Once Upon an Accident 01 - The Accidental Countess (13 page)

“There was never any question of an annulment, Mother.”

She smiled serenely. “You may not have thought so, but I have a feeling your wife might have wanted one.”

He bit back a growl. Oh, how that rankled. Deep in his soul he was sure she was right. Colleen didn’t want to be married, but he also knew it had nothing to do with him. He thought about his incoherent rumblings while he was sick and winced. Maybe it had a little to do with him, but it was marriage on a whole that she despised.

“That point is moot, as you well know.” However, her belief that marriage was not for her didn’t mean he couldn’t convince her otherwise. Just thinking of the ways he would like to convince her sent a rush of blood from his head to his groin. He shifted in his seat to ease the pressure. His mother gave him a knowing look but said nothing as his sister sat next to her.

“I can’t wait to get out today. It is going to be fun going shopping with Colleen.” She sighed and launched into a detailed account of her plans for their shopping adventure. He almost felt sorry for Colleen…almost.

*

Colleen watched as the footmen carried the multitude of boxes up the staircase, still dumbfounded why one person would possibly need that many underthings. Granted, she was sadly lacking in that area with just two soft, white linen gowns, but her mother-in-law had refused to take no for an answer or to see the total for the bill. Colleen was positive as soon as Sebastian saw it, he would explode. Men didn’t like paying for needless things. And no person needed six silk gowns for bed.

She sighed and massaged her temple.

“Colleen, I wish you would quit worrying about the expense. Sebastian isn’t going to care one way or another.”

She glanced at her mother-in-law who motioned to the drawing room. Colleen wearily walked down the hall as Victoria called out, “Fitzgerald, we’ll take tea in the drawing room.”

When they entered, Colleen immediately felt her muscles relax. Done in warm colors, the drawing room was perhaps more masculine in décor than one would expect, but it was inviting, as was the brilliant fire.

“Have a seat, my dear.”

Colleen picked an overstuffed chair, settling back against the cushions, and sighed with pleasure this time. Victoria sat in the one opposite her.

“I love my daughter, but she does wear me out.”

Colleen chuckled and then caught herself when she realized how rude that was. She looked to see her mother-in-law’s reaction, but Victoria just smiled.

“That’s okay, Colleen. Anna is an acquired taste. One of the reasons she scares most men away. Even with her dowry, and now being the sister to an earl, she requires a lot of energy. Much like her father that way.”

She’d never heard anyone talk about Sebastian’s father, especially Sebastian. Colleen had an idea that he’d died before Sebastian came of age. “So Sebastian isn’t like his father?”

Victoria opened her mouth to answer, but the tea arrived, and it took a few moments for both of them to doctor their beverages. Once they were alone, Victoria seemed to sense Colleen’s agitation at being interrupted, so she answered her questions.

“Sebastian, poor boy, is too much like me—always the thinker.”

Colleen sputtered then choked on her tea. Victoria watched her with one eyebrow raised.

“You think Sebastian a simpleton?”

Colleen laughed. “No, not at all. But he doesn’t always seem to think things through.”

“Sebastian? I will give you some motherly advice if you don’t mind.”

Colleen nodded.

“Sebastian’s problem is he thinks
too
much. He tries to look at things from all angles, figure out the puzzle.”

“But that is a good thing.”

Victoria smiled. “It can be, but in some cases, it can be bad. Action is needed at times. And Sebastian does have a pretty active imagination.”

“Well, I can see where that might get him in trouble,” Colleen murmured then flushed when her mother-in-law gave her a perceptive look. “What I mean… I…”

“Colleen, I was married and had two children, and in that way, I suspect Sebastian is much like his father. But in many ways, all men are the same. They don’t like change even if it is what is best for them. Keep him off balance, do the unexpected. Sebastian may seem like an incorrigible rake, but he can be tamed. You just need to know how to handle him.” The words made Colleen blush even more, so Victoria took pity on her and changed the subject. “Now, what can you tell me about your mother, your people? There is something so familiar about you.”

Colleen shrugged. “I am not really sure about my extended family. Both of my parents came from titled families, but when they defied their parents to marry, they were both cut off. My father had money of his own, so they settled in York.”

“What was your mother’s first name?”

