14

Mabel

"How amusing," I chuckled darkly. "And what exactly do they want from you? Information? Product?"

The dry look she gave me spoke volumes. "All of the above probably. Who the owner is to start and a cut of the sale of my mother's recipes that my grandmother and grandfather made sure to will to me. I was already married and inherited them legally. So my father and his wife certainly did not have any right to them."

"Still, let's make sure everything is in order with Alec," I said to the viscount.

"I already did, and he's handling it with the grand duke's attorney as they are more terrifying than he is," the viscount told me. "His words even."

Of course, he said that.

"But my father also wants my half brother to train under my husband to gain access since my children are too young," the viscountess added. "It's what I owe them after all since I did not marry to their benefit as I should have."

"Hmm, to some old man who should be arrested for ever thinking of the young woman you were, much less marrying her," Andre said with a sneer.

"In that we agree, Commander," the viscount bit out. "I received quite the tongue lashing for ‘stealing' her from his grasp as if I'd taken his bloody property or something he'd wanted from auction. If I'd been as good of a shot as the grand duke, I would have called that horrid man out."

I swallowed loudly but nodded anyways. "Anything you need help with, let us know."

"Thank you, but I can handle my family just fine," the viscountess said easily. "I simply wanted you to know it's not only your family who behaves horridly."

"No, unfortunately not," I sighed.

"Do you know why your father never remarried?" the viscount asked.

I gave a half shrug. "What he needed from a wife was done. He had his sons and—there was no love between my parents. My father—I do not think he has other needs of a normal man. He's not built normally." I shot a look at Kathy. "I apologize. That was not for your innocent ears. My disdain for him overruled my manners."

Kathy gave me a look of love. "Or your innocent ears."

"I might still be a virgin, but my innocence was lost when I was sold to a monster by a monster, my lovely dear." I focused back on the viscount, ignoring his shock. "Father sees human marriage no differently than animals mating. It's for procreation. The children were bred. He barely blinked when my mother died and never entertained the idea of having another wife."

"Savage man," he whispered in horror, seeming to shake out of his thoughts before looking at Andre. "What of your family, Commander? Tell me that at least the commoners who raised such a fine example of a person are of better stock than the horrid nobility we have discussed."

That was why I liked the Bryds. He truly meant that.

"My parents married for love," he answered. "My father was the son of a baker. My mother the only child of a farmer. My father was always a fast one. My grandfather said being faster than the others was how he won my mother's heart when she was the prettiest girl in town and all the boys were interested in her." He smiled and reached for his wine.

"That's adorable," the viscountess chuckled. "It's nice to hear that your grandparents approved and liked him."

"Yes, that's so rare from where we sit," the viscount agreed, and I nodded as well.

"They did," Andre whispered. "My father's parents adored my mother as well. They all got along." He took a long drink of his wine. "When my mother's parents died, they understood my father taking over the farm with her instead of their bakery. My uncle could take over the bakery, keep it in the family."

"I am so sorry, Commander," Kathy whispered, clearly knowing the ending to this story.

I knew he didn't have a family anymore. He'd made some comments, but I didn't know specifics.

He gave her a sad smile, not seeming surprised she already knew before looking at the Bryds. "They died in the war. All of them. The town I was born in was near the border and was almost burned off the map by the bastards who invaded us. I was fighting far on the other side and had no idea until it was over. I was in the hospital being told I would probably never walk again when I learned."

"By the goddess, that is too cruel," the viscountess whispered in horror.

And I felt the same. "I am so, so sorry, Andre. Truly."

He gave me a confused look and then winced. "No, I am sorry. I thought I told you the full story. This was not how I should have said it."

"We have had a lot of my everything and crazy," I forgave. "My feelings are not important right now. That's—I—no one survived?"

"I have a distant cousin on my father's side, but all my immediate family is gone," he confirmed. He finished his wine and set down the glass. "When the war broke out, my mother was against me going. I was just under the age to be drafted, but I could with their consent. Father said it was the honorable thing to do. That I inherited his swiftness and to let it save lives. So I did."

"The finest runner the kingdom has ever seen," the viscount praised. "It's what every soldier says. From enlists to the knights to even the officers I served with. Son, you did more than—your parents beam with pride from where they sit by the goddess Violetta in Paradise."

"Thank you, My Lord," he accepted before letting out a sigh. "I was too young back then to understand it. It seemed a fool's errand and a waste instead of letting me race dynamite into camps or something brave. Now, as a leader with many under me, I understand the value of information more than taking out one location or person."

