The Danger in Tempting an Earl (13 page)

“Can you tell us where to find him?” Lucien asked. He felt a keen urge to pummel the man, if not worse.

“It is my understanding that he likes to frequent a gaming hell on Piccadilly—a place called Riley’s.”

“And his appearance? If you can give me a description, he’ll be easier to locate.”

“Alas, I cannot help you there,” Lady Trapleigh said, “for I have never so much as laid eyes on the man—at least not as far as I am aware. The two instances when Donovan sought me out, I was unable to see his face. The man is fond of hiding in the shadows.”

Lucien clenched his fists, his nails digging into the palms of his hands as cold, unabated fury surged through him. “Then how the bloody hell do you suppose I find him? How can you even be sure that he’ll be at Riley’s? Christ almighty, woman! I thought you’d be able to help when in truth you’ve given me nothing but a supposition to go on.”

“It is better than nothing. Besides, you have the name of the man you’re seeking now, which is more than you had before.” She leaned forward a little and tilted her head. “I haven’t slept my way through the majority of noblemen in England without becoming privy to a bit of information here and there, and I’m telling you that Donovan can be found at Riley’s. I have no doubt on the matter.”

“Then that is where we’ll begin,” Katherine said.

“We?” Lucien asked, turning toward her. “If you think you’ll be joining me on this mad journey, then you’re—”

“What?” she asked, eyes flashing as she stepped toward him. “I’ve no intention of waiting here for your return when my life is the one being threatened. You must be cracked in the head!”

“You won’t be able to show your face in public. Nobody can know you’re there in case word gets back to Donovan that you’ve survived,” Lucien said, hoping to dissuade her.

“I’m sure we can find a way to accomplish that,” Katherine replied, stubbornly crossing her arms.

Lucien groaned. “What about Sophia?”

Silence reigned for what seemed an eternity before Katherine finally said, “In light of what has happened and what might yet happen if Donovan sends another assassin after me, I do believe she would be safest if she’s not in my company.”

It made sense, of course, as much as Lucien hated it. The whole ordeal had put a bitter taste in his mouth. “I will send my valet to inquire about the validity of this first,” he muttered, his eyes settling once more on Lady Trapleigh. “If what you say is indeed true, then Lady Crossby and I will journey to London in search of Donovan while you remain here, out of sight. In fact, you will stay in this pantry until you receive word of Donovan’s arrest.”

“Lord Roxberry, I—”

“Enough!” He leaned closer to the widow until the tip of his nose almost touched hers. “If one of Donovan’s men sees you strolling about the grounds or lounging in the parlor, they’ll know something’s off. In fact, I daresay it would be best if you remained behind lock and key.”

“You mean to hold me prisoner?” Lady Trapleigh asked.

“After everything you’ve done, I wouldn’t trust you not to stab either one of us in the back at the first available opportunity,” Lucien said, “so unless you prefer to speak with the constable, I most certainly do intend to keep you under restraint.”

Lady Trapleigh nodded, but the look she gave Lucien suggested that she hoped for fire and brimstone to fall on his head.

“Excellent,” he said, quite eager to leave Lady Trapleigh’s presence so he could be rid of her altogether. Turning his back on her, he followed Katherine out into the hallway and closed the door behind him, locking it for good measure. He shut his eyes for a brief second, took a deep breath and expelled it, then looked to Katherine, who was staring back at him with grave concern. “What a distressing start to the day,” she said.

He nodded. “In the event that we do end up going to London, where will you send Sophia?” he asked. “She can’t remain here.”

“I know, but don’t worry. I have a plan—one that I will share with you in private, should anyone happen to overhear.” She was being cautious, Lucien realized, most likely in the event that Donovan’s men did show up and threaten her staff. There was no telling what a man or woman might confess if the situation was dire enough. It was wise of Katherine to consider this.

Without warning, she reached for his hand, sending a pulse of heat up his arm as her fingers curled around his. Her eyes met his and he found that he was suddenly struggling to breathe. There was something about the way she was looking at him . . . something urgent that made him grow weak. “Thank you,” she said, her voice so soft it was but a breath of air.

Doing his best to tamp down the rush of desire that swirled up inside him, he raised her hand to his lips and placed a tender kiss upon her knuckles, lingering for just a second longer than what was appropriate.

