Page 13 of A Simple Marriage (Millionaires of Mayfair #2)

“My lady?” Ritson stood inside the small formal sitting room.

It was the one that Pippa always used in the morning. It faced east, always delivering the best light for sewing.

“Good morning,” she said with a smile. Ritson always checked on her to see if she needed anything when she was consumed with her sewing. She was just about finished with the evening gown for Lady Ravenscroft.

“Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lloyd are asking if you’re taking callers.”

Pippa cocked her head. She didn’t recall anyone by such a name.

“It’s Mademoiselle Mignon.” Ritson lowered his voice so no one could hear. “And her new husband.”

“She married?” Pippa stood quickly. The red brocade dress in her lap swooshed to the floor in an elegant heap.

The butler nodded.

“Send them in, please.” Pippa quickly picked up the dress and looked in the mirror. Good heavens, she looked a fright with dark circles under her eyes. But it couldn’t be helped. She had to finish the two dresses as soon as possible.

No doubt Mignon wanted her to make the acquaintance of her husband. Pippa and Mignon had become fast friends when Grace had introduced them at Mignon’s shop when Honor and Trafford had been forced to participate in the London Season.

“Mignon,” Pippa exclaimed as she came forward to hug her friend. A tall, handsome gentleman with chestnut-colored hair and warm brown eyes hung a few steps back with a brilliant smile on his face. His eyes never left his wife.

Eventually, Mignon pulled away from the hug and took Pippa’s hands in hers “There’s someone very special I want to introduce you to.”

Pippa gazed at the man with a warm smile. “Please do.”

Mignon smiled and blushed at the same time. It even made her more attractive if that was possible. With her dark hair and deep brown eyes, she looked gorgeous.

“This is my husband. My Tom,” she gushed as she let go of Pippa’s hands and wrapped her hand around her husband’s and urged him forward. “Tom, this is Lady Pippa, the one I’ve been telling you about.”

“It’s just Pippa,” she answered as she held out her hand to Mignon’s husband.

He took her hand in his and made a courtly bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. After everything Mignon has told me about you, I feel as if we’re friends.”

“If you’ve swept Mignon off her feet, then we’re definitely friends.” Pippa waved to the sitting area. “Do come in. Would you like for me to ring for tea?”

“No, thank you, Pippa,” Mignon said as she sat next to her husband on the other sofa.

“When did you marry?” Pippa smiled warmly. “I knew that Thomas had proposed, but I thought you were waiting until you went to Cornwall.”

“Two days ago. You’re the first of our friends to know. We couldn’t wait,” Thomas offered. When Mignon laughed, he shook his head with a smile. “I couldn’t wait. I didn’t want to lose her to another.”

“As if,” Mignon chided playfully as she batted him on the arm. For the first time, she gazed at the gown Pippa was sewing. “How gorgeous. May I look?”

“Of course,” Pippa said proudly. “I’d love to hear your thoughts.”

“My thoughts?” Mignon laughed. “It’s exquisite, just like the rest of your work.” Mignon trailed a finger across the embroidered bodice. “Is it for you?”

Pippa shook her head. “A friend.” She didn’t say it was for her friend’s mother. She didn’t quite know how to characterize Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft. He wasn’t in the friend category or the beau category either.

Perhaps the best way to define him was simply Hugh.

By then, Mignon had returned to her seat next to her husband.

“Well, you have my sincerest wishes for a happy and long life together.” Pippa’s stomach twisted into a knot at the fleeting look that passed between the couple. Trouble was afoot with the dress shop. She was certain of it.

“We won’t take up much of your time.” Mignon looked at her husband, and he nodded his head in encouragement. “We wanted to ask about…the dress shop.”

“Well, I’ve completed my budget and forecast for the next eighteen months. I’m waiting on my brother to return to London so I can discuss the matter with him.” She smiled anxiously as her heart thundered in her chest. She had to convince Pelham this shop meant everything to her. “I’m certain once he sees the figures, he’ll agree to my purchase. You’ve been extraordinarily patient, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. But if you’ll give me a few more weeks.”