“Jane. I have no idea of her family. My father was, of course, a Macgregor and apparently far down the line for the title, but I gather he was a second or third son and was expected to make a good match. I know they met in London during my mother’s second season.”

For a second, a flash of recognition, something akin to a spark of knowledge, filled Victoria’s eyes, but she masked it before Colleen could figure out what it was.

“It must be hard to be on your own.”

Ah, just like her son. Change the subject when you gained your information and needed no more. “Yes. It was, but I had been handling our money for years, even after Harry moved in.”

“Who the bloody hell is Harry?”

She started at the sound of Sebastian’s voice, her teacup clattering against the saucer. Turning, she found him standing in the doorway and sighed. The man was too gorgeous for her well-being. The grim line of his lips did not dissipate the memory of how his mouth felt against her skin. She licked her own lips and watched the mischievous light in his eyes turn darker as he watched her tongue.

“Ho, Sebastian, you are losing control of your house and you haven’t been back but a day.”

It was then that Colleen noticed a gentleman standing next to Sebastian. Where Sebastian was darkly sensual, this man was a golden Adonis. He had light brown hair, cut impeccably, and calm topaz eyes. His clothes spoke of his station in society.

Her gaze drifted back to her husband, who was staring daggers at her. She glared back at him. One thing he needed to learn was that she would not be talked to in such a way. “Where are your manners?”

Stunned silence followed her question. His mouth hung open a moment before he snapped it shut. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
Oh my
. Her breath caught somewhere between her chest and her throat. Her heart beat hard against her breast. The man was even more gorgeous when he was mad at her.

“I told you Harry was my mother’s second husband.” Remembering her mother-in-law’s advice, she did something Sebastian didn’t expect. She stood and smiled. He blinked, his eyes losing a bit of their fierceness. That accomplished, she turned her attention to his companion. “I’m sorry for my husband’s rudeness.”

He returned her smile with enthusiasm. “After all these years, I am accustomed to it. Sebastian has always lacked manners.”

Surprised by his ready flirtation, she laughed.

“That is quite enough of that.” Sebastian stepped in front of his friend and walked to her side. From the look on his friend’s face, the action surprised him also. “Colleen, this is my friend, Daniel, Earl of Bridgerton. Daniel, this is my wife, Colleen.”

Daniel stepped forward, took her hand and bent over it. “It is wonderful to meet you, my lady.”

He didn’t kiss her hand, just the air above it as was custom. She could feel the heat of his breath on the back of her hand and her stomach flip-flopped. Colleen was not used to manners or interest from the opposite sex. Sebastian shifted next to her, and she looked up at him. His attention was focused on his friend, so Sebastian didn’t see her reaction, thank goodness. Anger only made him more attractive, and for just an instant, staring up at him, she lost all thought. The scent of him, bayberry and clean male, surrounded her as the heat of him warmed her. And he hadn’t even touched her.

Daniel released her hand. He looked over her shoulder and nodded. “Nice to see you in one piece, Lady Victoria. I pray that Lady Anna is doing well also.”

Her mother-in-law moved into view. “Daniel, as I told you last month, Anna and I can handle things by ourselves.”

“But now that Sebastian has returned, you will not have to worry about that.” He turned his attention back to Colleen. “Sebastian and I were just discussing your marriage. I have a feeling you will take the ton by surprise.”

His ready flirtation caused a blush to rise in her cheeks. Sebastian stepped closer to her. She started when his hand touched her waist in a possessive gesture. Colleen should have been irritated, but her body was already responding to the feel of his hand against her. She seemed to have no self-control where Sebastian was involved. His fingers stroked against her dress and suddenly, the memories of what he had done with those hands the night before filtered through her mind, tumbling over one another. She drew in a shaky breath and ordered her body to behave.

Sebastian’s voice brought her back to reality. “Since I haven’t announced it in the papers, I am sure it will surprise everyone, but I think we will have time for that before our first appearance.”

“We will attend the Earl of Northrup’s musicale. I had a note today from Lady Margaret, and she insisted that we attend. She knows we have returned.”

Sebastian turned toward his mother. “She knows about my marriage?”

Victoria chuckled. “No, or she would not have been so insistent. She expects to throw her daughter at you.”

“Good God, her daughter can’t be more than sixteen.”

“Seventeen and she just made her come out.”

He sighed. “At least I am safe from her machinations.” He looked to Daniel and smiled. “But Daniel here is eligible.”