"Yes, hindsight shows us much, but it cannot always heal the wounds we incur while we are in the moment and do not understand," the viscount said, reaching over and taking his wife's hand. "We are struggling through that now. If we had not done what we did, we would not have been on the path to meet the countess and make this partnership that will help the kingdom.

"And for us, that means more than being rich. I want my family secure. I have never had dreams of rolling in gold. We do not need that. We do not want that. I want my children safe and my wife protected if something should ever happen to me. But more than that, I want our family to leave this world better than when we were born into it. The countess has given us that path."

"You give me too much credit and faith, My Lord," I whispered, shocked beyond what I could put into words at what he'd said. "I am just—"

"Helping people, Countess," the viscountess said firmly. "You are helping people who no one has been able to help before. A little girl with a terrible scar on her face. Her father came in crying that the scar is getting better. A woman with an ailing father who could not use his hands now can because of your lotion. You are helping people in a way only the goddess would allow."

I froze. I froze in a way that was absolutely not the way to handle the situation.

And I knew I had to say something.

"I would be very careful how you phrase that and who you say that to going forward, or the grand duke would show up at your door and be insulted as you joked about earlier," Kathy of all people said, her tone cold as ice. "Woman or not."

The viscountess did a double take and smiled. "Yes, I figured you knew as well. Of course, the grand duke and commander knew given how protective they are, but your brother is a genius. Nothing gets by him. And while the countess is a suitable chaperone for you, I was right that you are also here to protect her."

"What?" I gasped, glancing between them both.

"Well, I feel a fool for not having seen that coming," Andre drawled. "Of course, Colin would have figured it out."

"He figured it out before Ian learned from the king," Kathy admitted, giving me a kind look. "You are not a normal woman, Mabel. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and once you let people in, you say things that are not normal. Yes, I have known for a while. And no, I am not a spy, but I am…"

"Mabel would worry about what could happen to the viscount and viscountess if they figured it out, but you would not if it could risk Mabel," Andre finished for her. "So you are not the spy, but you will absolutely be the snitch."

"Well said, Commander," she chuckled.

"Wait, this is all getting—" I tried to interject.

"We are the last people to be of risk to the countess," the viscount said firmly. "So the grand duke, the king, or the goddess herself can give us whatever warnings they want. If we figured it out, others will as well, which is why we hinted that the countess studied herbs but was working with a mage. All very hush-hush, maybe one like the king was through the grand duke."

"We did not agree to that," I gasped.

"No, we did not, but I made the decision when too many questions were being asked too fast by employees and workers," the viscount said firmly. "I did not have time to speak with you on it, and I did not confirm anything or make an official statement. Let them think they have the answer without saying much. It's an answer to cover for the answer you do not want them to have."

"It's smart," Andre muttered. "Your products are too good, Mabel. Most would jump to magic. Let them. Let them think you are working with mages instead of you being the mage or the actual truth."

"I apologize for not consulting you first," the viscount said firmly. "I should have. I would have if I felt there was time. It was clear the employees in the factory had already been speaking with some in the store and the warehouse. I walked into something that was—I did not know how else to put the stopper back in the bottle so there wasn't a problem later."

I swallowed loudly, worried now instead of upset he'd made such a decision for me. "Did you?"

"Yes," he answered after a moment. "Yes, I believe I did. I think we leave the grand duke's magic mirror in a few other locations to be a listening device to double check, but I have heard several mutter that they were curious to see what the mage might come up with next working with your knowledge of herbs. It's very believable."

"It is. My husband is good on his feet," the viscountess praised. "And he respects you, Countess. He was not steamrolling you."

"No, he's not the type," I accepted. Still, it was one too many surprises over a single dinner, and I was glad when they didn't stay too much longer. I pulled Kathy aside after they left and ignored the scared look she gave me. "I am sorry I did not tell you."

She huffed and then hugged me. "Never apologize for protecting yourself, Mabel. You have to be terrified. I would be. I am here for whatever you need, my friend. So is Colin. We were simply curious—I have questions when you are ready. Nothing more. No judgment."

"I probably do not have the answers but yes, I would like it if we spoke openly now."

"Good. Sleep well." She winked at me and I gasped, understanding she thought Andre was staying the night.

Brat.

And she wasn't wrong. He pretended to leave for show if anyone was watching but then snuck back through the garden and in through the basement door he now had the key to.

It was all very cloak-and-dagger.

"How was your meeting before I interrupted?" Andre asked me when he found me getting ready for bed. He shocked me by taking the brush from my hand and taking care of my hair.