That would give her enough time to find someone to marry if Pelham wouldn’t agree.

Hopefully.

She twisted her fingers, praying that Mignon wouldn’t change her mind or the terms of the sale.

Thomas took his wife’s hand in his and squeezed. “Darling, just tell her.”

Mignon nodded, then took a deep breath. “We have another offer on the shop.”

The words felt like a punch to her midriff. For a moment, she couldn’t utter a word. Everything, including the room, started to spin in a dizzying swirl around her. She grabbed both chair arms to keep upright. “Pardon me?”

Two small parallel lines appeared between Mignon’s eyes when she frowned. “I received an offer from an interested party last night.” A remorseful smile pulled at her lips. “We…I wanted you to be the first to know. Of course, you’re my first choice to sell to. I know that you’ll continue to make the dress shop successful.”

Pippa nodded, not trusting her voice to say a word without collapsing on the floor.

Mignon shared a look with Thomas, then came to Pippa’s chair and knelt beside her. “Pippa, I know that I said I would sell the shop to you, but it’s been two months. I’m ready to start my life with Thomas. And that’s not here in London.”

“I understand why you want to leave.” Pippa scooted to the edge of her chair.

Now was not the time to fall apart. She had to see if she could convince them to allow her to have another chance before they sold the shop right out from underneath of her.

“Is it a cash offer? You know that mine is, don’t you?” Pippa’s gaze darted between Mignon and her husband.

“It’s my wife’s decision,” Thomas said softly to Pippa.

“The other interested party has made a cash offer as well. The funds are available now. There’s a contract for purchase sitting on my desk as we speak.” Mignon slowly rose and took her seat next to her husband. “I’m a wife now, but I’m still a businesswoman, Pippa. I have to make the decision that’s best for Thomas and myself, along with the shop. You must understand.”

“I do,” Pippa said softly. She sounded defeated, and the breathlessness in her voice emphasized that. She never allowed herself to be in a position of weakness if she could help it. She’d been helpless in the battle of the wills between her parents. She learned quite a bit from their hellacious fights. Namely, you have to come at an argument from all sides and see what weaknesses her opponent possessed.

Not that Mignon was an opponent, but the woman loved the shop and her customers. She would not allow the shop to go to someone who wouldn’t cherish it as much as she did.

At Mignon’s smile and the hint of sympathy in her eyes, Pippa cringed inside. She’d always thought of herself as a businesswoman similar to Mignon. When her brother turned down her request for her trust, she took matters into her own hands. That’s what ladies of business did. They didn’t wait around for the men in their lives to make decisions. Women crafted their own destinies with their own hands and efforts to create opportunities.

That was what she did when she set out to find a husband so she could have her trust funds. There was no way that Pelham would give those funds to her husband. He was protective of her and would make certain that those funds were for her and any children she might be blessed with.

Pippa straightened her shoulders. “Mignon, I know how much hard work, tears, and love you put into your endeavor to make it a success. I will do the same thing. You know that.”

Mignon shifted in her seat as if uncomfortable. Perhaps she was making some headway. “I have my plans in the other room if you care to see them.” One thing that Mignon wanted more than anything else was for her staff to continue with the shop. It was another point that Pippa could emphasize. “All of your seamstresses would still have employment with me.”

Mignon stole a glance at her husband.

“It’s your decision, darling,” Thomas said.

Mignon nodded, then turned to Pippa. “I don’t need to examine your plans. I’ll give you two weeks. If you don’t have a contract for me by then, I’ll have to accept the other one.”

Pippa rose from her seat. “Thank you for the chance. And thank you for believing in me.”

“I always believed in you.” Mignon’s gaze slowly swept down Pippa’s form, then back up. She was taking her measure. It was the same gaze that Pippa took from other women when she made a dress for them.

Mignon had studied her numerous times before, and Pippa always welcomed her evaluations. It made them equals and not a dress shop owner and a duke’s sister.

