What a Wicked Earl Wants (11 page)

“You give your opinion rather decidedly for one who refuses to marry,” she said.

“There is a difference,” he said. “I do not have to marry in order to enjoy a lover, whereas you are determined to follow a moral code that impedes intimacy outside of marriage.”

“My morals are none of your concern,” she said. “And you have no right to speak to me in this manner.”

“I merely stated the truth. You were married for several years, and now you mean to remain celibate for the rest of your life?”

Her face heated, and she halted. “You go too far.”

Two ladies on the opposite side of the path stared at them. “Let’s continue our conversation in private,” he said. Before she could object, he turned down a path surrounded by tall hedges.

He walked halfway down the path and joined her on a wrought-iron bench. “Your face is red. Why are you perturbed?”

She had her reasons for her decision, but she owed him no explanation. “You should not speak of immodest topics in my presence.”

His lopsided smile made him look boyish. She averted her gaze, refusing to let him lure her with his charm. “It may have escaped your notice, but I am a lady, not one of your mistresses.”

“I meant no disrespect,” he said. “You were married, and I know that you’re not unresponsive. Given what you’ve told me, I find it odd that you would dismiss marriage.”

“Unlike you, pleasures of the flesh are not my first priority.”

“Ah, but I’ve kissed you, and I know you enjoyed it as much as I did.”

In truth, she’d lain awake remembering the way he’d touched and kissed her, but she would not, could not tell him. “I beg your pardon. This conversation is unsuitable. I am leaving.”

He rose with her. She turned, but he caught her arm and brought her round to face him. “If you’re angry, confront me. Don’t just walk away.”

She averted her gaze. “I do not like it when you speak of indelicate subjects.”

“Sit with me for a while.”

She met his gaze, and the hungry look in his eyes made her pulse race. “If someone were to find us—”

“We would hear their footsteps long before that happened, and we’re not doing anything wrong.”

“We should not be alone.” Because she wanted him to kiss and touch her again, and once that door opened, she feared she would not be able to close it.

“You are afraid.”

Up went her chin. “I’m not afraid of you. You may be a rake, but you are not stupid.”

His chest shook with laughter as he led her back to the bench. After they were seated, he said, “I think you are afraid of yourself.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She would never admit it.

“Let me amend that,” he said. “I suspect you are afraid you will succumb to desire.”

“Hah! You’re just hoping I will,” she said. “I assure you that will not happen.” Why had she said that? He would take it as a challenge, and even though he exasperated her, she knew she would not be able to resist him.

“I won’t lie to you,” he said, his voice a little rough. “I am attracted to you, but I swore to keep my distance. Even though you don’t approve of me, I suspect you feel the same way.”

She moistened her lips and looked at her lap. “I was taught that those feelings can be expressed only within marriage. My beliefs are ingrained. Even if I believed differently, I would not risk an
affaire de coeur
, because if I were ever found out, my son and my family would share in my censure.”

His blue eyes filled with cynicism. “They would never know, and neither would anyone else.”

“You’re not listening,” she said. “It is a sin outside of marriage.”

“So you will live the rest of your life alone—”

“I will not be alone. I will have my family and my son.”

“All of whom you will put ahead of your own needs. Why is that, Laura?”

Her temper flared. “You know very little about me, and yet you have the audacity to judge me.”

“I know that you accepted a marriage proposal from an old man who knew he was ill, but you were willing to sacrifice because he needed you. You’re doing it again with your son, and I suspect it’s the same with your family.”

She turned to him and put her fist to her heart. “I loved my husband, and my family means everything to me.” She’d become defensive, but deep down, she wondered if it was because there was some truth in what he’d said. “Whatever choices I make are mine and mine alone. I’m sure in your world I would be considered provincial for my beliefs. In my world, a man like you is considered a libertine.”

“I am well aware that you are a lady of strict moral principles.”

“Yes, and I am only just now realizing that I willingly followed you into a deserted area.”

He lifted his brows. “Do you think I would pounce on you?”