I studied him in the mirror but didn't answer right away. "I can talk about work or anything you want if you want the distraction or not to think about what is truly bothering you. But know that I am worried and want to listen if you are willing to talk."

He flinched and met my gaze in the mirror. "I want to know how things are going. I appreciate you caring, and I know you'll listen. You being there at the station today to check in on me meant everything, Mabel. Really it did." He opened his mouth but then closed it. "I do not know what I am feeling. Too confused to know."

"What do you need?"

He focused on my hair for a few moments. "I want to hear you are okay and then show you I care for you before holding you in my arms while we sleep. That's what I want tonight. That's what I need tonight, darling."

"And when that changes, you will tell me?"

"Yes. You keep checking in on me, and I have all the support I need," he promised.

Good. I could more than handle that.

I spent the next several minutes telling him about the new factory being set up and how well that was all going. Viscount Bryd really was an efficient man and did know business and management better than I ever could. He was a smooth negotiator and protected my interests completely. It wasn't simply the formulas I benefited from with the deal but him as well.

The new factory was solely for tonic production because those were much more popular than I had expected. They seemed more frivolous. Yes, I fully understood the ones for menstruation cramps, pain, and issues. But that was a luxury too many couldn't afford.

Apparently, it was worth making other sacrifices.

And it was now becoming a fad that employers were buying vitality tonics for their workers because productivity was then boosted. That was a bit of a concern for the viscount and me, and he made it clear with the owners of those shops that they could only have one per shift. Otherwise, it could hurt people, and we would not only stop selling to them but report them to the police.

I was fairly sure none of the commoner owners were willing to risk finding out if the noble was joking. Still, the viscount promised he would send people to check in as it was in the order agreements we could make sure people weren't abusing our wares.

Andre found that amusing and seemed to approve.

But that was also the focus because I was adding in a tonic to help with stomach issues which was much better than anything currently on the market. Even any remedy that people could get from a doctor or at the hospitals. I had planned on asking if the king and queen wanted to set up a deal so it could be provided to all the hospitals in the kingdom at a discounted rate.

Now I couldn't bear to deal with them.

Maybe I could ask Ian to do it so the people of the kingdom didn't lose out?

There was so much more that I wanted to do or let people have access to, but it was all terrifying because they were things people could abuse. Sleep aids could drug people. Pregnancy aides could be used against them. Aides to not get pregnant could be used against people even worse.

It was a lot of pressure and made me feel guilty that I worried for myself more than I did the kingdom.

"You do not, darling," Andre said gently, kissing that spot on my neck that I loved.

I hadn't even realized I'd said that last part out loud until I looked at him in the mirror and saw the worry in his eyes. I winced. "Apparently, I will tell you all my secrets if you brush my hair."

He chuckled. "Well, that's good to know." He pulled me to stand and hugged me. "You give so much of yourself, Mabel. Making sure you are protected is not selfish; it's smart. You cannot help more people if you are not here to do that. That's what you have to remember."

"I am trying," I sighed.

"I know, and you are doing a great job. I am excited for your stomach tonic. The one I drink when stressed is shite."

"Oh, I did not know you had stomach problems! Why did not you tell me?"

"Because you are busy helping the whole kingdom, and I did not want to seem like I was hovering or being annoying that I was so worried about your big debut." He smiled at me when he leaned away. "I had all the faith in the world in you. I did. I do. It's just… Things happen and I was nervous. I did not want you to feel that I doubted you."

"Silly man," I sighed.

"Yes, but I am your silly man." He winked at me before swooping me up in his arms. He chuckled when I yelped, and I worried about my weight on his bad knee. He hated when I brought it up though as if bringing focus to it was a reason for him to feel shame instead of my concern for his health.

So I tried not to, but I was still working hard on trying to fix his muscles… In between everything else I had going on and my own issues.

Still, I wanted to make it a priority. It could help a lot more people than Andre.

All thought left my head when he kissed me. It wasn't his normal gentle kiss that was a bit playful and showed affection. This was something different.

This was the hungry kiss like when he touched me intimately.

And I wanted more of it.

I touched his face and kissed him as well, surprising him. He set me on the bed and then went back for the lights and checked the door was locked. I was already under the bedding when he joined me, smiling as he moved closer.

"You can hide, but you will sleep naked next to me tonight, Mabel," he warned before kissing me again.

If he kept kissing me like that, I would let him have whatever he wanted.

I would anyways. I didn't think I could say no to Andre anymore… And I didn't want to.

He took off my sleep gown and then his pajamas. I hadn't been next to him fully naked or around him that way at all. I couldn't see all of him given the covers were over us, but it was overwhelming to know we were both fully naked.