The color drained from Daniel’s face. “Oh, no. Just because you are shackled…” He glanced at Colleen, color returning to his cheeks. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. “Sorry, no offense, but…”

She took pity on him. “I completely understand, my lord. Until recent events, I held the same view.”

*

Hours later, Colleen settled on her bed, exhausted. She thought she had recovered from her trip and subsequent illness, but shopping with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law would wear out the healthiest of people. Victoria, seeing Colleen’s weariness, had ordered her to her room and sent her a tray for dinner.

Now, with her muscles relaxed, her body went limp, her mind shutting down. She removed her spectacles and set them on the bedside table. She sank deeper beneath the sheet. Sleep tugged at her, causing her eyes to drift shut. It was then she heard her bedroom door open.

Colleen froze. Her lungs seemed unable to function. A moment later, she realized it was the door connecting her bedchamber to Sebastian’s. Her fear dissolved but her heartbeat sped up, her body warming.

He carried a taper as he walked around the foot of her bed to reach her side. She sat up, grabbed her spectacles and put them on. The shadows from the light bounced off the walls, and as he drew closer, the brightness grew. He set the candle on her bedside table and sat next to her on the bed. He was wearing his dressing gown and not much else, other than a seductive smile.

“No maidenly protestations?” Teasing laced his voice, so she really couldn’t take much offense.

“It would be ridiculous, my lord, considering how I spent last night.”

Even in the dim light she saw his eyes flare, his mouth curve. No matter the type of lighting, the man was gorgeous. The candle cast shadows against the curves of his cheeks and created the illusion of a loving, warm seduction. Her body reacted instantly. Heat gathered in her tummy and slid between her legs. Colleen didn’t need to be told that this charmer was trouble. She was married to him. But she couldn’t help her body’s reaction. It probably was a genetic flaw on her part.

“I can remember exactly how you spent last night, my dear.” His voice deepened and shivered down her spine. She suppressed the urge to sigh. Sebastian knew just what to say and how to say it.

“It is just…well…I thought the ton lived separate lives. That marriages—”

She stopped when he started laughing. “Woman, we haven’t even had a honeymoon. There is usually at least a little time spent together at the beginning of the marriage.”

She studied him, trying to puzzle him out. The man could probably have any woman in London. But he was here in her bed. Why? Then in a blinding instant, she had her reason.

“You want an heir.” She didn’t like the conclusion, but she wouldn’t fool herself either. Colleen would rather deal in reality than fantasy. It might be boring, but she was rarely disappointed.

He frowned. “Not so much I want one, it is that I need one. But that is not the reason I am here.”

She crossed her arms beneath her breasts, trying to quell the hope blooming in her heart. Charmers didn’t stay around for long, and they definitely didn’t fall in love with dowdy spinsters such as herself. “Really? So begetting an heir has nothing to do with why you are here?” She allowed caustic sarcasm to color her voice. She had to. Otherwise, the hurt of being used in such a way would show through.

“Well, that is part of it.” His lips moved again, this time showing his dimple fully.

She didn’t say anything because she was sure her voice would crack. Never had a man as beautiful as Sebastian flirted with her, let alone attempted to seduce her. It was mind-boggling.

He sighed and looked toward the window. She had no idea of what he was looking at since the drapes were closed and the room was dark. “Colleen, that has little to do with the fact that I have been thinking about getting back in bed with you all day.”

His aggrieved tone made her smile as her head spun. He’d been thinking about doing
that
. A frisson of awareness flitted through her.

“All day?” Was that her voice? She’d never really heard that husky undertone in it before.

Slowly, he returned his attention to her. “Colleen, I have been thinking about getting you under me since the moment I opened my eyes this morning. And I assure you, not once have I thought about an heir, except the process of begetting one.”

He placed a hand on each side of her hips and leaned forward. Again, the clean, musky scent of him surrounded her, and she had to fight not to lean closer to sniff. Before meeting Sebastian, she had never dreamed a man could smell so scrumptious.

“Colleen,” he said, his face so close she could feel his heated breath across her cheek. “It is not easy to admit, and it is not easy to deal with, but I want you. I know you don’t understand—”

“Oh, I do.”

He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. “This would be a lot easier if you weren’t so truthful.”