“Lucien?”

His name, spoken with wonder, stirred his blood like nothing else. God, how he longed to press his lips against hers, to strip her of her gown so he could pay tribute to the beauty beneath, and to offer her his love in the most elemental way possible. Heat surged up his legs and straight to his groin, where it proceeded to tease and torture until he hardened.

“I have to inform my valet so he can be on his way,” he told her hastily as he released her hand. Time was of the essence if they were to save Tobias. Besides, Lucien needed distance, distraction and something to cool his ardor if he wasn’t to make a complete fool of himself. With a curt nod, he took his leave, pleased by how bereft she looked as they parted ways, her lips slightly parted and her eyes filled with curiosity.

Chapter 10

A
s soon as Lucien left, Katherine hurried upstairs to the nursery, almost sagging with relief at the sight of Sophia lying on a cushion on the floor, arms waving about as she tried to grab the crystal that her nanny, Mathilda, was dangling over her head. “My lady,” Mathilda said when she spotted Katherine. She made as if to get up off the floor, but Katherine stopped her with a staying hand.

“May I join you?” Katherine asked.

Mathilda nodded with enthusiasm. “Of course! I’m sure her ladyship would be delighted to play with her mama.”

Katherine chuckled as she settled down on the floor beside her daughter and offered her one of her fingers. The little imp latched onto it quickly enough, chortling in response to her success while offering Katherine a necessary distraction. Her nerves were still on edge after Lady Trapleigh’s interview, as she continued to fear for her own safety, as well as for Sophia’s. It would be impossible for her mind to find peace until Donovan was stopped.

Picking up Sophia, she walked across to the window and looked out, singing softly as she did so. She couldn’t see it from where she was standing, but she knew that Roxberry Hall sat solidly beyond the farthest hill, just right off the forest that bordered both properties. “Do you have a small bell, by any chance?” she asked Mathilda as she turned away from the window.

“Yes, my lady. Sophia finds it very amusing to listen to.”

“In that case, please fetch it and we will offer her some entertainment.”

T
he sound of footsteps caught Katherine’s attention a while later. Turning her head, she found Carter standing in the doorway. “Lord Roxberry has returned,” he said. “I’ve taken the liberty of showing him into the parlor.”

“Thank you,” Katherine told him, unable to believe how quickly her time with Sophia had flown. “I’ll be down in just a moment.”

The calm she’d felt while playing with her daughter ebbed away at the thought of Lucien. They had a serious concern to deal with—a threat that had to be removed—in addition to the fact that she’d almost been killed. That ought to have been enough to keep her growing feelings for Lucien at a distance, but for some reason she could not explain, it wasn’t. Least of all when he was under her roof and would soon be in her presence. Dear God, she’d felt it the night of the ball when he’d held her in his arms, then during the days since, both at the lake and at the ruin. Today it had been overpowering—a growing desire for him to want her the way she’d begun wanting him.

Never before had she considered him in such a way, yet now . . . good heavens if he hadn’t returned to her life more handsomely rugged than ever. He’d filled out in his absence, and there was now an edge of resolve to his masculinity that appealed to her feminine side—so much so that she found herself in a constant state of want whenever he was near. She knew she ought not think such things and that she especially ought not feel them toward Lucien. Why, he’d known her his whole life. Whatever would he think of her if he discovered that she longed for him to kiss her with abandon?

She dared not imagine, fearing that he too would look at her with disapproval . . . that he would reject her just as easily as Charles had done. She never would have thought that anything could hurt her more than the way in which her husband had spurned her, but she realized now that this was untrue. If Lucien discovered her unexpected yearning for him and failed to reciprocate, she knew she’d never survive the heartache that was bound to follow.

Nothing about him suggested that he had developed a tendre for her. If anything, he’d seemed a bit standoffish—more serious than he’d been four years ago, but that was to be expected, all things considered. Additionally, he’d been showing a keen interest in Lady Julie, even if their brief acquaintance had proven fruitless.

