Read Online Courting His Countess (A Historical Romance Novella) by C.J. Archer - Free Book Online

hadn't died. The queen had agreed to end
his assignment because he needed an heir, but he'd come home to
find he needed his wife more. If he had stayed in England all those
years ago, he might have realized much earlier how lucky he was to
have married Rose.
    He might have realized much earlier that he
loved her.
    His heart rolled and lurched like an
out-of-control cart. His step faltered. Someone caught his elbow to
steady him and up ahead, Rose took a step in his direction. So she
had been watching his progress out of the corner of her eye after
all. He had wondered. Hoped.
    He thanked the person who'd aided him and
forged on. To his wife, to the woman he loved.
    "My dear Rose," he said when he reached her
side. He caught her hand and kissed the back of it. She smelled
like lavender. "You are a vision and I am completely and utterly
smitten."
    She blushed and he kissed one pink cheek to
see if she felt warm there. She did. Warm and soft and
delicious.
    "Thank you for the gown," she said with a
small curtsey that took her cheek away from his lips. "Where did
you get it?"
    "Lady Harbrooke is about your size and has
more clothes than sense. She was in dire need of some quick coin. I
hope you don't mind wearing them but there wasn't time to have
something made."
    "I don't mind. And thank you. It's a
beautiful gown."
    "It is far more beautiful on you than on
Lady Harbrooke."
    She arched an eyebrow. "You've seen her wear
it in the few hours that we've been here?"
    He laughed. "You've caught me out."
    Her smile was small and humorless and his
laughter died. Something was wrong. "Temperance is a leech," he
said, leaning in closely. "You have nothing to fear from her."
    Her breath hitched. "Are you sure?" she
asked, looking away. "She's talking to my father now and I trust
neither of them."
    He followed her gaze to see Temperance and
Wallan in deep conversation, their heads bent. Six years ago,
Temper had hated Wallan with as much vehemence as Thomas had. So
why was she talking to him in earnest now?
    "Forget them," he said. "Forget everyone.
Rose." He took her hands. "I want to talk to you in private. Come
with me."
    But before she could say anything, an old
friend interrupted and they fell into conversation. Then another
joined, and another, and Thomas couldn't get away. Everyone wanted
to hear about Ireland and they all suddenly wanted to meet his
"lovely wife". How could he say no when she seemed to be enjoying
their company? Her eyes shone and she smiled more than he'd ever
seen her smile since his return. His words could wait. They weren't
going to alter. Seeing her so happy was all the balm he needed for
now.
    Finally, as the evening drew to a close and
the musicians packed away their instruments and the dancing couples
drifted apart, Thomas was able to get Rose alone in her rooms.
    He shut the door and caught her around her
waist. "They all adore you."
    "When I am with you," she said, leaning away
from him.
    "Nonsense." He leaned forward and kissed the
skin below her ear. Her body sighed against him. "They will grow to
like you more when they get to know you better."
    "They'll never forget," she whispered.
    "Of course they will. Anyway, they're not
important." He licked her throat and pressed his lips to the small
hollow at its base. "You are the only one who matters."
    She tilted her head back and he focused his
attention on the swell of her breasts. Irresistible. He hooked the
front of her bodice and shift with his finger and pulled them both
down to uncover her cherry-ripe nipples.
    "Thomas!"
    He kissed the gently undulating mounds then
took a nipple into his mouth. She cried out but caught his face
between her hands and pulled him away.
    "Stop, Thomas. I don't want to."
    "You don't? But...the sighing and heavy
breathing and..." Hell. How could he have misread his wife so
badly? And here he thought he knew her well now. He stepped away
and watched as she righted her clothing, covering up all that
deliciousness. Damn. "Is