“I’ll visit the shop to keep you informed,” Pippa said not hiding the hopefulness in her voice.

Her friend didn’t answer.

Thomas helped Mignon stand. “We should be going.”

Mignon embraced Pippa one last time, then they were gone.

Pippa collapsed back into her chair and took a deep breath.

God, how she hated husband hunting.

After dismissing his driver and coach for the night, Hugh stood in front of Ardeerton House. Every window was dark except for the front entry and a room on the side of the house that overlooked a small garden. He knew by sight that it was Pippa’s study. Pelham had shown it to him several times. The duke had been delighted with the way Pippa had decorated the room. There was a connecting door that led to Pelham’s study. The duke had made the quip that his duchess would love it.

Hugh could remember that exchange like it was yesterday. When he’d lifted a brow in disapproval, Pelham had shrugged his shoulders with the reminder that they’d all have to marry one day.

He shook his head, then walked toward the left perimeter of the house. There was a small garden terrace attached to Pippa’s study. He made quick work of the three steps that led to the entrance, then stood in front of the French doors.

Pippa reclined on the sofa staring at the fire. She looked as dejected as he felt. Perhaps she was worried that Stanhope wasn’t going to ask for her hand. If he was the friend that he pretended to be, he should tell her about Stanhope’s visit and put her out of her misery.

He didn’t want to knock for fear that he’d rouse Ritson and a footman or two. They were as protective of Pippa as Hugh was.

With as much stealth as he could muster, he turned the handle of one of the doors and then stepped inside.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even hear him. Or, if she did, she didn’t deign him worth her notice. He couldn’t blame her. Not after the way he’d acted at Stanhope’s the other night.

“Pippa,” he said softly.

Slowly, she turned her head.

“May I come in?” he took a step inside the room but stopped, waiting for her to answer. If she didn’t want him here, then he’d leave immediately. “Or should I leave?”

“You should leave. I told myself I needed distance from you to clear my thoughts. But now?” Her painful sigh swept across the room and squeezed the organ in the middle of his chest. “But now, I would welcome your company,” she said quietly. “I’m quite bored of talking to myself. I know all the answers.”

For that infinitesimal moment of time, he’d convinced himself that she was happy to see him. But then, she turned her attention back to the fire, completely destroying that fantasy.

As he walked to her side, she called out, “There’s whisky in the decanter to your left. Will you pour me a fingerful? Help yourself.”

Pelham had always allowed his sisters to drink whatever the gentlemen drank at the duke’s table. It was unusual but so was Pippa. Perhaps a better word was unique. That was one of Pippa’s most charming traits. You never knew what to expect from her.

He silently poured two glasses, then came to her side. Without a word, he sat on the sofa closest to her and handed her the glass. Without even toasting one another, which was the custom, she lifted the glass to her lips and drained it.

“I never like drinking alone,” she murmured.

“Would you like another one?” He didn’t even touch his. Instead, he placed it on the table in front of her, much like an offering to a goddess. With her pale green silk dressing robe, she could have been Aphrodite, who had come down from Olympus, to walk amongst the mortals for a time being.

“No.” She still wouldn’t look at him.

“About the other night at Stanhope’s home.” Deeply inhaling, he couldn’t remember apologizing as much as he had in the last two weeks, but she deserved it for how he’d treated her. He’d practically ignored her.

That wasn’t the truth. He couldn’t ignore her even if he’d tried. If they were in a room together, he knew exactly where she was. He would know what she wore. He’d know her fragrance. He’d recognize her laugh. He’d know everything about her. It was as if he had a sixth sense about her. He shook his head slightly. Now, he was talking as if he believed in such a thing.

“I owe you an apology for the other night at Stanhope’s?—”

“I thought what marriage would be like with you. And I found myself cringing.”

“You’re fearful of me?” Good God, what had he done?

