Read Online Vexing the Viscount by Christie Kelley - Free Book Online

“The party is tomorrow night and you must be able to dance every dance.”
    Tia sighed. For the past few days, she’d tried to no avail to make Emily understand that no one would believe Tia was her cousin from the Midlands. “Emily, this is fruitless. No one is going to dance with me.”
    Emily only laughed. “Everyone is going to want to dance with you.” She dragged Tia into the room.
    Mr. Blackwell waited impatiently, tapping his foot. “You should never leave a man waiting for so long,” he reprimanded them both.
    â€œI do apologize, Mr. Blackwell. My cousin was detained with an important letter from her mother.”
    Tia shook her head and gave Emily a curious look. She supposed she should go along with the lie. “Yes, my mother had some news of my sister.” If only that were true. She might not miss the Midlands, but she did miss Mia dreadfully. Lately, she’d felt as if something could be wrong with her twin. But that was impossible. Nothing ever happened out there.
    â€œVery well, our last dance to learn is the waltz,” Mr. Blackwell stated.
    â€œMy cousin has not been given permission to dance the waltz,” Emily said quietly.
    â€œThat does not matter. She still must learn it.”
    Tia still did not understand how she must gain permission from some ladies she’d never met in order to dance a simple dance. Emily told her the dance was scandalous because a man held onto her while prancing across the dance floor. Tia doubted it was as bad as Emily stated.
    As Mr. Blackwell taught her the dance steps, Tia confirmed her suspicions. The waltz was hardly as scandalous as she’d been told. It was quite an enjoyable dance, but not as strenuous as some of the country dances. By the fourth time, she had mastered the steps and could enjoy the beautiful music that accompanied them.
    As their hour of lessons concluded, Tia glanced over at Emily. For the past few minutes, she’d been rather quiet, just sitting on the sofa watching them. Her face had grown quite pale.
    â€œAre you all right, Emily?”
    â€œJust tired. I believe I shall take a nap.”
    â€œI will be up in a few minutes to check on you.”
    Emily nodded and slowly headed to her bedroom. Once Mr. Blackwell departed, Tia walked up to Emily’s bedchamber and knocked on the door. “May I come in?”
    â€œOf course.”
    Tia entered the room and then strolled to the bedroom where Emily lay resting on the bed. “What’s wrong, Emily?”
    â€œI’m tired.”
    â€œVery well then, why aren’t you closing your eyes, trying to sleep?” Tia sat down at the bottom of the large bed.
    â€œI have to tell my husband,” Emily whispered.
    â€œYes, you do. Before long he will notice.”
    Emily laughed scornfully. “I doubt that. He barely notices anything about me. He rarely visits my bed, preferring the company of his mistress to me.”
    Tia nodded, not knowing what to say.
    â€œAnd when he does visit my bed, he makes no effort to pleasure me. My mother confided in me that women can take pleasure from the act, but so far the only time it was pleasurable was the time with . . .” Her voice trailed off, as if realizing she was about to say too much.
    Again, Tia could only nod, not having the experience to offer much consolation.
    â€œThe act should be pleasurable, shouldn’t it?”
    This time, she would have to say something. Her mother had also told her that women could enjoy the act with the right man. “I suppose it should,” Tia muttered. “Honestly, I wouldn’t know.”
    â€œYou’ve never been with a man?” Emily smiled sadly. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed you had been with a man before now.”
    It wouldn’t be the first time. Even Jonathon had made the same assumption. “I’m not offended.”
    â€œYou should be.”
    â€œDoes your husband know