of seven o’clock in the morning. But she didn’t call for Alice. She donned a dress that didn’t require her maid’s help. If Alice had taken one look at her fevered brow, she’d have insisted that Pippa stay in bed all day.

She couldn’t do that. Not when she and Grace had invited Lady Ravenscroft and Great-aunt Edith to come for tea, then a fitting immediately afterward and Lord Stanhope was supposed to call.

An hour later, Pippa entered the family sitting room.

Grace looked up and smiled. “Darling, are you all right?”

They were sitting in the family sitting room on the second floor of Ardeerton House. Alice pretended to be busy with her mending, but Pippa could see that she was anxiously waiting Pippa’s answer.

“I’m fine, Grace.” She reached over and patted her friend’s hand.

“By the state of her bedlinens, she wasn’t fine at all, my lady,” Alice added unhelpfully.

Pippa shot her maid a look of censure, but Alice ignored her.

“What does that mean?” Grace turned her attention to Alice.

“Just that Lady Pippa had a restless night,” Alice explained with an innocent look on her face. “When I went to wake her, practically all the linens were on the floor this morning.”

“Alice,” Pippa hissed. “Grace doesn’t need to know the status of my room in the morning.”

“I don’t think she had much sleep,” Alice added unhelpfully.

“Why is that?” Grace’s brow creased, revealing her concern.

Thankfully, Ritson chose that moment to interrupt them.

The butler cleared his throat. “My lady, your guests have arrived.”

Pippa had never appreciated her loyal butler more than she did at that moment. She stood quickly and smiled. “Excellent. Yes, please show them in my dear, dear Ritson.”

At the term of endearment, Ritson stilled, and a frown slowly appeared. “Lady Pippa, pardon me for asking, but are you all right?”

Alice shook her head. “No, she isn’t. I was just explaining to Lady Grace how Lady Pippa?—”

“Not now, Alice,” she scolded.

At the first sight of the gray hair topped with a round turban that looked remarkably like the orange she’d eaten with Hugh, Pippa walked to greet her guests. “Lady Edith and Lady Ravenscroft, welcome.”

Her voice might have been laced with a tad of hysteria, but no one seemed to notice. Or they were too polite to point it out.

Lady Edith swept into the room with the marchioness following her. “Thank you, darling girl.” She smiled with affection, instantly relieving the tension in the room.

The marchioness grinned and came to her side. “Ravenscroft will be joining us.”

Instantly, Pippa’s stomach dropped to her feet. At least, that’s what it felt like. It hadn’t even been a day since they’d done that thing in the orangery.

Grace lifted her brows, waiting for Pippa to do something, but what? Good heavens, she had never been this rattled in her adult life.

“Perhaps you should ask your guests to come in and join you for a cup of tea?” Grace whispered.

“Oh! Of course,” Pippa cried in relief. “Please, do make yourself at home. We just had a tea tray delivered.”

Lady Ravenscroft and Lady Edith sat on the red and gold striped sofa that faced the two matching floral club chairs in the same colors. Pippa prepared the tea, and as it seeped, she placed several cherry tarts and slices of fruitcake on individual plates. Such routine tasks allowed her to calm herself. No matter what Ravenscroft did today, she wouldn’t allow it to upset her. She glanced at her guests, who were chatting with Grace. All seemed to be completely unaware that she was flustered about the event last night.

“So, darling girl,” Lady Edith smiled. “I couldn’t help but notice that you and my great-nephew were a bit at odds last night.”

Pippa stopped preparing the tea. What could she say? She struggled with something witty, but everyone’s gaze was on her.

Thankfully, Grace took over and served their guests the plates of food and poured the tea. “Really? I didn’t see that.” Grace turned to Pippa. “Is that true?”

Pippa laughed but the high-pitched sound betrayed her nervousness. “Not in the least.” She waved her hand in dismissal. “Ravenscroft was simply teasing me last night.” She took a deep breath and forced herself to smile. “That’s how friends treat friends.”