The point was that he’d made his choice in a potential wife known. What did it matter if Lady Julie’s interests lay elsewhere, when it was she, not Katherine, who’d captured Lucien’s attention? Katherine shook her head. No, Lucien Marvaine had given her no reason at all to believe he considered her anything more than a dear friend. Except perhaps one . . . the way in which he’d paused most inappropriately with his lips upon her hand. Yes, it had been brief and subtle, but it had happened nonetheless, and she in turn had felt like a girl thrust into the midst of a turbulent storm, her knees more wobbly than ever.

Katherine sighed as she made her way down the stairs. She’d sworn she’d never again allow a man to hurt her, that she simply wouldn’t allow any man to get close enough. The problem was that Lucien had already been close and her reaction to him had snuck up on her with such stealth that she’d been caught completely off guard.

Confused, Katherine paused when she reached the bottom of the stairs. Clearly she was overthinking the whole situation and driving herself mad in the process.

Heavens, what a muddle!

And yet . . . if there was any chance at all that he might reciprocate her feelings, then she was prepared to dive in headfirst and grasp with both hands whatever he had to offer, no matter how much it terrified her to do so. Because if there was one thing Katherine longed for above all else, it was to be loved, and she was willing to face her greatest fear if there was but the slightest chance she might achieve that.

Heart pounding in her chest, she crossed the floor to the parlor door. Rejection—the humiliation of it and the pain it had wrought—still clung to her like a wet cloak, impossible to shake off. If Lucien would only give her some indication, something more than a lingering kiss on her hand to suggest that he wanted more from her than friendship. She slowed her pace as stark realization dawned. If Lucien had even the slightest interest in her, he would not have offered Lady Julie his attention instead. Once the matter with Lady Trapleigh was settled and Katherine no longer required his help, Lucien would probably find another eligible young lady to pursue. Her stomach churned as the unwelcome thought of him sharing his future with another woman ran through her mind. Sharp awareness stabbed at her heart. It would be unbearable for her to watch.

Shaking off her misgivings, Katherine reached for the handle, aware now of what she had to do. She had to reach for the moon and the stars or risk drowning in despair; she had to ignore the anxiety that shackled her; she had to do everything in her power to discover if Lucien might want her too. Propriety and fear be damned, she was going to cast herself into the abyss that yawned before her and do the unthinkable—she would seduce the Earl of Roxberry.

“Kate,” Lucien said, rising the moment she made her appearance. “Mr. Dawson has already set out. He ought to be back by this time tomorrow with the necessary information. In the meantime, I will remain here, with you.”

Although the idea of keeping Lucien close was tempting, Katherine couldn’t help but rebel. “You cannot possibly,” she said. “Whatever will people say if it becomes known that you spent the night here?”

“I suppose they’ll assume that you and I have become lovers,” he said somewhat blandly.

“And scandal will rain down upon both Sophia and me as a result.”

“It is only for one night, Kate, and to be blunt, I would rather take such a risk than allow another assassin the opportunity of attacking you.”

“After last night’s incident, I’m sure I can depend on the footmen to see to my safety.”

“Perhaps,” he acquiesced, “but I’d rather see to the matter myself. Allow me to keep watch in front of your bedchamber with one of the footmen.”

Katherine hesitated. “Servants talk, Lucien. Even the ones that I trust can be tempted to gossip.” She paused, unsure of what to do. Was safety of greater importance than her reputation? Absolutely—especially when Sophia was to be considered. “I will ask my lady’s maid to sleep in my room with me, then. If anyone says a word afterward, she will vouch for both of us.”

A smile dimpled Lucien’s cheeks. “It’s settled then. In the meantime, you ought to prepare your valise in case we do travel to London tomorrow, and once that is done, I believe we ought to enjoy each other’s company for the remainder of the day.” A spark lit in the depths of his dark brown eyes. “Indeed, I cannot tell you how pleased I am to share your company for such an extensive period, my only regret being the circumstances.”

Katherine’s legs felt wobbly. “I couldn’t agree more,” she said. A heavy pause hung between them until she found herself saying, “I suppose I ought to go and pack then?”

He took a step toward her. “Yes, you should.”

“Right.” She then turned sharply about and exited the room, her nerves completely frayed and her stomach all jittery. Blast it all, how was she supposed to seduce the man when she could barely think straight whenever he was near? Not to mention that she had never even considered attempting something so bold before. In all likelihood, she would achieve nothing more than making a fool of herself in the process.