Pippa held up her hand. “Let’s be honest with one another. You scare me. The reason is that I have strong feelings for you. I wonder what marriage with you would be like if I acknowledged those strong feelings. All my fears that I’m destined to have a marriage like my parents take flight when I think about you and me and marriage. I don’t want to give you that power.”

Her voice was flat as if everything that made Pippa vibrant had disappeared into thin air.

“Pippa—”

She sliced her hand in the air. “I’m not finished. You ignored me at Stanhope’s dinner. It reminded me of my parents.”

“Pardon?” He’d never heard Pelham say much about his parents except that they were selfish, self-centered cows.

“Imagine your parents always judging you and finding you were lacking. You’re not smart enough. You’re not graceful enough and fail in all the qualities that are indicative of a lady. You’re not pretty enough.” She studied her hands clasped demurely in her lap. “Then when you were starving for their attention their praise, they’d give you a scrap. They give you enough morsels of praise to make you hungry for more. I thought they wanted to spend time with me. I was so na?ve.” She shook her head. “They’d asked about each other. My mother would ask about my father and vice versa. Because I was so thrilled with the attention, I’d tell them everything I knew about the other.” She straightened her shoulders. “Then, they’d hurl my words like knives to hurt each other. They’d each claim that I preferred them over the other. Then they’d accuse each other of horrible things.” She swallowed painfully. “It was a battle I could never win. I didn’t even know the rules.”

“Your mother and father used you to hurt each other?”

She nodded.

Never in his entire life did he ever see such rancor in his parents. Naturally, he’d seen them argue, but they were never malicious. They always ate together as a family unless his parents attended a social function. Most importantly, his parents ensured that he and Bryce knew they were loved and that an argument was not a threat to their family.

“Did they treat Pelham the same?”

She shook her head. “No. And my brother doesn’t know. It was silly things but to a young girl, it was devastating. My father would ask if my mother had any new gowns. I’d tell him about the new ones in her wardrobe and how pretty they were. I’d tell him how beautiful I thought my mother was when she wore them. He’d ask what my favorite gown was. I thought he was interested in me. I now realized he just asked to keep me talking, hoping I would spill more secrets. Of course, I’d ramble endlessly about the designs and the fabrics. He’d listen, then he’d call my mother into his study. Then he’d accuse her of wasting more money. He’d ask her if she was trying to lure another lover into her grasp. They’d end up having a row about it. ‘Pippa said this’ was thrown into their conversations quite frequently. My mother was the same. She’d ask about my father’s travels during the week.”

When she shrugged slightly, he could see the pain and grief on her face. It was ironic that wounds from the past could still devastate a person in their adulthood.

“What she was really seeking information about was my father’s mistress. I didn’t realize that he even had one until she railed against him having a mistress and denying her the right to have a lover. My father was very possessive. I think that’s why I became so interested in designing and sewing dresses. I could lose myself in my craft. It kept me from seeking their company. An upstairs maid took pity on me. She was once a seamstress and taught me how to sew. She was my oasis when I needed to escape.” She ran a hand down her face. “I’ve said too much.”

“If you don’t want to share anymore, I understand.” He placed a reverent kiss on her head. It killed him that she had to witness such a marriage. What parents wouldn’t treat Pippa as a delightful gift? None that he’d ever seen before. No wonder she didn’t want a husband. His heart thudded in his chest. It all made sense now why she was so upset when he and Stanhope had acted like rutting bulls, trying to impress her by trying to one up the other. She was terrified she’d marry a man like her father.

This explained so much of Pelham’s need for her to marry and have a family.

“I’m sorry about your parents.”

“Save your breath.”

“Please hear me out. I don’t want you to think that I’m like your parents.” He do anything to make her see that she safe with him. “I don’t want you to worry. I apologize that I made you fearful. I would never do anything to hurt you. I was jealous, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could ignore you.” He dropped his head and let out a painful breath. “But I can’t.”

Pippa reached out her hand, seeking his.

Without hesitating, he squeezed her hand gently. “Have you thought of telling your brother what happened and how you feel?”

