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Jacqueline left Aunt Susanna’s study and made her way to her bedchamber. Her late night spent in Griffen’s arms had caught up with her. She hoped that, after a nap, she would gain a new perspective on how to handle Griffen and the consuming feelings he invoked in her. She longed for his arms to comfort her, but it wasn’t a wise course of action. When she yawned, tiredness consumed her. Perhaps they could sneak into his bedchamber and share a few kisses before dinner. Enough to satisfy her needs before she showed her family how she kept her distance.
When she reached the landing, she heard footsteps running up the stairs. She gripped the railing and twisted to see who rushed up behind her. A very disheveled Griffen. His hair stood on end, and his face supported a bruise. The bluish coloring gave him an air of danger. His torn suit coat made clear of a scuffle. But with whom?
Before Jacqueline could stop herself, she reached out and gently touched his cheek. “Oh, Griffen. What happened, my love?”
Griffen stilled at her touch, savoring the loving gesture. He should enjoy her concern, but her endearment prompted him to make an ass of himself. “Ahh, I knew you loved me. Why do you continue to deny it?”
Jacqueline jerked her hand away. While Griffen voiced his opinion loudly to annoy her, her reaction at expressing an endearment troubled her more. “Hush. I only spoke out of concern, nothing more. Now explain yourself.”
He smiled a cocky grin. “So you say, my love. Gray attacked me in your defense.”
“Why?” Jacqueline asked wearily.
Griffen shrugged. “I suppose he felt the need to defend your honor.”
“Why?” Jacqueline hissed. An uncomfortable foreboding overcame her.
Griffen winced. “Because I might have informed him of our affair.”
Jacqueline closed her eyes and swayed at his answer. No! Her worst nightmare unfolded before her very eyes. Lucas wouldn’t stay silent about this. He would make his demands clear for Uncle Theo to force her into a marriage with Griffen. A marriage she was unsure she wanted. This was a disaster.
When Jacqueline swayed, Griffen caught her before she tumbled down the stairs. He lifted her in his arms and glanced down at her pale complexion, wanting to kick himself for distressing her. He continued to her bedchamber. Thankfully, the door stood open, and he laid her on the bed. He returned to the hallway and saw they were alone. Griffen closed the door and returned to Jacqueline’s side.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and the color returned to her cheeks. He breathed a sigh of relief and sat next to her on the bed, holding her hand in his. “Jacqueline,” he whispered.
“Griffen.”
“How are you feeling, love?”
Jacqueline drifted far away, but Griffen’s calming voice lured her back to him. “Tired.” She turned her head and noticed that she lay on her bed, but she didn’t remember how she got there. “Why are you in my room? You must leave before someone finds you,” Jacqueline murmured sleepily.
“You fainted on the staircase. I will leave once I am sure you are well. Do you want me to call for Lady Forrester or your sister?” His hand shook when he brushed the hair from her eyes.
Jacqueline becoming ill again didn’t settle well with him. When she didn’t answer him and instead stared at him with her sleepy eyes, he wanted to wrap her in his embrace and hold her until she recovered.
“Nonsense. I do not faint.” She tried to rise, but exhaustion overtook her, and she fell back against the pillows. “I am sleepy and need to rest.”
Griffen sighed. “You may not usually faint, but you did so moments ago.”
Jacqueline covered her hand over her mouth, fighting a yawn. “Mmm. If you say so, Lord Kincaid. However, I beg to differ. I only ask you to stay silent and not tell a soul.”
Griffen shook his head at her stubbornness. “I promise, only if you promise to rest for the afternoon.”
Jacqueline’s eyes drifted closed. “You have my promise, but only if you hold me for a brief spell.”
Griffen’s gaze darted to the door. His greatest wish was to comfort her, but he would risk her reputation if he stayed and someone caught them together. But when she murmured, “Griff,” he was powerless to deny her.
“Ah, hell.” He stood up and discarded his suit coat, unbuttoned his waistcoat, and unloosened his cravat.
He laid on the bed and pulled Jacqueline into his arms, where she snuggled into him. Her arm wrapped around his waist and tightened the deeper she fell into sleep, as if she feared he would leave her. She was a contradiction he wished he understood. Because if he did, he could convince her of their love and ease her fears.
