The downfall of Viscount Bridgerton

chapter forty five - a proper kiss

After reading her letter, Aurora returned to the chair in which she had previously been seated with a thoughtful expression.

“Are you alright, my lady? You look...” Anthony trailed off, uncertain of how to finish the sentence.

Aurora glanced up at him a little confused.

“Pardon? Oh! Yes I am quite alright. Only, my brother’s letter gave me pause for thought.”

Anthony’s ears perked up at her comment. “May I read it?”

“No!”

Indeed, she was not particularly pleased at the idea of her new husband reading Julius’ other comments.

“No, it is private correspondence.”

The viscount stared at her for a moment, uncertain of what to make of her response. Finally, he chose the simplest option and sat down on the edge of his desk beside Aurora.

“My brother speaks of an Indian Princess, from one of the princely states I presume. There appears to be something of a... connection being made between Alexander and the girl. Perhaps, we might use this to our advantage. You could secure a trade between yourself and the royal family. Surely there is something of profit that we could...” Aurora trailed off, uncertain where to go with her plan and fearful that she was talking incomprehensible nonsense.

Looking up at Anthony, she found him watching her with a most peculiar expression.

“Go on?”

She blushed deeply, “oh I’m er, I’m finished?”

He looked at her incredulously.

“But you were in the middle of a sentence?”

“I know. I’m quite remarkable like that.” Neither of them could help the grin that spread across their faces.

“I think perhaps this conversation can wait. There is no particular pressure upon us at present. I do wish to consider it but perhaps there are less... corrupt ways of making money. Besides, I do not wish to use your brother’s romance for my own advantages,” he pondered.

Aurora was delighted. In having released him from his seemingly unnecessary partnership with the East India Company, her husband appeared to have returned to his old self again. She appreciated this. His former penchant for silence had really been getting on her nerves.

She foolishly chose to speak her mind and was midway through complaining about his locking her away in the East Wing when she was stopped.

“Aurora?”

“Yes?”

He put a single finger up to his lips in response and Aurora immediately understood his intention.

He wanted her to be quiet.

“Come here,” the Viscount’s voice had suddenly taken on a much gentler and deeper tone. Aurora founder herself unable to resist as her feet walked toward him.

She stopped just in front of his position on the desk and looked into his eyes. She quickly found herself unable to sever the connection

Rising from his seated position on the edge of the desk, he edged slightly closer so that the two were practically touching chests.

“Now, I do believe we were interrupted earlier,” he whispered into the shell of her ear.

Aurora could not help it, a shiver ran up and down her back causing her to subconsciously lean in closer to his warmth.