“Of course not, but I imagine there are plenty of women who would welcome you into their beds.” The moment she uttered the words, she winced. “Oh, how do you manage to bring out the worst in me?”

His mouth curved in the slightest of smiles. “The first time I caught you watching me at Lady Atherton’s ball, I thought you were issuing an invitation.”

“Oh, do not remind me of that night. I do not even know why I stared at you.” She’d been completely mesmerized by his uncommonly handsome face.

“When I asked Lady Atherton for your address that night, she told me that you were not for the likes of a rakehell like me,” he said. “You are not the sort of woman I was seeking. I wanted a mistress, a temporary lover. Instead, I discovered a widow with strict moral scruples and a son in need of discipline.” He paused a moment. “I know you are a lady and that you will not go against your beliefs. But I won’t lie. I am more attracted to you than I’ve ever been to any woman.”

“I find that difficult to believe.”

“It is illogical but true. You will never allow me the liberties I crave, and so I desire you all the more because you are forbidden—and incredibly beautiful.”

“Forgive me, but I suspect you say those words to any woman you find desirable.”

“Most of the women I’ve known expect compliments. You, on the other hand, have trouble accepting them.”

“Only because I distrust your sincerity.”

“I have nothing to gain.” He grinned. “Unless, of course, you change your mind and beg me to make a dishonest woman of you.”

She couldn’t help laughing. “I imagine you have disarmed many women with your charm.”

“But not you?”

She looked at him beneath her lashes. “Perhaps a little.”

“Ah, there is hope for me yet.”

“Lady Atherton warned me about you at her ball.”

“What did she say?”

“‘What he wants, he gets. Be sure it’s not you.’”

He laughed. “I have a proposition for you.”

Her smile faded.

“Perhaps we could be friends,” he said.

She hesitated. It would be rude to refuse him, but she worried where a friendship might lead.

“I don’t have an ulterior motive.”

She knit her brows. “Very well, as long as it is only friendship.”

“For a moment, I thought you would refuse,” he said.

“I didn’t care for some of the things you said today, but I don’t dislike you.”

He clutched his hands to his chest. “Faint praise, indeed.”

“If I had my fan handy, I would swat you.”

“Laura—”

She lifted her chin. “Lady Chesfield.”

“If we’re to be friends, can we dispense with Lady this, Lord that, when it’s just the two of us? It’s rather tiresome.”

“You are too bold,” she said.

He leaned over her, pinning his hands against the bench on either side of her. “You tempt me,” he said, “but I will restrain myself…if or until you are willing.”

“I ought to reprimand you, but I see the mischief in your eyes.”

He stood and helped her to rise. “We had better return before someone spreads the rumor that I’ve had my wicked way with you.”

She took his arm. “I hate to disappoint you, but there’s no chance of that misapprehension.”

“Why is that?” he said, leading her back down the path.

“There’s nary a wrinkle in my skirts.”

He laughed as they emerged onto the main path.

Male voices drew her attention. She looked to her right and saw Justin stop on the path. Her son’s face and ears turned crimson. The two boys with him darted amused glances at him and walked off, leaving him behind.

Laura’s stomach roiled. “I have to go to my son.”

“Do you need assistance?” Bellingham asked.

“No, I will take care of this.” She started off toward Justin, but he turned his back and strode off.

“Justin, wait,” she called.

He halted and faced her. His jaw tightened as she approached.

“What is wrong?” she asked.

He scowled. “Are you oblivious?”

“Lower your voice, please,” she said in as neutral a tone as she could manage.

Justin’s nostrils flared. “What were you doing walking down a secluded path with that rake?”

A couple on the other side of the path glanced at them as they walked past. “We had better leave,” she said.

He started striding off. She hurried to catch up with him. “Every passerby is witnessing your anger.”

“Yes, and my friends saw you hanging on to that rakehell.”

“You will not address me in an insulting manner. I was only walking with him.”

“In the bushes,” he gritted out.

“I will not put up with your insolence.”

“I don’t care.”

“We will discuss this when we are in the carriage,” she said.

Justin said nothing else, but the rigid set of his jaw spoke volumes.