Pippa shook her head. “I don’t want to hurt him.”

Hugh entwined their fingers together. “He might see things a little differently if you did share.”

She ignored him. “Mignon came to see me today. She’s married and ready to start a new life.”

Holding his hand, Pippa turned her gaze to his. What he saw startled him. Her face was blank. All her vivaciousness and joie de vivre were gone. It was as if she’d been stripped of everything that brought her joy in the world.

“Pippa?” The disappointment in her voice stole his breath.

“She’s received another offer for the shop. A cash one.” She allowed her gaze to return to the fire. “I have two weeks to come up with the money.” She let out a breath that sounded like defeat. “I’ve been trying to think of other options.” She lowered her voice. “I could call on Lady Somerton and ask if she would give me a loan. It’s her mission to help women make their dreams come true.” She shook her head slightly. “Pelham would be furious. I don’t want to make him angry. I want him to approve. I always want his approval.” She sniffed softly. “And Honor’s too. They were the only ones who ever gave it to me. My mother and father…well.” She chuckled bitterly. “What a wasted effort to please them.”

This was a stoic but resigned side of her he’d never seen before.

Like a garden statute, she didn’t move. He couldn’t even see her breath.

Without a word, he pulled her close. She nestled her head under his chin. She fit perfectly with every one of her soft curves molding to him. Where he was hard, she was soft.

A perfect but dangerous situation.

But Hugh didn’t care. All that mattered in this moment was that she was hurting. He would do everything in his power to take her sadness for his own.

“Perhaps I should ask Stanhope to marry me.”

He laughed softly as he shook his head. “You tried that before and look how well that turned out.” He lowered his voice. “I could talk to your brother again.”

She nuzzled against his neck. “Thank you. I don’t want you to jeopardize your friendship. He’ll be angry with you as well as me.” She pressed a chaste kiss to his neck, then inhaled deeply. “You smell divine.” She chuckled slightly. “But you always do.” She pulled away slightly to look at him. “I’m glad you can’t stay away from me.” She gazed up at him with such longing in her eyes. It made him want to take her in his arms and whisk her back to Raven’s Splendor. “It’s so much easier for you to sneak in here than it would be for me to sneak into your house.”

“Minx,” he said softly as he caught an escaped lock of hair that had been curled. It was softer than a swan’s down.

“Beast,” she volleyed in return. “But a handsome one.”

Then, without warning, she straddled him. The dressing gown was tied in the front, so her movement was unencumbered. Her heated gaze never left his as she scooted her body until they were chest to chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. “This is cozy, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Pippa,” he managed to bite out. The warmth of her lower body met his hardening cock. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“I think it’s brilliant,” she murmured as she began to slowly undulate against him. “I want to do what we did the other night in the orangery, but this time, I want to see you.” With unhurried grace, she angled her head to kiss him.

The closer her lips came to his, the more he believed it to be a bad idea. “Darling, we shouldn’t do this. You’re upset.”

“Then give me a respite from my worries. I want to see all of you.”

Her breath teased his lips. The second her lips met his, she moaned.

Hugh never claimed to be a saint. No doubt, he would go to hell for this, but he didn’t even try to discourage her. This was Pippa. His Pippa. And the fact she hungered for him the same as he did her meant everything right now. It was their own world that they’d created.

He gently flicked his tongue against the seam of her lips as he bracketed her waist with his hands. When she sighed, opening her mouth, he slipped his tongue inside. Clever Pippa chased his tongue with hers. But it wasn’t frantic. On the contrary, they slowly stroked and supped on each other’s mouths. It was like a prelude, and he wanted to experience everything and anything with her tonight.

Yet, it was her decision as to how far they would go as they pleasured each other.

He ran his hand slowly up one vertebra at a time. He was learning her body, specifically what she liked and what caused her to moan his name.

She broke their kiss and pushed his coat off his shoulders. She bit her lower lip as she concentrated on her work. Once it was off him, she carefully folded it and placed it beside them on the sofa.