Lady Edith nodded, then smiled coyly at her niece. “Margaret, that’s the secret code that they haven’t kissed one another. I knew that boy would let a golden opportunity pass him by even if it hit him up the side of the head. Last night when they snuck to the back of the room, that was the time for him to make his move.” She winked at Pippa, then turned to Lady Ravenscroft. “You owe me five pounds.”

Lady Ravenscroft’s brow furrowed, then she took a sip of tea. Carefully sitting it down on the table, she turned to Grace. “Please pardon us. We don’t mean to offend. We’re simply a tad unorthodox.” She lowered her voice. “Aunt Edith and I had a wager if Ravenscroft would kiss Lady Pippa last night.” She scrunched her nose. “I bet that my son would see what a jewel Pippa is.” She let out a dejected sigh. “As the old saying goes, you can lead a cow to water.”

“Horse,” Lady Edith corrected, then turned to Pippa. “Don’t feel alarmed, dear. Ravenscroft is brilliant when it comes to finances, but romance?” She shrugged. “I don’t want to imply that he’s dull-witted or not interested.” She picked up her tea and took another sip as if they were talking about the weather. “He’s shy and needs a little help. Perhaps you should make the first move.”

Pippa choked on her first sip of tea. “He’s not shy. He’s very sure of himself.”

Perhaps a little too sure of himself. She glanced at her teacup and smiled. No matter what, she’d remember the night in the orangery for as long as she lived. He’d held her tightly as if he’d never let her go. The hunger in his kiss mirrored her own. She didn’t want to think what might have happened if they had been someplace more private than the orangery.

“I see.” Lady Edith leaned back against the sofa with a smile reminiscent of a satisfied cat licking the remaining cream in a bowl. “This is good news. Margaret, I am in debt to you it seems.”

Pippa’s cheeks heated instantly at the old lady’s smile. It was apparent to them all that Pippa had said too much. She had inferred that she and the marquess had shared more than just an appreciation of music last night.

Grace’s gaze bounced between Lady Edith and Pippa. “In debt? Over a supposed kiss?”

Thankfully, Ritson entered the room with Lord Stanhope at his side. “My lady, his lordship is here to see you.”

Lord Stanhope’s eyes widened, but a smile of pure joy graced his face. “What good fortune. I came early to call on Lady Pippa only to discover that the most delightful ladies to ever grace London are all assembled in the same room.”

He was about five hours too early, but it mattered little. Wistfully, Pippa watched as all the ladies tutted in appreciation at the viscount’s kind words. Stanhope was certainly a man of good humor. But so was Hugh, even if his brand of wit was a little more on the devilish side.

And a little more on the seductive side.

When the viscount approached, she stood to welcome him. He was fit and remarkably handsome. Curious that her heart didn’t trip in her chest like it did with Ravenscroft. Perhaps the organ preferred men with dark hair rather than blond.

The viscount took her hand in his and, with an exaggerated bow, brought it to his lips.

If it had been Ravenscroft greeting her, undoubtedly, he’d have found a way to kiss her without anyone knowing. A shiver skated down her back at the thought. Heavens, the man could invade her thoughts without any warning.

“Lord Ravenscroft,” Ritson boomed.

Instantly, Pippa jerked her hand away from the viscount. Her gaze met the marquess, who quirked a brow.

“I see the party has started without me,” he announced, then turned to Ritson. “Thank you for seeing me in.”

Ritson nodded. “No need for thanks, my lord. You know your way around here almost as well as I do.”

“Good to see you, Ravenscroft.” Stanhope smiled at the marquess then turned to Pippa. “My lady, these are for you.”

It was a small posey of lilacs tied with a pretty pink ribbon. She smiled at such a gift. “You’re very kind. They’re my favorite.”

Lord Stanhope's cheeks reddened. “I asked Lady Grace what your favorite flowers were. I bought them from a flower girl on my way here.”

