The Danger in Tempting an Earl (6 page)

“You seem very preoccupied all of a sudden.” The sound of his voice breaking the silence startled her. “Anything you’d like to share with me?”

Not in a million years!

“I was just thinking about Sophia,” she lied, hoping he’d believe her. The orange glow from a torch flickered against the side of his face, illuminating it enough for her to see his frown. “I believe I would like to return home soon so I can check on her.”

“Let us at least stay for the fireworks display. We can leave immediately after if you like.”

Katherine nodded her consent, for she had been looking forward to seeing the sky light up with bright bursts of color. It would be a shame to miss it.

“Will I have a chance to meet Sophia tomorrow?” Lucien suddenly asked.

The question surprised Katherine, for Lucien was the first man to voice even the slightest interest in her daughter; why, even Katherine’s female friends had made it clear that an infant had no place in polite company. They preferred to enjoy their tea undisturbed while the children were left with their nannies. “If you like,” she said. “I’m sure she’d be happy to make your acquaintance.”

“Truly?”

“She’s only six months old—she’s not very judgmental.”

Lucien laughed. “I must confess that I’ve missed your wit while I’ve been away.”

“Oh? Are they all very dull on the other side of the Channel?”

“No, I can’t say that they are. In fact, most were very forthcoming, though I suppose my rank did help. But I should have liked to have shared with someone some of the things I saw and experienced during my travels. It would have been nice to be able to talk about them.”

“I see no reason why you can’t still do so—I’d love to hear about your adventures.” She meant it, for while he’d told her that he’d missed her wit, she had missed so much more, she realized—she’d missed the companionship he’d always offered her, a companionship she’d never shared with anyone else, least of all with her husband.

Even now Katherine’s throat tightened at the memory of what her wedding night had been like.

“Are you all right?” she heard Lucien ask.

Her breath caught. “Yes,” she managed.

“You seemed so distant all of a sudden,” he said as they approached the stairs leading back up to the terrace. “I hope I’ve not distressed you in any way, for if I have, then I can assure you that—”

“You have not,” she said, forcing a smile. “I’m just tired, that’s all. I find that being a mother, as wonderful as it is, can also be quite exhausting.”

“But you have her nanny to assist you. Surely you must be able to get a decent amount of rest.” He sounded genuinely concerned.

“One would think so, but I find myself awoken now by the slightest sound. It is as if my body is on constant alert, and each time that happens, I rise to check on her.”

“She sleeps close to you, then?” He did not try to mask his surprise.

“In an adjoining chamber,” she said, annoyed that he would dare to judge her on something like this. He had no right.

“I hope you do not think I disapprove, Kate. On the contrary, your devotion to your daughter is nothing short of admirable. Why, there are so many people who care not one whit for their children, abandoning them to their nannies and governesses at every available opportunity. I’m glad to see that you’re taking an interest.”

It was not what she had expected him to say, and the surprise caught her off guard—so much so that she failed to watch her step, the tip of her slipper catching the hem of her gown and tripping her. For one faltering second, she felt the loss of control as her balance wavered. They were halfway up the stairs, so a plunge would hardly be painless, but just as she feared she would surely topple backward, a strong arm reached around her waist and held her steady.

Katherine’s breath caught with relief as she tilted her head back and looked up at Lucien. “Thank you,” she said. His dark brown eyes stared back at her with an intensity she found most unsettling. It was then that she realized how close he was holding her and how rapidly her heart was beating against her chest. She took a breath, aware that she might be responding to him in a most inappropriate way, but then she caught herself and pushed the notion aside.

Silly girl
.

Of course her pulse would be racing after what had just happened. To think that it had anything to do with Lucien would be ridiculous. Clearly Louise had muddled her head with all her talk of Lucien returning with the intention of courting her. And yet, when he distanced himself from her, she felt bereft. It had felt good to be held by someone, no matter how brief it had been.

“Let’s get you inside,” he said as they continued up the stairs, their arms linked so he could assist her. “I believe a refreshment will do you good.”

Chapter 5

“L
ady Huntley and Lady Winston,” Lucien said as they approached the two women who were standing close to the terrace doors. “Would you care for some lemonade? I’m about to fetch some for Lady Crossby and thought you might enjoy a glass yourselves.”

“How very kind you are, Lord Roxberry,” Lady Winston said, her voice soft as she spoke. “We’d appreciate that very much, wouldn’t we, Lady Huntley?”

“Oh, indeed we would.”

“Very good, then—I’ll be right back.” Leaving Katherine with Louise and Lady Winston, Lucien walked off, moving confidently through the crowd until he disappeared from Katherine’s sight.

“How was your stroll in the garden?” Louise asked.

Her question sent an uncomfortable rush of heat up Katherine’s arms and across her chest. “Quite lovely,” she admitted, immediately irritated by the gleam in Louise’s eyes. She decided to quash whatever notion her friend had of her and Lucien developing a relationship that went beyond the bounds of friendship. “Before arriving here, I was unsure if our relationship would ever return to what it once was, but during our walk it almost felt as if he never went away at all—as if things were just the way they used to be between us. Once he marries, this will probably change to some degree, since his wife will require more of his attention, but that is how it should be, don’t you think?”

