Page 39 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
That sweet girl?
And all he could think of was devouring her.
He drained his wine glass in two gulps. “My private life is my own. I will not have my parents asking me about it. Good grief, what are you thinking?”
“If you must know, your mother and I are very much concerned about you. Come to London with us. Conduct your search there. Take your time. Enjoy life. Let us guide you.”
“You as my guide? Dear heaven, no.” He rolled his eyes. “Will you come to my party?”
“Alexander, I do not appreciate your insolent attitude.” He frowned at his son. “I haven’t decided yet about your party.”
“Do as you like. The choice is yours.”
“I think it is a big mistake. So many things can go wrong. What if you do not like the young ladies you have invited? You’ve only asked three, and I can tell you, none of them are like your dear Jillian.”
“Precisely why I chose them. I do not need an imitation of her.”
His father frowned. “But why not? You were very happy in your marriage. Or is it too painful for you? Your mother suggested as much.”
He said nothing, for he did not want to get into a further disagreement with this man he loved. But the truth was, he and Jillian had grown up as friends and got along very well. They married because it was the logical next step and had made a very good marriage out of it. They were both happy. All in all, he considered it a love match. But consumed by love? Hungry for each other with a burning passion?
No. This is not what either of them had ever felt for the other.
But these were feelings he was developing for Viola, the friendshipandthe heat of desire. These feelings were new to him and he had no intention of rushing into anything, especially if he were to end up hurting Viola.
What were the chances this was real and everlasting?
He and his father stayed up late into the night chatting about the running of the Trent estate, about his mother and grandmother, and whatever news his father thought would be of interest to him concerning London. He also listened to his father go on about Gabriel and Daisy, and their children, the old man apparently forgetting he’d lost his own child along with his wife, and perhaps did not wish to harp on the familial joys of others.
It was his own fault, he supposed. He’d brought up Jillian and little Molly in earlier conversation. But his father was now obsessed with the topic, one that would always be raw and painful to him because he had failed to protect them. But how did one defend one’s loved ones against a fever that ravaged and ultimately consumed their delicate bodies?
He had no intention of revealing his torment to his father, so he simply listened to him drone on, and tossed in a word here and there.
Finally, his father yawned. “I am done in, Alex. I’ll see you in the morning. Perhaps we can get a ride in before midday.”
“Yes, easily arranged. I’ll make time in my schedule.”
He bid his father a good evening and then retired to his own bedchamber. After going through his routine of washing up and settling in with a book to read and a brandy to drink, he finally fell into bed around one o’clock in the morning.
Fatigue did nothing to squelch his dreams of Viola, her naked body soft and lithe atop him, her knees on either side of his hips as he guided her onto him.
He woke up drenched the following morning, the sheets twisted around his taut, tense body. He had only ever kissed Viola’s cheek, but one would never know it from the way his body responded to her.
She made his blood run hot.
Molten.
He had to keep that heat subdued.
“Blast,” he muttered and rolled out of bed to begin his day.
Alexander had already met with Wilson regarding the day’s work, had his breakfast, and finished reading the morning paper by the time his father joined him in the dining room. “How did you sleep, Father?”
“Like a rock.”
“Since you wanted us to take a ride, I thought we could visit a few of the local farms along the way. They are your tenants, after all. I merely look after them for you. Are you up to it?”
His father nodded. “It is a good plan. From what I’ve seen so far, the estate is thriving. You’ve done an excellent job, Alex.”
