Lusting For The Broken Earl (Steamy Historical Regency)

by Olivia Bennet

  “I wish you the best, my friend,” said Oliver, raising his glass to Allan. “I know that you certainly have some type of bond with Miss Crampton, so it is something that I believe you should at least consider.”

  Allan tipped his wine glass towards Oliver, and then took his final sip. “I do believe I will consider it,” he said. “However, I’m not sure when I will have the next opportunity to travel to their area. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks.”

  “You will have to make time, Wiltshire,” Oliver said. “Especially if you are serious about getting to know Miss Crampton a bit better.”

  “You are right, of course,” Allan agreed. “Though, it will have to be after the upcoming dinner party at my cousins’ home. I was just invited to the party this morning.”

  “Perfect,” said Oliver. He raised his glass again. “To your continued good fortune, Wiltshire,” and he finished his wine.

  Chapter 11

  Esther and Ruth were once again in a carriage heading to the Duke of Daftwood’s estate. This time, however, their sister, Mary, was the Duchess of Daftwood.

  “I am so thrilled to see Mary,” Ruth said, with excitement in her voice. “It has only been a few weeks, but I have missed her.”

  “I have, too,” said Esther, who was also looking forward to seeing Mary. “I can’t wait to hear about how her wedding tour was. I’m sure they met with amazing people and had wonderful experiences.”

  “I am also looking forward to the dinner party,” said Ruth, as she looked out the window of the carriage. “Did Mary mention how many people would be in attendance?”

  “She didn’t,” replied Esther. “But I’m sure they have invited many, as they have a lot of people to reconnect with since they have been gone.”

  “Did she say if Lord Wiltshire would be in attendance?” Ruth asked as she turned towards Esther with a smile.

  “No,” said Esther, “Why do you ask?”

  “No reason,” said Ruth. “I enjoyed spending time with him, so I was hoping to see him again. I thought you felt the same.”

  “He is a good conversationalist,” Esther admitted, “but that’s where it ends for me.”

  “I still don’t understand why,” said Ruth. “He is handsome, accomplished, and funny. He seems to be a perfect gentleman.”

  Esther sighed. “Yes, Ruth,” she said. “All of that is true, but I have seen what war does to men, especially when they have been seriously injured. They turn into beasts, in many cases.”

  “He doesn’t seem like that at all, though,” said Ruth. “I still think you should give him a chance.”

  Esther was starting to get irritated with her sister. “If you like him so much, Ruth,” she replied. “Perhaps you should give him a chance.”

  Ruth laughed. “You know that I am already courting a gentleman.”

  “I do,” said Esther. “But you seem very focused on Lord Wiltshire.”

  “Because I think that the two of you should spend more time together,” Ruth explained.

  “Spending time together is one thing,” Esther explained. “But actually courting would be another.”

  “Fine,” said Ruth with a giggle. “I’ll accept that.”

  Esther looked out the window. The rolling hills were gorgeous, and she could see sheep dotting the countryside. She assumed that they were almost at the estate, but without a timepiece, she couldn’t be sure.

  “How long do you think it will take to get to the estate?” Esther asked her sister.

  “I believe that we will be there soon,” Ruth replied. “It can’t be too far. I’m sure Lord Wiltshire won’t be the only one looking forward to seeing you when we arrive, though.”

  Esther cringed. “I know, I know,” she replied to Ruth. “Lord Harry will undoubtedly be happy to see me.”

  “You know,” Ruth said, with a serious look on her face. “If you truly aren’t interested in Lord Harry, you should make sure that he is aware of that.”

  “I know,” said Esther. “I am truly not interested. Honestly, I’m not interested in anyone. I am very happy with putting my time into my work.”

  “You are lucky that Father hasn’t pushed you into a marriage, if you ask me,” Ruth replied.

  “I know,” Esther said. “But he has always said that he would allow me to make the decision on who I marry.”

  “On who you marry,” Ruth said. “But not if?”

  “No,” Esther replied. “Not if.”

  “I think he would want to see you marry at some point, Sister,” Ruth said.

  “I know,” Esther said. “I’m sure I will someday.”

  “Did he really say that he would let you choose who you marry? Ruth said, after a brief pause in the conversation.

  “Yes,” Esther replied. “Why?”

  “I’m just hoping for the same,” Ruth said quietly. “That’s all.”

  “You really need to tell them, Ruth.” Esther said, her role of the oldest sister coming through. “They need to know that he has asked for your hand.”

  “I will,” Ruth replied. “I promise.” She turned from the window towards Esther. “I can see the estate. We are almost there!”

  * * *

  Allan was sitting comfortably in the drawing room of his cousins’ home. He had arrived a bit earlier than the other guests, so he was relaxing before it was time to get ready for dinner. Edward and Mary had met him, and they looked very much the happy couple. He hadn’t seen Harry yet, as he was at the stables when he had arrived, but he was looking forward to that, too.

