Page 70 of The Chef and the Countess

Chapter 21

Celia awoke, and it took a moment for her to realize where she was. The curtains were drawn, and not much light peeked through. She was curled up in Liam’s arms, and one of his hands was grasping her breast. He breathed deeply, obviously sound asleep. Did she dare move?

“Liam,” she whispered.

He groaned sleepily and brushed his thumb across her breast, causing her nipple to harden. The sensual sensation that tore through her made her gasp, then moan. Just that slight movement caused sparks to skitter along her nerve endings, and she felt wetness between her legs.

Celia had never experienced this with Carlton—not at all. But then, her husband never touched or kissed her. Once Carlton had caught his breath from their brief encounter, he’d returned to his room, often without speaking. Because of her husband’s swiftness, she’d never had the luxury of any enjoyment in the act—not even a twinge.

But Liam? Celia closed her eyes. Just looking at him caused her to tremble all over. Kissing? What a revelation. Celia wanted more. She wanted that hardness she felt whenever he pulled her into his arms deep inside her. The carnal thought was more than she could bear.

However, as much as she yearned to become intimate with Liam, Celia realized there was much to settle first. Communication was paramount. Despite her loveless marriage—and outside the marriage bed--she and Carlton had always spoken to one another if an urgent item had cropped up. She’d also let him know if she was concerned about something. Because of this back and forth, they’d formed a sort of friendship even though they did not have much in common. Then Carlton had become ill, and most conversations had ceased.

If Celia was to have any future with Liam, they had to be honest with one another. She grabbed his upper arm and gave it a vigorous shake. “Liam!” she said more loudly.

“Jaysus! What?” He came awake with a start and sat up partway, blinking rapidly. “What’s amiss?”

“I am sorry to wake you so abruptly. Nothing’s happened.”

Liam sighed and lay prone.

“Did you get up sometime during the night, or did I dream that?” Celia asked.

“At the crack of dawn or close to it,” he replied. “I wrote a note to Darrington and delivered it to his butler.”

“Oh. Was that wise?” Celia murmured.

“Probably not.”

Celia listened as he relayed the contents of the letter. “My uncle will not react well to that.”

“It wasn’t a threat, but a promise I made when last we met and agreed to the terms. Shinwell broke that contract with the doings last night. We both know your cousin is the ‘he’ in that statement. I imagine Morrisey will pay a visit to Darrington this morning.”

“Yes. I believe Shinwell is the ‘he’, as well. The man who grabbed me used the same phrase Shinwell used to say to me before I was sent away to school. I should have told the sergeant, but my mind was spinning.”

“I heard him say it the day he brought you to me, and I let Morrisey know that. Your cousin is a degenerate fool.”

“I know.”

Liam glanced at the clock. “It’s close to nine. I should be up already.”

“I want to talk to you first,” Celia said in a lower voice. “I am so sorry.”

“For what?” Liam murmured.

“For a few things. I have been saving them up. First, I apologize for not telling you I was a dowager countess when Shinwell brought me here.” Celia rested on her side, staring at the opposite wall. “There is no excuse for keeping that from you. Initially, I was scared that you would toss me into the street. As Fiona succinctly told me, I lied by omission.”

“You had your reasons. I understand why you didn’t, and I don’t judge you. I know about survival. Don’t worry about it.”

“Still, I want us to be honest and open with each other. I also apologize for bringing all this upheaval to your door. M-m-my uncle and cousin.” Her voice trembled. Blast it; this was harder than she thought. “It’s because of me that they are threatening your livelihood with their criminal acts,” she whispered miserably.

“It’s interesting that you say criminal. I recently discovered that your uncle is known on the streets as Billy Buck. Lucian Sharpe told me. It seems that the earl is leading a double life. What he’s involved in, I’ve no idea.”

Celia gasped. “Why did you not tell me this before? Oh, no. The note will certainly anger him!”

“As I said, I only just learned it, but aye, I should have told you right away. I wanted to protect you. I wanted to conclude business with the man and have nothing more to do with him. And he agreed. I believe Shinwell caused this latest mischief without your uncle’s knowledge. Darrington will be livid, and perhaps he will finally harness in his son.”

“This is what I mean about telling each other important information,” Celia said matter-of-factly. “It does not change the fact that I brought them into this.”