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An awful churning sensation in her stomach jerked Jacqueline awake. She scrambled off the bed and ran to the chamber pot, where she bent over and lost the remains of her dinner. Her body protested at her every movement.
Once she finished, a set of comforting arms scooped her off the floor and carried her back to the bed. After lowering her against the pillows, Griffen wet a cloth and wiped around her mouth. Then he gathered another wet cloth and ran it across her forehead and along her neck. His gentle care soothed her into closing her eyes again.
“Jacqueline?”
Her light snores answered him, and he frowned over her sudden illness. One minute he woke her with light caresses. The next she hurried away to relieve her stomach. Griffen held his hand across her forehead, but her skin felt cool. She didn’t have a fever. Perhaps the damp weather had made her ill. He hoped it was nothing dire.
He crawled back into bed next to her, drawing her in his embrace to keep a close watch over her. Griffen needed to wake her soon, so she could return to her bed before the servants started their day. She snuggled into him, muttering his name in her sleep. He tightened his arms around her, worry settling in. He was an insensitive oaf for making love to her while she was ill. Even though she displayed no other signs, he should have known of her illness.
“Do not regret what we just shared. I cannot stand it when you frown.” Jacqueline’s sleepy voice penetrated his thoughts.
Jacqueline reached up to smooth his frown away. She didn’t understand why she had gotten sick, but she felt perfectly fine now. Something from dinner must have upset her stomach. Griffen’s concern was touching. He was perfect.
Or most divine, as Noel referred to him. She quietly chuckled at Noel’s description of Griffen.
Griffen’s brows drew together in confusion. “And what causes your amusement?”
“I remembered Lady Noel’s apt description of you after dinner and realized how correct she is in your character.”
He groaned at the mention of the debutante’s name. “Do I even dare to ask what that may be?”
Jacqueline giggled. “Mmm. Perhaps I shall keep her opinion to myself. I do not want to boost your ego and give you an edge in your pursuit.”
Griffen smiled at her with arrogance. “That flattering, is it?”
Jacqueline’s smile turned mysterious. “I shall never tell.”
“No need to utter a word. For you to mention how it will boost my ego speaks of the compliment in itself.”
Griffen laughed at Jacqueline’s reaction. While trying to keep her secret, she’d divulged how flattering Lady Noel’s opinion was. One in which Jacqueline herself must hold the same sentiment. He didn’t need to hear the exact words. Her enjoyment warmed his heart, and he felt like they had reclaimed their connection away from all the matchmaking fuss.
He pulled her closer, placing a kiss on the top of her head. If only they could remain in the folds of their embrace. However, he must return Jacqueline to her bedchamber before someone discovered them. He didn’t want to force her into marriage, even though his greatest wish was to wed her.
“Love, we must get you returned to your room before your maid arrives.”
Jacqueline sighed. She didn’t want to leave Griffen’s bed, or his arms, for that matter. But she must. Already a light ray of sunshine waited on the horizon to shine, and darkness rapidly faded away. Before she left, she wanted to know about his time spent with Noel Worthington. A bit of jealousy clung to her doubts over Griffen.
Jacqueline snuggled into his arms deeper, keeping her head against his chest so he wouldn’t see her reaction. “Before I leave, will you answer a question for me?”
“Anything. Ask away.”
“What did you whisper to Noel during charades?” Jacqueline asked.
Griffen couldn’t help his reaction. His shoulders started shaking first, then his chest rumbled with the humor of the situation. She swatted at his chest and tried to pull away, but he only gathered her tighter. In his defense, her insecurity brought forth his own where Sinclair was concerned. Their doubts were absurd, yet it warmed his heart that Jacqueline felt threatened by Lady Noel.
He tipped her head up and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Nothing of importance, my jealous minx.”
“I am not jealous.” Jacqueline pouted.
“Yes, you are. ‘Tis most adorable.”
Jacqueline huffed and tore herself away. She rose and dressed, fuming over how foolish she was for coming to his room when he was trifling with her emotions. Jealous? Even if that were the truth, she had a valid reason for her reaction. The more she fumed, the more frustrated she became. How dare he flirt so brazenly with another lady while she shared his bed? It only proved how ungentlemanly Lord Kincaid actually was. Did it not?
Griffen let Jacqueline finish dressing before soothing her insecurity. Who knew someone as confident as Jacqueline suffered from wasted emotions? However, she differed no more than him. His own jealousy over Sinclair lay proof of how one would question the validity of their companionship when they kept it hidden from others. It allowed doubt in the sincerity of their relationship to blossom. Before she returned to her bedchamber, Griffen must reassure Jacqueline of his devotion.