  Since seeing Bridget, and the promise of seeing her again, Allan had little on his mind, but her. Though, it wasn’t much about her that he kept thinking of, it was thoughts of physically being with her. He was happier than he had been in weeks, and he was already thinking about when he could go back. Perhaps even next week after he returned home.

  “My Lord,” he heard a voice behind him. “Would you care for a drink? Wine? Scotch?”

  Allan turned and saw a footman waiting for his response. “Yes, please. A Scotch, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course, My Lord,” the footman said. Allan watched as he walked over to the decanter and poured the Scotch into the sparkling crystal glass. He could remember the decanter from when he was a child, and he could recall watching his father and uncle drinking Scotch from it many years ago as he and his cousins, then just boys, were watching in awe.

  The footman presented the glass to him, and Allan took it willingly. He was always a fan of Scotch, especially since he had returned from the war. There was something about the numbing feeling that enveloped his body from the first sip.

  As he swallowed, Allan saw the door open and his cousin, Harry, walked in with a smile. “There you are, Cousin,” Harry said, as he walked towards Allan with an outstretched hand.

  Allan stood, placed his Scotch on the small table to his side, and grinned at Harry. He took Harry’s hand in his own, and the two men embraced in a hug.

  “It’s wonderful to see you, Harry,” Allan remarked, patting his cousin’s shoulder.

  “Same to you, Allan,” Harry replied. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to see you when you arrived. I had to take care of some things at the stables. The staff needed a bit of direction with a new filly.”

  “It’s perfectly acceptable,” Allan replied. “I haven’t been here long, and both Edward and Mary greeted me. It was nice to have some time for relaxation after my journey here.”

  “Wonderful,” Harry said. “Do you mind if I join you?”

  “Not at all,” Allan replied. “Please, have a seat.”

  Allan sat back down. Harry sat in the chair opposite him. The footman immediately brought him a glass of Scotch. Harry picked it up and took a sip. Allan followed suit.

  “It’s been a few weeks since I have seen you, Allan,” Harry said. “How have you been?”

  “I have been well,” Allan replied. “Nothing much to report. Business is going well, and I have been travelling a
bit, but other than that, life has been rather boring.”

  “Now that my brother and sister-in-law are back home,” Harry said, “My life is about to get less boring. It will be nice to have them here again, and I could use some help with the horses. Those weeks they were gone were rather demanding, managing all of the staff myself.”

  “I can imagine,” Allan replied. “My property is about half the size of yours, and some days I have struggles.”

  Harry took a sip of his Scotch. “It is all in the name of duty, I suppose.”

  “Yes, indeed,” Allan said.

  “Are you looking forward to the dinner party tomorrow?” Harry asked. “We are having approximately twenty people here, so that will be a wonderful time, I’m sure.”

  “That sounds excellent,” Allan replied. “Anyone I know?”

  Harry thought a moment. “Lord and Lady Booth, perhaps. Lord Booth’s parents were friendly with ours, so I am sure you have met him at some point in time.”

  “I’m sure I have,” said Allan. “I know the name, of course.”

  “They are quite active in the arts, and are patrons of several artists,” Harry explained. “We have some of the works from artists they support here in the estate.”

  “That does sound very familiar, actually,” said Allan, who was sure that he had heard of Lord Booth.

  “Oh,” said Harry. “Mary’s sisters will be here, too.” He looked excited. “Her parents are unable to come due to a previous engagement in London, but Lady Esther and Lady Ruth are coming, and they should be arriving tonight.”

  Allan’s heart skipped a beat. He had been so focused on Bridget that he had forgotten about the possibility that Lady Esther would be here. Though she had been rather cold towards him the last time they had spoken, he was still excited about the prospect of seeing her. She was lovely to speak with, and even lovelier to look at. Where Bridget filled him with thoughts of desire, Lady Esther was…different.

  “They are lovely ladies,” said Allan. “The entire family seemed lovely, in fact, when I met them at the wedding.”

  “They really are,” said Harry. “Edward couldn’t have met a nicer lady.” He took a sip of Scotch. “And I don’t think it is a secret that I have an interest in Esther.”

  “No,” said Allan quickly. “Edward mentioned it, if you remember, when I arrived for the wedding.”

  “I do,” said Harry with a chuckle. “She will come around to me. Perhaps this weekend. I have plans to make sure I speak with her often. I am also going to ask her to take a walk with me around the grounds.”

  Allan was feeling a bit jealous about his cousin taking Esther for a walk, and he knew that it was because he was now thinking of her in a way that was more than just familiar. He finished his glass of Scotch, and the footman was right there to refill it.

  “Perhaps you would like to join us?” Harry asked after the footman had refilled his glass, too. “I am also planning on asking Mary and Edward…and Lady Ruth, of course.”

