The Care and Feeding of Your Captive Earl (What Happens In Scotland Book 3) (15 page)

And she was now his countess. That very thought was…overwhelming.

Both Matthias and Langley turned toward Gwen as she came into view.

Matthias, for his part, looked exhausted, as though he hadn’t slept at all. His hair was mussed, and there were dark circles under his eyes. His clothes—normally pristine—were wrinkled and his cravat was hanging off his neck, untied.

“Gwendolyn.” He smiled. He used her full name purposely to nettle her. “After our long trip, I rather suspected you would still be abed.”

Gwen smiled tightly. “I could say the same of you. Though when I woke this morning, you were gone.”

“Yes, I” —he pushed a hand through his hair— “had business at the club this morning.”

He was a member of White’s, and that was undoubtedly the club he was referring to. “Oh? What business?”

Questioning him might be considered prying, but she was his wife. That certainly gave her the authority to ask whatever she wished.

“Nothing of consequence. Did you enjoy your morning?”

Gwen narrowed her eyes at his dismissive tone. “I’ve explored a little, and thought on some changes I should like to make.” She pulled K’s letter from the book she was carrying and handed it to him. “A letter arrived for you this morning. I had planned to put it in your study, but the door was locked.”

He took the letter. “No one is to set foot in my study.”

“Oh.” Gwen blinked, not sure what to think about that. Her father could always be found in his study, but even being the brute he was, he’d never barred anyone from entering. “I see. But…I am your wife now. You would not forbid
me
to enter, surely.”

“
No one
is to enter,” he said sternly, his face all seriousness. “Do you understand?”

Gwen placed her hands on her hips. “Why do I get the very distinct feeling you are hiding something?”

“I can assure you, I am hiding nothing.” He released a breath and shook his head. “Everyone must have a sanctuary. The study is mine. I would prefer it not be disturbed.”

Fair enough, she supposed. “Then I may claim a room of my own, I presume.”

“The house is yours as you wish. I only ask for the relative quiet of the study.”

Gwen’s gaze flicked to the letter. “Won’t you read your letter? I was told it was delivered quite early this morning. It must be of great importance.”

Curiosity gnawed at her. How would he respond to K’s words? Would he disregard it?

He glanced down at the letter, squinting at the delicate script that glided across the folded parchment. Slipping his thumb under the seal, he opened it and read the contents. She watched as he read, noting how his brow furrowed and his lips pulled tight.

“Anything wrong?” she asked innocently.

“Nothing to concern yourself with.” He stepped forward and kissed her on the forehead, tucking the note into his jacket pocket. “But I must be away again for another meeting.” He scrutinized her. “You are not upset with me, surely. I will not be long. When I return we shall call on your parents. I’m afraid we must face them sooner or later.”

Gwen nodded once, pressing her lips together.

He was going to see
her
and Gwen knew it.
K
had written and he would come running, like a hound being beckoned by his master.

“Perhaps we could ride together. I thought I would stop by Miss Brooke’s this morning to order a few new gowns. I have nothing in my wardrobe suitable for a countess.”

His hand dropped to his side. “I think it best you remain here until we’ve informed your parents of your return. If they see you out in society, they may be tempted to make a scene.”

She wished she could deny that—but her father was quite notorious for making his displeasure known, even in a room full of people. He would have no scruples about taking her to task in public.

“Very well,” she said stiffly. “I shall wait.”

Even as she said the words, she knew she wouldn’t abide by them. She intended to follow him and if he went to the hotel, then she would know. Definitively.

“Good girl. I will not be long.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, took his hat and coat back from Langley and darted out the door.

Racing upstairs, she slipped on a pelisse and hat and grabbed her reticule and gloves. Below, the foyer was empty—Langley having gone—and she slipped out the door. Once outside, she hailed a hackney and instructed the driver to take her to Grenier’s Hotel.