And to do that, she must finish getting dressed. Because he struggled to keep his hands to himself while she lay naked in his arms. After he made sure she suffered no more ill effects, he wanted to make love to her again. His visit drew close to an end. He needed to travel to his estate soon and didn’t know when he would return. Nor did he have a plausible reason to visit. The duke had already made his position clear. He might have ended their previous agreement since Griffen had fulfilled his debt, but the duke wouldn’t join him in his business venture. So he no longer had a reason to remain. After the hunt and dinner, Griffen must take his leave.
He hoped to wear down Jacqueline’s resistance with his loving. They were both powerless to each other’s kisses and soft caresses. If he continued with his onslaught of passionate affections, he could wear her down into accepting his marriage proposal. Because parting from her after this visit would be hellish torture. She was the other half of his soul. Jacqueline gave him the confidence to succeed. Without her in his life, he saw no need to accomplish a single goal. For she was the very reason he breathed.
Jacqueline tied the belt around her waist with a hard tug and strode to the mirror, determined to leave. Before she stomped into the secret passageway, his soft answer gave her pause.
“I told her she could perform the next charade since she found such amusement playing the game. ‘Tis all.”
Jacqueline slowly turned. Griffen stood next to the bed wearing nothing but a soft smile on his lips. She gulped at the sight. His gentle expression contradicted the arousal his body betrayed. Her mouth watered at his confident stance. She heard him explaining himself, but her fascination with his body kept her from learning his explanation. His need, on full display, was the only thing she understood. Her brazen thoughts overcame her senses. She wished to stroke her hand along his length and caress the firm steel in her palm. She licked her lips, remembering the taste of him.
Griffen groaned when Jacqueline slid her tongue across her lips. She didn’t listen to a word he said, instead devouring him with her eyes. He glanced out the window to see if he could satisfy their needs. The night sky had disappeared and sunshine lit the countryside. Of all days, why must it stop raining? He sighed and gathered a sheet to wrap around his waist.
“Jacqueline,” Griffen stressed.
“Mmm.” Jacqueline raised her head in disappointment when Griffen covered himself.
“You, madam, are a temptation I must resist for now. Turn around and look outside.”
Jacqueline turned her head to glimpse out the window. She wished he would drop the sheet to uncover himself. However, when she noted how light it was outside, Jacqueline realized she must return to her bedchamber with haste.
“Oh, no.” She searched the floor for her slippers. “Why have you kept me so long?”
Griffen chuckled at her frazzled state. Even though she was the one who’d stood ogling him, he was to blame. “Because I could not bear to part from your beauty.”
“Now is not the time for you to practice your charming nature. Help me find my slippers before I am caught,” Jacqueline ordered.
“You find me charming?”
“Kincaid.” Jacqueline growled her impatience
Griffen chuckled and strolled toward her, bending over to retrieve the slippers right in front of Jacqueline. He picked up each foot one at a time and slid the footwear onto her feet. Then he rose and gave Jacqueline a kiss she wouldn’t forget. He wanted her to leave his bedchamber with memories of passion, not fraught with worry. She sighed into his kiss and relaxed with each soft whisper of his lips on hers. He teased her with his desire, then pulled away.
“Hurry. I will step into the hallway and cause a distraction if I see anyone on their way to your bedchamber.” He stepped away and dropped the sheet, reaching for his trousers.
When Jacqueline didn’t answer him and the mirror didn’t open, he swung around. Only to find Jacqueline watching him again. Ahh, the minx made her intentions more than obvious. “Jacqueline?”
Why was she so easily distracted? She couldn’t concentrate on a single thing. One minute she ordered him to find her slippers because she needed to hurry, and the next she stood there admiring his divine form. Oh, there was that darn word again.
She watched him pull on his robe, her last distraction covered. “Yes, an excellent idea.” She peeked out into the secret passage and noticed the empty corridor. She rushed out and hurried to her bedchamber. It wasn’t until she stood inside her room that she never...
“Well, she has finally returned, ladies. But one must question the reason for her delay?” Charlie asked.
Jacqueline’s eyes widened when her sister spoke and her gaze wandered around, taking in her sisters, Gemma, and Abigail, all waiting for her. “I, um... That is... I am returning from the kitchen. I requested a pot of peppermint tea for breakfast to settle my stomach.”
“Oh, you poor dear. Were you ill all night?” Abigail came to Jacqueline’s side and helped her back to bed.
Once Abigail settled her under the covers, she nodded. She didn’t dare try to offer any other excuses. Her sisters were too wise and would know she lied. It was best to stay silent and hope their curiosity would pass. However, once again, luck refused to stay on her side.
“Ill? Pshh. Not unless a ravished appearance is proof of sickness,” Charlie quipped.
“Or when one’s hair is in disarray,” Evelyn added.