“You could have come to my London home. We have dozens of those bushes.” Ravenscroft joined them at the table and took a chair between the sofa and the club chairs. “Lady Pippa, you are welcome to come and pick whatever and whenever you like.”

Pippa slowly turned her gaze to him with a smirk. “Oh, but you see, Ravenscroft, it’s the idea that Lord Stanhope brought me a bouquet because he was thinking of me.”

The viscount grinned as if she’d set the moon in the sky. “Indeed, my lady. A pretty posey for a pretty lady.”

Aunt Edith nodded in satisfaction. “So true, my dear.”

Lady Ravenscroft regarded Hugh. “She has the right of it, son. I always appreciated a lovely bouquet, particularly if your father personally picked it out for me.”

“Lady Pippa, I wish you could see my ancestral estate. We have hundreds of lilac bushes.” Stanhope turned to the others. “I wish you all could see it.” His eyes widened with a huge smile. “Perhaps a house party could be arranged.”

“Excellent idea, my boy,” Aunt Edith cooed in approval.

Hugh frowned for a moment before smiling. “How many acres do you have, Stanhope?”

“Ten thousand,” the viscount answered.

“At Raven’s Abbey, I have a hundred thousand acres. Every one of them profitable,” Ravenscroft boasted.

Stanhope sat on the edge of his seat and curled his hands around the arms of his chair. His knuckles turned white with the force of his actions. The man was riled. “I have a tin mine and a coal mine on my land.”

Lady Edith cackled in glee, clearly egging on the competition between the two men. “That’s impressive, my lord.”

“And interesting, Lord Stanhope.” Pippa smiled politely. She had to change the subject, or they’d be here all day like two roosters crowing at each other. No wonder the hens in the farmyard ignored the beasts. They were loud, obnoxious, and utterly boring.

“Is anyone going to the Graydon’s soiree next week?” Pippa asked innocently.

Grace smiled in relief at the change of subject. “Excellent question.”

“Before we get to that, I need to tell Stanhope something.” Ravenscroft leaned back in the chair with ease. “Mine is more fertile.”

“What is more fertile?” Aunt Edith asked but then immediately giggled. “Could you elaborate?”

Then Pippa caught the gist of the conversation. For the love of heaven, was Hugh talking about his private parts or his land? Heat, the kind that told too much, crept up Pippa’s neck. This was unacceptable for Hugh to monopolize the conversation like this. Stanhope was her guest, and she’d be damned if she’d let that man insult her guests.

But the jut of the marquess’s chin, he was determined to win whatever this was between him and Stanhope. The current bickering and sniping in her presence made her pulse pound. She needed gloves to hide her sweating palms.

“I’m as fertile as you,” Stanhope challenged. “I have a prize ass that’s been declared the largest in the county.” He nodded as if that settled the underlying competition between the two men.

“Did you say your arse is the biggest in the county?” Ravenscroft drawled with a winged eyebrow.

“That’s enough.” Pippa’s voice ricocheted around the room like a gunshot.

She swallowed her nausea. Each terse word felt like a bee’s sting. All she wanted to do was to curl up in a protective ball and hide. Their argument reminded her of the way her parents fought. One time when she was dining with them alone, she’d stood from the dinner table to escape their vitriol only to be scolded and told to sit until she was excused. Hours later with all her tears caked dry on her cheeks, she was finally allowed to leave. But new scars had been formed. The fact that her parents used their infidelity as weapons against each other was bad enough. But in front of her made it unbearable.

Stanhope had the decency to cringe. Hugh bit his lips to keep from laughing and that just infuriated her more.

Aunt Edith innocently drank a cup of her tea, and Lady Ravenscroft couldn’t even look at Pippa.

“A fresh pot of tea would do everyone a world of good,” Grace said softly.

“I’ll ask Ritson to bring one.” Pippa stood immediately.

“Allow me,” Grace offered.