“He’s spoken to you about his intention to marry?” Louise asked with marked curiosity.

“He made it clear that since he must eventually do his duty, he might as well get on with it, or something to that effect,” Katherine said. Why on earth was her heart beating so fast?

“And has he told you whom he intends to court?” Lady Winston asked.

“It appears he may be considering Lady Julie,” Katherine replied, albeit a little reluctantly.

“Well, I cannot accuse him of not having good taste,” Louise said. “Lady Julie will make a fine countess, to be sure.”

The comment gripped at Katherine’s insides, filling her mind with images of Lucien saying his vows to Lady Julie. To her dismay, she did not feel the least bit happy at the thought of it. “If you will please excuse me,” she said, “I will just pay a quick visit to the ladies’ retiring room.”

“I hope you’re not unwell,” Lady Winston said.

“No, not at all,” Katherine told her, attempting a calm tone to her voice even though her stomach was turning itself inside out and she feared she might be ill. “Indeed, I feel wonderful! It’s so good to be out among friends again.” And then she turned and hurried away, hoping that neither woman remarked on the way in which her words had faltered.

Reaching the other side of the ballroom, she was just about to turn down the hallway that would take her to the ladies’ retiring room when she spotted Lucien, his head bowed toward Lady Julie as he spoke to her. There was an intimacy between them that irritated Katherine beyond reason, and in spite of herself, she felt her whole body grow stiff as she watched the pair. Fearing they might see her, she made up her mind to continue on her way, when a low voice stopped her. “They make a fine match, don’t you think?”

Vexed by the question, Katherine spun around to find Mr. Goodard, the Duke of Kingsborough’s friend, standing close to her, his deep blue eyes trained on the same couple she’d been watching moments earlier. While she had met Mr. Goodard once or twice before, she had never spoken overly much with the man, and it annoyed her now that he’d noticed where her attention had just been riveted. “I’m sure they do,” she said, her words a little terser than she would have liked.

“I must confess that I’m a little surprised by Roxberry’s eagerness—I wouldn’t have thought Lady Julie his type.”

“No? And why is that? He’s been gone from here for quite some time, Mr. Goodard. Who knows what his tastes are like these days?”

Tearing his gaze away from Lucien and Lady Julie, Mr. Goodard fixed his eyes on Katherine and frowned. “You seem . . . piqued, my lady. Do you not approve of the choice your friend has made for himself?”

A nervous laugh escaped her. “Rest assured, sir, he has not made a choice yet. For heaven’s sake, the two of them have only just met.”

“Hmm . . . perhaps that is true. However, love matches sometimes take little more than a minute to be formed.”

A love match?

Why, it was preposterous to think that Lucien had been so easily struck by Cupid’s arrow. She looked toward him again just as he laughed in response to something Lady Julie said, his hand reaching out to rest for a moment on her arm. Something awful rose inside Katherine at that moment—something she did not like or understand in the least—and it took every ounce of restraint she possessed to quell it.

Feeling miserable, she bid Mr. Goodard a good evening and continued on her way, ignoring the hush that filled the room behind her and the dim sound of the duke’s voice as he started to speak to his guests. All she could think of at that moment was that she had to get away.

Pushing open the door to the retiring room, she was thankful to find the space empty, allowing her some peace. She was sick of having to discuss Lucien’s intention to court either her or Lady Julie. Both notions aggravated her, and not for entirely dissimilar reasons. After all, Lucien had only just returned. Why couldn’t she and he just enjoy each other’s company in peace and quiet without everyone eager to draw unwarranted conclusions? Why had everyone decided that just because he spoke to Lady Julie, the two of them would likely be wed? It wasn’t likely at all, Katherine decided, no matter what his grandmother might think of the matter. Lucien would never attach himself permanently to a woman he’d only just met. Unless of course Mr. Goodard was right. What if it was love at first sight?

No. It cannot be.

Louise’s words from earlier filled her mind.
“There are many who believe that his heart had been so thoroughly broken by his unrequited love for you that he found it impossible to remain in your presence . . . let alone the same country.”
It couldn’t possibly be true, could it? Katherine shook her head. Of course it wasn’t true. Louise was wrong. She had to be, but even if she wasn’t, what did it really matter? Katherine had sworn that she would never remarry, and she would not want Lucien to think that she might if that was what he hoped for. No, it would be better, then, if she encouraged him to pursue Lady Julie, even though the thought of doing so did not sit well with her at all.

Lady Julie is perfectly lovely,
Katherine told herself as she made her way back to the ballroom. Everyone said so, did they not? And besides, she ought to trust Lucien’s ability to determine whether or not a woman would make him a suitable wife. However, when she returned to the ballroom and found the two of them dancing and smiling happily at each other, she didn’t enjoy the emotion that flared up inside her. Dear God, she wasn’t jealous, was she? The answer came in a flash, unnerving her even further. But how on earth could that be? She made an attempt to focus on what she was feeling as she watched the pair move about the dance floor.