“A fine piece like that shouldn’t be carelessly discarded.” She leaned forward and nipped his jaw as she unbuttoned his waistcoat.

The flash of pain just sent every single nerve ending he possessed into a pounding rhythm. He grabbed her hands in his and rested his forehead against hers. “We must slow down.”

“Why?” she asked as she pushed his waistcoat down his sleeves.

He chuckled low. “How in the world did you get that off so quickly?”

“I know buttons.” She pulled his cravat loose and began to untie it.

He grabbed her hands. “What are we doing here?” He studied her face. The look of determination she wore instantly reminded him of Pelham. The set of her jaw, the flash in her eyes, and the smirk on her lips. He groaned at the thought. If he and Pippa did this, his friend would never forgive him.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Your expression reminded me of your brother.”

She laughed, the alto sound vibrating against his chest. She nibbled on his lower lip. “I’ve always been fascinated by your mouth. I imagine you can perform some wondrous feats with those lips. Forget Pelham.” She nipped a little harder this time, then licked the same spot.

“My lady, you’re determined. You have a side to you that reminds me of steel. I’ve never seen before tonight. I think it enticing.” He swept this tongue into her mouth. When she moaned, he continued to explore every inch of her. But the siren didn’t stop there. She rolled her hips against his, purposely centering her mound against his cock.

“I’m certain that my ‘hard side’ isn’t as hard as your cock,” she teased with a smile.

He could imagine them together like this when everything in the house was quiet. He could be in his study, and she would come in…to seduce him. They’d make love in every chair, sofa, and on top of every hard table in the room. Then he’d take her to bed and do it all over again.

Cherish her.

Worship her.

He was still devouring her mouth, but his hands were now on a mission. Carefully, he placed his hands under her gown.

Instantly, he froze.

She was naked. There was no chemise. Nothing. He pulled away from their kiss and swallowed.

“Yes, I’m naked.” She didn’t shy away from looking at him. “I planned on having a whisky, then I was going to pleasure myself in the privacy of my own study.”

He closed his eyes as the image of her touching herself crowded out every thought he possessed. This time, he was the one to nip at her jaw, then he ran his tongue slowly up her neck. Once he reached the spot under her ear, he licked and then nipped the tender skin. “Show me.”

She drew back and smiled slowly. “And you’ll show me everything?”

The wicked, sensual gleam in her eyes promised all sorts of pleasure for him this evening. It didn’t even matter if he came or not. Tonight, he’d see every glorious inch of Pippa. And for this evening, he’d pretend that she was his.

And only his.

“Wrap your legs and arms around me.” That was the only warning he gave her before he stood with her in his arms. He walked to the nearest wall, then took her in the kiss he’d dreamed about for the last fortnight.

“Hugh,” she cried softly.

This time he was the one to rock his hips. By the whimper that escaped her, he could tell he was pressing against the most sensitive part of her. She was wrapped tight about him. But it wasn’t enough. He palmed one of her breasts through the expensive silk. Her nipple hardened, and he pinched it.

“Do it again,” she murmured.

“I could do this all night. Is that what you want?” He canted his hips again and again.

She cried out softly. “Is this what it would feel like to be fucked by you?”

Oh, for the love of everything holy, he was going to come if she kept on talking like that. He buried his head against her neck and increased his speed. The agony of not being inside her was softened by the mewling sounds she was making. She was close to coming. This was the way she was the other night—frantic for his kiss and expressing every sensation she was feeling through her cries and groans.

“When I take you, all thoughts of other men will disappear.”

She smiled. “When I take you, you’ll never be the same.”

That was exactly what he was afraid of. “Let us lay in front of the fireplace. It’ll give us more light.” He took her to the rug in front of the fireplace. “I want to see every inch of you.”

She nodded.

He stopped for a moment. “The door?”

“I locked it.” She worried her lip.

“Good girl,” he whispered as he took her mouth in another scorching kiss.