Griffen lost track of how long he held Jacqueline, hoping she would awaken. His hand glided over her hair. The longer she slept, the more he worried about her illness. Within the past twenty-four hours, she had lost her stomach and then fainted. Now she slept dead to the world, never once moving while he held her. Who could he discuss her sickness with without raising too many alarms of their intimacy? Unfortunately, no one. And he’d made Jacqueline a promise not to betray her confidence. If he wanted to prove his trust, then he needed to keep her illness to himself for now.
The bell for dinner rang out through the manor. He must leave before Jacqueline’s maid came to help her dress. He pulled his arm out from underneath her and eased off the bed. When Jacqueline murmured his name, Griffen stilled and looked over his shoulder to see she remained sleeping. With reluctance, he gathered his clothing, bent down to brush a kiss across her cheek, and took his leave through the secret passageway. He didn’t dare take a glance over his shoulder when he left. It would only make him yearn for forbidden circumstances. At least, he made it to his bedchamber without crossing paths with anyone.
~~~~~
JACQUELINE HEARD THE mirror creak shut and opened her eyes. She was a coward for avoiding Griffen. Even after he held her with tender affection while she slept. But if she’d shown him she awakened, she would’ve had to stare into his concern-filled eyes. She’d seen the worry in them before she fell asleep. He wanted her to seek the advice of Aunt Susanna or the local physician for her ailments. However, there was no need to discover what ailed her. Jacqueline accepted the truth of what she kept denying.
Her hand drifted over her stomach and curved around the softness. While she slept in his arms, a dream of a family they’d created invaded her sleep. She dreamed of how Griffen walked a crying infant around in circles, whispering a story until the babe quieted. Then he brought the child to their bed and laid it between them. He whispered into the night about what an amazing child they’d created together and how lucky he was to have her for his wife.
When she awoke, she realized why she had gotten sick and the tiredness overcoming her at odd times. Not to mention how she’d fainted at the sight of Griffen being injured. The stress had overtaken her and landed her in his arms. All because a babe grew within her. A child created from their passion, the time where their love flourished. A love Jacqueline feared to embrace.
Her predicament would cause many to rush into a marriage. However, Jacqueline needed to overcome her fears and her need for independence. She would marry Kincaid, but it would happen on her terms, not the wishes or demands of others.
In the meantime, she would seduce the divine viscount into accepting her terms.
~~~~~
JACQUELINE GOT HER wish.
Aunt Susanna placed her next to Griffen during dinner. However, she also sat her next to Lord Falcone, who was an incorrigible flirt. Not only with her, but also with Abigail, who was his other dinner companion. Jacqueline arrived late to the drawing room before dinner, leaving Griffen to escort her to the dining room. But not too late to notice the tension between Griffen and Falcone. Every time Falcone flirted with her, Griffen would grab her hand to remind her he sat next to her.
As if she could forget how close he was. His very scent surrounded her, conjuring forth memories of lying in his bed as he worshipped her body. When he talked, his fingers glided over hers, stroking her from the tips of her fingers to her wrists. It reminded her of how he stroked her to climax. Jacqueline shifted in her seat, clasping her thighs together. She fought against the urges of the sensations he brought forth with his exquisite caresses. His voice softened when he addressed Lady Worthington on his other side. Oh, how she longed to hear him whisper his scandalous thoughts in her ear.
Kincaid smiled at Lady Worthington as he made polite dinner conversation. He really wanted to smile wickedly at Jacqueline. He heard her whisper-soft sighs when he circled her wrist and ran his thumb across her quickened pulse. When she kept shifting in her chair, he knew he’d snared her attention. He would do anything to keep her focused on him instead of Falcone. He still didn’t understand Colebourne’s agenda for inviting the marquess to the hunt, other than to force Kincaid’s hand. Ralston had urged him to confide in Jacqueline about his past, but he decided against it. His current status stood unfavorable, and the transgression from his past would only give Jacqueline another excuse to refuse his proposal.