Once they entered Mrs. Norcliffe’s house, the butler showed them to the anteroom to wait until the carriage arrived. She perched upon a sofa, noted the time on the mantel clock, and clasped her hands. Given the number of carriages in the square, she figured they would have to wait a bit.

Justin slouched in a cross-framed armchair and glared at her. “How could you?”

“Hush. I said we will discuss the matter in the carriage and not beforehand,” she said in an undertone. His insufferable attitude grated on her nerves, but she would reprimand him when they could speak alone.

Justin kept getting up to look out the window, and then he would start pacing. Laura said nothing, because she didn’t trust her son to keep a cool head. But after alternately tapping her toes and fingers for forty minutes, Laura began to wonder if the butler had forgotten them. “I will check on the progress of the carriage,” she said.

Laura walked into the foyer and approached the butler. “I’ve been waiting for some time now. Is there any word on the carriage?”

The butler winced. “My lady, I apologize. I summoned it but forgot to check again. Allow me to send a footman to inquire for you.” He motioned to a footman, and Laura described the carriage to him.

After the footman left, the butler cleared his throat. “My lady, you may return to the anteroom. I will summon you when there is word.”

She sighed. “Please inform me the moment the footman returns.”

“Yes, my lady. I’m very sorry for the delay,” he said.

A dull ache started in her temples. She did her best to conceal her frustration and returned to the anteroom.

Justin turned away from the window. “Is the carriage ready?”

She shook her head. “The butler summoned the carriage, but when it didn’t arrive, he apparently forgot to check again.”

“We’ve been waiting almost an hour,” Justin said.

“The butler sent a footman after the carriage. It shouldn’t be long now.”

When another twenty minutes passed, Laura gritted her teeth and returned to the foyer where she found the footman speaking to the butler. “Is the carriage ready?” she asked.

“My lady, your driver apparently left the premises,” the butler said. “Evidently there was a miscommunication of some sort.”

She rubbed her temple. “Will you please summon a hackney?”

Footsteps clipped on the marble floor behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw Bellingham.

“I couldn’t help overhearing. Since I’m leaving, I will take you in my carriage,” he said.

“I do not want to put you to any trouble.”

“How long have you been waiting?”

“More than an hour,” she said.

Bellingham narrowed his eyes at the butler and then returned his attention to her. “You’ve waited far too long as it is. I insist.”

“Thank you. Let me inform Justin.”

When she returned to the anteroom, Justin frowned. “Surely the carriage is ready by now.”

“The driver apparently left. Lord Bellingham offered to take us in his carriage. Come along.”

“No,” he said. “You will have nothing to do with him.”

“Justin, we have been waiting for an age. Please do not argue with me.”

“Don’t you understand? He wants to seduce you.”

A deep male voice sounded behind her. “I have no intention of accosting your mother, but if riding in my carriage offends you, feel free to walk home.”

Laura dug her nails into her palms. Why had he goaded her son?

“I’m not leaving her alone with you,” Justin said.

Bellingham shrugged. “Suit yourself.” Then he offered his arm to her. Laura took it and imagined Justin seething behind them, which was completely ridiculous.

Bellingham halted in the foyer and addressed the butler. “Please make sure that Lady Chesfield’s driver is informed that she found another ride home the minute he arrives.”

“Yes, my lord.” The butler bowed and rushed to open the door.

No one said a word as they walked out and entered the carriage. Bellingham sat across from them with his back to the horses. The carriage rolled off, and Justin turned his attention to the window.

Bellingham removed his hat and raked his hand through his hair. “The butler shouldn’t have left you waiting so long.”

“I should have checked sooner,” she said. “There were many guests.”

Bell’s jaw tightened visibly. “The butler was derelict in his duty.”

“I hope you didn’t leave early on our account,” she said.

He shook his head. “No, I put in an appearance for Harry’s sake. I never intended to stay long.”

“You’re missing your friends,” she said.

“I’ll likely see them at the club tonight and at Angelo’s fencing academy on Thursday morning.”