Clutching her reticule to her middle, she settled against the squabs and wondered what in heaven’s name she was doing. If she found Matthias at the hotel…then what? Would she confront him? Would she slink away and say nothing, knowing in her heart that he was no different than any other man…?

Anxiety twisted in her stomach and it felt as though her entire body was trembling. Moments later, the hackney deposited her in front of the hotel. She paid the driver and rushed inside, careful to avoid catching anyone’s notice.

Upstairs, she found room 234 easily. She stood in front of the white door decorated with gold trim and called on all the courage she had. She lifted her gloved hand, and was prepared to knock, when she heard voices from within the room.

A woman’s laugh. A man’s low baritone. The words were muffled, but Matthias’s low baritone was distinct and quite unmistakable. Her heart sank, and she lowered her hand. There was no reason to intrude, after all. She had the answers she needed.

She turned on her heel and left the hotel, hiring another hackney to take her back to home.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Given the circumstances, it is your duty to marry me.”

Matthias watched as Katherine paced the room, her richly colored skirts floating around her ankles. She was truly exquisite—dark hair with light green eyes and shapely figure. Though she was not young, she was in her best years—a great beauty among the
ton.

Only weeks ago, he’d convinced himself this was the woman he wanted in his bed. She was so different from Gwen. Dark where Gwen was light, selfish where Gwen was giving and loyal.

“I’m afraid that is impossible. I am already married.”

Whipping around to face him, she looked as though she could slit his throat. “Married to
whom
? Why have I heard nothing of this?”

“We were married in Scotland three days past.”

Katherine lowered herself onto the settee, astonishment clear on her face. “Matthias Hart, married.” She shook her head and glanced away. “I cannot imagine what compelled you to do such a thing.”

“Perhaps it was for love,” he offered simply.

“For
you
?” She leaned forward and threaded her fingers through his hair. “You love no one. It’s why we get on so well. We are similar creatures, you and I.”

Removing her hand, he stood. “We cannot continue our association, Katherine.”

It was then that he saw the true depth of her determination. “Daft man.” She laughed. “I’m afraid you have no choice.”

Matthias left Katherine’s rooms at Grenier’s Hotel feeling cold and unsettled. She’d presented him with news that was quite shocking—and he was still struggling to process it all. He hadn’t a damned idea what he would do.

When he arrived home, he found Gwen tucked in a chair in the corner of the library, haloed by the sunlight streaming in from a large arched window. A book open on her lap, she gazed out the window in a sort of daze.

Leaning against the doorway, he drank in the sight of her. She was his. His
wife.
Never had he expected to entertain the possibility of wedded bliss. But coming home to Gwen, finding her in such an intimate and contented repose, made him feel like that for once,
something
in his life had turned out precisely how it should have.

He cleared his throat, and her head snapped up, looking at him. “Matthias,” she said in astonishment. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to appreciate the view of my beautiful wife.”

Her cheeks flushed and she glanced down briefly. “You said you would only be gone a short while. Dare I ask where you have been?”

He walked over to her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “My apologies, love. The matter took longer to resolve than expected.”

She eyed him for a long moment. “But the matter
has
been resolved?”

He shrugged. “To the extent that it can be.”

He had no wish to mention Katherine, nor his meeting with her. None of that had any bearing on his new life with Gwen, and he intended to keep it exactly so.

* * *

To the extent that it can be.

Her heart sank at those words. She’d given him the opportunity to be truthful, and like a typical gentleman, he’d chosen to lie. Men philandered. Men lied. And clearly Matthias was no exception.

“I read it,” she said quietly.

He shook his head, genuinely baffled. “Read what?”

“The letter.” She looked him square in the eye. “From your mistress. K. I know you went to go see her.”

He leaned back against a table by the window, crossing his arms over his chest. “You read a letter addressed to
me,
” he repeated slowly.

She lifted her chin, daring him to be vexed with her. “Yes.”

A muscle began twitching in his jaw—a sign that she was quickly realizing meant he was supremely unhappy with her.