Irritation crawled up her spine and she sat up straighter. “That is the most asinine thing I have ever heard you say, which is saying a lot considering the source. Not wanting me to be truthful, really. Do you want me to lie and tell you that last night was not wonderful?”

A burst of laughter rumbled out of his chest and he opened his eyes. “Only you would reprimand your husband when he is trying to seduce you.”

Heat stole into her cheeks at the reminder of what was happening. She cleared her throat. “I never said I would be a conventional wife.”

“Actually, what you said was that you didn’t want to be my wife. You said you would tell people I died.”

She couldn’t believe he kept bringing that up. “You told me to say that.”

He pressed even closer, his lips inches from hers. Her heart stopped for a beat and then seemed to triple in rhythm. Without breaking eye contact, he brushed his mouth against hers. Light, tantalizing, the touch of his lips against hers tempted, teased. He flicked his tongue against the seam of them. She closed her eyes and surrendered.

Never in her life would she have thought the mere touch of his lips against hers would send her emotions spiraling out of control. But the kiss heated quickly, her body reacting immediately. Her breasts swelled, her lungs seized. Desire and need ignited. When he pulled back, she tried to follow him. He chuckled and she opened her eyes. Before she could reprimand him once more, he was tugging at her spectacles, pulling them off, tossing them on the table, and then returning to kiss her.

This kiss was no longer the innocent brushing of his lips against hers. He took her face into his hands, deepening the kiss. Passion singed a path along her nerve endings as she slipped her hands up his arms to his shoulders and buried them in his hair. Her nipples tightened. As if sensing it, he rubbed his chest against them, and even through the layers of clothing, it was pleasure and pain all wrapped up in one. She couldn’t seem to get enough of his body next to hers before he was pulling away again.

Confused, Colleen opened her eyes to see him getting to his feet beside the bed. Thinking that he was leaving, she opened her mouth to protest. Her breath came out in a rush as he tugged his nightshirt off. Even in the dim light and without her spectacles, she could see that he was beautifully naked. Every drop of moisture in her mouth evaporated as her gaze roved down his muscular chest. Yes, she had seen him practically naked in her cottage, but he had been half-conscious at the time. Now he stood before her, a golden god.

When her attention dipped from his chest to his abdomen and then farther, she panicked.

Good God.

He laughed. “I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or proud of the expression on your face.”

He climbed back on the bed but didn’t cover her body with his. She looked at his face as he grabbed the bottom of her nightdress. Instead of pulling it off her as she suspected, he took it in his hands and slid it up her body, his palms brushing over her skin. A rush of tingles followed the same path. As he bared her, she didn’t feel the cold air. All she could feel was the warmth of his hands, the heat of his gaze. She tried not to think of him seeing her completely naked, but it preoccupied her when the edge of the nightgown rose about her hips. She closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on the sensations he was causing. When he reached her breasts, his palms skimmed the sides, just the briefest of touches, and his thumbs grazed over her hardened nipples. She shivered.

A moment later she was laid bare for her husband to see. Colleen opened her eyes, but Sebastian never noticed. He kneeled between her outspread legs. As he stared down at her body, the look on his face erased all her doubts. Pure sensual hunger deepened the color of his eyes. At that moment, she didn’t care if she was plain Colleen Macgregor from York who accidentally married an earl. All she cared about was that this man, her husband, wanted her. She wanted his skin against hers.

“Sebastian?”

He glanced up, smiling, but made no move to cover her. Instead, he brushed the backs of his fingers against one of her nipples. It tightened further, almost painfully. Again, her eyes slid closed as she allowed the sensation of his touch to seduce her body—her mind.

As he continued teasing that nipple, he leaned forward and took the other in his mouth. Relief filled her as she felt it close over her breast, but at the same time, frustration mounted. Liquid heat was now pouring through her, pushing her toward the pinnacle. Panic filled her chest, clogging her throat at the loss of control. It was true. She no longer held any control over her body. It was now Sebastian’s to use as he wanted.

Colleen wanted to protest, to tell him she didn’t like this feeling. At the same time, her body throbbed, clamored for his touch. Soon, he moved down her body, his lips brushing against her stomach, his tongue in her bellybutton, until he settled between her legs. She rose to her elbows, looking down at him. His head was level with her most private parts.