  “Oh, yes,” Allan said. “That sounds like it would be nice.” At least Lady Ruth will be there…and Edward and Lady Mary.

  “Speaking of wooing ladies,” Harry said with a chuckle. “Did you happen to see Miss Bridget Crampton?”

  Allan smiled slightly, but oddly, now he wasn’t as excited to tell Harry about Bridget as he once was.

  “I did see her,” Allan told Harry. “Thank you for leading me in the right direction.”

  “That’s fantastic,” said Harry, excitedly. “Please, tell me what happened.”

  “Well,” said Allan, “I located her father, thanks to you, and I just happened to have business in the same area where he practices.”

  “What could be more perfect?” Harry said with a large grin.

  “I stopped in to see him, and we had a very nice conversation,” Allan explained. “He certainly remembered me, and I thanked him for the care he gave me following my injury.”

  “Where does Miss Bridget come in?” Harry asked.

  Allan smiled. Obviously, Harry was more excited about this than he was to tell him about it. “I told him that I wished to thank his daughter, too, and she was there.”

  “Excellent!” Harry said.

  “So, the Doctor’s assistant brought Bridget out, and we were able to speak.” Allan continued with the story.

  “And?” Harry asked, taking another sip of his Scotch.

  Allan, too, took a sip of his. “It was a lovely conversation. She remembered me, too, and she looked just as nice as she did the last time I saw her.”

  “So, will you see her again?” Harry asked.

  “I will,” Allan said. “In fact, I told her that I would be back in the area after this week, and I would like to see her then.”

  “That sounds like an outstanding plan,” Harry exclaimed. “If my walk with Lady Esther works out, I would be happy to share the secrets of my success.” He laughed heartedly, and Allan just smiled. I don’t really want to hear about this.

  Harry took a final sip of his Scotch, and then said “You will have to excuse me, Cousin. I have to walk down to the stables to make sure all is well, and then go dress for dinner. I will see you then.”

  Allan watched Harry take his leave and took another sip of his drink. He was truly looking forward to seeing Bridget, but he also wanted to stop Harry from spending time with Lady Esther. He knew, then, that he had a problem on his hands with the thoughts of both women swimming through this head.

  * * *

  Mary looked simply stunning. Esther and Ruth had just met Mary and Edward outside of the doors to their home. Ruth was talking to Edward excitedly, and Esther turned to Mary.

  Esther couldn’t believe how grown up her younger sister looked. “Your wedding tour must have been successful,” she said with a smile as she enveloped Mary in a hug. “You look so well!”

  “Oh, Esther,” Mary said. “It was so wonderful. I met so many new people and reconnected with old friends I have lost touch with over the years. London was spectacular, though York was my absolute favorite.”

  “Oh, Mary,” Esther said. “I am so very happy for you. Imagine getting to see the country and meet new people.”

  “I am so happy, Esther,” Mary said, taking Esther’s hands in her own. “I can only hope that you, too, can find the same happiness.”

  Esther was caught off guard. “I am happy, now, Mary,” she said with a smile.

  Mary smiled back at her. “I know, Sister,” she said, “And I think that is truly wonderful. I just think that you will not know the type of happiness I am speaking of until you find a man who loves you as much as Edward loves me. Of course, I love him in return.”

  Esther nodded. “I understand what you mean, Mary. If it is meant to be, it will happen. For now, though, my work remains my top priority.”

  Mary smiled at her. “I know, Esther,” she replied, “I know how much it means to you, and I am so proud of you for doing it. Just don’t turn off the possibility of love.”

  Now it was Esther’s turn to smile. “I won’t. I promise.”

  Mary leaned forward to give her sister a kiss on the cheek, and Ruth stepped up beside her. Esther turned, and she noticed that another carriage had arrived, and the coachman was preparing to let the inhabitants out. She couldn’t help but wonder if, perhaps, Lord Wiltshire was inside.

  “We should probably go in and prepare for dinner, Mary,” Esther said to her sister. “It seems you have other guests to attend to.”

  “Indeed,” Mary replied. “Ruth, I look forward to catching up with you later.” Esther watched as Mary took Ruth in her arms and kissed her cheek.

  Bolt, the butler, was waiting by the stairs of the house to escort Esther and Ruth inside. The pair stepped into the grand foyer.

  Esther looked up and around, and she was in awe, just as she was every time she had visited this estate. It was decorated beautifully, and the art was exquisite.

  She followed Bolt into the main hallway, and as they turn
ed the corner, heard Bolt say, “Good afternoon, My Lord.” She looked, and her heart sank. It was Lord Harry.

  “Good Afternoon, Bolt,” Lord Harry said, and then he turned towards Esther and Ruth. “Lady Esther. Lady Ruth. It is wonderful to see you.” He smiled widely.