Jacqueline’s breath hitched when Griffen slid his hand along her thigh. Her legs parted, answering his unspoken demand. His fingers responded, brushing across her core. Kincaid didn’t need to see Jacqueline’s response to sense how his touch affected her. The connection between them made everyone else’s presence disappear. Only the two of them existed.
Well, that was how he tried to fool himself.
“Are you unwell, Lady Jacqueline?” Lord Falcone inquired in a low voice.
A blush washed over Jacqueline. “No, Lord Falcone.”
“I only ask because your meal is untouched.”
Jacqueline wanted to slide out of the chair and hide underneath the table. She didn’t think anyone had noticed her distraction, but she was mistaken. She swatted at Griffen’s hands, pushing them away as discreetly as she could without Lord Falcone seeing. Jacqueline turned toward the marquess and lowered her lashes. “Am I too obvious?” she whispered.
Lord Falcone glanced around the table before focusing his gaze on Jacqueline. “Only to me.”
Jacqueline smiled sweetly, hoping she could fool him into believing her. “I fear I overindulged during afternoon tea. I ate one too many sweets. My stomach is full, and I have no wish to offend our cook by not eating the meal.”
Falcone smiled knowingly. “Ahh, I understand your dilemma.”
“I hope you do not think too poorly of me.”
“On the contrary, I admire your thoughtfulness toward the servants. Few would be so considerate. My admiration for you grows,” Falcone complimented Jacqueline.
He may be a shameless flirt, but the marquess also breathed substance. Jacqueline had been quick to dismiss him but changed her opinion. Her smile widened. “Thank you, my lord.”
Falcone swapped her plate without anyone seeing his noble move. “My pleasure, my lady. Now do not think me too discourteous, for I must finish this fine meal before me.”
Jacqueline laughed softly so as not to draw attention to them. “Not only charming but gallant, too.”
He winked at her. Jacqueline turned forward, picked up her glass, and took a drink. She smiled over the pleasant exchange, feeling a kindred spirit with the lord. He wasn’t what he presented himself to be. While he flirted with her, she felt it was only his personality and how he conducted himself with all females. She had spent enough time with him throughout the season whenever he asked her to dance to know he had no intention of pursuing her. He only passed his time by spending company with any lady who paid him attention. Jacqueline decided Lord Falcone would make a fine friend.
She wasn’t a fool. Uncle Theo had invited Lord Falcone to Colebourne Manor for a reason, one she was clueless to. She thought Falcone might be a distraction to make Lucas take notice of how Abigail would make someone else a charming wife if he didn’t confront his feelings for her.
The hostility between Griffen and Falcone drew her curiosity. She didn’t dare turn her head to the left because she knew the exchange she shared with Falcone had infuriated her lover. Tension rolled off him in waves. An innocent smile graced her features, so as not to draw any attention their way. Her involvement with Griffen had already spread throughout her family, and before long, her uncle would learn of their affair. Jacqueline needed to question Griffen about what he’d told Lucas because her cousin kept glaring at them throughout the meal. Except for when Falcone held Abigail’s attention, then Lucas’s gaze focused on them instead.
“Jacqueline.” Griffen gritted her name between his teeth.
Jacqueline turned her head and gifted Griffen with the same smile she had Lord Falcone. “Yes, Lord Kincaid?”
Griffen snarled. “What did that reprobate whisper to you?”
Before Jacqueline answered him, Aunt Susanna concluded the meal. “Ladies, shall we retire to the drawing room while the gentlemen enjoy their brandy and cigars? Do not dally too long, Colebourne. I’ve planned card games for this evening’s entertainment.”
Griffen made one last attempt to grab Jacqueline’s hand, but she rose too swiftly and followed the other ladies. His closest touch was to brush his hand across her skirts. Falcone smirked at his obvious failure. He wanted to swipe the smug arrogance from the marquess’s face, but he must keep his distance. He didn’t want to raise Falcone’s wrath because Falcone would reveal the scandal from his past and ruin him.