“And what gives you leave to read my letters?” Though the words were spoken in a cool, even tone, she could hear the veiled anger beneath. But she didn’t falter. She couldn’t allow him to control the conversation.

“Who is the woman?”

“No one of consequence,” he said firmly.

A wiser woman might let the matter drop, but she’d never been regarded as wise. And even if she were, she needed to know. She could not countenance turning a blind eye to his indiscretions.

“Who is she, Matthias? I must know.”

Matthias pushed off the table and raked his hand through his hair, tilting his face up toward the ceiling. “Dear God, Gwen. Must we do this now?”

“And when might be a good time? Shall we consult your diary?” she asked acidly.

One side of his mouth quirked upward. “I can already tell you I have no time available this year. Next year is looking rather questionable as well.”

Gwen swallowed past the tightness of her throat. “This may be amusing to you, but I can assure you, it’s of great importance to me. Tell me who she is, Matthias.”

He dropped his head and released a heavy breath. “Her name is Katherine Grant, and she is” —he paused, then continued— “
was
my mistress.”

Though Gwen had never spoken with Mrs. Grant, they did frequent the same circles. She was a young widow whose much older husband had died some years ago—though she could not recall the woman’s face. It was possible they had never been properly introduced.

“And you called on her this morning,” she asked.

“Yes.”

Short. Clipped. Decisive.

Closing her book, she set it aside and gave him her full attention. “And what…” She swallowed “…transpired between the two of you?”

His countenance shifted, just slightly, but enough to catch her notice. “We spoke, briefly. I informed her that I was now married and would no longer require her…” He cleared his throat. “…friendship.”

“And her response…?”

He shook his head as though debating how much to divulge. “She was less than pleased with the news, but I am confident she will find herself a new situation in due course.”

“In
due course
? What in heaven’s name does that mean?”

He shook his head again. “There is an impediment to her finding a new recipient of her affections this season, but she will find her way. She always does.”

She squinted at him, attempting to read his countenance. “I fear you are hiding something of significance.”

He gripped her shoulders and guided her up onto her feet, until she was standing toe-to-toe with him. “There is nothing, I assure you.”

“If there is nothing, then why not be truthful with me about your visit?”

“I didn’t wish to upset you. What could be gained such a conversation?”

She lifted a brow. “Trust, perhaps?”

He laughed under his breath. “You are right, of course. I should have told you. Will you forgive me?”

Words meant so little. How many times had her parents apologized to one another, only to fall right back into their old patterns of jealousy and betrayal? Perhaps they had been in earnest, but in the end, none of it mattered. One slight, one offense, and all those pretty words were forgotten. The battle would begin anew.

Releasing a breath, she struggled to quell the anxiety churning in her stomach. Though Matthias had admitted he was in the wrong, was he truly in earnest? Or was he merely yielding to avoid another quarrel?

“You will not see her again, I presume.”

Taking her face in his hands, he lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Everything she’d feared fluttered away as his tongue pushed into her mouth and snatched the breath from her lungs. He tasted heavenly, so impossibly divine. This kiss was unlike the others. It was soft, reverent. Filled with the promise of dark, languid nights.

When he pulled away, it took a few steady breaths to return her to her senses. She blinked, and placed a hand over her wildly beating heart. Would it always be this way? An argument, a kiss, and all would be forgotten?

“What was that for?” she asked, licking her bottom lip.

“To convey what words cannot.”

She couldn’t help it—she smiled. “I should still like to hear the words. Tell me you will not see her again.”

He brushed his thumb down the line of her jaw. “I will not see Katherine again. I vow it. You must trust me.”

Could
she trust him? She studied his face, searching for any falsehood. There was none and for the first time since reading the letter, she drew in a full breath. “Yes, I trust you.”

Those three simple words were so difficult to say, but for the first time in her life, she felt she could place her trust in someone.

A smile touched his lips. “It feels so damn good when you are not angry with me.”

“Oh, no, my lord. You have not yet earned my forgiveness. There are still a great many things you must do to repent.”