“I need the air,” Pippa murmured, then sailed from the room. As soon as she was outside, she wrapped her arms around her waist, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She couldn’t get away from Hugh fast enough. Whatever good qualities her brother saw in the man were invisible to her.

At least they were today.

“Pippa, do you need help?” Hugh’s deep rich voice was behind her.

She whirled around. “Why are you here?”

He delivered one of his carefree smiles. “To see if you needed help with the tea tray.”

“Ritson can bring it,” she clipped. “I mean why are you here with me now?”

He swallowed, then looked down the hall. He shook his head gently. “Honestly? I can’t stay away.”

“Hugh,” she seethed. “You can’t manipulate or force me one way or the other. Let me see if….” Her throat burned with the words that she needed to utter but couldn’t quite force out. She cleared her throat then stared at the man before her. “Let me determine if Stanhope is the one.”

Her chest felt like it had collapsed, and her lungs refused to move. This only happened when she cried. But she would not allow it. Not now.

But then one traitorous tear slipped free. It had to be the lack of sleep that caused all these unruly emotions. She tilted her head and closed her eyes. Under no circumstances would she allow Ravenscroft to see how upset she was.

“Sweetheart,” he murmured as he took her chin in between his thumb and forefinger and coaxed her to look at him. “You’re hurting.” He cursed softly. “And I’m the reason.” Without another word, he took her in his arms.

A stuttered breath escaped. For the first time since last night, her world felt moored. She was no longer reeling from all these emotions that seemed to consume her. Without thinking too closely, she burrowed her head into his chest.

“I’m sorry.” He held her tight against him.

His chest vibrated with the words. She inhaled his familiar fragrance of sandalwood and his own unique clean scent. She wanted to drown in it so then she wouldn’t have to return to the room where her guests were. But she was never one to push aside her responsibilities. She had a dress shop to buy.

After a moment, he took her hand and pulled her into the small music room across the hall. “We need privacy.”

Slowly, she pulled away, but he didn’t let her go. He clasped her arms gently in his hands, slowly squeezing and releasing her as if reminding her to breathe. His emerald eyes studied her face.

“Why did you act that way?” She didn’t hide her disapproval.

“Why did you act that way?” He echoed with a challenging grin.

“Because this is becoming too real.” She refused to look away.

“Meaning?” His brow furrowed into concerned lines.

“Meaning what we did last night….I need to know if—if.” She took a breath to calm herself, but it did little to ease her anxiousness. “I’ve never felt before what I felt last night with you. What if I can’t find that type of physical pleasure with another? I’ll be miserable.”

He nodded, but a satisfied grin pulled at his lips. “Miserable, ah?”

“Hugh, stop it.”

“You’re upset?”

“Of course, I’m upset. I’m going to have to marry to attain my dreams. And you’re not making it any easier to judge if Stanhope could make me happy.”

He took a sudden step back as if she’d slapped him.

“Men don’t have to marry, but women do.” Her hands fluttered, betraying her distress. “I want to like my future husband. It would make the marriage bed enjoyable. Don’t you think? I don’t know what to do. My brother is a good man. He wants the best for me. But all I want is that dress shop.”

“He loves you.” Hugh stepped forward and cupped her cheeks in his hands. His gaze locked with hers. “He’s trying to protect you.” Then, without another word, Hugh wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled Pippa tight.

Was this what she wanted? There was no denying that it was what she craved. Comfort and acceptance.

As she allowed herself to enjoy this moment, a niggling thought worked its way into her peacefulness.

What if Hugh Calthorpe haunted her dreams every night from now on? She pursed her lips in determination.

She had better put the man out of her mind. It was best for all of them.

But the worry persisted. What if she started to regret saying no to Hugh’s offer of matrimony? They had chemistry between the two of them. The man kissed divinely. She could easily see herself craving such kisses every day.

Oh, she was fooling no one, including herself. She wanted those kisses hourly.

There was only one thing to do.

And that was to spend more time with Lord Stanhope.