Colebourne kept to Lady Forrester’s order and the gentlemen only drank one brandy before joining the ladies in the drawing room. Kincaid found himself partnered with Lady Noel. Gray and Jacqueline’s sister, Lady Sinclair, played opposite of them. He tried to switch places with Worth to partner with Jacqueline, but Lady Forrester would have none of it. So Kincaid found himself distracted by Jacqueline throughout the evening, causing him to throw the game multiple times.
They were on their last hand when Lady Noel voiced her curiosity. “Lord Kincaid, you are sporting quite the bruise. Were you involved in a scuffle?”
Kincaid cleared his throat, pretending interest in his cards. “A simple misunderstanding, ‘tis all.”
Lady Noel turned her head toward Gray. “Was it with Lord Gray?”
Gray laid down a card, oblivious to the turn in conversation because his attention landed across the room on Abigail. “Was what?”
“Since you also sport a bruise, I assume you and Lord Kincaid partook in a scuffle. Was it a misunderstanding?”
Charlie’s eyes twinkled with enjoyment at the young lady’s observation. “Yes, Lucas. What caused your misunderstanding?”
Gray’s gaze narrowed on his cousin, but he turned a charming smile upon Lady Noel. “As Kincaid said, only a slight misunderstanding. One that Lord Kincaid will make amends on soon.”
Lady Noel gasped. “Oh, I hope it is nothing too dire to affect your friendship.”
Charlie tilted her head, observing Kincaid with a shrewd gaze. “Yes. I hope it is nothing too dire,” she stressed.
Kincaid met Lady Sinclair’s narrowed gaze with confidence. It would appear a silent conversation played out at the table with Lady Noel, who was oblivious to its double meaning. He understood her message, but he didn’t allow her threat to affect him. Jacqueline had confided in him over the past three years about her sisters’ characters, and he felt he understood them as well as his own family. Charlie, while protective, held the softest heart of all the Holbrooke sisters. Her glare was her way of protecting her older sister. On that, they could both agree.
“Nothing I do not seek redemption for, Lady Noel. With my future actions, I hope to prove my worthiness.” Kincaid nodded at Charlie to let her know he’d received her threat. When the lady acknowledged him with a wink, he felt he’d won her over.
Without realizing it, Lord Falcone had moved to stand behind their table. “I would not hold much stock in what Lord Kincaid professes, Lady Noel. His past has proven likewise to my knowledge.”
“Falcone,” Kincaid hissed in a warning.
Falcone shrugged. “What? I only offer a warning to the young ladies of your character.”
Kincaid and Gray rose from the table in defense. Gray placed his hand on Kincaid’s arm. When Kincaid looked at him, Gray shook his head, silently urging him not to respond. Kincaid fought against defending himself, but he didn’t want to end the pleasant evening by causing a scene. Falcone would take pleasure from forcing him into one. He shook off Gray’s hand and stalked out of the room.
After her round of cards ended, Jacqueline sat with Lady Eden, discussing a trip into the village on the morrow. Eden hoped shopping would distract her from her boredom and decided a stroll through the shops would help ease her dilemma. Jacqueline agreed, hoping the excursion would help clear her mind.
While they finished making their plans, Jacqueline overheard Lady Noel questioning Griffen and Lucas over their bruised faces. Lady Eden shook her head at her sister’s indecorous line of questioning. Nothing was sacred with the young miss. Jacqueline envied the young lady’s easygoing nature to ask whatever rambled through her mind. While many thought her a silly debutante, she was anything but. Actually, Lady Noel was quite clever.
Griffen spoke too lowly for her to hear his reply. But when Lord Falcone taunted Griffen, she overheard the insults. Why did he imply Griffen was untrustworthy? The slander was the opposite of Griffen’s character. Even before she’d set out to seduce him, he was always honest. His behavior and reputation were impeccable. Why, even her sister described him as boring and predictable, a regular old biddy. However, Griffen didn’t rise to the marquess’s taunts to defend himself. Griffen stormed from the drawing room, and Lord Falcone appeared smug before moving outside to the terrace.
“Excuse me, Lady Noel.” Jacqueline rose and followed Griffen without waiting for Noel’s reply.
She should have been discreet when leaving because, unbeknownst to her, Uncle Theo watched her follow Griffen.
However, Griffen was her only concern, not the scheming notice of a matchmaker.