“S
hall we take our tea in the library?” Katherine asked after lunch. “I’ve recently acquired the fifth edition of the
Encyclopædia Britannica
and would love to show it to you.”

“A wonderful idea,” Lucien said. “I have the fourth edition myself, you know.”

“Do you? Then I doubt you’ll be very impressed, as there’s very little difference between them.”

“All the same,” he murmured as he followed her down the hallway, “I’m sure we’ll enjoy looking at some of the articles.” Frankly, he didn’t care what he was doing to pass the time, just as long as they were doing it together.

“There’s a really good one about botany,” Katherine was saying.

Lucien smiled to himself. “I was rather thinking of the one about chemistry.”

A puzzled expression caressed her features as she swiftly glanced at him over her shoulder. When she didn’t respond, Lucien decided to hold silent as well.

“Shall I pour us each a cup of tea?” Katherine asked as soon as they arrived in the library, where the tea tray was already waiting on a table between two armchairs.

“Certainly,” Lucien replied. “I’d love to have some.”

Seating herself, Katherine tended to the tea while Lucien took the other chair, his eyes riveted upon the graceful curve of her wrist as she poured. His chest tightened as he imagined them spending many more such moments together.

“Now, stay right there,” she said as soon as she was done, “and I’ll be right back.”

Agreeing to do as she bid, Lucien leaned back against his chair, picked up his teacup and took a sip while he watched Katherine walk toward a stepping stool on wheels. Bending over, she then began to nudge the piece of furniture forward, along the length of the room. Lucien almost choked on his tea, his pulse quickening at the sight of her delectable derriere sticking up in the air, even if it was covered by layers of fabric. She came to a stop, having no doubt arrived at the part of the bookcase where the book she sought was housed. Lucien expelled a deep breath. He reached for a strawberry tart and was just about to take a bite when Katherine raised her skirts ever so slightly and stepped up onto the stool.

Lucien’s mouth went instantly dry, for the figure she portrayed as she reached up toward one of the shelves, the fabric of her skirt still clutched between the fingers of her other hand so that her ankles came into view, was not one he could tear his eyes away from. By God, did she have any idea of what she was doing to him? Of the torment she was causing? No, of course not.

“I’ve got it,” she told him triumphantly as she stepped down onto the ground with a leather-bound volume clasped against her chest. She smiled, and he knew that he was under her spell, held captive and incapable of escape. “Since you are the guest, I thought I’d bring you the volume you suggested—the one on chemistry.”

With a cough, Lucien set his tart aside. “How thoughtful of you.”

She grinned. “Don’t think I don’t have a secret agenda.”

“Oh?”

“I’m really just trying to placate you so you won’t complain once we get to the article on botany.”

“I see,” he drawled. “So what you’re saying is that you wish to indulge my wishes before indulging your own?”

She looked at him with hesitation. “Quite,” she eventually said.

“As grateful as I am for such consideration, Kate, I would never put myself before you in any regard.”

“I know that,” she said. “Please know that I will be eternally grateful to you for everything you’re doing in order to help with this awful situation. It means a lot to me, having you here for support.” Flipping open the book, she handed it to him, her fingers brushing his as she did so.

Lucien’s heart shuddered. Had the gesture been intentional? He hoped it had been, but there was nothing in her expression or bearing to indicate that this was the case. He blinked, shook his head and bent over the text before him. How the devil would he ever survive the long night ahead? Standing outside her bedchamber door within feet of her bed was going to be hell.

S
eated in the parlor the following afternoon, Katherine busied herself with some embroidery while Lucien helped his driver ready the carriage. After returning from London an hour earlier, Lucien’s valet had informed them that word of Lady Crossby’s business proficiency had recently spread due to questions being asked by some men of dubious repute. Worst of all, however, was Mr. Dawson’s account of an accident that had occurred on Regent Street the previous evening when a fabric shop, La Belle Anglaise, had caught fire. Thankfully nobody had been harmed, but most of the shop’s contents had been ruined. What Lucien and Mr. Dawson hadn’t known until Katherine had mentioned it, however, was that she had sunk a great deal of her own money into that business in her desire to help the proprietress—a woman Katherine had known since childhood, as she had once been Katherine’s governess.