“Or swollen lips that were ravished repeatedly throughout the night,” Gemma ended with a mischievous chuckle.
Abigail narrowed her gaze, and her head swiveled between Jacqueline and each lady who commented. “How dare you ladies? Jacqueline suffers from a stomach ailment and you want to accuse her of engaging in a scandalous tryst?”
“Yes,” each lady answered simultaneously.
A blush warmed Jacqueline before she pulled the covers over her head. She’d lingered too long with Griffen. Now she must suffer the consequences. So much for him distracting any unwanted visitors. But he’d never had the chance because they were already waiting for her return. Now she could no longer hold their affair a secret. All of them except for Abigail would regard their courtship with stars in their eyes, believing Jacqueline and Kincaid would end their affair with a marriage. An ending not to Jacqueline’s liking. Or is it?
“Jacqueline?” Abigail inquired.
She lowered the blanket, cringing with one eye open. “Yes?”
“Is there any truth behind their ramblings?”
“Perhaps.”
Abigail sighed. “Not you, too. I had hoped you, of all the Holbrooke ladies, would have conducted a more proper courtship.”
“Oh, this is so marvelous. Who is the lucky gentleman?” Gemma asked.
“Well, she does not have many options to choose from since most of the gentlemen present are members of our family. Which only leaves two eligible gentlemen for Jacqueline to choose from. One Graham Worthington or the most divine Griffen Kincaid. That is the apt description of Lord Kincaid, is it not, Jacqueline?” Charlie cackled.
“Jacqueline and Graham would make an unlikely couple. So, that rules out my brother-in-law,” Evelyn answered.
“Which only leaves Lord Kincaid. A certain gentleman I saw Jacqueline sneak away with during the season at the Calderwood Ball. I thought I was mistaken, but it is now clear I was not.” Gemma gasped. “You carried on an affair with him during the season. Why, you are the most scandalous of us all.”
Jacqueline’s blush refused to vanquish with each assumption. How she’d kept the affair hidden was a miracle upon itself. However, it must end now. She preferred not to discuss her circumstances with them, even though she knew they meant well. “Is there a reason for you invading my bedchamber this morning?”
“Nice try, sis. But you must answer the question on all of our minds. Is Kincaid most divine?” Charlie waggled her eyebrows, sending the ladies into a fit of giggles.
Jacqueline sighed. “Yes.” Then she yanked the quilt back over her head.
Evelyn clapped her hands. “Oh, Jacqueline, we are so happy for you.”
At her sister’s joyous declaration, Jacqueline sat up in bed and rested against the headboard. She smoothed her hair down and straightened her clothing. “My relationship with Kincaid is not in the same regard you have found with your husbands. I have no wish to marry. We are in a beneficial arrangement that suits our needs. Once his visit is over, our affair will end.”
“Oh.” Evelyn didn’t know how to respond to her sister. Her sister’s denial sounded too unbelievable. Jacqueline might believe her declaration to hold some truth, but Evelyn thought differently. She glanced at Charlie and knew her twin felt the same. Charlie gave her a slight nod to confirm Evelyn’s thoughts.
“Rubbish,” Abigail declared. All heads swiveled toward Abigail at her defiant tone. She stood with her hands on her hips. “You hold the same starry-eyed expressions your sisters and Gemma held during their scandalous courtships. Your need to fool yourself is pure rubbish. Why hold yourself back from loving Lord Kincaid? The man dotes on your every word. Do not think I have ignored the rumors of your stolen kisses or the longing glances passed between you two.” She looked around the room. “How have all of you been so blind?” Abigail’s scoff finished her speech.
Charlie laughed. “My, my. Abigail has herself in a tiff. One must wonder why?”
“Not why, but whom. Am I correct, Abigail?” Gemma asked.
Abigail shook her head, refusing to discuss what troubled her. The rest of the ladies granted Abigail her privacy and didn’t question her further. Everyone knew the source of her agitation. Their cousin Lucas. His behavior toward Abigail of late was atrocious. For now, they needed to focus on Jacqueline’s happiness. After the holidays, Abigail planned to venture farther north and take a position as a governess. If Colebourne allowed her to leave sooner, she would. However, she wished to spend one last Christmas with her family before she started her new life.
Abigail softened her tone. “Do you care for Lord Kincaid?”
Jacqueline wanted to pour her heart and soul out to her family. However, in doing so, she would only commit herself to Kincaid. They would be persistent in throwing them together at every opportunity. Not that Jacqueline didn’t want to enjoy stolen moments with Kincaid before he left, but only on her own terms. Not the terms dictated by her family. She must guard the feelings she held for Kincaid with her heart.
“Not in the sense of a romantic love where I cannot live without him. Our connection is purely of a more intimate nature,” Jacqueline whispered the last words. Her face grew warmer at the lie.