“
Sebastian.
”

He didn’t even glance up. Instead, he kissed each thigh, his tongue sneaking out against her skin.

“Sebastian, I really—”

Her protest ended on a groan as he pressed his mouth against her. His tongue slipped between her folds. She gasped at the sensation as he applied himself to driving her out of her mind. Within moments, her legs were shifting restlessly on the bed. Tension gathered in her muscles, curled into her stomach and then drifted lower. Frustration swept through her as her body tensed, and her mind tried to keep up with the need for release. He continued, his mouth moving over her sex. In the next instant, as if by magic, she exploded, her body convulsing, shattering into a million pieces.

Before she could recover, Sebastian was sliding up her body again. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. Fierce and stark, his need was stamped on his face. Without so much as a word, he came into her with one swift thrust that had both of them sucking in their breath. He bent his head, his mouth taking hers in a brutally sensuous kiss. There was no seduction in this action. It was pure, simple, basic need. She could taste herself on his lips as he increased the rhythm of his thrusts.

Colleen moved with him, her body already gathering, racing, searching for another release. And in the next instant, she came apart again. Sebastian followed her a second later, shouting her name.

*

Two mornings later, Colleen snuck into the library to search for a book to curl up with. All the fittings for her gowns were finished. Never one for fashion, she found the ordeal of shopping and fittings longer than she could almost bear. She prayed that the amount of clothing she had now would last her for the time being. She didn’t relish repeating that experience anytime soon.

She shut the door behind her, making sure she didn’t draw attention to herself. Leaning against the door, she closed her eyes and sighed. Her first true moment alone since she had recovered from the trip to London, and she was going to savor it. Before meeting Sebastian, she had lived a solitary life. She had a companion who had been with her during the daytime hours, but most of the time she kept her own council. Dealing with family and servants overwhelmed her every now and then. She just wasn’t used to being around people from the moment she awakened until she slipped into bed.

Opening her eyes, she decided to find herself a senseless novel. She needed to immerse herself in a story and just enjoy. Perusing the titles, she ruled out any of the history books.

A sound caught her attention, someone sniffling. She turned to find Cicely, sitting in one of the chairs, her shoulders slumped over. Red eyes and nose, she didn’t seem to notice Colleen. Since meeting the young woman, she had only seen her a couple of times. Each time, Cicely’s mother, Prudence, had made some disparaging remark to her daughter. Watching her in her misery, Colleen realized just how alone the woman was.

“Cicely?”

She started, and her face flushed as red as her nose. “Oh, Lady Colleen.” She jumped out the chair, several handkerchiefs falling from her lap onto the floor. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“You didn’t bother me,” Colleen said, smiling, trying not to let the young woman see the pity in her eyes. Pity was more embarrassing than getting caught crying. “And please, call me Colleen. I was plain Colleen Macgregor a month ago, and with everyone calling me a lady, it makes me a bit self-conscious.”

Cicely nodded and returned the smile. Colleen noticed that Cicely was actually an attractive young woman. Not a diamond, that was for sure, but her face lit up with just that one little smile. Her hair was an indiscriminate shade of brown, but her eyes had flecks of gold. Being raised in society, Cicely had been expected to marry. It was her duty. With her quiet beauty and nervous ways—not to mention her overbearing mother—she didn’t stand a chance of succeeding.

Cicely shifted her weight from one foot to the other and said, “Well, I will leave you—”

“Don’t leave on my account. I am just looking for something to read. Can you suggest something?”

Cicely opened her mouth and then closed it. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I am not sure we would have the same tastes. I tend to like historical texts.”

Colleen’s smile widened. “But surely you have an idea of what is in the library. I was just thinking I wanted to escape for a little bit.”

At that moment, Cicely really smiled, her whole face shining. “I do love to do that. I confess I sometimes indulge in a romance novel. It is nice to pretend to be someone else for awhile.”

She hurried to the stacks and pulled out a book, handing it to Colleen. Leaning closer, she dropped her voice to a whisper, “This is my favorite. It is about a knight who saves his lady, although the lady is no shrinking flower.”

Colleen glanced down at the title and noted she had not read it before. “Thank you, Cicely. I appreciate it.”

She colored this time, in delight. “If you ever need help, let me know. You were right. I may not read all the subjects stocked in the library, but I spend a fair amount of my time in here.”