But also titillating.

I gasped when he cupped my breast. My worries about them and what Angie had done to me weren't at the front of my mind anymore. Andre had shown me several times now that he loved my breasts and they were perfect to him.

That was all I needed. Nothing else mattered. I now started to see them as simply my breasts and no longer something to feel ashamed about.

It was funny how his opinion could change mine like that. If I thought about it more, it was probably his support and love that made me change more than letting his opinion become mine.

"Stop thinking and focus on what I am doing to you, darling," he whispered before kissing down my neck.

"Sorry. I am sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for," he chuckled as he ran his tongue along my skin. "You work too hard, and I am trying to convince you to relax and focus on yourself."

I swallowed a flinched. "You also work too hard."

He did flinch but then froze, his lips warm on my skin. "I did not mean that as a hint or to say I wanted you to push—"

"No, no, I know that," I cut in. "But I do not always want to be selfish either."

"That's not the same as being ready." He moved over me and stared down at me with worry in his eyes. "I want nothing more than for you to touch me, Mabel. I long for it." He gave me a quick kiss before I could say anything. "But we have all the time in the world for that, darling. There is no need to rush now when we will touch each other for years to come."

He was so wonderful. He really was.

And it made me realize that I wasn't scared anymore. "I want to. Show me what you like?"

He searched my face a moment and then gave me a heated kiss. Andre took my hand and brought it to his cock. It was heavy in my hand and warm. It felt odd, like a type of skin that I'd never felt before.

And then I flushed. No, I hadn't ever felt one before. Of course not.

"Stroke me, darling," he said gently. "Move your hand up and down. That's what I want. Fuck, I want it so much. I want my beautiful woman to make me come."

I wanted that too. When it was him. "I will do my best."

Oh, by the goddess. I flushed even hotter at saying something so silly in such an intimate moment.

He simply kissed me and I moved my hand. He whispered hints in between kisses. Little things like to grip him firmer or move my hand faster. Nothing scary or too much.

"When I climax, liquid will spurt out," he warned me. "That's normally inside of you so you do not see it, but my cock will release something. Do not stop moving your hand. Keep moving your hand."

I nodded, liking the way he seemed agitated but in a good way. He was moaning and gripping the bedding too tightly. I could tell he was holding back when he wanted to say more and I was curious what he might say. I honestly was intrigued and titillated more than cautious or scared.

"Mabel," he grunted and then his cock spurted a something on my body. It felt odd, but it wasn't anything foul.

Did whores really put that in their mouths and swallow it though? Or Andre said other women did as well. The idea seemed horribly crass to me, but if he liked it more than what I did to him now… I would try it for him.

Another time.

He moved my hand away after a bit and then blinked at me before kissing me with more passion than he had before. He kissed me until I became light-headed, his tongue reaching every depth of my mouth and making me feel differently than other times. "I want to fuck you all night and make you scream." He flinched and then slowly raised his head. "I am sorry."

Pain shot through my heart. "You do not want me? You lied?"

"No, no, I very much want you, but that was too much to say. I am sorry I scared you."

I shook my head. "I was not scared. I had not really registered what you had even said yet. I am still a bit—I cannot think when you kiss me like that, and I want you to kiss me like that again, Andre."

He gave a soft chuckle. "Yes, darling."

So he did.

And then he kissed my breasts some more.

"Tell me to touch your cunt, Mabel," he whispered as his fingers danced along my stomach. He nodded when I blinked up at him. A slow, devilish grin formed on his lips. "Make me so, sohappy and say it. I ache for your sweet lips to say that to me—to ask me to touch you like that."

I could see the truth of it in his eyes. I licked my lips and reached for courage. "Will you please my cunt again, Andre?"

He groaned. He kissed me and then stared at me before groaning again like I'd fulfilled some deep fantasy or something.

Plus, maybe mine? He did as I asked a few times and then kissed down my body and put his face between my legs. I knew he said he would, but it was so different to experience it. His tongue licked me everywhere and my heart beat so fast I thought it would give out. It was hard not to shout to the goddess it felt so good when I climaxed this time.

I blinked up at him when it was over. "All I have to do is say that and you will do that every time? Anytime I want?"

He burst out laughing and then gave me a kiss. "Yes. Yes, I will, darling. That's exactly how it works. If you ask me to please your sweet, wet little cunt that I now am addicted to, I will lick it and make you blissfully happy."

I bobbed my head so fast I thought my neck would hurt later. "In the morning? Can I ask again in the morning?"

Andre laughed so hard he almost fell off the bed… But I really wanted an answer.