Each lady nodded with a conniving smile lighting her face. Jacqueline groaned to herself. She hadn’t fooled them for one second. However, she refused to budge about her feelings for Kincaid. Let them believe what they wished. They would anyhow.
“If those are your true feelings for Lord Kincaid, then we believe you. However, I feel you should end your affair immediately before you suffer from any consequences that you cannot undo,” Evelyn offered.
Jacqueline nodded. “You are correct. Our affair has reached its time to end, and I will express my wishes to him today.”
“It is for the best,” Evelyn comforted her.
The rest of the ladies murmured their agreement. Jacqueline pasted a false smile on her lips and questioned their presence again. “May I ask why you have gathered yourselves here? I thought we were to meet in Evelyn’s bedchamber this morning.”
Gemma offered Jacqueline a sheepish expression. “Our husbands overindulged last night, and none of us can host morning breakfast with the Worthington sisters. Since Abigail’s room is too small, we hoped you could host. When we came to ask your permission, we found your bedroom empty, and Polly said she could not find you anywhere.”
Jacqueline’s eyes widened. “Oh, no.”
Charlie smirked. “Exactly.”
Everyone knew Polly’s inability not to gossip. They all adored her, but she had the worst habit of whispering their secrets to the other servants. Never out of malice, but more along the lines of sharing the adventures she imagined them to be on.
“Do not fret. I informed her you fell asleep on my divan because we stayed awake into the early hours talking,” Abigail reassured her.
“Thank you.”
“Now, do you understand why you must put an end to your affair with Lord Kincaid?” Evelyn asked.
“Oh, are you discussing Lord Kincaid? I must join in.” Lady Noel spoke from the doorway.
The Worthington sisters walked into the room, followed by Polly and two footmen. The maid directed the servants on where to set the trays of hot chocolate and pastries. Polly rushed the servants away once they’d performed their duties. Since Jacqueline was the hostess for the morning, she rose from the bed and passed around the hot chocolate. Each lady helped herself to the breakfast fare and settled around to discuss the gentleman of the hour, much to Jacqueline’s discontent.
“I could not believe my luck when Lady Forrester paired us together for charades,” Noel gushed.
“Yes, you seemed to enjoy yourself most immensely during the game,” Evelyn commented, glancing toward her sister. She felt torn between Jacqueline’s heartache and her sister-in-law’s happiness at having the viscount’s attention for a brief spell.
“Oh, I did. And I could hardly believe the viscount held such a wicked sense of humor.” Noel took a sip of her drink.
“You do not say. We held no clue either. Were you aware of his wickedness, Jacqueline?” Charlie asked with a devious grin.
Jacqueline choked on her scone. After clearing her throat, she glared at her sister. “How would I know of Lord Kincaid’s character? I barely know the viscount.”
“Yes, barely,” Abigail muttered under her breath, low enough that only Jacqueline heard.
“But is he not Lord Gray’s friend? I heard he had visited the estate many times in his youth. Why, he even told me a story of how he and Lord Gray used to sneak out late at night when they were younger to steal into the local tavern, but the duke caught them,” Noel rattled on.
“Yes, well... That is...” Jacqueline stumbled over her words.
“What Jacqueline is attempting to explain is that when Lucas’s friends visited, they kept to themselves, especially when they got into trouble. We would only share their company at meals, not enough time to become acquainted with them on a personal level,” Evelyn explained.
“That makes perfect sense. It was no different with our brothers. Even though I cannot imagine Lord Kincaid as a wild youth. He is always so serious,” Eden remarked.
“A regular bore.” Charlie yawned. “However, I noticed a change in his behavior myself last night. What has captured my attention and made me most curious is what he whispered in your ear during charades.” Charlie’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
Noel, oblivious to Charlie’s questioning and the other ladies’ groans, answered with sincerity. “I told him about my love of charades, and he flattered me with his opinion on my skill in the game. He may appear all prim and proper the way he follows the rules and how everyone thinks him a bore, but he is most...”
“Divine,” everyone said at once and then erupted into laughter.
Everyone except for Jacqueline. Mind you, she held the same opinion, but she refused to allow his finer attributes to sway her into falling for his charms. Her body may not stand a chance at resisting him, but her heart must keep a hold of her independence. If she allowed herself to form an attachment, it would only cause her more heartache when she lost him. Her family was correct, she must end their affair. However, she wouldn’t put an end to their secret trysts today. She would wait until after the hunt when he left for his estate. Then, before they traveled to Scotland, she would post a letter to him, ending their relationship. In the meantime, she would make more memories to cherish. It seemed like the perfect ending to their affair.
However, the circumstances of their time together would soon surface, causing a different ending, or perhaps a new beginning, to their affair.