This was what she’d always dreamed of when she’d contemplated her future, and as awful as it was, she couldn’t stop herself from wishing that it was she and not Lady Julie who was being gazed upon right now with adoration. Furthermore, she felt as if she’d just gotten her friend back, only to have him snatched away from her again without any warning.

Swallowing the pain that threatened to return in full force, Katherine averted her gaze from Lucien and Lady Julie and headed for the terrace, only to find her path blocked by a tall, dark-haired gentleman with whom she was well enough acquainted to know that she had no desire for his company. “If you’ll excuse me, Lord Starkly, I’m in no mood to hear whatever proposition you wish to make at the moment.”

The man, however, was as rude as always, and rather than allow her to pass, he took her firmly by the elbow and steered her forward. Well, at least they were heading outside, which had been her goal in the first place, but she would have so much rather accomplished it on her own. “What do you want?” she asked once he’d led her over to a low bench and she’d seated herself.

“I sense you’re not very eager for my company,” he said. His voice was gruff.

“You sound surprised.”

He didn’t answer immediately but expelled a deep breath instead and lowered himself slowly onto the bench beside her. “I must admit that I was hoping you’d be here this evening. When I saw you last, at Crossby’s funeral, you looked so pale and weary that I couldn’t help but worry about you.”

“I’m better now, so you needn’t concern yourself,” she said, looking away.

“And yet I find myself doing precisely that.” He paused before saying, “I know you’re unlikely to trust what I say, given my reputation, but I wanted to offer my services, in case there’s anything you need.”

She drew back. “Are you propositioning me, my lord?”

“No.” His words were firm. “You deserve better than to be insulted in such a manner. Katherine, I—”

“You are being entirely too familiar, my lord. I don’t believe I have ever given you permission to address me so liberally.” If only he would leave. She hated how scornful she sounded and how angry she felt, but seeing him had reminded her of things she’d rather forget, and it was rapidly ruining her evening.

“Forgive me, my lady,” Starkly said. “It was not my intention to upset you, just to let you know that should you need anything—anything at all—I’m more than happy to assist.”

He rose then, bowed toward her and wished her a pleasant evening before walking back inside. Katherine stared after him, fighting back the tears that burned in her eyes.

Rising, she headed for the stairs leading down to the lawn below.

“There’s a waltz starting, Kate,” a deep familiar voice spoke. “I was hoping you’d agree to dance it with me.”

A flutter stirred her stomach as she turned to face Lucien. Determined not to allow anything to cloud the mood when she was in his presence, lest he become suspicious, she tamped down the nerves that had lingered from her conversation with Starkly. “What about Lady Julie? Wouldn’t you rather take her for a walk in the garden so you can become better acquainted?”

“I must admit that I did intend to suggest it, but her sisters asked her to take a turn with them, so I’m afraid she’s otherwise engaged at the moment.”

“How disappointing that must be for you,” Katherine said, attempting a lighthearted tone even though his confession made her feel like the rejected toy that only gets played with while the favorite one is being cleaned or mended.

He laughed and shook his head with amusement. “Not at all. Indeed, I’m thankful for a chance to spend a bit more time with you.”

“Oh?” Her spirits began to rise a little.

“If you must know, I couldn’t help but notice that you were talking to Lord Starkly. I thought I’d better ensure that he didn’t say anything untoward. The man doesn’t have the best reputation.”

Linking her arm with Lucien’s, Katherine allowed him to lead her back toward the ballroom. “If you’re inquiring as to whether or not he made any inappropriate suggestions, then the answer is no, he did not.”

“I’m relieved to hear it.”

“Others have, however, but I have turned them all down. The last thing I need right now is a scandal.”

They entered the ballroom, where the shimmering glow of light from the chandeliers overhead bounced off each and every piece of jewelry present so they sparkled like stars. Smiling down at her as he led her onto the dance floor, Lucien said, “I take it you hope to remarry?”

His arm came about her waist as they took up their positions for the waltz. “No,” she said. “I merely hope to raise my daughter without tarnishing her name.”

The music started and Lucien took the lead, his hand pressed firmly against her back as he guided her forward. “A husband would permit you to do so,” he said. “Especially if you make the right match for yourself. A husband will grant you security, Kate, not to mention friendship and . . . so much more.”

“Good heavens,” Katherine gasped. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but look away. “You’re as bad as your grandmother!”

Lucien grinned. “She made a similar suggestion, did she?”

Katherine was not about to repeat what Lady Roxberry had said to her about a woman having “needs,” so she just nodded and said, “She did.”

“Well, if war has taught me anything, it is how fleeting life can be and how much more we might accomplish in the time we have if we’d only be more candid and less fearful of what others might think.”

Returning her gaze to him, Katherine noticed that all traces of humor had vanished from his face, and as she stared back up at his soulful expression, she felt her heart ache for him and all that he had been through. “There is such a thing as propriety to consider, Lucien. One cannot always utter the first thought that comes to mind.”

“One ought to be able to do so among family and close friends,” he countered.

Uncertainty threatened, and Katherine felt herself frown. “I’ve always imagined that you and I were very straightforward with each other. Are you telling me that hasn’t always been the case?”