Viscount of Vanity, Tammy Andresen [top reads txt] 📗

Sharpe. It’s much appreciated.” He started to rise but Sharpe’s hand shot out again.

“I’ve a few questions for you now.”

Austin sank back down his chair. The man had helped him twice. Answering him was the least Austin could do. “Yes?”

“You’ve got money?”

“Yes,” he said. “Enough.”

The other man’s hand spasmed in pain. “You bought her more nice dresses today? You’ll keep her well-dressed and taken care of?”

Austin swallowed. Jealousy jumped under the surface. This man wanted Austin’s wife for his own. “I will.”

Mr. Sharpe gave a stiff nod. “Leave me your address before you leave. I’ll write if anything comes up that you should know.”

Austin gave him a relieved smile. His friend, the baron, was here but he wouldn’t be as in touch with what happened in the village. Mr. Sharpe was an excellent ally and a good man. “I’d appreciate that very much.”

Mr. Sharpe grimaced again. “I’m doing it for her. She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.”

Austin knew it was true. “I’ll tell her.”

But Sharpe wasn’t looking at him anymore, he was glancing over his shoulder and his look had gone black.

“Look everyone,” Winston slurred behind him. “It’s my new son-in-law.”

Austin’s teeth clenched together. “Mr. Winston.”

“Tired of my daughter already?”

He rose, standing over the older man, his arms crossing over his chest. “Hardly. I just came to thank Mr. Sharpe. Some of the disgruntled men who attended the auction yesterday attempted to give us a difficult time today, and Mr. Sharpe aided us both.”

Winston scratched his cheek, grunting. “I heard about that. Heard you bought her a pretty dress too. More than one I’d wager.”

Austin shook his head. That’s what the man cared about?

“If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Winston, I should return to Gabriella.”

“But you haven’t even had a drink. Shouldn’t you buy a pint for your father-in-law?”

Austin frowned. He reached into his pocket and placed a shilling on the table. “Enjoy one without me and best of luck in the future.”

“What does that mean?” The other man swayed on his feet, his eyes blurry.

“Exactly what I said.”

He turned to go, but Winston reached a out clutching his coat. “Don’t leave yet. We’ve got more to discuss.”

“Such as?”

The other man wet his lips. “I could help you.”

Austin didn’t believe that for a second, and he jerked from the man’s grasp. “You can help me by leaving Gabriella be.”

“Leave her be? She’s my daughter.” His lip drew up in a snarl. “What’s that brat said about me?”

Austin blinked. “Not a word. My opinions, Winston, are my own.”

Winston’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t want me around. Fine. But I deserve some recompense for the lost relationship of my only child.”

Austin didn’t dignify those words with a response. Instead, he turned and left.

* * *

Gabriella tried not to look out the window again. She knew what happened when a man finished his dinner and then needed to go out. Her husband had gone to the tavern.

Would he come back drunk?

Would he come back at all?

Fear swirled in her stomach. This was a pattern she knew well. She’d experienced it over and over with her father and it made her afraid. She wanted her marriage to be different.

But thus far she’d made little headway in breaking the shell around her husband. He was compassionate, of course. But had they made any sort of real connection?

Apprehension skittered down her spine. She closed the book, done pretending to read. It was hopeless. She might as well pace.

Standing, she bent down to add more wood to the fire when the distinct whinny of a horse touched her ears.

She straightened, looking out into the inky night. A lantern lit in the small barn, creating a soft glow that leaked out of the cracks between the boards. She moved closer to the window, as she pushed back the curtain. Was Austin home already?

The lantern went out again and she stepped away from the window, returning to her chair and picking up her book as though she’d never left the seat.

He stepped into the cottage, his gaze meeting hers. “I’m back.”

“You’re back,” she repeated rising and crossing the room to his side. She reached for his hand and then leaned in to place a kiss on his cheek.

Her nostrils flared as she inhaled a deep breath, but she caught no hint of ale or any other spirits.

He wrapped a hand around her waist, his nose coming to her hair. “How is your book?”

Her nose twitched. “I was too distracted to give it any real attention.”

“Distracted?” He pulled her just a touch closer. “By what?”

She took a deep breath. She’d promised him honesty and she’d give it now. “I assumed you were going to the tavern. It’s just that…” How did she tell him that she was alarmed by the distance between them? “It’s a pattern I know well.”

He leaned back, his eyes widening in surprise. He cupped her cheek as he looked down at her. “I’m sorry that I worried you. It wasn’t my intention.” He settled her body against his. “I went out tonight to see what I could learn about your father to make certain he never hurts you again.”

Surprise and pleasure rippled through her. Her hands had come to rest on his biceps, and she gave them a squeeze now as they flexed beneath her touch. Her stomach pressed to his and she looked at him, catching her breath.

His brown eyes darkened as he stared down at her, his arm about her back, growing even tighter.

He leaned down and kissed her again, a gentle brush of their lips that made her gasp and she drew in the scent of his breath. He smelled of fresh cheroot, with hints of clove. His lips pressed to hers again, warm and strong.

She slid her hands up his arms, her fingers dancing along the cords of his neck as he kissed her a third time. And then a fourth. Over and over their lips met until he slanted hers open and touched his tongue