Return of the Viscount Read Free Page A

served this family for long years in London, Lady Cecilia, and I have always prided myself on my knowledge of Society. I recognized Lord Blackthorne’s name and heritage, but if he wishes me to use his military title, then I shall. I acquiesced to your retention of ‘Lady Cecilia’ as your title, thinking you had personal reasons. I now regret my silence.”
    â€œMy mistake was not your fault, Talbot.” Cecilia turned back to the man she’d married. “Sir, you have a title I know nothing about?”
    â€œIt was in the marriage papers. You did not read them all? I hold a viscountcy.”
    Talbot once again made himself scarce. Sergeant-Lord Blackthorne was not just a soldier; he was a peer, a man with even more power than she’d thought. She’d never heard of the title although she’d never had much time for London Society. She regretted that her lawyers had the marriage papers.
    â€œYou’re a viscount,” she began slowly, “yet you are a noncommissioned officer. I don’t understand.”
    â€œI did not feel qualified to be an officer without the knowledge to lead. I wanted to earn my fellow soldiers’ respect before I expected them to follow me into battle.”
    â€œSo you enlisted like any ordinary man.” She’d never even heard of that being done by a peer. “And you call yourself sergeant? I don’t know what to think.”
    â€œI don’t believe your thoughts occurred to me, my lady, considering I didn’t even know of you when I made my decision years ago. I would have thought my being a viscount might have appealed to you, might even have helped explain our unorthodox wedding. The fact that you didn’t realize it makes me very curious.”
    â€œCurious?” She forced a smile. “That is the least of what I’m feeling about this awkward situation.”
    â€œIt seems we are beginning this marriage on the same footing.”
    She willed her hands not to tremble as she poured his tea. “How do you prefer yours?”
    â€œPlain, Lady Blackthorne. Thank you.”
    She flinched at the use of her new title, then watched him sip his tea and eat several wedges of ham sandwiches.
    At last he sat back and regarded her. “So, where do we stand, my lady?”
    She truly was his lady, not just his wife. Their mutual stare seemed charged with awareness, a knowledge that they were man and woman—joined, at least legally, as husband and wife. It was an intimacy she’d never imagined. She got to her feet. “I don’t know what to say, my lord. I had never planned on marrying—I am far too busy here with the Appertan estates.”
    He rose with a slow, graceful agility that suddenly made them too close. She stepped back.
    â€œThat is a strange sentiment for a woman. And yet you are now married to me. You cannot want an annulment,” he added, as if they were discussing the weather.
    Then she’d be a ward again, at the mercy of her guardians, and without the power she needed. He knew that. “I need to give this . . . situation consideration. If I decide to end this, then it could be scandalous that you lived here within the house. Please take no offense, my lord, but would you sleep in the dower house? It is just across the western lawn.”
    For the first time, she watched his gaze move slowly down her body, taking in the flower-sprigged muslin. She suddenly had trouble catching her breath.
    â€œSo now I am a horse to be examined before a sale?” she asked quietly.
    His brown eyes met hers once again. “I never said you were, my lady. Do you have other rules I as your husband should be aware of? No referring to my embarrassing military title, no looking at my wife.”
    â€œI never said I was embarrassed by your military title,” she protested. “You earned that above other enlisted soldiers, and the accomplishment must be a source of